Chapter 1 - Karlsson-on-the-Roof

On a perfectly ordinary street in Stockholm, in a perfectly ordinary house, lives a perfectly ordinary
family called Ericson. There is a perfectly ordinary addy and a perfectly ordinary !ommy and
three perfectly ordinary children"#o$$y, #etty, and Eric.
%&'m not at all an ordinary Eric,( says Eric. #ut he is )ron* there. Of course he is ordinary. The
)orld is full of $oys of seven )ith $lue eyes and pu* noses"$oys )ho have not )ashed $ehind
their ears and )ho are forever )earin* holes in their trousers. So, of course, Eric is perfectly
ordinary"there can $e no dou$t a$out that.
#o$$y is fifteen and is fond of foot$all and does not do e+tra )ell at school, so he is perfectly
ordinary too. #etty is fourteen and )ears her hair in a lon* $o$, e+actly like other perfectly ordinary
*irls.
There is only one person in the entire house )ho is not ordinary"and that is Karlsson-on-the-Roof.
,e lives on the roof, Karlsson does. This alone is out of the ordinary. Thin*s may $e different in
other parts of the )orld, $ut in Stockholm people hardly ever live in a little house of their o)n on
top of a roof. #ut Karlsson does. ,e is a very small, very round, and very self-possessed *entleman
"and he can fly- .ny$ody can fly $y airplane or helicopter, $ut only Karlsson can fly all $y
himself. ,e simply turns a $utton in the middle of his tummy and, presto, the cunnin* little en*ine
on his $ack starts up. Karlsson )aits for a moment or t)o to let the en*ine )arm up/ then he
accelerates, takes off, and *lides on his )ay )ith all the di*nity and poise of a statesman/ that is, if
you can picture a statesman )ith a motor on his $ack.




Karlsson is very contented in his little house on top of the roof. &n the evenin*s he sits on his front
doorstep, smokin* a pipe and )atchin* the stars. 0aturally, you can see the stars much $etter from
the roof than from any)here else in the house, so it is really surprisin* that more people do not live
on roofs. #ut the occupants of the house don't kno) that you can live on a roof/ they don't even
kno) that Karlsson has a cotta*e up there, it is so )ell hidden $ehind the $i* chimney. #esides,
most people don't notice little houses like Karlsson's, not even if they trip over them.
. chimney s)eep once cau*ht si*ht of Karlsson's house )hen he )as a$out to s)eep the chimney.
,e )as astonished. %&t's odd,( he said to himself. %There's a house here. &t's hard to $elieve, $ut
there's actually a house on the roof- ,o) could it have *ot here1(
#ut then he $e*an to s)eep the chimney and for*ot all a$out the house and never *ave it another
thou*ht.
&t )as nice for Eric to $ecome ac2uainted )ith Karlsson, $ecause, )henever Karlsson fle) past, life
$ecame adventurous and e+citin*. !ay$e Karlsson )as pleased to make the ac2uaintance of Eric,
too, for it must $e a little dull sometimes to live all alone in a house )hich no$ody kno)s is there. &t
must $e pleasant to hear some$ody callin* out, %,i-ho, Karlsson-( )hen you fly past.
This is )hat happened )hen Karlsson and Eric first met.
&t )as one of those days )hen everythin* )ent )ron* and )hen it )as no fun at all to $e Eric. .s a
rule, it )as 2uite nice to $e Eric. ,e )as the darlin* and pet of the )hole family, and they spoiled
him for all they )ere )orth. #ut there )ere days )hen thin*s kept *oin* )ron*. Then you )ere
scolded $y !ommy $ecause you had )orn a hole in your trousers, and #etty )ould say, %#lo)
your nose, child,( and addy )ould make a fuss $ecause you )ere late comin* home from school.
%3hy do you han* around the street corners1( asked addy.
%,an* around the street corners1( Of course, addy didn't kno) that Eric had met a do*"a nice,
$eautiful, friendly do*, )ho had sniffed at Eric and )a**ed his tail and looked as if he )ould very
much like to $e Eric's o)n do*.
&f Eric had had any choice, it )ould certainly have $ecome his at once. #ut the difficulty )as that
addy and !ommy did not )ant a do* in the house. .nd also a lady had suddenly appeared,
shoutin*, %Rickey, come here-( and then Eric kne) that this do* could never $elon* to him.
%&t doesn't look as if &'ll ever have a do* as lon* as & live,( said Eric $itterly that day )hen
everythin* seemed to *o )ron*. %4ou, !ommy"you've *ot addy/ and #o$$y and #etty al)ays
stick to*ether/ $ut &"&'ve *ot no$ody.(
%#ut darlin* Eric, you've *ot us all,( said !ommy.
%& haven't,( said Eric more $itterly still, feelin* suddenly that he )as 2uite alone in the )orld.
,e had one thin*, thou*h. ,e had a room of his o)n, and that )as )here he )ent.
&t )as a li*ht and $eautiful sprin* evenin*, and the )indo) )as )ide open. The )hite curtains $le)
*ently in and out as if )avin* to the pale little stars in the sprin* sky. Eric )ent to the )indo) and
stood there, lookin* out. ,e thou*ht a$out the friendly do* and )ondered )hat it )as doin* no) 5
may$e lyin* in a do* $asket in a kitchen some)here, and may$e a $oy 6another $oy, not Eric7 )as
sittin* on the floor $eside it, pattin* its sha**y head, sayin*, %Rickey- Good do*, Rickey-(
Eric si*hed heavily. Then he heard a little $u88in* sound. The $u88in* *ot louder and louder, and he
suddenly sa) a fat little man slo)ly flyin* past the )indo). &t )as Karlsson-on-the-Roof- #ut, of
course, Eric did not kno) that.



Karlsson merely *ave Eric a 2uick *lance and sailed on. ,e circled over the rooftop of the house
opposite, rounded the chimney, and then steered $ack to)ard Eric's )indo). #y no) he had *ot up
speed and he )hi88ed past Eric, almost like a 9et plane. Several times he shot past. Eric stood
silently )atchin*, $ut he had $utterflies in his tummy from the e+citement. .fter all, it isn't every
day that a fat little man flies past your )indo). .t last Karlsson slo)ed do)n close to the )indo)
led*e.
%,i-ho-( he said. %!ay & take a seat1(
%Oh, please do,( said Eric. %&sn't it difficult to fly like that1( he added.
%0ot for me,( said Karlsson importantly. %:or me it is not at all difficult, $ecause & am the 3orld's
#est Stunt :lyer. #ut & )ouldn't advise any old sack of hay to try.(
Eric felt that he )as pro$a$ly %any old sack of hay( and decided on the spot not to try and copy
Karlsson's flyin* antics.
%3hat's your name1( asked Karlsson.
%Eric,( he replied. %Eric Ericson.(
%&t's 2ueer ho) different thin*s can $e" &'m called Karlsson,( said Karlsson. %Only Karlsson,
nothin* else. ,i-ho, Eric-(
%,i-ho, Karlsson,( said Eric.
%,o) old are you1( asked Karlsson.
%Seven,( said Eric.
%;ood- Stay at seven,( said Karlsson. <uickly he s)un* one of his fat little le*s over Eric's
)indo) led*e and stepped into the room.
%.nd ho) old are you1( asked Eric, $ecause he thou*ht Karlsson had a childish appearance for a
man.
%&1( said Karlsson. %&'m a !an in his =rime, that's all & can say.(
Eric did not 2uite kno) )hat this meant, to $e a !an in his =rime. ,e )ondered if he himself )as
perhaps also a !an in his =rime )ithout kno)in* it, so he asked cautiously, %3hich years are one's
prime1(
%.ll of them,( said Karlsson in a satisfied voice. %.t least as far as &'m concerned. & am handsome,
remarka$ly )ise, and 9ust plump enou*h"in fact a !an in his =rime,( he said.
Then he took do)n Eric's steam en*ine from the $ookshelf.
%Shall )e start it1( he su**ested.
%addy )on't let me,( said Eric. %Either addy or #o$$y must $e here )hen & )ant to )ork it.(
%addy or #o$$y or Karlsson-on-the-Roof,( said Karlsson. %The 3orld's #est Steam En*ineer,
that's Karlsson-on-the-Roof. Tell that to your addy for me.(
,e sei8ed the $ottle of alcohol )hich )as standin* $eside the steam en*ine, filled the little alcohol
lamp, and put a match to it. &n spite of $ein* the 3orld's #est Steam En*ineer, he mana*ed to spill a
little lake of alcohol on the $ookshelf, and lively $lue flames danced around the steam en*ine )hen
the lake cau*ht fire. Eric cried out and rushed for)ard.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson, and he put up a chu$$y hand to stop him.
#ut Eric could not $e calm )hen he sa) the fire. ,e cau*ht hold of an old ra* and choked the
flames. 3here they had danced, there )ere no) t)o $i* u*ly stains on the varnish.
%Oh, look at the $ookshelf-( he said )ith concern. %3hat )ill !ommy say1(
%&t's a small matter,( said Karlsson-on-the-Roof. %T)o tiny spots on a $ookshelf"a small matter/
you tell your !ommy.(
,e crouched do)n $eside the steam en*ine and his eyes )ere shinin*. %0o) it'll soon $e*in to
chuff,( he said.
.nd it did. The steam en*ine $e*an )orkin*. Chuff-chuff-chuff, it )ent. Oh, it )as the most
splendid steam en*ine you could )ish for, and Karlsson looked as proud and happy as if he had
made it himself.
%& must ad9ust the safety valve,( said Karlsson, fiddlin* ea*erly )ith a little *ad*et. %.ccidents
al)ays happen if you don't ad9ust the safety valve.(
Chuff-chuff-chuff, said the steam en*ine. &t )ent faster and faster and faster> Chuff-chuff-chuff. &n
the end it sounded as if in full *allop, and Karlsson's eyes shone. Eric stopped $otherin* a$out the
stains on the $ookshelf, he felt so very happy a$out his steam en*ine and a$out Karlsson, )ho )as
the 3orld's #est Steam En*ineer, and )ho had ad9usted the safety valve so )ell.
%4ou see, Eric,( said Karlsson, %this is )hat you mi*ht call chuff-chuff-chuff- The 3orld's #est
Steam En*"(
,e *ot no farther, for at that moment there )as a dreadful $an*, and suddenly there )as no more
steam en*ine"only pieces of steam en*ine, scattered all over the room.



%&t's e+ploded,( said Karlsson )ith deli*ht, as if it )as the finest performance you could possi$ly
e+pect of a steam en*ine. %&ndeed, it's e+ploded- . super $an*, )asn't it1(
#ut Eric could not $rin* himself to feel 2uite so happy. Tears came into his eyes. %!y steam
en*ine,( he said. %&t's $roken-(
%&t's a small matter,( said Karlsson, and he )aved his chu$$y little hand in the air. %4ou can soon
have another steam en*ine.(
%,o)1( asked Eric.
%&'ve *ot several thousand up at my house.(
%3here's that1( Eric asked.
%?p at my house on the roof,( said Karlsson.
%,ave you *ot a house on the roof1( said Eric. %3ith several thousand steam en*ines in it1(
%4es, & should think there are a$out t)o hundred, any)ay,( said Karlsson.
%Oh- & would like to see your house,( said Eric. &t sounded like a miracle that there could $e a house
on top of the roof, and that Karlsson lived there.
%Think of it- . house full of steam en*ines,( said Eric, %several hundred steam en*ines-(
%3ell, & haven't actually counted ho) many there are left, $ut & think there are several do8en,( said
Karlsson. %Every no) and then one e+plodes, of course, $ut & am pretty sure there are t)o do8en
left, any)ay.(
%=erhaps & could have one1( said Eric.
%Of course,( said Karlsson, %of course-(
%Ri*ht a)ay1( asked Eric.
%3ell, &'ve *ot to look it over first,( said Karlsson. %.d9ust the safety valve and thin*s like that.
Calm, $e calm- 4ou shall have it another day.(
Eric $e*an to collect the pieces of )hat had once $een his steam en*ine. %3hat )ill addy say1( he
murmured in a )orried voice.
Karlsson raised his eye$ro)s in surprise. %.$out the steam en*ine1( he said. %&t's a small matter.
Tell him for me he needn't )orry. & )ould tell him myself if & had time to stop and see him. #ut &
think &'d $etter *o home no) and attend to my house.(
%&'m *lad you came,( said Eric, %even thou*h the steam en*ine 5 3ill you come $ack another
time1(
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson, and he turned the $utton in his middle. The en*ine $e*an to cou*h,
and Karlsson stood )aitin* for po)er to take off. Then he rose and fle) t)ice around the room.
%The en*ine is cou*hin*,( he said. %& think & )ill have to *o to a *ara*e for servicin*. Could do it
myself, of course,( he said, %$ecause &'m the 3orld's #est Steam En*ineer, $ut & haven't time5 no,
& think &'ll *o to a *ara*e.(
Eric, too, thou*ht it )ould $e the )isest thin* to do.
Karlsson steered out throu*h the open )indo), and his fat little $ody looked $eautiful a*ainst the
star-span*led sprin* sky.
%,i-ho, Eric-( he said, )avin* his chu$$y hand.
.nd Karlsson )as *one.

Chapter @ - Karlsson #uilds a To)er

%& told you his name's Karlsson and that he lives on the roof,( said Eric. %3hat's so stran*e a$out
that1 =eople can live )here they like, can't they1(
%0o) then, Eric, don't $e silly,( said !ommy. %4ou nearly fri*htened the life out of us. 4ou mi*ht
have *ot killed )hen the steam en*ine e+ploded. on't you reali8e that1(
%4es, $ut all the same, Karlsson is the 3orld's #est Steam En*ineer,( said Eric, lookin* solemnly at
his mother. ,e had to make her understand that you could not say 0o )hen the 3orld's #est Steam
En*ineer offered to start your steam en*ine.
%4ou must take responsi$ility for your actions, Eric,( said addy, %and not $lame someone called
Karlsson-on-the-Roof, )ho does not e+ist.(
%,e does e+ist,( said Eric.
%.nd he can fly, too, & suppose,( said #o$$y sarcastically.
%3hat if he can-( said Eric. %& hope he'll come $ack. Then you'll see for yourself.(
%& sure hope he comes tomorro),( said #etty. %&'ll *ive you a dime, Eric, if you let me see
Karlsson-on-the-Roof.(
%& don't think he'll come tomorro),( said Eric, %$ecause he's due to *o into a *ara*e for servicin*.(
%&t seems to me you need a *ood servicin*, too,( said !ommy. %Aust look at that $ookshelf-(
% B&t's a small matter,' says Karlsson.(
Eric spread his hand in a superior manner, e+actly as Karlsson had done, as thou*h to say to his
mother that talkin* a$out the $ookshelf )as a lot of fuss over nothin*. #ut she )as not impressed.
%So that's )hat Karlsson says, is it1 3ell, you may tell Karlsson for me that if he puts his nose in
here a*ain & shall *ive him such a servicin* that he )on't for*et it in a hurry,( she said.
Eric did not ans)er. ,e thou*ht it )as terri$le that !ommy could speak like that a$out the 3orld's
#est Steam En*ineer. #ut )hat could you e+pect on a day like this )hen it )as clear that they had
all made up their minds to $e as difficult as possi$le1
Eric suddenly lon*ed for Karlsson> Karlsson )ho )as merry and cheerful and )ho spread his
fin*ers and said that misfortunes simply )ere not )orth $otherin* a$out. Eric lon*ed for Karlsson
very much/ and at the same time he felt rather )orried. Supposin* Karlsson never came $ack-
%Calm, $e calm-( said Eric to himself, 9ust like Karlsson. ,e had promised to return, hadn't he1
.nd he )as a man )hom you could trust> there )as no dou$t a$out that.
Only a day or t)o later Karlsson turned up a*ain. Eric )as lyin* face do)n on the floor in his room,
readin*, )hen he heard the $u88in* sound once more, and in throu*h the )indo) Karlsson $u88ed
like a *iant $um$le-$ee. ,e hummed a happy little tune )hile he circled around the )alls. 0o) and
then he hovered to look at the pictures. ,e cocked his head to one side and his eyes narro)ed.



%:ine pictures,( he said. %Cery fine pictures indeed- #ut may$e not 2uite so *ood as mine.(
Eric 9umped up from the floor and stood there, )ildly e+cited. &t pleased him very much that
Karlsson had come $ack.
%,ave you *ot a lot of pictures in your house1( he asked.
%Several thousand,( said Karlsson. %=aint them myself in my spare time. !asses of little roosters
and $irds and other pretty thin*s. &'m the 3orld's #est Rooster =ainter,( and he landed $eside Eric
)ith an ele*ant, *lidin* turn.
%Really-( said Eric. %Couldn't & come up )ith you to look at your house and your steam en*ines
and your pictures1(
%Of course,( said Karlsson. %0aturally- 4ou're most )elcome to come 5 another day.(
%Soon, please,( $e**ed Eric.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson. %&'ve *ot to tidy up a $it first, $ut it )on't take lon*. The 3orld's
:astest Tidy-upper"*uess )ho that is,( said Karlsson )ith a t)inkle in his eye.
%=erhaps it's you,( said Eric.
%=erhaps-( shouted Karlsson. %=erhaps1 on't dou$t it for a moment. The 3orld's :astest Tidy-
upper, that's Karlsson-on-the-Roof, and everyone kno)s it.(
Eric )as only too )illin* to $elieve that Karlsson )as the %3orld's #est( everythin*. ,e )as the
)orld's $est playmate, too/ you could certainly say that. #rid*et and Christopher )ere lots of fun,
$ut they )ere not e+citin* like Karlsson-on-the-Roof. Eric made up his mind to tell #rid*et and
Christopher a$out Karlsson ne+t time they )alked home from school to*ether. Christopher )as
al)ays talkin* a$out his do* Aoffa. Eric had $een 9ealous of Christopher for a lon* time $ecause of
that do*.
&f he comes out )ith stories a$out his old Aoffa tomorro), & shall tell him a$out Karlsson, thou*ht
Eric. %3hat's Aoffa ne+t to Karlsson-on-the-Roof1( &'ll say.
.nd yet"there )as nothin* in the )orld that Eric lon*ed for so much as to have a do* of his o)n.
Karlsson interrupted his thou*hts.
%& feel like havin* some fun,( he said, and looked around searchin*ly. %,ave you *ot another steam
en*ine1(
Eric shook his head. The steam en*ine 5 hmm- 3ell, Karlsson )as here/ !ommy and addy
could see that he really did e+ist"and #o$$y and #etty, too, if they )ere home.
%3ill you come alon* to meet !ommy and addy1( asked Eric.
%eli*hted,( said Karlsson. %&t'll $e a treat for them to meet such a )ise and handsome fello) as &-(
Karlsson strutted $ack and forth across the floor, lookin* very pleased )ith himself.
%0ot too fat and not too thin, either,( he added. %. !an in his =rime. &t'll $e a treat for your
!ommy to meet me.(
.t this precise moment the first faint smell of cookin* reached Eric's nose from the kitchen, and he
kne) that very soon no) it )ould $e dinnertime. Eric decided to )ait until after dinner $efore he
introduced Karlsson to !ommy and addy. &t is never *ood policy to distur$ mothers )hen they
are cookin*. #esides, !ommy or addy mi*ht take it into their heads to talk to Karlsson a$out the
steam en*ine and the stain on the $ookshelf. .nd that must $e prevented. 3hile they )ere havin*
dinner Eric could pro$a$ly, in a tactful )ay, make his parents reali8e ho) one should $ehave to)ard
the 3orld's #est Steam En*ineer. .ll he needed )as a little time. .fter dinner"yes, then it )ould
$e all ri*ht/ and he )ould take the )hole family to his room.
%There you are-( he )ould say. %,ere's Karlsson-on-the-Roof.( ,o) astonished they )ould $e/ it
)as *oin* to $e fun seein* their surprise-
Karlsson had stopped his pacin*. ,e )as standin* motionless, sniffin* like a setter.
%!eat$alls-( he said. %Tasty little meat$alls & like ver-ry much.(
Eric felt rather em$arrassed. There )as really only one thin* you could say in ans)er to that> 3ill
you stay and have dinner )ith us1 That's )hat he ou*ht to say. #ut he dared not $rin* Karlsson to
dinner )ithout any )arnin*. &t )as 2uite a different matter in the case of #rid*et and Christopher.
Then he could ask at the last moment 6if he )anted to7, even )hen the rest of the family had already
sat do)n, %Could #rid*et and Christopher possi$ly stay for dinner, !ommy1(
#ut a completely unkno)n, fat little man )ho had $roken a steam en*ine and made stains on the
$ookshelf- 0o, it )ouldn't do at all.
#ut this fat little man had 9ust said that he liked tasty little meat$alls very much. &t )as up to Eric to
see that he *ot them, or else perhaps Karlsson )ould not come and see him a*ain. Oh, so much
depended on !ommy's meat$alls-
%3ait a minute,( said Eric. %&'ll *o out in the kitchen and fetch some.(
Karlsson nodded approvin*ly.
%;ood-( he said. %;ood- #ut hurry- 4ou don't *et less hun*ry $y lookin* at pictures")ithout
roosters or anythin* in them.(
Eric darted out into the kitchen. !ommy )as standin* $y the stove in a checked apron, surrounded
$y the most delicious smell of fried onions. She )as shakin* the $i* fryin* pan over the flame, and
in the pan 9ostled lots and lots of nicely $ro)ned, little meat$alls.
%,ello, Eric,( said !ommy. %3e're *oin* to eat in a minute.(
%!ommy, could & have some meat$alls on a saucer to take to my room1( asked Eric in his most
persuasive voice.
%#ut )e're *oin* to have dinner in a minute or t)o, darlin*,( said !ommy.
%Oh, please-( said Eric. %.fter dinner &'ll tell you )hy.(
%Cery )ell,( said !ommy, %9ust a fe) then.(
She placed si+ meat$alls on a small plate. Oh, ho) *ood they smelled and they )ere small and
$ro)n and round, 9ust as they should $e. Eric carried the plate carefully in $oth hands as he hurried
$ack to his room.
%Dook, Karlsson-( he called, openin* the door.
#ut Karlsson had disappeared. Eric stood there )ith the meat$alls, and Karlsson )as not there. Eric
)as terri$ly disappointed"everythin* suddenly seemed very cheerless. %,e's *one a)ay,( he said
aloud to himself. #ut then 5
%S2ueak,( he suddenly heard a voice sayin*. %S2ueak-(
Eric looked all around. :ar do)n at one end of the $ed"underneath the $lankets"he sa) a fat little
lump, movin*. That )as )here the s2ueak came from. Then Karlsson's red face peeped out from
$et)een the sheets.
%,aha,( said Karlsson. % B,e's *one,' you said, Bhe's *one'"haha, & haven't *one at all. & )as only
pretendin*.(
Then he cau*ht si*ht of the meat$alls. =resto, he turned the $utton, the en*ine started $u88in*, and
Karlsson *lided from the $ed strai*ht past the plate. ,e snatched a meat$all on his )ay, rose rapidly
up to the ceilin*, and circled round the li*ht, contentedly munchin* the meat$all.
%elicious- E+cellent-( he said. %4ou'd almost think the 3orld's #est !eat$all-!aker had cooked
it, $ut it's o$vious he hasn't,( said Karlsson. .nd he made a sudden dive to)ard the plate and sei8ed
another.
!ommy )as callin* from the kitchen, %Eric, it's dinnertime. ,urry up and )ash your hands and
come alon*-(
%& have to *o,( said Eric and put the plate do)n. %#ut &'ll soon $e $ack. =romise you'll )ait for
me-(
%.ll ri*ht, $ut )hat shall & do )hile you're a)ay1( said Karlsson, landin* $eside Eric )ith a
reproachful little thud. %& must have some fun )hile you're a)ay. ,aven't you really *ot any more
steam en*ines1(
%0o,( said Eric, %$ut you can $orro) my $o+ of $uildin* $locks.(
%O.K.,( said Karlsson.
Eric fetched his $o+ of $uildin* $locks from the cup$oard )here he kept his toys. &t )as indeed a
fine kit of $locks, )ith various parts that could $e scre)ed to*ether to make a lar*e num$er of
different thin*s.
%,ere you are,( he said. %4ou can $uild cars and cranes and all sorts of thin*s 5(
%.nd you don't suppose that the 3orld's #est #uildin*-Erector doesn't kno) )hat you can $uild
and cannot $uild1( said Karlsson. Rapidly he popped yet another meat$all into his mouth and
proceeded to investi*ate the $o+.
%Det's see, let's see,( he said, emptyin* out all the pieces on to the floor.
Eric had to *o, althou*h he )ould much rather have stayed to )atch the 3orld's #est #uildin*-
Erector at )ork.



The last thin* he sa) as he turned around in the door)ay )as Karlsson, sittin* on the floor, sin*in*
happily to himself, %,ooray, ho) clever & am 5 hooray, ho) sensi$le & am 5 and 9ust plump
enou*h 5 hmm-(
The last part )as hummed a second after he had s)allo)ed the fourth meat$all.
!ommy and addy, #etty and #o$$y )ere already sittin* at the ta$le. Eric slipped into his place
and unfolded his napkin.
%=romise me somethin*, !ommy"and you, too, addy,( he said.
%3hat do you )ant us to promise1( asked !ommy.
%=romise first,( said Eric.
addy )as rather reluctant to make a va*ue promise. %3ho kno)s1 =erhaps you )ant me to *ive
you a do* a*ain,( he said.
%0o, it isn't a do*,( said Eric, %thou*h & )ouldn't mind if you promised me one. 0o, it's somethin*
else, and it's easy. =romise that you promise-(
%Cery )ell, )e promise,( said !ommy.
%.ll ri*ht. 0o) you've promised not to say anythin* to Karlsson-on-the-Roof a$out the steam
en*ine,( said Eric, pleased.
%,a,( said #etty. %,o) could they say anythin* to Karlsson )hen they never see him1(
%They )ill,( said Eric triumphantly. %.fter dinner. ,e's in my room.(
%;osh, & think a meat$all *ot stuck in my throat,( said #o$$y. %Karlsson's in your room, did you
say1(
%,e certainly is.(
This )as the hour of triumph for Eric. &f only they )ould hurry up and finish eatin*,
then they )ould see 5
!ommy smiled a little.
%&t )ill $e a pleasure for us to meet Karlsson,( she said.
%That's )hat Karlsson said, too,( Eric told her.
.t last they had finished dessert. !ommy rose from the ta$le. This )as the *reat
moment.
%Come alon*, all of you,( said Eric.
%4ou don't have to ask us t)ice,( said #etty. %& can't )ait to see Karlsson.(
Eric )ent on ahead.
%Remem$er )hat you promised,( he said $efore he opened the door to his room.
%0ot a )ord a$out the steam en*ine-(
Then he turned the handle and opened the door.
Karlsson )as *one. Karlsson was *one. There )as not even a fat little lump
underneath the $lankets in Eric's $ed.
#ut in the middle of the floor there rose, out of the medley of $uildin* $locks, a
to)er"a very tall and very thin to)er. .lthou*h Karlsson could, of course, $uild
cranes and other thin*s, this time he had contented himself )ith puttin* one $lock
on top of another, makin* this very tall and very thin to)er. The top of the to)er had
$een decorated )ith somethin* )hich )as evidently meant to look like a dome. &t
)as a little round meat$all.

Chapter E - Karlsson Surprises #etty and Ro*er

&t )as a difficult moment for Eric. !ommy did not like her meat$alls to $e used as ornaments, and
she seemed to think that it )as Eric )ho had decorated the to)er.
%Karlsson-on-the-Roof 5( $e*an Eric, $ut addy cut him short )ith a stern, %That's 2uite enou*h
a$out Karlsson, Eric.(
#etty and #o$$y only lau*hed.
%Some Karlsson-( said #o$$y. %So he had to *o and sneak off 9ust )hen )e )anted to see him-(
Sadly Eric ate up the meat$all and put his $uildin* $locks a)ay. &t )as no use talkin* a$out
Karlsson any more no). #ut he did miss him"he missed him very much.
%Det's have our coffee and not $other any more a$out Karlsson,( said addy, strokin* Eric's cheek
*ently.
They al)ays drank their coffee in front of the fire in the sittin* room. .nd so they did toni*ht,
althou*h it )as a )arm, li*ht, sprin* evenin* and the lime trees alon* the street )ere already
covered )ith small *reen leaves. Eric did not like coffee, $ut he liked to sit )ith !ommy, addy,
#o$$y, and #etty in front of the fire.
%Shut your eyes, !ommy,( said Eric )hen his mother had put the coffee tray do)n on the little
ta$le $eside the fireplace.
%3hy do you )ant me to shut my eyes1(
%#ecause you said you didn't )ant to see me eatin* su*ar, and & think &'ll have a lump no),( said
Eric.
,e needed somethin* to comfort him, he felt that 2uite plainly. 3hy had Karlsson *one1 &t )as not
a proper thin* to do, to disappear and leave nothin* $ehind e+cept a small meat$all.
Eric )as sittin* in his favorite place $y the *rate, as close to the fire as he could *et. This coffee
time after dinner )as nearly the nicest part of the )hole day. 4ou could talk to !ommy and addy,
and they listened to )hat you had to say. Other)ise they did not al)ays have time to listen. &t )as
fun, too, hearin* #etty and #o$$y teasin* each other and talkin* importantly a$out school. Their
school )as evidently different, and a more important kind than the *rade school that Eric attended.
,e lon*ed to tell them all a$out his school, $ut no one e+cept !ommy and addy )as interested in
)hat happened there. #o$$y and #etty only lau*hed, and Eric )as careful to avoid sayin* anythin*
that )ould make #o$$y and #etty lau*h in that annoyin* )ay. There )as not much use in their
tryin* to tease him/ he )as an e+pert at teasin* $ack"you had to $e )ith a $rother like #o$$y and a
sister like #etty.
%3ell, Eric, )as your home)ork done properly for today1( asked !ommy.
This )as not the kind of talk that Eric liked, $ut since !ommy had said nothin* a$out that lump of
su*ar, he had $etter put up )ith her 2uestionin*, he supposed.
%Oh, yes, my home)ork )as all correct,( he ans)ered *lumly.
.ll the time he )as thinkin* of Karlsson. ,o) could any$ody e+pect him to remem$er a$out his
home)ork )hen he )as )onderin* )hat had happened to Karlsson1
%3hat did you have for home)ork1( asked addy.
Eric )as annoyed. 3hy couldn't they stop talkin* a$out school1 4ou did not sit co8ily in front of
the fire so people could talk a$out home)ork.
%The nine times-ta$le,( said Eric $riefly. %The )hole of it, and & know it"nine times one, and then
come all the rest.(
,e took another lump of su*ar and thou*ht a$out Karlsson a*ain. 0o matter ho) their talk $u88ed
around him, Eric only thou*ht a$out Karlsson and )ondered if he )ould see him a*ain.
&t )as #etty )ho roused him out of his daydreams.
%Eric, )ake up- 3ould you like to earn a nickel1(
Slo)ly it da)ned on Eric )hat she )as sayin*. ,e had no o$9ection to earnin* five cents, $ut it all
depended on )hat #etty )anted him to do.
%. nickel's not enou*h,( he said )ithout hesitation. %The cost of livin*'s *one up. 3hat do you
think a ten-cent ice cream costs, for instance1(
%3ell, &'ll *uess,( said #etty )ith a t)inkle in her eye. %Ten cents, perhaps1(
%That's 9ust it,( said Eric. %. nickel is too little, you see.
%#ut you don't kno) )hat it's for yet,( said #etty. %4ou haven't *ot to do anythin*"it's only a
matter of not doin*.(
%3hat is it & have *ot not to do1(
%4ou've *ot not to sho) yourself in the sittin* room later toni*ht.(
%Ro*er is comin*, you see,( said #o$$y. %#etty's ne) $oy friend.(
Eric nodded his head. .ha- so that )as )hat they had )orked out. !ommy and addy )ere *oin*
to the movies, #o$$y )as *oin* to a foot$all *ame, and #etty )as *oin* to $e a *rand lady in the
sittin* room )hile Eric )as $anished to his room"for the measly sum of five cents. 3hat a family-
%3hat are his ears like1( asked Eric. %o they stick out as much as the last one's did1(
This )as the )ay to annoy #etty.
%4ou see, !ommy-( she said. %0o) do you understand )hy & )ant Eric to $e out of the )ay1 ,e
fri*htens a)ay every sin*le person )ho comes to see me.(
%Oh, & don't think so,( said !ommy mildly. &t distressed her to hear the children 2uarrelin*.
%,e does,( insisted #etty. %idn't he fri*hten a)ay Claude, for one1 ,e stood and stared at him for
a lon* time, and then he said, B& don't think #etty likes ears like that.' 0o )onder Claude didn't
come $ack.(
%Calm, $e calm-( said Eric in e+actly the same tone of voice as Karlsson's. %Calm, $e calm. & will
sit in my room, and &'ll do it for nothin*. & don't take payment for keepin* out of people's )ay
)hen they don't )ant to see me.(
%;ood-( said #etty. %=romise1 =romise you )on't sho) up the )hole evenin*1(
%O.K.,( said Eric. %&'m not so interested in your $oy friends as all that. &'d pay a nickel not to see
them-(
Dater that evenin* Eric sat, as promised, in his room")ithout payment. !ommy and addy had
*one to the movies, #o$$y had vanished, and if Eric opened his door he could hear a faint murmur
from the sittin* room. &n there #etty sat, talkin* softly )ith her Ro*er. Eric opened the door t)ice,
tryin* to catch )hat they )ere sayin*, $ut he could not hear. Then he )ent to the )indo) and
peered out into the *atherin* darkness. ,e looked up and do)n the street to see if #rid*et and
Christopher )ere there. #ut he only sa) t)o $i* $oys fi*htin*. The scrap )as interestin* )hile it
lasted, $ut unfortunately the $oys soon stopped and everythin* )as 2uiet and $orin* a*ain.
Then he heard a heavenly sound. ,e heard the hummin* of an en*ine, and a second later Karlsson
came sailin* in throu*h the )indo).
%,i-ho, Eric-( he said airily.
%,i-ho, Karlsson,( said Eric. %3here did you *et to1(
%3hy1 3hat do you mean1( asked Karlsson.
%4ou disappeared,( said Eric, %9ust )hen you )ere *oin* to meet !ommy and addy. 3hy didn't
you )ait1(
Karlsson put his hands on his hips and looked really annoyed. %& never heard such a thin*,( he said.
%Shouldn't & $e allo)ed to attend to my house1 . house-o)ner has to look after his property,
doesn't he1 3hat )ould happen if he didn't1 & can't help it if your mommy and daddy come to pay
their respects 9ust )hen &'ve *one to attend to my house, can &1(
,e looked round the room.
%Talkin* of houses,( he said, %)here is my to)er1 3ho has spoiled my to)er, and )here is my
meat$all1(
Eric )as taken $ack.
%& didn't think you'd return,( he replied an+iously.
%0o, that's o$vious,( said Karlsson. %The 3orld's #est #uildin*-Erector $uilds a to)er and )hat
happens1 oes anyone put up a little fence around it and make sure that the to)er is preserved for
posterity1 Oh, no, far from it- =ull it do)n and destroy it, that's )hat they do, and eat up other
people's meat$alls-(
Karlsson )ent over and sat do)n on a stool and sulked.
%Oh, it's a small matter, isn't it1( said Eric, and he spread his fin*ers as Karlsson )as in the ha$it of
doin*. %&t's not )orth $otherin* a$out.(
%That's )hat you think,( said Karlsson indi*nantly. %&t's easy enou*h to pull everythin* do)n and
then to say it's a small matter, and that's all there is to it. #ut think of poor little me, $uildin* that
to)er )ith my o)n hands-(
,e pushed his chu$$y hands ri*ht under Eric's nose. Then he sat do)n a*ain on the stool and
looked more surly than ever. %&f this is ho) it's *oin* to $e, &'m *oin* home,( he said.
Eric )as in despair. ,e stood there, not kno)in* )hat to do. There )as silence for a lon* time. &n
the end Karlsson said, %&f someone *ave me a little present, may$e &'d $e happy a*ain. &t's not
certain, $ut perhaps &'d $e happy if someone *ave me a little present.(
Eric ran over to the ta$le and $e*an 2uickly to rumma*e in the dra)er, $ecause in it he had a lot of
nice thin*s. There he kept his stamps and his mar$les and his crayons and his tin soldiers. &t )as
there that he kept a small flashli*ht )hich he )as very fond of.



%3ould you like this1( he said, holdin* out the flashli*ht for Karlsson to see.
Karlsson snatched it from him.
%This is 9ust the sort of thin* & need to make me happy a*ain,( he said. %&t isn't so nice as my to)er,
$ut if you *ive it to me &'ll try to $e a little happy, any)ay.(
%&'m *ivin* it to you,( said Eric.
%&t does s)itch on, & suppose1( said Karlsson suspiciously, pressin* the kno$. 4es, the flashli*ht lit
up, and Karlsson's eyes $e*an to shine, too.
%Think of it- 3hen & )alk alon* the roof in the evenin*s and it's very dark, & can s)itch this on and
find the )ay to my little house and not *et lost amon* the chimney tops,( he said, *ivin* the li*ht a
pat.
Eric felt very content )hen he heard Karlsson say this. ,e only )ished that he mi*ht $e allo)ed to
accompany Karlsson some time on one of his roof )alks and )atch him shine the li*ht in the
darkness.
%,i-ho, Eric- 0o) &'m happy a*ain,( said Karlsson. %#rin* your mommy and daddy to see me.(
%They've *one to the movies,( said Eric.
%;one to the movies- 3hen they could have seen me1( said Karlsson in astonishment.
%4es, there's only #etty at home 5 and her ne) $oy friend. They're in the sittin* room, and &'m not
allo)ed in there.(
%3hat's this & hear1( shouted Karlsson. %.ren't you allo)ed to *o )here you like1 & don't intend us
to put up )ith this for one sin*le instant. 4ou come alon* 5(
%#ut &'ve promised,( said Eric.
%.nd & promise that )here there's an in9ustice, Karlsson is do)n on it like a ton of $ricks,( said
Karlsson.
,e )ent over and patted Eric on the shoulder.
%3hat e+actly did you promise1(
%& promised not to sho) myself in the sittin* room all evenin*.(
%3ell, then, you're not *oin* to sho) yourself either,( said Karlsson. %#ut you )ould like to see
#etty's ne) $oy friend, )ouldn't you1(
%Oh- & )ould,( said Eric ea*erly. %She had one $efore )ith terri$ly stickin*-out ears. &'d like to see
)hat sort of ears this ne) one's *ot.(
%So )ould &,( said Karlsson. %4ou )ait, and &'m sure & shall think up somethin*. The 3orld's #est
Thinker-upper"that's Karlsson-on-the-Roof.(
,e looked around the room.
%&'ve *ot it-( he said, noddin* his head. %. $lanket" the very thin*- & kne) &'d think up
somethin*.(
%3hat have you thou*ht up1( asked Eric.
%4ou promised you )ouldn't sho) yourself in the sittin* room all evenin*, is that ri*ht1 3ell, if
you *o in there underneath a $lanket you're not sho)in* yourself.(
%0o 5 $ut 5( $e*an Eric.
%&f you *o underneath a $lanket you're not sho)in* yourself and no B$uts,' ( said Karlsson firmly.
%&f & *o under a $lanket & don't sho) myself either, and that's #etty's $ad luck. .s she is so silly, she
)on't see me"poor, poor little #etty-(
,e 9erked the $lanket off Eric's $ed and thre) it over his head.
%Enter, enter-( he shouted. %Come into my tent-(
Eric cra)led under the $lanket )ith Karlsson, )ho stood *i**lin* happily.
%#etty said nothin* a$out not )antin* to see a tent in the sittin* room, did she1 Every$ody's
pleased to see a tent, aren't they1 Especially a tent that's lit up inside,( said Karlsson, s)itchin* on
the flashli*ht.
Eric )as not very sure that #etty )ould $e pleased )ith the tent, $ut he himself thou*ht it )as
e+citin* and a little creepy to $e underneath the $lanket )ith Karlsson and to shine the li*ht. Eric
thou*ht they mi*ht as )ell stay )here they )ere, playin* tents, and not $other a$out #etty $ut
Karlsson )ouldn't have it.
%& can't stand in9ustice,( he said. %&'m *oin* into the sittin* room, no matter )hat.(
.nd the tent $e*an to )alk to)ard the door. Eric )as forced to *o, too. . chu$$y little hand reached
out and *rasped the doorkno$, openin* the door very 2uietly and cautiously. The tent )alked out
into the hall, )hich )as separated from the sittin* room only $y a heavy curtain.
%Calm, $e calm-( )hispered Karlsson. .nd )ithout a sin*le sound, the tent *lided across the hall
floor and stopped at the curtain. The talkin* could no) $e heard more clearly, $ut not so clearly that
you could distin*uish any )ords. They had not turned on the sittin*-room lamp. #etty and her
Ro*er )ere evidently content )ith the faint t)ili*ht from outside.
%;ood,( )hispered Karlsson. %Then our li*ht )ill sho) up all the $etter.( #ut for the present he had
the li*ht s)itched off, %#ecause )e're *oin* to arrive as a deli*htful surprise,( )hispered Karlsson,
smilin* contentedly under the $lanket.
Slo)ly, slo)ly the tent *lided for)ard from $ehind the curtain. #etty and Ro*er )ere sittin* on the
small couch $y the opposite )all. Slo)ly, slo)ly the tent moved in their direction.
%& like you, #etty,( Eric heard a $oy's husky voice sayin*. 3hat a fool he must $e, that Ro*er-
%o you1( said #etty, and there )as silence a*ain.
Dike a dark hillock the tent *lided across the floor. Slo)ly and surely it )ent to)ard the couch"
nearer and nearer it moved/ no) it )as only a fe) feet a)ay, $ut the t)o sittin* there neither heard
nor sa) it.
%o you like me1( asked #etty's Ro*er, shyly.
,e never had an ans)er, for at this very moment the sharp $eam from the pocket li*ht cut across the
*ray shado)s of the room and shone ri*ht in his face. ,e spran* up, and #etty *ave a cry/ there )as
a $urst of *i**lin* and the sound of hasty shufflin* feet, retreatin* in the direction of the hall.



4ou cannot see anythin* )hen you have 9ust $een $linded $y a li*ht. #ut you can hear. .nd #etty
and Ro*er heard the lau*hter"mischievous, deli*hted lau*hter that seemed to $u$$le from the
direction of the curtain.
%&t's my horrid little $rother,( said #etty. %&'ll teach him a lesson 5(
Eric could not stop lau*hin*.
%Of course she likes you,( he shouted. %.nd )hy shouldn't she1 #etty likes all $oys, and that's a
fact.(
Then, in the silence that follo)ed, there )as a thud and still more lau*hter.
%Calm, $e calm-( )hispered Karlsson )hen the tent collapsed in their )ild fli*ht for the door.
Eric )as as calm as he could $e in the circumstances, althou*h he )as still $u$$lin* )ith lau*hter,
and Karlsson had fallen ri*ht across him so that he did not 2uite kno) )hich le*s )ere his o)n and
)hich )ere Karlsson's, and he kne) that #etty )ould catch up )ith them at any moment.
They scram$led to their feet as fast as they could and rushed to)ard Eric's room in )ild panic,
$ecause #etty )as close $ehind.
%Calm, $e calm-( )hispered Karlsson, and his fat little le*s $eat like drumsticks under the $lanket
as he ran. %The 3orld's #est Speed Runner, that's Karlsson-on-the Roof-( he )hispered, $ut he
sounded $reathless.



Eric )as not $ad at runnin* either. .nd they certainly )ere in a hurry. Only in the nick of time did
they reach the safety of Eric's room. Karlsson hastily turned the key in the lock and stood there,
lau*hin* 2uietly, pleased and satisfied, )hile #etty hammered at the door.
%4ou )ait, Eric, till & *et hold of you-( shouted #etty an*rily.
%#ut & didn't sho) myself,( Eric shouted $ack, and there )ere *i**les $ehind the door a*ain.
There )ere t)o of them *i**lin*, and #etty )ould pro$a$ly have noticed it if she had not $een so
an*ry.

