# The Parting with the Wild Geese explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

On the morning of November ninth, Nils, now restored to human form, goes to the coast to bid farewell to the wild geese. He struggles to communicate with them, as he can no longer understand or speak their language. Akka and the flock eventually recognize him, and they share a tender goodbye. Nils feels a deep longing for his former life as Thumbietot, but accepts the parting.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Growth

Nils has been transformed back into a human, but now faces the loss of his ability to communicate with the wild geese, highlighting his personal growth and the bittersweet nature of change.

### Freedom vs. Confinement

Nils, now a human, stands on the shore while the wild geese fly free; he yearns for the freedom of his former life as Thumbietot.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Now human again, Nils goes to the coast to say goodbye to the wild geese, but cannot speak or understand their language.

### Akka

Old Mother Akka turns back and recognizes Nils; she and the flock bid him a fond farewell.

### Morten Goosey-Gander

Nils tries to rouse him in the pen, but Morten has no desire to leave home.

### Yksi

One of the old geese from the start; Nils strokes and pats her in farewell.

### Kaksi

Another of the old geese; Nils strokes and pats her in farewell.

## Key lines

> He was standing alone on the strand east of Smyge fishing hamlet before sunrise.

Before dawn, Nils stood by himself on the beach east of Smyge fishing village.

_Sets the scene for Nils's solitary farewell._

> He could not call them to him because human beings can not speak the language of birds.

Nils realized he couldn't summon the geese because humans cannot speak the birds' language.

_Highlights the barrier between Nils and his former companions._

> The boy felt such a yearning for his departing comrades that he almost wished he were Thumbietot again and could travel over land and sea with a flock of wild geese.

Nils longed so much for his friends that he nearly wished to be Thumbietot once more, to journey with the wild geese.

_Captures Nils's emotional conflict and nostalgia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/the-parting-with-the-wild-geese
- 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