# Endnotes explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

> Chapter companion for The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf.

## What happens

This chapter provides explanatory notes on various names and terms used in the book, including the pet name 'Mårten Gåskarl' for a tame gander, the cunning fox 'Smirre Fox', the elf-king 'Goa-Nisse', the graceful squirrel 'Sirle Squirrel', the cat pet name 'Mons', the otter 'Gripe Otter', the Swedish title 'Fru', and the Swedish holiday 'Morten Gooseday' on November 10th.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folklore and Swedish Heritage

The endnotes explain Swedish cultural terms and folklore figures such as Goa-Nisse (elf-king) and the holiday Morten Gooseday.

## Character check-ins

### Morten Goosey-Gander

Explained as a pet name for a tame gander, analogous to 'Dickie-bird' for a pet bird.

### Smirre Fox

Described as a cunning fox.

### Goa-Nisse

Identified as an elf-king, corresponding to Puck or Robin Goodfellow.

### Sirle Squirrel

Means graceful or nimble squirrel.

## Key lines

> Mårten Gåskarl (Morten Goosie-gander) is a pet name for a tame gander, just as we use Dickie-bird for a pet bird.

Morten Goosey-Gander is a nickname for a domesticated male goose, similar to calling a pet bird 'Dickie-bird'.

_Clarifies the affectionate naming convention._

> A Goa-Nisse is an elf-king, and corresponds to the English Puck or Robin Goodfellow.

A Goa-Nisse is a king of the elves, comparable to the English characters Puck or Robin Goodfellow.

_Explains the mythological figure._

> In Sweden the 10th of November is called Morten Gooseday and corresponds to the American Thanksgiving Day.

November 10th in Sweden is known as Morten Gooseday, similar to the American Thanksgiving.

_Provides cultural context for the holiday._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters