# The Sheep explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

After a storm, the wild geese find shelter in a cave on Little Karl's Island, where they meet a flock of sheep plagued by three foxes that have been attacking them at night. Nils volunteers to keep watch and, with the help of the big ram, drives the foxes away.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humanity and Compassion

Nils shows compassion by helping the sheep defend themselves against the foxes.

### Adventure and Exploration

The geese discover Little Karl's Island and the sheep's plight.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Volunteers to keep watch for the foxes and helps the ram fight them off.

### Akka

Leads the flock to the cave and asks Nils to watch for the foxes.

### Morten Goosey-Gander

Present in the flock that takes shelter in the cave.

### Dunfin

Listed among the geese that safely reach the cave.

## Key lines

> It is a pity for you not to get any sleep! but I wonder if you are able to keep awake until the foxes come, and then to awaken us, so we may fly away.

Akka asks Nils to stay awake and alert for the foxes, then wake the geese so they can escape.

_Nils agrees to keep watch despite the storm._

> Now butt straight forward! ... Now butt to the left!

Nils directs the ram to charge at the foxes, driving them away.

_Nils uses his wits to help the ram fight off the attackers._

## Links

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