The Wonderful Adventures of Nils · Chapter
Night explained
During the night, a loosened ice-cake on Vomb Lake allows Smirre Fox to sneak up on the wild geese.
What happens
During the night, a loosened ice-cake on Vomb Lake allows Smirre Fox to sneak up on the wild geese. He grabs a goose by the wing, but Nils chases after him, mistaking Smirre for a dog. Nils grabs Smirre's tail and, after a struggle, manages to free the goose, which flies back to the lake. Smirre then pursues Nils, who climbs a young beech tree to escape. Nils spends a cold, fearful night in the tree until dawn, when the sun rises and brings warmth and courage, reassuring him that all will be well.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom vs. Confinement
Nils is trapped in the tree all night, confined by the fox's presence, while the geese fly free at dawn.
Transformation and Growth
Nils uses his elf-given abilities (night vision, courage) to confront danger and protect the goose, showing his growth from a mischievous boy.
Nature and Animal Wisdom
The chapter contrasts the treacherous ice and the fox's cunning with the sun's life-giving warmth, which reassures Nils and the forest creatures.
Characters to notice
- Nils Holgersson
Chases Smirre Fox to rescue a goose, climbs a tree to escape, and endures a cold night until sunrise.
- Smirre Fox
Steals a goose from the ice, is pursued by Nils, and after losing the goose, tries to catch Nils but fails.
- Morten Goosey-Gander
Warns Nils to be careful during the chase.
- Akka
Implied as the leader of the wild geese; the geese fly away at dawn without seeing Nils.
Key passages
“It is a fact that ice is always treacherous and not to be trusted.”
Ice is inherently dangerous and unreliable.
Opening line sets the tone for the chapter's peril.
“He saw both lake and shore just as clearly as if it had been daylight.”
Nils could see perfectly in the dark thanks to the elf's gift.
Highlights Nils's magical night vision.
“He never before understood the real meaning of 'night.' It was just as if the whole world had become petrified, and never could come to life again.”
Nils felt that night made the world seem frozen and lifeless.
Conveys the oppressive feeling of darkness and isolation.
“It isn't worth while, Nils Holgersson, for you to be troubled about anything, as long as I'm here.”
The sun tells Nils not to worry because its presence brings safety and hope.
The sun's personified reassurance ends the chapter on a hopeful note.