 section 28 of The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf. Translated by Velma Swanson Howard. The Flood. The Swans May 1st to 4th. There was a terrible storm raging in the district north of Lake Mejlar, which lasted several days. The sky was a dull gray, the wind was old, and the rain beat. Both people and animals knew the spring could not be ushered in with anything short of this. Nevertheless, they thought it unbearable. After it had been raining for a whole day, the snow drifts in the pine forest began to melt in earnest, and the spring brooks grew lively. All the pools on the farms, the standing water in the ditches, the water that oozed between the tufts in marshes and swamps, all were in motion and tried to find their way to creeks that they might be born along to the sea. The creeks rushed as fast as possible down to the rivers, and the rivers did their utmost to carry the water to Lake Mejlar. All the lakes and rivers in Upland and the mining district quickly threw off their ice covers on one and the same day, so that the creeks filled with ice flows which rose clear up to their banks. Swollen as they were, they emptied into Lake Mejlar, and it was not long before the lake had taken in as much water as it could well hold. Down by the outlet was a raging torrent. Nordström is a narrow channel, and it could not let out the water quickly enough. Besides, there was a strong easterly wind that lashed against the land, obstructing the stream when it tried to carry the fresh water into the east sea. Since the rivers kept running to Mejlaran, with more water than it could dispose of, there was nothing for the big lake to do but overflow its banks. It rose very slowly, as if reluctant to injure its beautiful shores. But as they were mostly low and gradually sloping, it was not long before the water had flooded several acres of land, and that was enough to create the greatest alarm. Lake Mejlar is unique in its way, being made up of a succession of narrow fjords, bays, and inlets. In no place does it spread into a storm center, but seems to have been created only for pleasure trips, yachting tours, and fishing. Nowhere does it present barren, desolate windswept shores. It looks as if it never thought that its shore could hold anything but country seats, summer villas, manors, and amusement resorts. But because it usually presents a very agreeable and friendly appearance, there is all the more havoc whenever it happens to drop its smiling expression in the spring, and show that it can be serious. At that critical time Smirre Fox happened to come sneaking through a birch grove just north of Lake Mejlar. As usual he was thinking of Thumbitott and the wild geese, and wondering how he should ever find them again. He had lost all track of them. As he stole cautiously along, more discouraged than usual, he could sight of Agar, the carrier pigeon, who had perched herself on a birch branch. My, but I'm in luck to run across you, Agar! exclaimed Smirre. Maybe you can tell me where Aka from Kebdekai sent her flock hold forth nowadays. It's quite possible that I know where they are, Agar hinted, but I'm not likely to tell you. Please yourself, retorted Smirre, nevertheless you can take a message that I have for them. You probably know the present condition of Lake Mejlar. There's a great overflow down there, and all the swans who live in Jelstabae are about to see their nests with all their eggs destroyed. Daylight, the swan king, has heard of the midget who travels with the wild geese and knows a remedy for every ill. He has sent me to ask Aka if she will bring Thumbitott down to Jelstabae. I dare say I can convey your message, Agar replied, but I can't understand how the little boy will be able to help the swans. Nor do I, said Smirre, but he can do almost everything, it seems. It's surprising to me that Daylight should send his message by a fox, Agar remarked. Well, we're not exactly what you'd call good friends, said Smirre smoothly, but in an emergency like this we must help each other. Perhaps it would be just as well not to tell Agar that you got the message from a fox between you and me. She's inclined to be a little suspicious. The safest refuge for waterfowl in the whole Malar district is Jelstabae. It has low shores, shallow water, and is also covered with reeds. It is by no means as large as Lake Torken, but nevertheless Jelstabae is a good retreat for birds since it has long been forbidden territory to hunters. It is the home of a great many swans, and the owner of the old castle nearby has prohibited all shooting on the bay so that they might be unmolested. As soon as Agar received word that the swans needed her help, she hastened down to Jelstabae. She arrived with her flock one evening and saw at a glance that there had been a great disaster. The big swan's nests had been torn away, and the strong wind was driving them down the bay. Some had already fallen apart, two or three had capsized, and the eggs lay at the bottom of the lake. When Agar alighted on the bay, all the swans living there were gathered near the eastern shore where they were protected from the wind. Although they had suffered much by the flood, they were too proud to let anyone see it. It is useless to cry, they said. There are plenty of root fibers and stems here. We can soon build new nests. None had thought of asking a stranger to help them, and the swans had no idea that Smirafox had sent for the wild geese. There were several hundred swans resting on the water. They had placed themselves according to rank and station. The young and inexperienced were farthest out, the old and wise nearer the middle of the group, and right in the centre set daylight the swan king and snow white the swan queen, who were older than any of the others and regarded the rest of the swans as their children. The geese alighted on the west shore of the bay, but when Agar saw where the swans were, she swam toward them at once. She was very much surprised that they're having sent for her, but she regarded it as an honour and did not wish to lose a moment in coming to their aid. As Agar approached the swans, she paused to see if the geese who followed her swam in a straight line and at even distances apart. Now swim along quickly, she ordered. Don't stare at the swans as if you had never before seen anything beautiful, and don't mind what they may say to you. This was not the first time that Agar had called on the aristocratic swans. They had always received her in a manner befitting a great traveller like herself. But still she did not like the idea of swimming in among them. She never felt so grey and insignificant as when she happened upon swans. One or another of them was sure to drop a remark about common grey feathers and poor folk, but it is always best to take no notice of such things. This time everything passed off uncommonly well. The swans politely made way for the wild geese who swam forward through a kind of passageway which formed an avenue bordered by shimmering white birds. It was a beautiful sight to watch them as they spread their wings like sails to appear well before the strangers. They refrained from making comments which rather surprised Agar. Evidently Daylight had noted their misbehaviour in the past and had told the swans that they must conduct themselves in a proper manner, so thought the leader goes. But just as the swans were making an effort to observe the rules of etiquette, they caught sight of the goose agander who swam last in the long goose line. Then there was a murmur of disapproval, even of threats among the swans, that once there was an end to their good deportment. What's this, shrieked one? Do the wild geese intend to dress up in white feathers? They needn't think that will make swans of them, cried another. They began shrieking, one louder than another, in their strong resonant voices. It was impossible to explain that a tame goose agander had come with the wild geese. That must be the goose king himself coming along, they said tauntingly. There's no limit to their audacity. That's no goose, it's only tame duck. The big white agander remembered Akka's admonition to pay no attention, no matter what he might hear. He kept quiet and swam ahead as fast as he could, but it did no good. The swans became more and more impertinent. What kind of a frog does he carry on his back? asked one. They must think we don't see it's a frog, because it's dressed like a human being. The swans, who but a moment before had been resting in such perfect order, now swam up and down excitedly. All tried to crowd forward to get a glimpse of the white wild goose. That white goose agander ought to be ashamed to come here and parade before swans. He is probably as gray as the rest of them. He has only been in a floor-barrel at some farmhouse. Akka had just come up to daylight and was about to ask him what kind of help he wanted of her. When the swan king noticed the uproar among the swans. What do I see? Haven't I taught you to be polite to strangers? He said with a frown. Snow White, the swan queen, swam out to restore order among her subjects, and again daylight turned to Akka. Presently Snow White came back, appearing greatly agitated. Can't you keep them quiet? shouted daylight. There's a white wild goose over there, answered Snow White. Is it not shameful? I don't wonder they are furious. A white wild goose? scoffed daylight. That's too ridiculous. There can't be such a thing. You must be mistaken. The crowds around Morton Goose agander grew larger and larger. Akka and the other wild geese tried to swim over to him, but were yoseled hither and thither, and could not get to him. The old swan king, who was the strongest among them, swam off quickly, pushed all the others aside, and made his way over to the big white gander. But when he saw that there really was a white goose on the water, he was just as indignant as the rest. He hissed with rage, flew straight at Morton Goose agander, and tore out a few feathers. I'll teach you a lesson, wild goose, he shrieked, so that you'll not come again to the swans tugged out in this way. Fly, Morton Goose agander, fly, fly! cried Akka, for she knew that otherwise the swans would pull out every feather the goose agander had. Fly, fly! screamed Thambitot too. But the goose agander was so hedged in by the swans that he had not room enough to spread his wings. All around him the swans stretched their long necks, opened their strong bills, and plucked his feathers. Morton Goose agander defended himself as best he could by striking and biting. The wild geese also began to fight the swans. It was obvious how this would have ended had the geese not received help quite unexpectedly. A red tail noticed that they were being roughly treated by the swans. Instantly he cried out the shrill call that little birds used when they need help to drive off a hawk or a falcon. Three calls had barely sounded when all the little birds in the vicinity came shooting down to Yelsta Bay as if on wings of lightning. These delicate little creatures swooped down upon the swans, screeched in their ears, and obstructed their view with the flutter of their tiny wings. They made them dizzy with their fluttering and drove them to distraction with their cries of shame, shame swans. The attack of the small birds lasted but a moment. When they were gone and the swans came to their senses, they saw that the geese had risen and flown over to the other end of the bay. The new watchdog. There was this at least to be said in the swans' favour. When they saw that the wild geese had escaped, they were too proud to chase them. Moreover the geese could stand on a clump of reeds with perfect composure and sleep. Nils Holgerson was too hungry to sleep. It is necessary for me to get something to eat, he said. At that time when all kinds of things were floating on the water, it was not difficult for a little boy like Nils Holgerson to find a craft. He did not stop to deliberate but hopped down on a stump that had drifted in amongst the reeds. Then he picked up a little stick and began to pull toward shore. Just as he was landing, he heard a splash in the water. He stopped short. First he saw a lady swan asleep and her big nest quite close to him. Then he noticed that a fox had taken a few steps into the water and was sneaking up to the swan's nest. Hi! Hi! Hi! Get up! Get up! cried the boy, beating the water with a stick. The lady swan rose but not so quickly but that the fox could have pounced upon her had he cared too. However he refrained and instead hurried straight toward the boy. Thumbitott saw the fox coming and ran for his life. Wide stretches of meadowland spread before him. He saw no tree that he could climb, no hole where he might hide. He just had to keep running. The boy was a good runner but it stands to reason that he could not race with the fox. Not far from the bay there was a number of little cabins with candle lights shining through the windows. Naturally the boy ran in that direction but he realized that long before he could reach the nearest cabin the fox would catch up to him. Once the fox was so close that it looked as if the boy would surely be his prey but Nils quickly sprang aside and turned back toward the bay. By that move the fox lost time and before he could reach the boy the latter had run up to two men who were on their way home from work. The men were tired and sleepy. They had noticed neither boy nor fox although both had been running right in front of them. Nor did the boy ask help of the men. He was content to walk close beside them. Surely the fox won't venture to come up to the men, he thought. But presently the fox came pattering along. He probably counted on the men taking him for a dog for he went straight up to them. Host dog, can that be sneaking around here? Queered one. He looks as though he were ready to bite. The other paused and glanced back. Go along with you, he said, and gave the fox a kick that sent it to the opposite side of the road. What are you doing here? After that the fox kept at a safe distance but followed all the while. Presently the men reached a cabin and entered it. The boy intended to go in with them but when he got to the stoop he saw a big shaggy watchdog rush out from his kennel to greet his master. Suddenly the boy changed his mind and remained out in the open. Listen, watchdog! whispered the boy as soon as the men had shut the door. I wonder if you would like to help me catch a fox tonight? The dog had poor eyesight and had become irritable and cranky from being chained. What! I catch a fox! he barked angrily. Who are you that makes fun of me? You just come within my reach and I'll teach you not to fool with me. You needn't think that I'm afraid to come near you, the boy running up to the dog. When the dog saw him he was so astonished that he could not speak. I'm the one they call Thumbitot who travels with the wild geese, said the boy, introducing himself. Haven't you heard of me? I believe the sparrows have tweeted a little about you. The dog returned. They say that you have done wonderful things for one of your size. I've been rather lucky up to the present, admitted the boy. But now it's all up with me unless you help me. There's a fox at my heels. He's lying in wait for me around the corner. Don't you suppose I can smell him? retorted the dog. But we'll soon be rid of him. With that the dog sprang as far as the chain would allow barking and growling forever so long. No, I don't think he will show his face again tonight, said the dog. It will take something besides a fine bark to scare that fox, the boy remarked. He'll soon be here again, and that is precisely what I wish for I have set my heart on your catching him. Are you poking fun at me now? asked the dog. Only come with me into your kennel and I'll tell you what to do. The boy and the watchdog crept into the kennel and crouched there whispering. By and by the fox stuck his nose out from his hiding place. When all was quiet he crept along cautiously. He sent the boy all the way to the kennel but halted at a safe distance and sat down to think of some way to coax him out. Suddenly the watchdog poked his head out and growled at him. Go away or I'll cut you. I'll sit here as long as I please for all of you, defied the fox. Go away, repeated the dog threateningly or there will be no more hunting for you after tonight. But the fox only grinned and did not move an inch. I know how far your chain can reach, he said. I have warned you twice, said the dog, coming out from his kennel. Now blame yourself. With that the dog sprang at the fox and caught him without the least effort for he was loose. The boy had unbuckled his collar. There was a hot struggle but it was soon over. The dog was the victor. The fox lay on the ground and dared not move. Don't stir or I'll kill you, snarled the dog. Then he took the fox by the scruff of the neck and dragged him to the kennel. There the boy was ready with the chain. He placed the dog collar around the neck of the fox, tightening it so that he was securely chained. During all this the fox had to lie still for he was afraid to move. Now, smitter fox, I hope you'll make a good watchdog, laughed the boy when he had finished. End of the Flood, read by Lars Rolander. Section 29 of The Wonderful Adventures of Nils This is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf translated by Belmas Vonstern Howard. Dunfin The city that floats on the water, Friday, May 6. No one could be more gentle and kind than the little grey goose Dunfin. All the wild geese loved her and the pale white goose agander would have died for her. When Dunfin asked for anything not even Akka could say no. As soon as Dunfin came to Lake Mellar, the landscape looked familiar to her. Just beyond the lake lay the sea with many wooded islands and there on a little islet lived her parents and her brothers and sisters. She begged the wild geese to fly to her home before travelling farther north that she might let her family see that she was still alive. It would be such a joy to them. Akka frankly declared that she thought Dunfin's parents and brothers and sisters had shown no great love for her when they abandoned her at Irland. But Dunfin would not admit that Akka was in the right. What else was there to do when they saw that I could not fly? She protested. Surely they couldn't remain in Irland on my account. Dunfin began telling the wild geese all about her home in the archipelago to try to induce them to make the trip. Her family lived on a rock island. Seen from a distance there appeared to be nothing but stone there. But when one came closer there were to be found the choicest goose tidbits in the clefts and hollows. And one might search long for better nesting places than those that were hidden in the mountain crevices or among the Osir bushes. But the best of all was the old fisherman who lived there. Dunfin had heard that in his youth he had been a great shot and had always slain in the offing and hunted birds. But now in his old age since his wife had died and the children had gone from home so that he was alone in the hut he had began to care for the birds on his island. He never fired a shot at them nor would he permit others to do so. He walked around amongst the birds' nests and when the mother birds were sitting he brought them food. No one was afraid of him. They all loved him. Dunfin had been in his hut many times and he had fed her with breadcrumbs. Because he was kind to the birds they flocked to his island in such great numbers that it was becoming overcrowded. If one happened to arrive a little late in the spring all the nesting places were occupied. That was why Dunfin's family had been obliged to leave her. Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north but a little trip like this to the Cliff Island would not delay them more than a day. So they started off one morning after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast and flew eastward over Lake Mailar. The boy did not know for certain where they were going but he noticed that the farther east they flew the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores. Heavily frighted barges and sloops boats and fishing smacks were on their way east and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers. Along the shores ran country roads and railway tracks all in the same direction. There was some place beyond in the east where all wished to go in the morning. On one of the islands the boy saw a big white castle and to the east of it the shores were dotted with billas. At the start these lay far apart then they became closer and closer and presently the whole shore was lined with them. They were of every variety here a castle, there a cottage then a low manor house appeared or a mansion with many small towers. Some stood in gardens but most of them were in the wild woods which bordered the shores. Despite their dissimilarity they had one point of resemblance. They were not plain and somber looking like other buildings but were gaudily painted in striking greens and blues reds and white like children's play houses. As the boy sat on the goose's back and glanced down at the curious shore mansions Dünfin cried out with delight. Now I know where I am. Over there lies the city that floats on the water. The boy looked ahead. At first he saw nothing but some light clouds and mists rolling forward over the water. But soon he caught sight of some tall spires and then one in another house with many rows of windows. They appeared and disappeared rolling hither and thither but not a strip or shore did he see. Everything over there appeared to be resting on the water. Nearer to the city he saw no more pretty play houses along the shores only dingy factories great heaps of coal and wood were stacked behind tall planks and alongside black suity docks lay bulky freight steamers but overall was spread shimmering transparent mist which made everything appear so big and strong and wonderful that it was almost beautiful. The wild geese flew past factories and freight steamers and were nearing the cloud-enveloped spires. Suddenly all the mist sank to the water save the thin fleecy ones that circled above their heads beautifully tinted in blues and pinks. The other clouds rolled over water and land they entirely obscured the lower portions of the houses only the upper stories and the roofs and gables were visible. Some of the buildings appeared to be as high as the Tower of Babel. The Boyd no doubt knew that they were built upon hills and mountains but these he did not see only the houses that seemed to float among the white drifting clouds. In reality the buildings were dark and dingy for the sun in the east was not shining on them. The Boyd knew that he was riding over a large city for he saw spires and house roofs rising from the clouds in every direction. Sometimes an opening was made in the circling mists and he looked down into a running, torturous stream but no land could he see. All this was beautiful to look upon but he felt quite distraught as one does when happening upon something one cannot understand. When he had gone beyond the city he found that the ground was no longer hidden by clouds but that shores, streams and islands were again plainly visible. He turned to see the city better but would not for now it looked quite enchanted. The mists had taken on colour from the sunshine and were rolling forward in the most brilliant reds, blues and jellos. The houses were white as if built of light and the windows and spires sparkled like fire. All things floated on the water as before. The geese were travelling straight east. They flew over factories and workshops then of the mansions edging the shores. Steamboats and tugs swarmed on the water but now they came from the east and were steaming westward toward the city. The wild geese flew on but instead of the narrow mailer fjords and the little islands broader waters and larger islands spread under them. At last the land was left behind and seen no more. They flew still farther out where they found no more large inhabited islands only numberless little rock islands were scattered on the water. Now the fjords were not crowded by the land. The sea lay before them vast and limitless. Here the wild geese alighted on a cliff island and as soon as their feet touched the ground the boy turned to dunfin. What city did we fly over just now? he asked. I don't know what human beings have named it said dunfin. We gray geese call it the city that floats on the water. The Sisters Dunfin had two sisters, pretty wing and gold eye. They were strong and intelligent birds but they did not have such a soft and shiny feather dress as dunfin nor did they have her sweet and gentle disposition. From the time they had been little yellow ghostlings their parents and relatives and even the old fisherman had plainly shown them that they thought more of dunfin than of them. Therefore the Sisters had always hated her. When the wild geese landed on the cliff island pretty wing and gold eye were feeding on a bit of grass close to the strand and immediately caught sight of the strangers. See sister gold eye what fine looking geese have come to our island exclaimed pretty wing. I have rarely seen such graceful birds. Do you notice that they have a white goosey gander among them? Did you ever set eyes on a handsomer bird? One could almost take him for a swan. Gold eye agreed with her sister that these were certainly very distinguished strangers that had come to the island but suddenly she broke off and called Sister pretty wing, oh sister pretty wing don't you see whom they bring with them. Pretty wing also caught sight of dunfin and was so astounded that she stood for a long time with her bill wide open and only hissed. It can't be possible that it is she. How did she manage to get in with people of that class? Why we left her at Irland to freeze and starve. The worse of it is she will tattle to father and mother that we flew so close to her that we knocked her wing out of joint. Gold eye said, you'll see that it will end in our being driven from the island. We have nothing but trouble in store for us now that that young one has come back. Snap pretty wing. Still I think it would be best for us to appear as pleased as possible over her return. She's so stupid that perhaps she didn't even notice that we gave her a push on purpose. While pretty wing and gold eye were talking in this strain the wild geese had been standing on the strand plumbing their feathers after the flight. Now they marched in a long line up the rocky shore to the cleft where dunfin's parents usually stopped. Dunfin's parents were good folk. They had lived on the island longer than anyone else and it was their habit to counsel and aid all newcomers. They too had seen the geese approach but they had not recognized dunfin in the flock. It is strange to see wild geese land on this island remarked the goose master. It's a fine flock that one can see by their flight. But it won't be easy to find pasture age for so many said the goose wife was gentle and sweet-tempered like dunfin. When Aka came marching with her company dunfin's parents went out to meet her and welcome her to the island. Dunfin flew from her place at the end of the line and lit between her parents. Mother and father, I'm here at last! she cried joyously. Don't you know dunfin? At first the old goose parents could not quite make out what they saw but when they recognized dunfin they were absurdly happy, of course. While the wild geese and morton goose agander and dunfin were chattering excitedly trying to tell how she had been rescued pretty wing and gold eye came running they cried welcome and pretended to be so happy because dunfin was at home that she was deeply moved. The wild geese fared well on the island and decided not to travel farther until the following morning. After a while the sisters asked dunfin if she would come with them and see the places where they intended to build their nests. She promptly accompanied them and saw that they had picked out secluded and well-protected nesting places. Now where will you settle down dunfin? they asked. I? Why? I don't intend to remain on the island. she said. I'm going with the wild geese up to Lapland. What pity that you must leave us! said the sisters. I should have been very glad to remain here with father and mother and you. said dunfin. Had I not promised the big white... What? shriek pretty wing. Are you to have the handsome goose agander? Then it is. But here gold eye gave her a sharp nudge and she stopped short. The two cruel sisters had much to talk about all the afternoon. They were furious because dunfin had a suitor like the white goose agander. They themselves had suitors, but theirs were only common gray geese. And since they had seen Morton goose agander they thought them so homely and lowbred that they did not wish even to look at them. This will grieve me to death, whimpered gold eye. If at least it had been you, sister pretty wing, who had captured him. I would rather see him dead than to go about here the entire summer thinking of dunfin's capturing of white goose agander. potted pretty wing. However the sisters continued to appear very friendly toward dunfin and in the afternoon gold eye took dunfin with her that she might see the one she thought of marrying. He is not as attractive as the one you will have said gold eye, but to make up for it one can be certain that he is what he is. What do you mean gold eye? questioned dunfin. At first gold eye would not explain what she had meant, but at last she came out with it. We have never seen a white goose travel with wild geese, said the sister, and we wonder if he can be bewitched. You are very stupid, retorted dunfin indignantly. He's a tame ghost, of course. He brings with him one who is bewitched, said gold eye, and under the circumstances he too must be bewitched. Are you not afraid that he may be a black cormorant? She was a good talker and succeeded in frightening dunfin thoroughly. You don't mean what you're saying, pleaded the little grey goose. You only wish to frighten me. I wish what is for your good, dunfin, said gold eye. I can't imagine anything worse than for you to fly away with a black cormorant, but now I shall tell you something. Try to persuade him to eat some of the roots I have gathered here. If he is bewitched, it will be apparent at once. If he is not, he will remain as he is. The boy was sitting amongst the wild geese listening to akka and the old goose master when dunfin came flying up to him. Thumbi taught, thumbi taught, she cried. Morton goose agon is dying. I have killed him. Let me get up on your back, dunfin, and take me to him. Away they flew, and akka and the other wild geese followed them. When they got to the goose agander, he was lying prostrate on the ground. He could not utter a word, only gasp for breath. Tickle him under the gorge and slap me on the back, commanded akka. The boy did so, and presently the big white agander coughed up a large white root which had stuck in his gorge. Have you been eating of these? asked akka, pointing to some roots that lay on the ground. Yes, groaned the goose agander. Then it was well they stuck in your throat, said akka, for they are poisonous. Had you swallowed them, you certainly should have died. Dunfin made me eat them, said the goose agander. My sister gave them to me, protested dunfin, and she told everything. You must beware of those sisters of yours, dunfin, warned akka, for they wish you no good, depend upon it. But dunfin was so constituted that she could not think evil of anyone, and a moment later, when pretty wing asked her to come and meet her intended, she went with her immediately. Oh, he isn't as handsome as yours, said the sister, but he is much more courageous and daring. How do you know he is? challenged dunfin. For some time past there has been weeping and wailing amongst the seagulls and wild ducks on the island. Every morning at daybreak a strange bird of prey comes and carries off one of them. What kind of bird is it? asked dunfin. We don't know, replied the sister. One of his kind has never before been seen on the island, and strange to say he's never attacked one of us geese. But now my intended has made up his mind to challenge him tomorrow morning and drive him away. Oh, I hope he'll succeed, said dunfin. I hardly think he will, returned the sister. If my goose agander were as big and strong as yours, I should have hope. Do you wish me to ask Morton goose agander to meet the strange bird? asked dunfin. Indeed I do, exclaimed pretty wing excitedly. You couldn't render me a greater service. The next morning the goose agander was up before the sun. He stationed himself on the highest point of the island and peered in all directions. Presently he saw a big dark bird coming from the west. His wings were exceedingly large and it was easy to tell that he was an eagle. The goose agander had not expected a more dangerous adversary than an owl, and now he understood that he could not escape this encounter with his life. But it did not occur to him to avoid a struggle with a bird who was many times stronger than himself. The great bird swooped down on a seagull and dug his taloons into it. Before the eagle could spread his wings Morton goose agander rushed up to him, drop that, he shouted, and don't come here again or you'll have me to deal with. What kind of a lunatic are you, said the eagle. Never fight with geese or you would soon be done for. Morton goose agander thought the eagle considered himself too good to fight with him and flew at him, incensed biting him on the throat and beating him with his wings. This nature of the eagle would not tolerate and he began to fight, but not with his full strength. The boy lay sleeping in the quarters where Aka and the other wild geese called, Thumb it out, thumb it out. Morton goose agander is being torn to pieces by an eagle. Let me get up on your back, dunefin and take me to him, said the boy. When they arrived on the scene Morton goose agander was badly torn and bleeding, but he was still fighting. The boy could not battle with the eagle, all that he could do was to seek more efficient help. Hurry dunefin and call Aka and the geese he cried. The instant he said that the eagle flew back and stopped fighting. Who's speaking of Aka, he asked. He saw Thumb it out and heard the wild geese honking, so he spread his wings. Tell Aka, I never expected to run across her or any of her flock out here in the sea, he said and soared away in a rapid and graceful flight. That is the self same eagle who once brought back to the wild geese, the boy remarked gazing after the bird in astonishment. The geese had decided to leave the island at dawn, but first they wanted to feed a whale. As they walked about and nibbled, a mountain duck came up to dunefin. I have a message for you from your sister, said the duck, they dare not show themselves among the wild geese, but they asked me to remind you not to leave the island without calling on the old fisherman. That's so, exclaimed dunefin, but she was so frightened now that she would not go alone and ask the goosey gander and Thumbitot to accompany her to the hut. The door was open, so dunefin entered, but the others remained outside. After a moment they heard Aka give the signal to start and called dunefin. A grey goose came out and flew with the wild geese away from the island. They had travelled quite a distance along the archipelago when the boy began to wonder at the goose who accompanied them. Dunefin always flew lightly and noiselessly, but this one laboured with heavy and noisy wing strokes. We are in the wrong company, it is pretty wing that follows The boy had barely spoken when the goose uttered such an ugly and angry shriek that they all knew who she was. Aka and the others turned to her, but the grey goose did not fly away at once, instead she bumped against the big goosey gander, snatched Thumbitot and flew off with him in her bill. There was a wild chase over the archipelago. Pretty wing flew fast, but the wild geese were close behind her and there was no chance for her to escape. Suddenly they saw a puff of smoke rise up from the sea and heard an explosion. In their excitement they had not noticed that they were directly above a boat in which a lone fisherman was seated. However, none of the geese was hurt, but just there, above the boat, Pretty Wing opened her bill and dropped Thumbitot into the sea. End of Dönfin Read by Lars Rolander Section 30 of The Wonderful Adventures of Nils This is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Reading by Lars Rolander The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selmar Lagerlöf translated by Velma Svonston-Howard Stockholm Skansen A few years ago at Skansen the great park just outside of Stockholm where they have collected so many wonderful things there lived a little old man named Clement Larsson. He was from Helsingland and had come to Skansen with his fiddle to play folk dances and other old melodies. As a performer he appeared mostly in the evening. During the day it was his business to sit on guard in one of the many pretty peasant cottages which have been moved to Skansen from all parts of the country. In the beginning Clement thought that he fared better in his old age than he had ever dared dream. But after a time he began to dislike the place terribly especially while he was on watch duty. It was all very well when visitors came into the cottage to look around but some days Clement would sit for many hours all alone. Then he felt so homesick that he feared he would have to give up his place. He was very poor and knew that at home he would become a charge on the parish. Therefore he tried to hold out as long as he could although he felt more unhappy . One beautiful evening in the beginning of May Clement had been granted a few hours leave of absence. He was on his way down the steep hill leading out of Skansen when he met an island fisherman coming along with this game bag. The fisherman was an active young man who came to Skansen with seafowl that he had managed to capture alive. Clement had met him before many times. The fisherman stopped Clement to ask if the superintendent at Skansen was at home. When Clement had replied he in turn asked what choice thing the fisherman had in his bag. You can see what I have the fisherman answered if in return you will give me an idea as to what I should ask for it. He held open the bag and Clement peeped into it once and again then quickly drew back a step or two. Good gracious ask Björn he exclaimed how did you catch that one? He remembered that when he was a child his mother used to talk of the tiny fork who lived under the cabin floor. He was not permitted to cry or to be naughty lest he provoke these small people. After he was grown he believed his mother had made up these stories about the elves to make him behave himself but it had been no invention of his mother's it seemed for there in Ashbyrn's bag lay one of the tiny fork. There was a little of the terror natural to childhood left in Clement and he felt a shudder run down his spinal column as he peeped into the bag. Ashbyrn saw that he was frightened and began to laugh but Clement took the matter seriously. Tell me Ashbyrn where you came across him he asked you may be sure that I wasn't lying in wait for him said Ashbyrn. He came to me I started out early this morning and took my rifle along in the boat I had just pulled away from the shore when I sighted some wild geese coming from the east shrieking like mad I sent them a shot but hit none of them and this creature came tumbling down into the water so close to the boat that I only had to put my hand out and pick him up. I hope you didn't shoot him Ashbyrn oh no he is well and sound but when he came down he was a little dazed at first so I took advantage of that fact to wind the ends of two sail threads around his ankles and wrists and run away ah here is something for Skunson I thought instantly Clement grew strangely troubled as the fisherman talked all that he had heard about the tiny fork in his childhood of their vindictiveness toward enemies and their benevolence toward friends came back to him it had never gone well with those who had attempted to hold one of them captive you should have let him at once Ashbyrn said Clement I came precious near being forced to set him free return the fisherman you may well know Clement that the wild geese followed me all the way home and they criss-crossed over the island the whole morning Hong Kong king as if they wanted him back not only they but the entire population seagulls sea swallows and many others who are not worth a shot of powder alighted on the island and made an awful racket when I came out they flooded about me until I had to turn back my wife begged me to let him go but I had made up my mind that he should come here to Skunson so I placed one of the children's dolls in the window hid the midget in the bottom of my bag and started away the birds must have fancied that it was he who stood in the window for they permitted me to leave without pursuing me does it say anything asked Clement yes at first he tried to call to the birds but I wouldn't have it and put a gag in his mouth oh Ashbyrne protested Clement how can you treat him so don't you see that he's something supernatural I don't know what he is said Ashbyrne calmly let others consider that I'm satisfied if I only can get a good sum for him now tell me Clement what you think the doctor at Skunson would give me there was a long pause before Clement replied he felt very sorry for the poor little chap he actually imagined that his mother was standing beside him telling him that he must always be kind to the tiny fork I have no idea what the doctor up there would care to give you Ashbyrne he said finally but if you will leave him with me I'll pay you 20 kronor for him Ashbyrne stared at the fiddler in amazement when he heard him name so large a sum he thought that Clement believed the midget had some mysterious power and might be of service for him he was by no means certain that the doctor would think him such a great find to pay so high a sum for him so he accepted Clement's proffer the fiddler poked his purchase into one of his wide pockets turned back to Skunson and went into a moss-covered hut where there were neither visitors nor guards he closed the door after him took out the midget who was still bound hand and foot and gagged and laid him down gently on a bench now listen to what I say said Clement I know of course that such as you do not like to be seen of men but prefer to go about and busy yourselves in your own way therefore I have decided to give you your liberty but only on condition that you will remain in this park until I permit you to leave if you agree to this nod your head three times Clement gazed at the midget with confident expectation but the latter did not move a muscle you shall not fare badly continued Clement I'll see to it that you are fed every day and you will have so much to do there that the time will not seem long to you but you mustn't go elsewhere till I give you leave now we'll agree as to a signal so long as I set your food out in a white bowl you are to stay when I set it out in a blue one you may go Clement paused again expecting the midget to give the sign of approval but he did not stir very well said Clement then there is no choice but to show you to the master of this place then you'll be put in a glass case and all the people in the big city of Stockholm will come and stare at you this scared the midget and he promptly gave the signal that was right said Clement as he cut the cord that bound the midget sands then he hurried toward the door the boy un loosened the bands around his ankles and tore away the gag before thinking of anything else when he turned to Clement to thank him he had gone just outside the door Clement met a handsome noble-looking gentleman who was on his way to a place close by from which there was a beautiful outlook Clement could not recall having seen the stately old man before but the latter must surely have noticed Clement some time when he was playing the fiddle because he stopped and spoke to him good day Clement he said how do you do you are not ill are you I think you have grown a bit thin of late there was such an expression of kindness about the old gentleman that Clement plucked up courage and told him of his homesickness what exclaimed the old gentleman are you homesick when you are in Stockholm it can't be possible he looked almost offended then he reflected that it was only an ignorant old peasant from Helsingland that he talked with and so resumed his friendly attitude surely you have never heard how the city of Stockholm was founded if you had you would comprehend that your anxiety to get away is only a foolish fancy come with me to the bench over yonder and I will tell you something about Stockholm when the old gentleman was seated on the bench he glanced down at the city which spread in all its glory below them and he drew a deep breath as if he wished to drink in all the beauty of the landscape there upon he turned to the fiddler look Clement he said and as he talked he traced with his cane a little map in the sand in front of them here lies Upland and here to the south a point juts out which is split up by a number of bays and here we have Sörmland with another point which is just as cut up and point straight north here from the west comes a lake filled with islands it is Lake Mailer from the east comes another body of water which can barely squeeze in between the islands and islets it is the east sea here Clement where Upland joins Sörmland and Maileren joins the east sea comes a short river in the center of which lie four little islets that divide the river into several tributaries one of which is called Norristram but was formerly Stocksund in the beginning these islets were common wooded islands such as one finds in plenty on Lake Mailer even today and for ages they were entirely uninhabited they were well located between two bodies of water and two bodies of land but this no one remarked year after year passed people settled along Lake Mailer and in the archipelago but these river islands attracted no settlers sometimes it happened that a seafarer put into port at one of them and pitched his tent for the night but no one remained there long one day a fisherman who lived on Leading Island out in Saltfjord stared his boat toward Lake Mailer where he had such good luck with his fishing that he forgot to start for home in time he got no farther than the four islets and the best he could do was to land on one and wait until later in the night when there would be bright moonlight it was late summer and warm the fisherman hauled his boat on land lay down beside it his head resting upon a stone and fell asleep when he awoke the moon had been up a long while but the man jumped above him and shone with such splendor that it was like broad daylight the man jumped to his feet and was about to push his boat into the water when he saw a lot of black specks moving out in the stream a school of seals was heading full speed for the island when the fisherman saw that they intended to crawl up on land he bent down for his spear which he always took with him but when he straightened up he saw no seals instead there stood on the strand the most beautiful young maidens dressed in green trailing satin robes with pearl crowns upon their heads the fisherman understood that these were mermaids who lived on the desolate rock islands far out at sea and had assumed seal disguises in order to come up on land and enjoy the moonlight on the green islets he lay down the spear very cautiously and when the young maidens came up on the island to play he stole behind and surveyed them he had heard that sea nymphs were so beautiful and fascinating that no one could see them and not be enchanted by their charms and he had to admit that this was not too much to say of them when he had stood for a while under the shadow of the trees and watched the dance he went down to the strand took one of the seal skins lying there and hid it under a stone then he went back to his boat and lay down beside it and pretended to be asleep presently he saw the young maidens stripped down to the strand to don their seal skins at first all was play and laughter which was changed to weeping and wailing when one of the mermaids could not find her seal robe her companions ran up and down the strand and helped her search for it but no trace could they find while they were seeking they noticed that the sky was growing pale and the day was breaking so they could tarry no longer and they all swam away behind the one whose seal skin was missing she sat on the strand and wept the fisherman felt sorry for her of course but he forced himself to lie still till daybreak then he got up pushed the boat into the water and stepped into it to make it appear that he saw her by chance after he had lifted the oars who are you he called out you shipwrecked she ran toward him and asked if he had seen her seal skin the fisherman looked as if he did not know what she was talking about she sat down again and wept then he determined to take her with him in the boat come with me to my cottage he commanded and my mother will take care of you you can't stay here on the island where you have neither food nor shelter he talked so convincingly that she was persuaded to step into his boat both the fisherman and his mother were very kind to the poor mermaid and she seemed to be happy with him she grew more contented every day and helped the older woman with her work and was exactly like any other island lass only she was much prettier one day the fisherman asked her if she would be his wife and she did not object but at once said yes preparations were made for the wedding the mermaid dressed as a bride in her green trailing robe with a shimmering pearl crown she had worn when the fisherman first saw her there was neither church nor parson on the island at that time so the bridal party seated themselves to row up to the first church they should find the fisherman had the mermaid and his mother in his boat and he rowed so well that he was far ahead of all the others when he had come so far that he could see the islet in the river where he had won his bride he could not help smiling what are you smiling at she asked oh I'm thinking that night when I hid your seal skin answered the fisherman for he felt so sure of her that he thought there was no longer any need for him to conceal anything what are you saying asked the bride astonished surely I have never possessed a seal skin it appeared she had forgotten everything don't you recollect how you danced with the mermaids he asked I don't know what you mean I think that you must have dreamt the strange dream last night if I show your seal skin you'll probably believe me laughed the fisherman