# The New Watchdog explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

Nils Holgersson, hungry and unable to sleep after the geese escape the swans, uses a floating stump to reach shore. He warns a sleeping swan of a sneaking fox, then flees from the fox across meadows. He runs toward cabins and encounters two men who kick the fox away. Nils then approaches a watchdog, introduces himself as Thumbietot, and devises a plan to capture the fox. With the boy's help, the dog is unchained, catches Smirre Fox, and chains him up as a new watchdog.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom vs. Confinement

Smirre Fox, who previously roamed freely, is captured and chained as a watchdog, illustrating the theme of confinement.

### Humanity and Compassion

Nils shows compassion by warning the sleeping swan, and later cooperates with the watchdog rather than harming the fox unnecessarily.

### Adventure and Exploration

Nils's resourcefulness in using a stump to cross water and his quick thinking in evading the fox highlight the adventurous spirit.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Hungry and resourceful, Nils warns a swan, flees from Smirre Fox, and cleverly enlists a watchdog to capture the fox.

### Smirre Fox

Pursues Nils relentlessly, is kicked by men, and is ultimately caught and chained by the watchdog at Nils's direction.

### Caesar

The cranky watchdog who, after initial reluctance, helps Nils by catching and chaining Smirre Fox.

## Key lines

> It is necessary for me to get something to eat, he said.

Nils declared that he must find food.

_Highlights Nils's hunger and immediate need._

> Hi, hi, hi! Get up, get up! cried the boy, beating the water with his stick.

The boy shouted and splashed his stick to wake the swan.

_Shows Nils's quick action to warn the swan._

> Now, Smirre Fox, I hope you'll make a good watchdog, laughed the boy when he had finished.

Nils joked that Smirre Fox would serve well as a watchdog after being chained.

_Demonstrates Nils's cleverness and triumph over the fox._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/the-new-watchdog
- 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