# In Närke explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

This chapter recounts the legend of Ysätter-Kaisa, a mischievous but not truly evil wind witch from Närke. She delighted in causing storms, blizzards, and playful havoc, yet she protected honest folk and children. The narrative suggests she may still be active, as evidenced by events during Nils Holgersson's journey through the region.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folklore and Swedish Heritage

The entire chapter is a folkloric tale about Ysätter-Kaisa, illustrating Swedish cultural beliefs about wind witches and their role in rural life.

### Humanity and Compassion

Despite her mischief, Ysätter-Kaisa is described as protective of honest folk and poor children, showing a compassionate side.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Mentioned as traveling through Närke during the year when Ysätter-Kaisa's antics were observed.

### Kaisa

The wind witch Ysätter-Kaisa, central figure of the chapter, known for her playful and disruptive wind storms.

## Key lines

> It was just as refreshing for the peasants to meet Ysätter-Kaisa as it was for the plain to be lashed by the windstorm.

The peasants found encountering Ysätter-Kaisa as invigorating as the plain being swept by a storm.

_Highlights the dual nature of the witch as both troublesome and refreshing._

> Nowadays ’tis said that Ysätter-Kaisa is dead and gone, like all other witches, but this one can hardly believe.

People claim Ysätter-Kaisa is dead, but the narrator doubts it.

_Sets up the possibility that the witch still influences events in Närke._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/in-n-rke
- 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