promptly turning the boat toward the islet they stepped ashore and he brought the seal skin out from under the stone where he had hidden it but the instant the bride set eyes on the seal skin she grasped it and drew it over her head it snuggled close to her as if there was life in it and immediately she threw herself into the stream the bridegroom saw her swim away and plunged into the water after her but he could not catch up to her when he saw that he couldn't stop her in any other way in his grief he seized his spear and hurled it he aimed better than he had intended for the poor mermaid she gave a piercing shriek and disappeared in the depth the fisherman stood on the strand waiting for her to appear again he observed that the water around him began to take on a soft sheen of beauty that he had never seen before it shimmered in pink and white like the color play on the inside of seashells as the glittering water lapped the shores the fisherman thought that they too were transformed they began to blossom and waft their perfumes a soft sheen spread over them and they also took on a beauty which they had never possessed before he understood how all this had come to pass for it is thus with mermaids one who beholds them must needs find them more beautiful than anyone else and the mermaids blood being mixed with the water that bathed the shores her beauty was transferred to both all who saw them must love them and yearn for them this was their legacy from their mermaid when the stately old gentleman had got thus far in his narrative he turned to clement and looked at him clement nodded reverently but made no comment as he did not wish to cause a break in the story now you must bear this in mind clement the old gentleman continued with a rugish glint in his eyes from that time on people emigrated to the islands at first only fishermen and peasants settled there and two were attracted to them one day the king and his earl sailed up the stream they started at once to talk of these islands having absurd they were so situated that every vessel that sailed toward lake mailer had to pass them the earl suggested that there ought to be a lock-foot on the channel which could be opened or closed at will to let in merchant vessels pirates this idea was carried out said the old gentleman as he rose and began to trace in the sand with his cane on the largest of these islands the earl erected a fortress with a strong tower which was called Chernan and around the island a wall was built here at the north and south ends of the wall they made gates and placed strong towers over them across the other islands they built bridges these were likewise equipped with high towers out in the water round about they put a wreath of piles with bars that could open and close so that no vessel could sail past without permission therefore you see Clement the four islands which had lain so long unnoticed were soon strongly fortified but this was not all for the shores and the sound tempted people and before long they came from all quarters to settle there they built a church which has since been called Sturcirkan here it stands near the castle and here within the walls where the little huts the pioneers built for themselves they were primitive more was not needed at that time to make the place pass for a city and the city was named Stockholm there came a day Clement when the Earl who had begun the work went to his final rest and Stockholm was without a master builder monks called the Grey Friars came to the country Stockholm attracted them they asked permission to erect a monastery there so the king gave them an island one of the smaller ones this one facing Lake Mellor there they built and the place was called Grey Friars Island other monks came called the Black Friars they too asked for rights to build in Stockholm near the south gate on this the larger of the islands north of the city a holy ghost house or hospital was built while on the smaller one thrifty men put up a mill and along the little islands close by the monks fished as you know there is only one island now for the canal between the two has filled up but it is still called Holy Ghost Island and now Clement all the little wooded islands were dotted with houses but still people kept streaming in for these shores and waters have the power to draw people through them hither came pious women of the order of St Clara and asked for ground to build upon for them there was no choice but to settle on the north shore at Normalm as it is called you may be sure that they were not over pleased with this location for across Normalm ran a high ridge that the city had its gallows hill so that it was a detested spot nevertheless the poor cleres erected their church and their convent on the strand below the ridge after they were established they soon found plenty of followers upon the ridge itself were built a hospital and a church concert created to St. Coran and just below the ridge a church was erected to St. Jacob and even at Södermalm where the mountain rises perpendicularly from the strand they began to build there they raised a church to St. Mary but you must not think that only Cloyster Fork moved to Stockholm there were also many others principally German tradesmen and artisans these were more skilled than the Swedes and were well received they settled within the walls of the city where they pulled down the wretched little cabins that stood there and built high magnificent stone houses but space was not plentiful within the walls therefore they had to build the houses close together with gables facing the narrow bilanes so you see then that Stockholm could attract people at this point in the narrative another gentleman appeared and walked rapidly down the path toward the man who was talking to Clemen but he waved his hand and the other remained at a distance the dignified old gentleman still sat on the bench beside the fiddler Now, Clement, you must render me a service he said I have no time to talk more with you but I will send you a book about Stockholm and you must read it from cover to cover I have so to speak laid the foundation of Stockholm for you study the rest out for yourself and learn how the city has thrived and changed read how the little narrow wall and close city on the islands has spread into this great sea of houses below us read how on the spot where the Tark Tower shernan once stood the beautiful light castle below us was erected and how the Greyfriars church has been turned into the burial place of the Swedish kings read how islet after islet was spilt up with factories how the ridge was lowered and the sound filled in how the truck gardens and the south and north ends of the city have been converted into beautiful parks or built up quarters how the king's private dear park has become the people's favorite pleasure resort you must make yourself at home here Clement this city does not belong exclusively to the Stockholmers it belongs to you and to all Swedes as you read about Stockholm remember that I have spoken the truth for the city has the power to draw everyone to it first the king moved here then the nobles built their palaces here and then one after another was attracted to the place so that now as you see Stockholm is not a city unto itself or for nearby districts it has grown into city for the whole kingdom you know Clement that there are judicial courts in every parish throughout the land but in Stockholm they have jurisdiction for the whole nation you know that there are judges in every district court in the country but at Stockholm there is only one court to which all the others are accountable you know that there are barracks and troops in every part of the land but those at Stockholm command the whole army everywhere in the country you will find railroads but the whole great national system is controlled and managed at Stockholm here you will find the governing boards for the clergy for teachers for physicians for bailiffs and jurors this is the heart of your country Clement all the change you have in your pocket is coined here and the postage stamps you stick on your letters are made here there is something here for every swede here no one need feel homesick for here all swedes are at home and when you read of all that has been brought here to Stockholm think two of the latest that the city has attracted to itself these old time peasant cottages here at Skansen the old dances the old costumes and house furnishings the musicians and storytellers everything good of the old time Stockholm has tempted here to Skansen to do it honor that it may in turn stand before the people with renewed glory but first and last remember as you read about Stockholm that you are to sit in this place you must see how the waves sparkle in joyous play and how the shores shimmer with beauty you will come under the spell of their witchery Clement the handsome old gentleman had raised his voice so that it rang out strong and commanding and his eyes shone then he rose and with the wave of his hands to Clement walked away Clement understood that the one who had been talking to him was a great man and he bowed to him as low as he could the next day came a royal lackey with a big red book and a letter for Clement and in the letter it said that the book was from the king after that the little old man Clement Larson was lightheaded for several days and it was impossible to get a sensible word out of him when a week had gone by he went to the superintendent and gave in his notice he simply had to go home why must you go home can't you learn to be content here asked the doctor oh I am contented here said Clement that matter troubles me no longer but I must go home all the same Clement was quite perturbed because the king had said that he should learn all about Stockholm and be happy there but he could not rest until he had told everyone at home that the king had said those words to him he could not renounce the idea of standing on the church knoll at home and telling high and low that the king had been so kind to him that he had sat beside him on the bench and had sent him a book and had taken the time to talk to him a poor fiddler for a whole hour in order to cure him of his home