Chapter F - Karlsson #ets

Eric came home from school one day lookin* an*ry and )ith a $i* lump on his forehead. !ommy
)as in the kitchen, and she )as 9ust as upset a$out the lump as Eric had hoped she )ould $e.
%Oh, darlin* Eric, )hatever's happened1( she e+claimed, puttin* her arms around him.
%Christopher thre) a stone at me,( replied Eric crossly. -
%!y *oodness-( said !ommy. %3hat a horrid $oy- 3hy didn't you come and tell me1(
Eric shru**ed his shoulders. %3hat's the *ood of that1 You can't thro) stones, any)ay. 4ou
couldn't hit the side of a house if you tried.(
%0o) you're $ein* silly,( said !ommy. %4ou don't think &'d thro) stones at Christopher, do you1(
%Then )hat else )ould you thro)1( asked Eric. %There's nothin* else to thro)"at least, nothin* so
*ood.(
!ommy si*hed. Evidently Christopher )as not the only one )ho could $e horrid. Eric )as no
$etter than Christopher at times. #ut ho) )as it possi$le that her little $oy )ith those $i* $lue eyes
could $e such a fi*hter1
%3hy not try to *et out of the ha$it of fi*htin*1( said !ommy. %Surely you could discuss thin*s
instead1 4ou kno), Eric, there really isn't any pro$lem that can't $e solved $y talkin* it over.(
%There is-( said Eric. %Dike yesterday. Christopher and & fou*ht then, too.(
%<uite unnecessary,( said !ommy. %4ou could 9ust as )ell have decided )ho )as ri*ht $y a
sensi$le discussion.(
Eric sat do)n at the kitchen ta$le and cradled his in9ured head in his hands. %That's )hat you
think,( he said, *lo)erin* at his mother. %This is )hat Christopher said to me> B& can *ive you a
$eatin*,' he said. .nd then & said> BOh, you can, can you1' ,o) could )e have decided that $y a
sensi$le discussion1 4ou tell me.(
!ommy could not think )hat to say and $roke off her peace talk a$ruptly. ,er $elli*erent son
looked rather *loomy and she hastened to put some hot chocolate and freshly $aked $uns in front of
him, )hich Eric liked very much. ,e had noticed the delicious smell of $akin* )hen he came up
the stairs, and his mother's tasty cinnamon $uns did at least make life more $eara$le.
=ensive, Eric took a $ite, and )hile he )as eatin* !ommy stuck a #and-.id on the lump on his
forehead. Then she kissed him li*htly and asked, %.nd )hat did you t)o disa*ree a$out today1(
%#rid*et and Christopher say that Karlsson-on-the-Roof is only make-$elieve. They say &'ve 9ust
invented him,( said Eric.
%.nd isn't he1( asked !ommy cautiously.
Eric *lared at her )ith an indi*nant eye over his cup of hot chocolate.
%3on't you, at least, $elieve )hat & say1 & asked Karlsson himself if he )as real 5( he said.
%.nd )hat did Karlsson say1( asked !ommy.
%,e said that if he's not real, then he's the 3orld's #est !ake-#elieve. #ut it so happens that he is
real,( said Eric, takin* another $un.
%Karlsson thinks #rid*et and Christopher are make-$elieves. BSpecially silly make-$elieves,' he
says, and & think so, too.(
!ommy did not ans)er. She reali8ed that it )as 2uite useless to try to *et these ideas out of Eric's
head/ so all she said )as, %& think you should play a little more )ith #rid*et and Christopher and
not think 2uite so much a$out Karlsson.(
%#ut Karlsson doesn't thro) *reat $i* stones at me,( said Eric, touchin* the lump on his forehead.
Then he remem$ered, and he smiled sunnily at his mother. %.ny)ay, today &'m *oin* to see )here
Karlsson lives,( he said. %&'d almost for*otten.(
,e )as sorry the moment he said it. ,o) could he $e so silly as to tell !ommy1
#ut to his mother it did not sound any more )orrisome than other thin*s he had told her a$out
Karlsson, and she said )ithout thinkin*, %Oh, that'll $e nice for you-(
She )ould not have felt so happy if she had taken in fully )hat Eric )as sayin* and had thou*ht of
)here Karlsson )as supposed to live.
Eric rose from the ta$le, and, after the *ood snack, suddenly felt very pleased )ith his )orld. The
lump on his forehead did not hurt any lon*er, he still had the delicious taste of the cinnamon $uns in
his mouth, the sun )as shinin* in throu*h the kitchen )indo), and !ommy looked very co8y )ith
her round arms and her checked apron. ,e *ave her a 2uick s2uee8e and said, %& like you,
!ommy-(
%That's nice,( said !ommy.
%4es 5 & like you 'cause you're such a co8y !ommy.(
Then he )ent into his room and sat do)n to )ait for Karlsson. ,e )as *oin* to $e allo)ed up on
the roof )ith him, so )hat did it matter if Christopher said Karlsson )as nothin* $ut make-$elieve1

Eric had a lon* )ait.
%&'m comin* a$out three o'clock, or four or five, $ut not a minute $efore si+,( Karlsson had said.
Eric still )as not sure )hen Karlsson meant to come, and he had asked him a*ain.
%0ot later than seven, any)ay,( said Karlsson. %#ut not $efore ei*ht, & think. .nd listen- !ind you
)atch out a$out nine o'clock, and then you'll see-(
Eric had to )ait for )hat seemed an eternity, and in the end he almost thou*ht himself that Karlsson
)as a make-$elieve and nothin* else. Then he suddenly heard the familiar $u88, and in came
Karlsson, 9olly and $ri*ht.
%& thou*ht you )ere never comin*,( said Eric. %3hen did you say you )ere *oin* to come1(
%About,( said Karlsson. %& said & )as *oin* to come about, and & did.(
,e )ent up to Eric's a2uarium, plun*ed his )hole face into the )ater, and drank deeply.
%3atch out for my fishes-( said Eric an+iously. ,e )as afraid that Karlsson )ould drink up some of
the little fishes that )ere s)immin* in the a2uarium.
%3hen you've *ot a temperature, you've *ot to keep drinkin*,( said Karlsson. %.nd if a fish or t)o
slips do)n your throat, it's a small matter.(
%,ave you *ot a temperature1( asked Eric.
%& should say & have- 4ou 9ust feel,( said Karlsson, puttin* Eric's hand to his forehead.
#ut Eric did not think that Karlsson felt particularly hot. %3hat's your temperature1( he asked.
%Some)here around ninety or a hundred at least,( said Karlsson.
Eric had recently had the measles and kne) )hat it meant to have a temperature. ,e shook his
head. %& don't think you're ill,( he said.
%4ou're perfectly horrid,( said Karlsson, stampin* his foot. %.m & never allo)ed to $e ill like other
people1(
%o you )ant to $e ill1( asked Eric, astonished.
%Everyone )ants to $e ill, don't they1( said Karlsson. %& )ant to lie in $ed and have lots and lots of
temperature, and you must ask ho) & feel, and & )ill say that &'m the 3orld's &llest, and you must
ask if there's anythin* & )ant, and & )ill say that &'m so very ill & don't )ant anythin* at all 5
e+cept a lot of cakes, and heaps of chocolates, and a pile of s)eets.(
Karlsson looked e+pectantly at Eric, )ho stood there helpless, not kno)in* )here he could
immediately *et hold of all the thin*s that Karlsson had mentioned.
%& )ant you to $e like a mother to me,( continued Karlsson, %and you must tell me that & have to
take some horrid medicine 5 $ut & must have a penny for takin* it. .nd then you'll )rap a )arm,
)oolly scarf around my neck, and &'ll say that it tickles 5 if you don't *ive me another penny.(
Eric )anted to $e like a mother to Karlsson. .nd this meant that he must empty the money $o+
)hich held his savin*s. &t stood on the $ookshelf, heavy )ith coins. Eric fetched a knife from the
kitchen and $e*an to prod them out. Karlsson helped ea*erly and shouted )ith 9oy every time a coin
came tum$lin* out. There )ere some nickels and dimes, $ut Karlsson liked the pennies $est.
3hen the $o+ )as empty, Eric ran do)n to the s)eet shop and spent nearly all his savin*s on
*umdrops and chocolate. 3hen he handed it over, he thou*ht for a moment of ho) he had saved up
all this money to $uy a do*. ,e si*hed a little at the thou*ht. #ut he reali8ed that )hen you have to
$e like a mother to Karlsson you can't afford to keep a do*.
Eric )ent into the sittin* room for a fe) minutes on his )ay $ack, )ith the s)eets )ell hidden in
his trousers pockets. ,is family )ere all sittin* there> !ommy and addy and #o$$y and #etty,
havin* coffee after dinner. #ut today Eric had no time to lin*er. The idea had crossed his mind to
ask them to come and meet Karlsson, $ut on second thou*ht he decided not to. They )ould only
stop him from *oin* up on the roof )ith Karlsson. They had $etter see him another day.
Eric picked up t)o macaroons from the coffee tray 6hadn't Karlsson said that he )anted cakes,
too17 and scuttled off to his room.
%,o) lon* am & to sit and )ait, ill and misera$le like this1( asked Karlsson reproachfully. %!y
temperature's *oin* up several de*rees every minute, and soon you'll $e a$le to fry an e** on me.(
%& hurried as much as & could,( said Eric. %.nd & $ou*ht masses 5(
%#ut you've *ot some money left, haven't you, so that & can have a penny )hen the scarf tickles1(
asked Karlsson an+iously.
Eric reassured him. ,e had saved t)o pennies.
Karlsson's eyes shone, and he 9umped around the room in deli*ht.
%Oh, &'m the 3orld's &llest,( he said. %3e've *ot to hurry to *et me into $ed.(
&t )as not until no) that Eric $e*an to )onder ho) he )as *oin* to *et up on the roof, not $ein*
a$le to fly.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson. %4ou ride on my $ack and hi-ho, off )e fly up to my house- #ut,
mind you, don't *et your fin*ers cau*ht in the propeller-(
%#ut are you stron* enou*h1( asked Eric.
%That's 9ust )hat )e shall have to find out,( said Karlsson. %&t'll $e 2uite interestin* to see if &
mana*e more than half the distance, ill and misera$le as & am. #ut & can al)ays drop you if & find &
can't *o on any farther.(
Eric did not think it )as a *ood solution to $e dropped half)ay up to the roof, and he looked a little
dou$tful.
%#ut &'m sure it'll $e all ri*ht,( said Karlsson. %So lon* as the en*ine doesn't $reak do)n.(
%Supposin* it does/ then )e'll fall,( said Eric.
%Crash- )e'll *o then,( said Karlsson *aily. %#ut it's a small matter,( he said and spread his fin*ers.
Eric decided to re*ard it as a small matter. ,e )rote a little note to !ommy and addy and left it
on the ta$le.



