Nils Holgersson is angry! He's constantly having to feed the animals, repair fences and bring the milk to town. He's never allowed to go fox hunting. His parents are so unfair and are always criticising him. Only Åsa, the pharmacist's daughter, is on his side. Until that changes, too, one day, when Nils' parents are gone a little longer. Åsa watches as Nils aggressively scares off a crow, before she stomps off angrily. As soon as she is gone, the young good-for-nothing faces his next surprise: A veritable house elf stands before him! But when the boy treats him as heartlessly as the other animals and even locks him up, the miniature magician puts a spell on him: Nils shrinks to the size of an imp! Moreover he now understands animal language. When a flock of wild geese puts in a stop at the farm on its way north and persuades the farm gander to accompany them to Lapland, Nils tries to stop him - and is lifted into the skies. Now the adventure begins!