sickness it was good to relate this to the Laplanders and Dalekarlyan peasant girls at Skansen but what was that compared to being able to tell of it at home even if Clement were to end in the poor house it wouldn't be so hard after this here he was a totally different man from what he had been and he would be respected and honored in a very different way this new journey to possession of Clement he simply had to go up to the doctor and say that he must go home end of the chapter Stockholm read by Lars Rolander section 31 one of the Wonderful Adventures of Nils this is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf translated by Velma Swonston Howard Gorgor the Eagle in the mountain glen far up among the mountains of Lapland there was an old eagle's nest on a ledge which projected from a high cliff the nest was made of dry twigs of pine and spruce interlaced one with another until they formed a perfect network year by year the nest had been repaired and strengthened it was about two meters wide and nearly as high as a Laplander's hut the cliff on which the eagle's nest was situated towered above a big glen which was inhabited in summer by a flock of wild geese as it was an excellent refuge for them it was so secluded between cliffs that not many knew of it even among the Laplanders themselves in the heart of this glen there was a small round lake in which was an abundance of food for the tiny gooselings and on the tufted lakeshores which were covered with oyster bushes and dwarf birches the geese found fine nesting places in all ages eagles had lived on the mountain and geese in the glen every year the former carried off a few of the latter but they were very careful not to take so many that the wild geese would be afraid to remain in the glen the geese in their turn found the eagles quite useful they were robbers to be sure but they kept other robbers away two years before Nils Holgersson traveled with the wild geese the old leader goose Aka from Kebnekaise was standing at the foot of the mountain slope looking toward the eagle's nest the eagles were in the habit of starting on their chase soon after sunrise during the summers that Aka had lived in the glen she had watched every morning for their departure to find if they stopped in the glen to hunt or if they flew beyond it to other hunting grounds she did not have to wait long before the two eagles left the ledge on the cliff stately and terror striking they soared into the air they directed their course toward the plain and Aka breathed a sigh of relief the old leader goose's day of nesting and rearing of Jang were over and during the summer she passed the time going from one goose range to another giving counsel regarding the brooding and caring of the Jang aside from this she kept an eye out not only for eagles but also for mountain fox and owls and all other enemies who were a menace to the wild geese and their young about noontime Aka began to watch for the eagles again this she had done every day during all the summers that she had lived in the glen she could tell it once by their flight if their hunt had been successful and in that event she felt relieved for the safety of those who belonged to her but on this particular day she had not seen the eagles return I must be getting old and stupid as she thought when she had waited a time for them the eagles have probably been home this long while in the afternoon she looked toward the cliff again expecting to see the eagles perched on the rocky ledge where they usually took their afternoon rest toward evening when they took their bath in the day lake she tried again to get sight of them but failed again she bemoaned the fact that she was growing old she was so accustomed to having the eagles on the mountain above her that she could not imagine the possibility of their not having returned the following morning Aka was awake in good season to watch for the eagles but she did not see them on the other hand she heard in the morning stillness a cry that sounded both angry and plaintive and it seemed to come from the eagles nest can there possibly be anything amiss with the eagles she wondered she spread her wings quickly and rose so high that she could perfectly well look down into the nest there she saw neither of the eagles there was no one in the nest save a little half-fledged eaglet who was screaming for food Aka sank down toward the eagles nest slowly and reluctantly it was a gruesome place to come to it was plain what kind of robber-fork lived there in the nest and on the cliff-ledge lay bleached bones, bloody feathers pieces of skin, hairs heads, bird-speaks and the tufted claws of grouse the eaglet who was lying in the midst of this was repulsive to look upon with this big gaping bill his awkward down-clad body and his under-developed wings where the prospective quills stuck out like thorns at last Aka conquered her repentance and alighted on the edge of the nest at the same time glancing about her anxiously in every direction for each second she expected to see the old eagles coming back it is well that someone has come at last fry the baby eagle fetch me some food at once well well don't be in such haste, sedaka tell me first where your father and mother are that's what I should like to know myself they went off yesterday morning and left me a lemming to live upon while they were away you can't believe that was eaten long ago it's a shame for mother to let me starve in this way Aka began to think that the eagles had really been shot and she'd reason that if she were to let the eaglet starve she might perhaps be rid of the whole rubber tribe for all time but it went very much against her not to secure a deserted young one so far as she could why do you sit there and stare? snapped the eaglet didn't you hear me say I want food Aka spread her wings and sank down to the little lake in the glen a moment later she returned to the eagles nest with a salmon trout in her bill the eaglet flew into a temper when she dropped the fish in front of him do you think I can eat such stuff he shrieked pushing it aside and trying to strike Aka with a spill fetch me a willow grouse or a lemming do you hear Aka stretched her head forward and gave the eaglet a sharp nip in the neck let me say to you remark the old ghost that if I am to procure food for you you must be satisfied with what I give you your father and mother are dead and from them you can get no help but if you want to lie here and starve to death while you wait for grouse and lemming I shall not hinder you when Aka had spoken her mind she promptly retired and did not show her face in the eagles nest again for some time but when she did return the eaglet had eaten the fish and when she dropped another in front of him he swallowed it at once although it was plain that he found it very distasteful Aka had imposed upon herself a tedious task the old eagles never appeared again and she alone had a procure for the eaglet all the food he needed she gave him fish and frogs and he did not seem to fare badly on this diet but grew big and strong he soon forgot his parents the eagles and fancied that Aka was his real mother Aka in turn loved him as if he had been her own child she tried to give him a good bringing up and to cure him of his wildness and overbearing ways after a fortnight Aka observed that the time was approaching for her to mold and put on a new feather dress so as to be ready to fly for a whole moon she would be unable to carry food to the baby eaglet and he might starve to death so Aka said to him one day Gorgor I can't come to you anymore with fish everything depends now upon your pluck which means can you dare to venture into the Glen so I can continue to procure food for you you must choose between starvation and flying down to the Glen but that too may cost you your life without a second's hesitation the eaglet stepped upon the edge of the nest barely taking the trouble to measure the distance to the bottom he spread his tiny wings and started away he rolled over and over in space but nevertheless made enough use of his wings to reach the ground almost unhurt down there in the Glen Gorgor passed the submarine company with the little gooslings and was a good comrade for them since he regarded himself as a goosling he tried to live as they lived when they swam in the lake he followed them until he came near drowning it was most embarrassing to him that he could not learn to swim and he went to Aka and complained of his inability why can't I swim like the others he asked your claws grew too hooked and your toes too large while you were up there on the cliff Aka replied but you'll make a fine bird all the same the eaglets wings soon grew so large that they could carry him but not until Orton when the gooslings learned to fly did it dawn upon him that he could use them for flight there came a proud time for him for at this sport he was the peer of them all his companions never stayed up in the air any longer than they had to but he stayed there nearly the whole day and practiced the art of flying so far it had not occurred to him that he was of another species but he could not help noting a number of things that surprised him and he questioned Aka constantly why do grouse and lemming run and hide when they see my shadow on the cliff he queried they don't show such fear of the other gooslings your wings grew too big when you were on the cliff said Aka it is that which frightens the little wretches you would be unhappy because of that you would be a fine bird all the same after the eagle had learned to fly he taught himself to fish and to catch frogs but by and by he began to ponder this also how does it happen that I live on fish and frogs he asked the other gooslings don't this is due to the fact that I had no other food to give you when you were on the cliff Aka but don't let that make you sad you will be a fine bird all the same when the wild geese began their orton moving Gorgor flew along with the flock regarding himself all the while as one of them the air was filled with birds who were on their way south and there was great excitement among them when Aka appeared with an eagle in her train the wild goose flock continually