# The First Travelling Day explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

The wild geese, led by Akka, begin their autumn migration southward from Lapland. Nils rides on Morten Goosey-Gander's back as the flock of twenty-two goslings learns to fly long distances, eat air and drink wind, and memorize mountain names. Nils reflects on his summer in Lapland, his bonds with Akka and Gorgo, and his longing to return home and become human again, especially after meeting Osa. The journey is marked by encounters with other migrating animals and a sense of joyful departure.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

The migration southward is a grand adventure, with Nils and the geese exploring new landscapes and encountering other animals.

### Transformation and Growth

The goslings learn to fly, endure hunger, and memorize names, symbolizing growth through challenge, while Nils reflects on his own transformation and desire to return to human form.

### Freedom vs. Confinement

The geese embrace the freedom of flight and migration, contrasting with the confinement of winter and Nils's earlier life as a human.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Rides on Morten Goosey-Gander's back, waves his cap in excitement, and reflects on his summer adventures and his desire to return home.

### Akka

Leads the flock southward, teaches the goslings to fly and learn mountain names, and has spent the summer with Nils and Gorgo.

### Morten Goosey-Gander

Carries Nils on his back during the migration; has been preoccupied with his mate Dunfin during the summer.

### Gorgo

Mentioned as having spent happy hours with Nils and Akka during the summer, taking him on long trips.

### Dunfin

Flies in the flock alongside Morten Goosey-Gander; Morten has been unwilling to leave her.

### Osa

Mentioned in Nils's thoughts as the goose girl he saw, whose presence made him long to become human again.

## Key lines

> Wild geese must learn to eat air and drink wind.

Akka tells the hungry goslings that wild geese must adapt to flying without food, implying they need to endure hardship.

_Illustrates Akka's stern but practical teaching style and the theme of resilience._

> The more you put into your heads the more you can get into them.

Akka responds to the goslings' complaint about memorizing too many mountain names by saying that learning more increases capacity.

_Highlights Akka's wisdom and the value of persistent learning._

> He wanted to be himself again, so that Osa would not be afraid to talk to him and would not shut the door in his face.

Nils longs to regain his human form so that Osa, the goose girl, will not fear him or reject him.

_Reveals Nils's deep desire for normalcy and connection, driving his journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/the-first-travelling-day
- 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