&t )ould $e $est if he could *et $ack $efore they spotted the note. #ut if $y any chance they missed
him, they )ould have to kno) )here he )as, other)ise there mi*ht $e the same fuss a*ain that
there )as )hen they )ere stayin* )ith ;rannie and Eric had decided to take a trip $y train on his
o)n. !ommy )ept after)ard and said, %#ut, Eric, )hen you )anted to *o on the train, )hy didn't
you tell me1(
%#ecause & )anted to *o on the train,( said Eric.
That )as the sort of thin* that happened. ,e )anted to *o )ith Karlsson up on the roof, and that
)as )hy it )as $est not to tell any$ody. &f they did discover he )as *one, he could al)ays say that,
after all, he had )ritten them that note.
Karlsson )as ready to start. ,e turned the $utton in his middle and the en*ine $e*an to hum.
%Aump up-( he shouted. %3e're off-(
They certainly )ere"out throu*h the )indo) and up in the air. Karlsson took a little e+tra fli*ht
over the nearest rooftops to make sure that the en*ine )as )orkin* properly. &t chuffed very evenly
and )ell, and Eric )as not in the least fri*htened. On the contrary, he thou*ht it )as fun.
.t last Karlsson landed on their o)n roof.
%0o) )e'll see if you can find my house,( said Karlsson. %& )on't tell you that it's $ehind the
chimney/ you'll have to find it for yourself.(



Eric had never $een on a roof $efore. #ut sometimes he had seen men up there, repairin* tiles, and
)alkin* a$out )ith ropes around their )aists to keep them from fallin* off. Eric had al)ays thou*ht
ho) lucky they )ere to $e doin* that. #ut this time he himself )as 9ust as lucky, althou*h he did
not have a rope around his )aist, of course, and he had a fluttery feelin* as he carefully made his
)ay to)ard the chimney. #ehind the chimney stood Karlsson's little house, 9ust as he had said. ,o)
pretty it looked )ith its *reen shutters and little steps that you could sit do)n on if you )anted to.
#ut at the moment Eric )as chiefly intent on *ettin* inside the house to see all the steam en*ines
and pictures and everythin* else that Karlsson had there.
There )as a $rass plate on the door to sho) )ho lived there. &t read>



Karlsson thre) the door )ide open and shouted, %3elcome, my dear Karlsson 5 and you, too,
Eric-( Then he rushed in ahead of Eric.
%&'ve *ot to *et to $ed- &'m the 3orld's &llest,( he shouted, takin* a headlon* leap onto a red couch
)hich stood alon* one )all. Eric follo)ed him in. ,e )as dyin* )ith curiosity. &t )as nice at
Karlsson's"Eric could see that at once. .part from the couch, there )as a )ork$ench )hich
evidently dou$led as a ta$le, and there )ere t)o chairs and a cup$oard and a fireplace )ith an iron
*rid a$ove it. That )as pro$a$ly )here Karlsson did his cookin*.



#ut he could not discover any steam en*ines. Eric took a thorou*h look around, $ut he could not see
a sin*le one, and finally he asked, %3here do you keep your steam en*ines1(
%,mm-( said Karlsson. %!y steam en*ines 5 they've all e+ploded. Somethin* )ron* )ith the
safety valves, that's all. #ut it's a small matter and not )orth *rievin* over.(
Eric looked around a*ain.
%#ut your rooster pictures1 5 ,ave they e+ploded, too1( he asked )ith some sarcasm.
%4ou can see they haven't,( said Karlsson. %3hat do you suppose this is1( he said, pointin* to a
piece of card$oard )hich )as nailed to the )all $eside the cup$oard. <uite ri*ht- &n a corner at the
$ottom of the card$oard there )as a rooster"a tiny little red rooster. Other)ise the card$oard )as
empty.
%The title of this picture is B. Cery Donely Dittle Red Rooster,' ( said Karlsson.
Eric looked at the little rooster. Karlsson's thousand rooster pictures"did they, after all, only
consist of this misera$le little specimen of a rooster1
% BCery Donely Rooster,' painted $y the 3orld's #est Rooster =ainter,( said Karlsson, in a voice
trem$lin* )ith emotion. %Oh, )hat a $eautiful and sad picture- #ut & mustn't start to cry, $ecause
then my temperature )ill *o up.(
,e thre) himself $ack a*ainst the cushions and held his forehead. %4ou're to $e like a mother to
me. ;o ahead-( he said.
Eric did not 2uite kno) ho) to $e*in. %,ave you *ot any medicine1( he asked hesitantly.
%4es, $ut not any that &'d like to take,( replied Karlsson. %,ave you *ot a penny1(
Eric took a penny out of his pants pocket.
%;ive it to me first,( said Karlsson. Eric *ave him the penny. Karlsson held it ti*htly in his hand and
looked very cunnin* and pleased.
%& kno) )hat medicine & can take,( he said.
%3hich1( asked Eric.
%Karlsson-on-the-Roof's Cure-.ll !edicine. &t's half *umdrops and half chocolates, and you stir it
all up to*ether thorou*hly )ith some cake crum$s. o that, and &'ll have a dose ri*ht no),( said
Karlsson. %&t's *ood for a temperature.(
%& don't think so,( said Eric.
%3hat do you $et1( said Karlsson. %& $et you a $ar of chocolate that &'m ri*ht.(
Eric thou*ht that perhaps this )as )hat !ommy had meant )hen she said that you could decide
)ho )as ri*ht $y a sensi$le discussion.
%Shall )e $et1( repeated Karlsson.
%.ll ri*ht,( said Eric.
,e took out one of the t)o $ars of chocolate that he had $ou*ht and put it do)n on the )ork$ench,
so that they could see )hat the $ettin* )as a$out. Then he mi+ed the medicine accordin* to
Karlsson's recipe. ,e took sour $alls and *umdrops and toffee and stirred them to*ether in a cup
)ith an e2ual num$er of pieces of chocolate, and then he $roke the macaroons into little pieces and
sprinkled them on top. Eric had never seen a medicine like that in all his life, $ut it looked *ood,
and he almost )ished that he had a little temperature himself so that he could try it out.
Karlsson sat in $ed, )ith his mouth )ide open like a $a$y $ird, and Eric hurried to find a spoon.
%=our a lar*e dose into me,( said Karlsson.
Eric did so. Then they $oth sat still and )aited for Karlsson's temperature to *o do)n.
.fter half a minute Karlsson said, %4ou )ere ri*ht. &t isn't any *ood for a temperature. ;ive me the
$ar of chocolate-(
%.re you *oin* to have the $ar of chocolate1( said Eric in surprise. %&t )as I )ho )on the $et.(
%&f you )on, then it's only ri*ht that & should have the $ar,( said Karlsson. %There must $e some
9ustice in the )orld. #esides, you're a cheeky little $oy to sit there and )ant chocolate simply
$ecause I have a temperature.(
Reluctantly Eric handed the $ar of chocolate to Karlsson. Karlsson promptly *ot his teeth into it and
said )hile che)in*, %0o sour looks, if you please. 0e+t time it'll $e my turn to )in and yours to
have the $ar of chocolate.(
,e che)ed ea*erly, and )hen he had eaten every $it of the $ar he lay $ack a*ainst the pillo)s and
si*hed heavily. %& pity all sick people,( he said. %& pity me- Of course, & could try takin* a dou$le
dose of Cure-.ll !edicine, $ut & don't suppose for a moment that it )ould help.(
%Oh, yes, & think a dou$le )ould help,( said Eric 2uickly. %Shall )e $et1(
Eric could $e cunnin*, too. ,e did not at all think that Karlsson's temperature )ould $e cured even
$y a triple dose of Cure-.ll !edicine, $ut he )anted to lose a $et so that he mi*ht have the last $ar
of chocolate if Karlsson )on.
%& don't mind $ettin*,( said Karlsson. %4ou mi+ a dou$le dose- 3hen it's a matter of temperature
you shouldn't leave a stone unturned. 3e can try-(
Eric mi+ed a dou$le dose of the medicine and ladled it into Karlsson, )ho )illin*ly *aped and
s)allo)ed all of it.
Then they sat still and )aited. .fter half a minute Karlsson leaped out of $ed, $eamin* )ith 9oy. %.
miracle has happened-( he shouted. %!y temperature's *one- 4ou've )on a*ain. ,and me the $ar
of chocolate-(
Eric si*hed and handed over the last $ar. Karlsson looked at him disapprovin*ly.
%Sourpusses like you should never $et,( he said, %$ut only people like me )ho )alk around like
little rays of sunshine )hether )e )in or lose.(
There )as silence for a time, e+cept for the noise of Karlsson munchin* chocolate. Then he said,
%#ut since you're such a *reedy little $oy, & suppose )e'd $etter share the rest like $rothers. ,ave
you *ot any candies left1(
Eric felt in his pocket. %Three,( he said and took out t)o toffees and a *umdrop.
%Three1( said Karlsson. %4ou can't halve three, even a t)o-year-old kno)s that.(
,e took the *umdrop from Eric's outstretched hand and 2uickly devoured it.
%#ut now )e can,( he said.
Then he looked at the t)o toffees )ith hun*ry eyes. One of them )as a fraction $i**er than the
other.
%Kind and considerate as & am, & )ill *ive you first choice,( said Karlsson. %#ut you do kno), don't
you, that )hen you're allo)ed to choose first, you must take the smaller,( he continued, lookin*
sternly at Eric.
Eric thou*ht for a moment.
%& )ant you to choose first,( he said cleverly.
%3ell, since you insist,( said Karlsson, *ra$$in* the $i**er toffee, )hich he 2uickly put into his
mouth.
Eric looked at the small toffee )hich )as left in his hand.
%Dook here, & thou*ht you said that the first to choose should take the smaller 5(
%Disten to me, you little pi*,( said Karlsson. %&f you had $een the first to choose, )hich )ould you
have taken1(
%& )ould have taken the smaller, & really )ould,( said Eric seriously.
%3hat's all the fuss a$out, then1( said Karlsson. %That's the one you've *ot, isn't it1(
Eric )ondered once more if this )as )hat !ommy meant $y a %sensi$le discussion.(
#ut Eric never stayed in a huff for lon*. .ny)ay, it )as a *ood thin* that Karlsson no lon*er had a
temperature. Karlsson thou*ht so, too.
%& shall )rite and tell all the doctors )hat's *ood for a temperature. BTry Karlsson-on-the-Roof's
Cure-.ll !edicine,' &'ll )rite. BThe 3orld's #est !edicine for a temperature.' (
Eric had not eaten his toffee yet. &t looked so tasty and che)y that he )anted to take a *ood look at
it first. Once you started to eat it, it )as soon *one.
Karlsson looked at Eric's toffee, too. ,e looked at it for a lon* time/ then he put his head to one side
and said, %& $et you & can make your toffee vanish )ithout your seein* ho) & do it.(
% 'Course you can't,( said Eric. %0ot if & stand here )ith it in my hand, lookin* at it all the time.(
%Shall )e $et1( said Karlsson.
%0o,( said Eric. %& kno) & shall )in, and then you'll )ant the toffee5.( Eric felt in his $ones that
this )as the )ron* )ay to do it. This )as not ho) he and #etty and #o$$y $etted.
%#ut )e can $et the ordinary, proper )ay, so that the one )ho wins *ets the toffee,( said Eric.
%Aust as you like, you *reedy little $oy,( said Karlsson. %& $et that & can make your toffee disappear
)ithout your noticin* it.(
%.ll ri*ht,( said Eric.
%,okus pokus filiokus,( said Karlsson, sei8in* the toffee. %,okus pokus filiokus,( he said, puttin* it
into his mouth.
%Stop-( cried Eric. %& did see you makin* it disappear5.(
%id you1( said Karlsson, s)allo)in* 2uickly. %Then you've )on again. & never sa) such a $oy for
)innin* all the $ets.(
%4es 5 $ut 5 the toffee,( said Eric, 2uite confused. %The )inner )as to *et the toffee.(
%4es, true enou*h,( said Karlsson. %#ut &'ve made the toffee disappear, and & $et & can't make it
appear a*ain.(
Eric said nothin*. #ut he thou*ht that as soon as he sa) !ommy he )ould tell her that sensi$le
discussions )ere not a $it of *ood )hen you )anted to decide )ho )as ri*ht.
,e put his hands into his empty pockets. Oh, *ood- ,e felt there another toffee )hich he had
overlooked $efore. . lar*e che)y, scrumptious toffee. Eric lau*hed.
%& $et you &'ve *ot another toffee,( he said. %.nd & $et & shall eat it up in no time,( he said, 2uickly
poppin* the toffee into his mouth.
Karlsson sat do)n on the $ed, lookin* offended.
%4ou )ere to $e like a mother to me,( he said. %.nd all you do is push all the thin*s you can into
yourself. & never sa) such a *reedy little $oy.(
,e sat silent for a time, lookin* more annoyed than ever. %#esides, you haven't *iven me the penny
$ecause my scarf tickles,( he said.
%#ut you're not )earin* a scarf,( said Eric.
%There isn't a scarf in the )hole house,( said Karlsson, *rumpily. %#ut if there had $een one, &'d
have $een )earin* it, and it )ould have tickled, and then & )ould have had a penny.(
,e looked pleadin*ly at Eric, and his eyes filled )ith tears. %Should & have to suffer only $ecause
there's no scarf in the house1(
Eric did not think that he should. So he *ave Karlsson-on-the-Roof his very last penny.