surrounded by swarms of the curious who loudly expressed their astonishment Aka bade them to be silent but it was impossible to stop so many wagging tongues why do they call me an eagle Gorgor asked it repeatedly growing more and more exasperated can't they see that I'm a wild goose I'm no bird eater who preys upon his kind how dare they give me such an ugly name one day they flew above a barnyard where many chickens walked on a dump heap and picked an eagle, an eagle shrieked the chickens and started to run for shelter but Gorgor who had heard the eagle spoken of as savage criminals could not control his anger he snapped his wings together and shot down to the ground striking his taloons into one of the hens I'll teach you I will that I'm no eagle he screamed furiously and struck with his beak that instant he heard Aka call to him from the air and rose obediently the wild goose flew toward him and began to reprimand him what are you trying to do she cried beating him with her bill was it perhaps your intention to tear that poor hen to pieces but when the eagle took his punishment from the wild goose without a protest there arose from the gate bird thrown around them a perfect storm of taunts and dives the eagle heard this and turned toward Aka with flaming eyes as though he would have liked to attack her but he suddenly changed his mind and with quick wing strokes bounded into the air he was so high that no call could reach him and he sailed around up there as long as the wild geese saw him two days later he appeared again in the wild goose flock I know who I am he said to Aka since I am an eagle I must live as becomes an eagle but I think that we can be friends all the same you or any of yours I shall never attack but Aka had set her heart on successfully training an eagle into a mild and harmless bird and she could not tolerate his wanting to do as he choose do you think that I wish to be the friend of a bird eater she asked live as I have taught you to live and you may travel with my flock as heretofore both were proud and stubborn for them would yield it ended in Aka's forbidding the eagle to show his face in her neighborhood and the anger toward him was so intense that no one dared speak his name in her presence after that Gorgor roamed around the country alone and shunned like all great robbers he was often downhearted and certainly longed many a time for the days when he thought himself a wild goose and played with the merry gooselings among the animals he had a great reputation for courage they used to say of him that he feared no one but his foster mother Aka and they could also say of him that he never used violence against a wild goose in captivity Gorgor was only three years old and had not as yet thought about marrying and procuring a home for himself when he was captured one day by a hunter and sold to the Scansons a logical garden where there were already two eagles held captive in a cage built of iron bars and steel wires the cage stood out in the open and was so large that a couple of trees had easily been moved into it and quite a large cairn was piled up in there notwithstanding all this they were unhappy they sat motionless on the same spot nearly all day their pretty dark feather dresses became rough and lustreless and their eyes were riveted with hopeless longing on the sky without during the first week of Gorgor's captivity he was still awake and full of life but later a heavy torpor came upon him he perched himself on one spot like the other eagles and stared at vacancy he no longer knew how the days passed one morning when Gorgor sat in his usual torpor he heard someone call to him from below he was so drowsy that he could barely rouse himself enough to lower his glance oh he's calling me he asked oh Gorgor know me it's thumb be taught to use to fly round with the wild geese is Akka also captured asked Gorgor in the tone of one who is trying to collect his thoughts after a long sleep no Akka the white goosey gander and the whole flock are probably safe and sound up in Lapland at this season said the boy it is only I who am a prisoner here as the boy was speaking he noticed that Gorgor averted his glance and began to stare into space again golden eagle cried the boy I have not forgotten that once you carried me back to the wild geese and that you spared the white goosey gander's life tell me if I can be of any help to you Gorgor scarcely raised his head don't disturb me thumb be taught I am sitting here dreaming that I am free and I'm soaring away up among the clouds I don't want to be awake you must roast yourself and see what goes on around you the boy admonished or you will soon look as wretched as the other eagles I wish I were as they are they are so lost in their dreams that nothing more can trouble them said the eagle when night came and all three eagles were asleep there was a light scraping on the steel wires stretched across the top of the cage the two listless old captives did not allow themselves to be disturbed by the noise but Gorgor awakened oh there who is moving up on the roof he asked Gorgor answered the boy I'm sitting here filing away at the steel wires so that you can escape the eagle raised his head and saw in the night light how the boy sat and filed the steel wires at the top of the cage he felt hopeful for an instant but soon discouragement got the upper hand I'm a big bird thumb be taught can you ever manage to file away enough wires for me to come out you'd better quit that and leave me in peace oh go to sleep and don't bother about me said the boy I'll not be through tonight nor tomorrow night but I shall try to free you in time for here you'll become a total wreck Gorgor fell asleep when he woke the next morning he saw a glance that a number of wires had been filed that day he felt less drowsy than he had done in the past he spread his wings and fluttered from branch to branch to get the stiffness out of his joints one morning early just as the first streak of sunlight made its appearance thumb be taught awakened the eagle try now Gorgor he whispered the eagle looked up and we've filed off so many wires that now there was a big hole in the wire netting Gorgor flapped his wings and propelled himself upward twice he missed and fell back into the cage but finally he succeeded in getting out with proud wing strokes he soared into the clouds little thumb be taught sat and gazed after him with a mournful expression he wished that someone would come and give him his freedom too the boy was domiciled now at Skansen he had become acquainted with all the animals there and had made many friends among them he had to admit that there was so much to see and learn there that it was not difficult for him to pass the time to be sure his thoughts went forth every day to Morton Gooseagander and his other comrades and he adjourned for them if only I weren't bound by my promise he thought I'd find some bird to take me to them it may seem strange that Clement Larson had not restored the boys' liberty but one must remember how excited the little fiddler had been when he left Skansen the morning of his departure he had thought of setting out the midget's food in a blue bowl but unluckily he had been unable to find one all the Skansen fork laps, peasant girls artisans and gardeners had come to bid him goodbye and he had had no time to search for a blue bow it was time to start and at the last moment he had to ask the old Laplander to help him one of the tiny fork happens to be living here at Skansen said Clement and every morning I set out a little food for him will you do me the favour of taking these few coppers and purchasing a blue bowl with them put a little gruel and milk in it and tomorrow morning set it out under the steps of bolliness cottage the old Laplander looked surprised but there was no time for Clement to explain further as he had to be off to the railway station the Laplander went down to the sological village to purchase the bowl as he saw no blue one that he thought appropriate he bought a white one and this he conscientiously filled and set out every morning that was why the boy had not been released from his pledge he knew that Clement had gone away he was not allowed to leave that night the boy longed more than ever for his freedom this was because summer had come now in earnest during his travels he had suffered much in cold and stormy weather and when he first came to Skansen he had thought that perhaps it was just as well that he had been compelled to break the journey he would have been frozen to death had he gone to Lapland in the month of May but now it was warm the earth was green-clad birches and poplars were closed in their satiny foliage and the cherry trees in fact all the fruit trees were covered with blossoms the berry bushes had green berries on their stems the oaks had carefully unfolded their leaves and peas, cabbages and beans were growing in the vegetal garden at Skansen now it must be warm up in Lapland thought the boy I should like to be seated on Morton Goose Gander's back on a fine morning like this it would be great fun to ride around in the warm still air and look down at the ground as it now lies decked with green grass and embellished with pretty blossoms he sat musing on this when the eagle suddenly swooped down from the sky and perched beside the boy on top of the cage I wanted to try my wings to see if they were still good for anything said Gorgon you didn't suppose that I meant to leave you here in captivity get up on my back and I'll take you to your comrades no, that's impossible the boy answered I have pledged my word that I would stay here till I am liberated what sort of nonsense are you talking? protested Gorgon in the first place they brought you here against your will then they forced you to promise that you will remain here surely you must understand that such a promise one need not keep oh no I must keep it said the boy I thank you all the same for your kind intention but you can't help me oh, can't I? said Gorgon we'll see about that in a twinkling he grasped Nitholgerson in his big taloons and rose with him toward the skies disappearing in a northerly direction end of Gorgon the Eagle read by Lars Rolander