The rattrap detailed summary. Flamingo ncert book.

Selma Lagerlof through her  story "the Rattrap" has tried to convey us the psychological insight of the human mind. This story tells us about greed and avarice that humans have for materialistic things. The essence of the story is humourous, philosophical as well as historical. 

The story revolves around a poor vagabond who made rattraps from the begged materials. He was a wanderer who struggled for living but later resort to begging and stealing for some extra income. One day he got engrossed in his own thoughts wand was surprised to think that the whole world itself was a rattrap. It lured people with riches and joys and all the materialistic happiness. But these were baits to entrap people. The misery and discontentment in the life of vagabond made him think ill of this world. 

One day, he stopped at a little gray cottage by the roadside. The owner of the house was a ma  without wife and children. He agreed to give him shelter. Delighted to have a company, the generous man gave him dinner and then played cards with him. The old man trusted the vagabond so he shared his personal details with him like he was a crofter at Ramjo Ironworks, had a milch cow and earned thirty kronors in payment the previous month. He also showed him the nail where he hung the pouch containing the thirty kronors.

The vagabond ran towards the forest in order to discard the public highway in oreder to avoid getting caught. He went round and round in the forest for a long time but landed nowhere as it was a big and confusing forest. He realised that he himself was trapped and the escape was impossible.

The vagabond felt dejected and tired. As he laid his head onto he ground in order to rest, he heard the thumping of a hammer. This made him realise that there may be an iron mill somewhere close by. He gathered all his will power and headed towards the direction of the sound.  He reached Ramjo Ironworks where the master blacksmith sat near the furnace with his helper. The vagabond crept into the mill unnoticed. He entered the forge amd asked for permission from the master blacksmith to lie down. It was cold December night and the peddler wanted shelter. The permission was given to him coldly. The vagabond made himself comfortable bear the furnace to keep himself warm. Since the owner of the mill particular about the quality of the product, visited the mill every night. When he saw the vagabond lying near the furnace, he mistook him as captain Nils Olof, his old freind. The vagabond did not disclose his true identity as he thought of making some money from the ironmaster. Ironmaster invited him to his manor house. 

The peddler refused to go to his house as he was afraid he would be caught after stealing the thirty kronors. The iron master interpreted his denial as embarrassment because of his dirty worn clothes so, he stayed that it was not such magnificent home that the peddler could not show himself there. He told his sons were abroad and his wife Elizabeth being dead, he stayed only with his oldest daughter so, it would not be embarrassing at all. He insisted the vagabond to join them for Christmas celebrations. Yet he refused the Ironmaster's invitation. 

 The Ironmaster then sent his daughter to persuade the vagabond. Though the daughter was not pretty she was modest and shy. As she approached him, the vagabond was alarmed. She introduced herself as Edla Willmansson. She invited him and said he may leave after Christmas anytime. The vagabond couldn't deny her and finials agreed to accept their invitation and join them. He covered himself with the for coat carried by the lady's valet. He last felt quilts of stealing the money meanwhile. He fund himself completely entrapped. 

Next day, the iron master came for his breakfast. He told his daughter that his freind mist get a good meal  and a decent livelihood. However, his daughter said that she did not find anything on the Hurst which would assure her that he was an educated man. The Ironmaster put her apprehensions to rest saying that once he would bath and change into better clothes he would look groomed. But when the peddler came out the Ironmaster realised that he did not resemble his freind from his old regiment. He was angry and demanded explaination. He also said that he will take the matter to the sheriff. The rattrap peddler defended himself saying that he made no pretence about being a captain.  He also reminded that he was pleading to be allowed to stay in the forge. Then he offered to change his old rags and leave immediately. He became agitated saying that the whole world is a rattrap. 

The Ironmaster got convinced by the argument. He aged the peddler to leave immediately amd promised that he would not take the matter to the sheriff. But Elda insisted on the vagabond to stay back. She felt it would be unfair to turn him out after promising Christmas cheer. Her father finally gave him in. The peddler wondered about Elda's motive behind this kind act. She took his hand amd took him to the table and fed him well. After that, on Christmas Eve, he did  nothing but slept. He slept through the morning, got up to have his share of good Christmas fare and then slept again. He later participated in the lightening of the Christmas tree. He thanked everyone present amd wished them good night. Elda aisled him to keep her father's suit as Christmas gift. He may also return the next year to celebrate Christmas gain with them. The peddler got amazed with her words. Leaving behind the sleeping vagabond the father and the daughter went to church. After the service they returned home having heard of the peddler's theft. The girl feels dejected. The Ironmaster was unhappy that they left the vagabond stay in their house. He was confident that the peddler would have disappeared by then with all their silverware. But when they reached, the valet informed them that the guest had left empty-handed and had left a Christmas present for Elda.  When she opened the package she found three wrinkled thirty kronors notes along with the rattrap. There was a letter of gratitude for her behaviour towards him. The peddler requested to return those thrifty kronors to the crofter. He also wrote that he was thankful for elevating him to the status  of a captain. This was the reason behind changing his old ways.  He signed the letter with his name as captain Von Stahle because this name gave him the power to clear his conscience.