Chapter G - Karlsson =lays Tricks

%& feel like havin* fun no),( said Karlsson a little later. %Det's *o for a )alk on the roofs around
here/ then )e're $ound to think of somethin* fun to do.(
Eric )anted to do that very much. ,e took Karlsson's hand, and to*ether they marched throu*h the
door and out onto the roof. &t )as $e*innin* to *ro) dark, and everythin* looked very $eautiful.
The air had the $luish tint )hich it has in the sprin*/ all the houses looked mysterious and e+citin*,
as houses do in the t)ili*ht/ the park )here Eric often played seemed to *limmer stran*ely *reen
far $elo)/ and from the *reat $alsam poplar in Eric's courtyard a )onderful scent rose all the )ay
up to the roof.
&t )as a perfect evenin* for roof )alkin*. Every )indo) )as open, and you could hear all sorts of
sounds> people talkin*, children lau*hin*, and $a$ies cryin*. There )as a clatter of china from a
nei*h$orin* kitchen )here someone )as doin* dishes, a do* )hined, and a piano )as $ein* played
some)here. :rom the street $elo) came the pop-pop-pop of a motor$ike, and )hen that noise died
a)ay, a horse clattered past )ith a cart $ehind it, and every clop of the horse's hoofs could $e heard
on the roof.
%&f people only kne) )hat fun it is to )alk on the roof, there )ouldn't $e a sin*le person left in the
street,( said Eric. %Oh, this is super fun-(
%4es, and it's e+citin*, too,( said Karlsson. %#ecause you can very easily fall do)n. &'ll sho) you a
fe) places )here you nearly fall every time.(
The houses )ere $uilt so close to*ether that you could )alk from one roof to the ne+t. There )ere
many 2ueer little pro9ections, and attics, and chimneys, and nooks and crannies, so it )as never
$orin*. .nd it certainly )as e+citin*, as Karlsson had said, $ecause no) and then you very nearly
did fall do)n. &n one place there )as 2uite a )ide *ap $et)een t)o houses, and it )as in 9ust such a
place that Eric almost fell. #ut Karlsson cau*ht hold of him at the last moment )hen one of his le*s
had already $e*un to slide over the ed*e of the roof.
%;ood fun, isn't it1( said Karlsson as he hauled Eric up a*ain. %That's 9ust )hat & meant. o it
a*ain-(
#ut Eric said he )ould rather not do it a*ain. &t )as a little too close for him. There )ere several
places )here you had to clin* )ith arms and le*s to avoid fallin*, and Karlsson )anted Eric to have
as much fun as possi$le, so he did not al)ays take him $y the easiest route.
%& think )e ou*ht to play some tricks,( said Karlsson. %& *enerally stroll around on the roofs in the
evenin*, playin* little tricks on the people )ho live in all these attic rooms.(
%3hat do you do1( asked Eric.
%& play different tricks on different people, of course. 0ever the same trick t)ice. The 3orld's #est
Tricker"*uess )ho that is-(
.t that instant a little child $e*an to cry near$y. Eric had heard the cryin* $efore, $ut then it had
stopped. The child had taken a rest, he supposed. 0o) it started a*ain, and the cryin* came from the
nearest attic. &t )as such a sad and forlorn sound.
%=oor thin*-( said Eric. %=erhaps it's *ot a tummy-ache.(
%3e shall soon see,( said Karlsson. %Come )ith me-(
They ed*ed alon* the *utter until they found themselves immediately $elo) the attic )indo). Then
Karlsson cautiously raised his head and peeped in.
%Cery lonely little child,( he said. %!ommy and addy are out *allivantin*, & see.(
The child )ept more $itterly than ever.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson, heavin* himself over the )indo) led*e. %,ere comes Karlsson-on-
the-Roof, the 3orld's #est 0ursemaid.(
Eric did not )ant to $e left alone outside. ,e clim$ed in the )indo) after Karlsson, althou*h he
)ondered an+iously )hat )ould happen if the child's mother and father came home suddenly.
#ut Karlsson )as not in the least )orried. ,e )alked up to )here the $a$y )as lyin* and put a
chu$$y fin*er under its chin.
%Coo-oo,( he cro)ed playfully, and turned to Eric. %That's the )ay to talk to $a$ies to make them
happy.(
The $a$y stopped cryin* from sheer astonishment, $ut as soon as she had recovered from her
suprise, she started off a*ain.
%Coo-oo 5 and then this is )hat you do,( said Karlsson, liftin* the $a$y out of her cri$ and
thro)in* her up to the ceilin*, time and time a*ain. !ay$e the $a$y en9oyed it, $ecause suddenly
she *ave a toothless little *rin.
%&t's as easy as pie to amuse children,( he said. %The 3orld's #est 0ursemai"(



,e *ot no farther )hen the $a$y started cryin* a*ain.
%COO-OO-OO,( roared Karlsson an*rily, heavin* the $a$y more violently than ever to)ard the
ceilin*. %Coo-oo, & said, and & mean it, too-(
The $a$y )as screamin* its head off, and Eric put out his arms to take her from Karlsson.
%Det me have her,( he said. ,e )as very, very fond of tiny $a$ies, and he had $een askin* !ommy
and addy to *ive him a little sister, since they )ere so determined not to let him have a do*.
,e took the small $undle from Karlsson and held her tenderly in his arms.
%on't cry, there's a *ood $a$y,( he said. The $a$y )atched him silently )ith a pair of $i*, solemn
eyes. Then her face $roke a*ain into a toothless smile, and she *ur*led contentedly.
%&t's my coo-in* )orkin*,( said Karlsson. %&t al)ays )orks, &'ve tried it out thousands of times.(
%& )onder )hat her name is,( said Eric, strokin* the soft little cheek )ith his fin*er.
%Curli)i*,( said Karlsson. %That's )hat most of them are called.(
Eric had never heard of a child $ein* called Curli)i* $efore, $ut he thou*ht the 3orld's #est
0ursemaid )ould $e sure to kno) more than he did a$out children's names.
%Dittle Curli)i*,( said Eric, %& think you're surely hun*ry,( $ecause Curli)i* had *ripped his fin*er
and )anted to suck it.
%So Curli)i*'s hun*ry- 3ell, there are sausa*es and potatoes here,( said Karlsson, *lancin* in at
the kitchen. %0o child need starve to death )hile Karlsson has the stren*th to dra* out sausa*es and
potatoes.(
Eric did not think that Curli)i* could eat sausa*es and potatoes.
%4oun* $a$ies should have milk, shouldn't they1( he 2ueried.
%on't you think the 3orld's #est 0ursemaid kno)s )hat children should have and shouldn't
have1( said Karlsson. %#ut 9ust as you like- & can fly and fetch a co).( ,e fro)ned at the )indo).
%#ut it'll $e rather difficult to $rin* an old co) in throu*h this measly )indo).(
Curli)i* searched ea*erly for Eric's fin*er, )himperin* pitifully. She really did sound hun*ry.
Eric looked in the kitchen, $ut he could not find any milk. There )as nothin* $ut three cold
sausa*es on a plate.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson. %&'ve 9ust remem$ered )here there's some milk. & have a drink
there myself sometimes. ,i-ho- & )on't $e lon*.(
Karlsson turned the $utton on his tummy and $u88ed off throu*h the )indo) $efore Eric had time
to )ink t)ice.
Eric )as dreadfully )orried. Supposin* Karlsson stayed a)ay for hours, as he often did- .nd
supposin* the $a$y's mommy and daddy came home and found Eric )ith their Curli)i* in his
arms-
#ut Eric did not have to )orry for lon*. This time Karlsson )as 2uick. =roud as a peacock he came
$u88in* in throu*h the )indo), and in his hand he held one of those $ottles that $a$ies drink from.
%3here did you *et that1( asked Eric, very much surprised.
%:rom my usual dairy,( said Karlsson. %. $alcony a fe) streets a)ay-(
%,ave you pinched it1( said Eric in alarm.
%& have $orro)ed it,( said Karlsson.
%#orro)ed- 3hen are you *oin* to take it $ack, then1( asked Eric.
%0ever,( said Karlsson.
Eric looked at him sternly, $ut Karlsson spread his fin*ers and said, %. $ottle of milk"it's a small
matter- The people & $orro)ed it from have triplets, and they put out masses and masses of $ottles
in $uckets of ice on the $alcony, and they like me to $orro) their milk for Curli)i*.(
Curli)i* stretched out her little hands for the $ottle and s2ueaked hun*rily.
%&'ll )arm it a $it,( said Eric $riskly, and handed Curli)i* over to Karlsson. Karlsson shouted,
%Coo-oo,( and heaved Curli)i* up to the ceilin* )hile Eric )ent into the kitchen to )arm the milk.

