# On the Farm explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

A lady squirrel is captured and caged on a farm, but the elf (Nils) helps reunite her with her babies, leading the farmer to release the family back into the wild.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humanity and Compassion

The farmer's decision to free the squirrel family shows compassion for animals, while Nils's actions demonstrate empathy and care.

### Freedom vs. Confinement

The squirrel's captivity and eventual release highlight the tension between confinement and the natural desire for freedom.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

The elf who rescues the baby squirrels and brings them to their mother.

### Sirle Squirrel

The captured mother squirrel who is distressed and unable to care for her young.

## Key lines

> the old grandma saw a tiny creature, no bigger than a hand's breadth, cautiously steal his way through the gate. He was dressed in leather breeches and wooden shoes like any other working man.

The grandmother spotted a tiny figure, about the size of a hand, sneaking through the gate, wearing leather pants and wooden shoes like a laborer.

_Describes Nils's appearance as an elf._

> When the farmer himself saw the young ones, he said: 'Be it as it may with this; but one thing is certain, we, on this farm, have behaved in such a manner that we are shamed before both animals and human beings.'

Upon seeing the baby squirrels, the farmer admitted that the farm's actions were shameful toward animals and people alike.

_The farmer's realization and remorse lead to the squirrels' release._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/on-the-farm
- 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