The Wonderful Adventures of Nils · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf.
Nils Holgersson
major
Also known as Nils, Thumbietot, Little Thumbietot
A boy transformed into a tiny being who travels across Sweden with wild geese.
Akka
major
Also known as Mother Akka, old Akka, old Mother Akka
The wise and noble leader of the wild goose flock.
Morten Goosey-Gander
major
Also known as Morten Goosey, Goosey-gander, Dear Morten Goosey-gander
The farmyard gander who flies with the wild geese and carries Nils.
Smirre Fox
supporting
Also known as Smirre, Mr. Smirre Fox, Mr. Fox
A cunning and persistent fox who pursues the geese throughout the journey.
Karr
supporting
Also known as Grayskin, Grayskin Karr
A brave dog who becomes a loyal companion to Nils and the geese.
Jarro
supporting
A wild duck who befriends Nils and helps him in the bird lake region.
Gorgo
supporting
A proud eagle raised by Akka who later aids Nils.
Clement Larsson
supporting
Also known as Clement
A kind fiddler and caretaker who helps Nils in captivity.
Osa
supporting
A young goose girl searching for her father with her brother Mats.
Dunfin
supporting
Also known as The Sisters Dunfin
A gentle young goose who becomes Morten's mate.
Father Bear
minor
Also known as Father
A powerful bear who confronts Nils in the forest.
Caesar
minor
Also known as Ask Caesar
A watchdog at a farm who interacts with Nils.
Little Mats
supporting
Also known as Mats
Osa's younger brother who travels with her.
Ola Bosson
minor
Also known as Per Ola, Ola
A farmer who shelters Osa and Mats.
Drumle
minor
Also known as Fumle-Drumle
A clumsy young goose in the flock.
Saint Peter
minor
A legendary figure in a story told to Nils.
Wind-Rush
minor
Also known as Rush
A swift bird who races with the geese.
Kaisa
minor
Also known as Ysätter-Kaisa
An old woman who tells stories to Nils.
Herr Ermenrich
minor
A stork who visits the geese at Glimminge Castle.
Bataki
minor
Also known as Dear Bataki
A wise raven who gives advice to Nils.
Ashbjörn
minor
A bear cub encountered by Nils in the forest.
Goldeye
minor
Also known as Sister Goldeye
A duck who helps Nils at the bird lake.
Ola Serka
minor
Also known as old Ola Serka
A Laplander who assists the children.
Bernhard
minor
A bull at a farm who speaks to Nils.
Clawina
minor
A hen at the farm who scolds Nils.
Crawlie
minor
A small bird who accompanies the geese.
Prettywing
minor
Also known as Sister Prettywing
A beautiful duck at the bird lake.
Mother Bear
minor
Also known as Mother
The protective mother bear in the forest.
Kaksi
minor
Also known as old Kaksi
One of the five scout birds sent by Akka.
Rosenbom
minor
A wooden figure that comes to life in a church.
Agar
minor
A female dog who helps Nils.
Old Helpless
minor
Also known as Helpless, poor old Helpless
An old water snake who aids Nils.
Mayrose
minor
A flower who speaks to Nils in a garden.
Eric
minor
A farmhand who appears briefly.
Aslak
minor
A Laplander who helps the children.
Garm Whitefeather
minor
Also known as Garm
A dog who guards a farm.
Jon Esserson
minor
Also known as Jon
A farmer who shelters the children.
Daylight
minor
Also known as Evidently Daylight
A personification of daylight in a story.
The Dalecarlian
minor
Also known as Dalecarlian
A man from Dalecarlia who tells a legend.
Miss Lagerlöf
minor
The author who appears as a character in the narrative.
Selma Lagerlöf
minor
The author referenced in the story.
Söderberg
minor
A man who tells a story about a treasure.
Old Ola
minor
An elderly Laplander.
Mr. Dove
minor
A dove who speaks to Nils.
Sirle Squirrel
minor
Also known as Sirle
A squirrel who helps Nils.
Viisi
minor
One of the five scout birds.
Kivitt
minor
A bird who scouts for the geese.
Neljä
minor
One of the five scout birds.
Yksi
minor
One of the five scout birds.
Mother Holger Nilsson
minor
Also known as Holger Nilsson
Nils's mother who appears at home.
Gold Lily
minor
Also known as Gold-Lily
A flower personification in a story.
Star
minor
A horse who speaks to Nils.
Iksi
minor
One of the five scout birds.
Flammea
minor
A moth in the forest war story.
Mr. Owl
minor
Also known as Mr. Gray Owl
An owl who gives advice to Nils.
Crooked-Back
minor
A deformed bird at the bird lake.
The Ice Witch
minor
Also known as Ice Witch
A mythical figure in a legend.
Goa-Nisse
minor
Also known as Nisse
A household spirit who helps Nils.
Old Harmless
minor
An old snake who is harmless.
Britta Maja
minor
A girl who appears in a story.
Snow-White
minor
A white bird seen by Nils.
Antler-Crown
minor
A deer in a story told to Nils.
Kuusi
minor
One of the five scout birds.
Dr. Theodore Klaiber
minor
Also known as Dr. Klaiber
A doctor mentioned in the endnotes.
