RASMUS AND THE VAGABOND
translated by Gerry Bothmer & by Astrid Lindgren
Rasmus, within the confines of his Swedish orphanage, dreams of a family which will overlook his stubbornly straight hair, and will love him. When he runs away, he meets Oscar, a carefree vagabond. Together they share many adventures, and when Rasmus finally finds a family which will adopt him, he is too deeply attached to his comrade of the roads to forsake him. The child and man, who now share a deep love for one another, decide to follow the road together permanently, and, to Rasmus' delight, the road leads to a modest, but loving home. Rasmus has all the appeal of the spirited and neglected orphan and his sentimental alliance with a hobo is handled with a winning freshness.