As the white goosey-gander sized up the wild geese, he felt ill at ease.  He had expected that they should be more like tame geese, and that he should feel a closer kinship with them.  They were much smaller than he, and none of them were white.  They were all gray with a sprinkling of brown.  He was almost afraid of their eyes.  They were yellow, and shone as if a fire had been kindled back of them.  The goosey-gander had always been taught that it was most fitting to move slowly and with a rolling motion, but these creatures did not walk—­they half ran.  He grew most alarmed, however, when he looked at their feet.  These were large, and the soles were torn and ragged-looking.  It was evident that the wild geese never questioned what they tramped upon.  They took no by-paths.  They were very neat and well cared for in other respects, but one could see by their feet that they were poor wilderness-folk.

The goosey-gander only had time to whisper to the boy:  “Speak up quickly for yourself, but don’t tell them who you are!”—­before the geese were upon them.

When the wild geese had stopped in front of them, they curtsied with their necks many times, and the goosey-gander did likewise many more times.  As soon as the ceremonies were over, the leader-goose said:  “Now I presume we shall hear what kind of creatures you are.”

“There isn’t much to tell about me,” said the goosey-gander.  “I was born in Skanor last spring.  In the fall I was sold to Holger Nilsson of West Vemminghoeg, and there I have lived ever since.”  “You don’t seem to have any pedigree to boast of,” said the leader-goose.  “What is it, then, that makes you so high-minded that you wish to associate with wild geese?” “It may be because I want to show you wild geese that we tame ones may also be good for something,” said the goosey-gander.  “Yes, it would be well if you could show us that,” said the leader-goose.  “We have already observed how much you know about flying; but you are more skilled, perhaps, in other sports.  Possibly you are strong in a swimming match?” “No, I can’t boast that I am,” said the goosey-gander.  It seemed to him that the leader-goose had already made up her mind to send him home, so he didn’t much care how he answered.  “I never swam any farther than across a marl-ditch,” he continued.  “Then I presume you’re a crack sprinter,” said the goose.  “I have never seen a tame goose run, nor have I ever done it myself,” said the goosey-gander; and he made things appear much worse than they really were.

The big white one was sure now that the leader-goose would say that under no circumstances could they take him along.  He was very much astonished when she said:  “You answer questions courageously; and he who has courage can become a good travelling companion, even if he is ignorant in the beginning.  What do you say to stopping with us for a couple of days, until we can see what you are good for?” “That suits me!” said the goosey-gander—­and he was thoroughly happy.