# Old Helpless — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils character guide

> Old Helpless in The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Helpless, poor old Helpless

**First appearance:** 0050-helpless-the-water-snake

## Who they are

An old water snake who aids Nils.

## Relationships

### [Karr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/characters/karr)

_friendship_

Karr, a dog, and Old Helpless, an elderly horse, share a quiet companionship and mutual care in their old age.

### [Karr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/characters/karr)

_friendship_

Karr, a dog, and Old Helpless, an elderly horse, share a quiet companionship and mutual care in their old age.

## In the story

### [The Nun Moths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/the-nun-moths)

The water-snake, referred to as 'old Helpless,' offers to end the caterpillar plague if Grayskin leaves Liberty Forest forever, seeking revenge for a loved one killed by the elk.

### [The Big War of the Moths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/the-big-war-of-the-moths)

Old Helpless is the water-snake who claims that Grayskin's exile will save the forest, and whose prediction comes true when a disease kills the caterpillars.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/characters/old_helpless
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/characters