. little later Curli)i* lay sleepin* in her cri$ like a little an*el. She )as full and contented after
Eric had tucked her in. Karlsson had prodded her )ith his fin*er and shouted, %Coo-oo,( and in
spite of it Curli)i* had *one to sleep $ecause she )as tired and full of milk.
%0o) )e'll play some 9okes $efore )e *o off,( said Karlsson.
,e )ent into the kitchen and fetched the cold sausa*es. Eric looked at him, )ide-eyed.
%3atch these tricks-( said Karlsson, $alancin* a sausa*e on the kitchen door handle.
%0um$er one,( he said, and nodded, pleased )ith himself. Then he )ent )ith 2uick steps to the
chest of dra)ers. There stood a $eautiful, )hite china dove, and, $efore Eric kne) )hat )as
happenin*, the )hite dove had a sausa*e in its $eak.
%0um$er t)o-( said Karlsson. %.nd num$er three is for Curli)i*.(
,e sta$$ed the sausa*e on a little stick and put the stick into the hand of the sleepin* Curli)i*. &t
looked comical, rather as if Curli)i* herself had *one to fetch a sausa*e and fallen asleep $efore
she had had time to eat it. #ut Eric said, %& )ish you )ouldn't do that-(
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson. %This is to stop her mommy and daddy from *oin* *addin* a$out
in the evenin*s.(
%#ut ho)1( asked Eric.
%. $a$y )ho can *et up and fetch herself a sausa*e can't $e left alone, that's o$vious. 3ho kno)s
)hat she )ill think of ne+t 5 her daddy's $eer, perhaps.(
,e settled the sausa*e stick more firmly in Curli)i*'s tiny hand.
%Calm, $e calm-( he said. %& kno) )hat &'m doin* $ecause &'m the 3orld's #est 0ursemaid.(
.t that moment Eric heard footsteps on the stairs outside/ it nearly made him 9ump )ith fri*ht.
%They're comin*-( he )hispered.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson, and they $oth rushed to the )indo). Eric heard a key $ein* put in
the lock, and he felt desperate, $ut someho) he mana*ed to heave himself over the )indo) led*e,
and a second later he heard the door open and a voice said, %!ommy's little Susie, fast asleep-(
%4es, she does nothin* $ut sleep,( said another voice. Then a scream )as heard, and Eric *uessed
that Curli)i*'s mommy and daddy had no) spotted the sausa*e.
,e did not )ait to hear the rest $ut cau*ht up )ith the 3orld's #est 0ursemaid, )ho )as 9ust a$out
to hide $ehind a chimney.
%3ould you like to see t)o scoundrels1( asked Karlsson, )hen they had had a rest. %&'ve *ot t)o
first-rate scoundrels in another attic over here.(
&t almost sounded as if they )ere Karlsson's o)n scoundrels/ they couldn't very )ell $e that, $ut,
all the same, Eric certainly )anted to see them.
There )ere sounds of noisy talkin* and lau*hin* comin* from the scoundrels' attic. %!irth and
9oy-( said Karlsson. %Come alon*, let's see )hat's so funny.(
They crept alon* the *utter pipe. Karlsson raised his head and peeped in. The curtains )ere dra)n,
$ut there )as a *ap that you could see throu*h.
%The scoundrels have a visitor,( )hispered Karlsson.
Eric also had a peep at them. There )ere t)o men sittin* there )ho had the appearance of tou*h
characters, and a meek-lookin* little man )ho mi*ht have come from the country to)n )here
;rannie lived.
%o you kno) )hat & think1( )hispered Karlsson. %& think these scoundrels are playin* tricks as
)ell as me. #ut they'd $etter not-(
,e took another peep.
%&'m 9olly sure they're playin* tricks on that poor fello) in the red tie,( he )hispered to Eric.
The scoundrels and the man in the red tie )ere sittin* at a small ta$le near the )indo). They )ere
eatin* and drinkin*, and the scoundrels )ere pattin* the one in the red tie cordially on the shoulder,
sayin*, %3e're very *lad )e met you, Oscar-(
%&'m very *lad, too,( said Oscar. %3hen you come to a to)n like this, it's really most important to
find *ood friends that you can rely on. Other)ise no one kno)s what mi*ht happen. 4ou mi*ht
easily fall into the hands of ro*ues.(
The scoundrels nodded.
%4es, indeed, you mi*ht have come up a*ainst ro*ues,( said one. %3asn't it lucky you met Cosh
and me-(
%4es, if you hadn't found Ruffy and me, anythin* mi*ht have happened to you,( said the other. %#ut
no) let's eat, drink, and $e merry,( said the one )hose name )as Cosh, pattin* Oscar a*ain on the
shoulder. Then he did somethin* )hich surprised Eric very much. .s if $y accident, he put his hand
into the hip pocket of Oscar's trousers, pulled out a )allet, and put it stealthily into the hip pocket
of his o)n trousers. .nd Oscar noticed nothin*. !ay$e it )as $ecause Ruffy, at the same time, )as
pattin* him $usily. #ut )hen Ruffy had finished his pattin* and )ithdre) his hand, Oscar's )atch
chanced to $e in it. Ruffy popped it into his o)n hip pocket. .nd Oscar noticed nothin*.
#ut Karlsson-on-the-Roof carefully stretched a chu$$y hand throu*h the chink in the curtains and
took the )allet out of the hip pocket of Cosh's trousers, and Cosh noticed nothin*. Then Karlsson
stretched out a chu$$y hand and took the )atch out of the hip pocket of Ruffy's trousers, and Ruffy
noticed nothin*.
Some time after, )hen Ruffy and Cosh and Oscar had eaten and drunk still more, Cosh put his hand
in his pocket and found that the )allet )as *one. ,e *lo)ered an*rily at Ruffy and said, %Dook
here, Ruffy, you come alon* out on the landin*. & )ant a )ord )ith you.(
.t that moment Ruffy felt in his pocket and discovered that the )atch )as *one. ,e sco)led
an*rily at Cosh and said, %That's O.K. )ith me. & )ant a )ord )ith you too.(
Cosh and Ruffy then )ent out onto the landin*, and poor Oscar sat there alone. ,e must have
thou*ht it )as dull, $ecause soon he *ot up and )ent out to see )hat had $ecome of Cosh and
Ruffy. Karlsson 2uickly clim$ed over the )indo) led*e and put Oscar's )allet into the empty soup
tureen. .nd the )atch Karlsson fi+ed to the li*ht on the ceilin*, )here it hun* s)ayin*, and it )as
the first thin* that Oscar, Ruffy, and Cosh sa) )hen they came $ack from the landin*. #ut they did
not see Karlsson, $ecause he had cra)led underneath the ta$le, concealed $y the cloth, )hich nearly
reached the floor. #y this time, Eric )as also sittin* under the ta$le, $ecause he )anted to $e )ith
Karlsson even in such a dou$tful situation.
%Dook at my )atch-( said Oscar. %,o) on earth did it *et up there1(
,e )ent and took do)n the )atch and put it $ack in his )aistcoat pocket.
%.nd if this isn't my )allet-( he said, lookin* into the soup tureen. %,o) very stran*e-(
Ruffy and Cosh looked at Oscar )ith admiration, and Cosh said, %Even country $umpkins kno) a
thin* or t)o, it seems.(
Ruffy, Cosh, and Oscar sat do)n at the ta$le once more.
%Oscar, old $uddy, you must have some more to eat and drink,( said Cosh.
So Oscar, Ruffy, and Cosh ate, drank, and patted each other on the $ack. .fter a short time Cosh's
hand appeared under the ta$le, carefully placin* Oscar's )allet on the floor. ,e must have thou*ht
it )as a safer place than his trousers pocket"$ut it )asn't, $ecause Karlsson immediately sei8ed
the )allet and passed it up to Ruffy. Ruffy took the )allet and said, %Cosh, & mis9ud*ed you, you're
a *entleman, after all.(
Soon Ruffy's hand appeared under the ta$le, carefully placin* Oscar's )atch on the floor. Karlsson
took the )atch, nud*ed Cosh's le* *ently, and handed him Oscar's )atch. Cosh said, %There's not a
$etter pal than you, Ruffy-(
#ut presently Oscar said, %3here's my )allet1 .nd )here's my )atch1(
Then, 2uick as li*htnin*, $oth the )allet and the )atch reappeared under the ta$le $ecause Cosh
dared not keep the )atch, and Ruffy dared not keep the )allet on him in case Oscar $e*an to make
a distur$ance. .nd sure enou*h Oscar did $e*in to make 2uite a considera$le amount of
distur$ance, shoutin* that he )anted his )atch and his )allet. Cosh said, %,o) are )e to kno)
)hat you've done )ith your old )allet1(
.nd Ruffy said, %3e haven't seen your old )atch/ you should $e more careful )ith your thin*s-(
Karlsson picked up the )allet and the )atch and handed them up to Oscar. Oscar put them a)ay in
his pockets and said, %Thank you, Cosh/ thank you, Ruffy. 4ou mustn't play tricks like that a*ain.(
Karlsson *ave Cosh's le* a hard kick, and Cosh shouted, %4ou'll pay for this, Ruffy-(
Then Karlsson *ave Ruffy's le* a hard kick, and Ruffy shouted, %4ou're off your head, Cosh/
)hat're you kickin* me for1(
Ruffy and Cosh leaped up and $e*an to fi*ht, so that all the plates crashed to the floor and $roke,
and Oscar )as so fri*htened that he hurried off )ith his )allet and )atch and )as never seen a*ain.



Eric )as fri*htened too, $ut he could not run a)ay/ he had to sit 2uietly under the ta$le.
Cosh )as stron*er than Ruffy, and he chased Ruffy out onto the landin* )here he continued the
$eatin*. Karlsson and Eric came out from under the ta$le and looked at all the plates lyin* in pieces
on the floor. Karlsson said, %3hy should the soup tureen $e left )hen all the plates are $roken1 &t'll
$e lonely $y itself, the poor soup tureen-(
,e smashed the tureen, and he and Eric rushed to the )indo) and clim$ed out as fast as they could.
They had 9ust done so )hen Eric heard Cosh and Ruffy come $ack into the room, and Cosh )as
sayin*, %3hy, for =ete's sake, did you *ive him $ack the )atch and the )allet, you stupid idiot1(
%4ou must $e cra8y,( said Ruffy. %&t )as you that did it.(
This made Karlsson shake )ith lau*hter, and he said, %3e've played enou*h tricks for one day.(
Eric too felt that he had had enou*h of tricks.
&t )as no) 2uite dark, and Eric and Karlsson )alked $ack, hand in hand, across the roofs to
Karlsson's d)ellin*, )hich stood on top of Eric's house. 3hen they arrived they heard a fire en*ine
comin* alon* the street )ith a tremendous noise of hootin*.
%There's a fire some)here/ you'll see,( said Eric. %The fire en*ines are comin*.(
%=erhaps it's in this very house,( said Karlsson hopefully. %They've only *ot to ask me and &'ll help
them $ecause &'m the 3orld's #est :ire-putter-outer.(
They sa) that the fire en*ine had stopped 9ust $elo) them in the street, and a )hole cro)d of
people )as *atherin* around it. #ut they could not discover any fire. On the other hand, they
suddenly sa) a ladder shootin* up to)ard the roof"one of those tall, e+tendin* ladders that the
firemen use.
Eric $e*an to )onder.
%Supposin* 5 supposin* 5 they're comin* to fetch me,( he said, $ecause he suddenly
remem$ered the note )hich he had left in his room. .nd it )as *ettin* late.
%#ut )hy1( said Karlsson. %Surely no$ody could possi$ly mind your $ein* up here on the roof for a
short time1(
%4es, my mommy )ould,( said Eric. %She )orries a lot.(
,e felt very sorry for !ommy )hen he thou*ht a$out it, and lon*ed for her.
%3e could play some tricks on the firemen, couldn't )e1( su**ested Karlsson.
#ut Eric )as un)illin* to play any more tricks. ,e stood still and )aited for the fireman )ho came
clim$in* up the ladder.
%3ell,( said Karlsson, %it's really a$out time & *ot ready for $ed. Of course, )e've taken thin*s
pretty 2uietly and not played a lot of tricks, $ut & did, after all, have at least ninety or a hundred
de*rees of temperature this mornin*, )e mustn't for*et that.(
.nd he scuttled off across the roof.
%,i-ho, Eric-( he shouted.
%,i-ho, Karlsson-( said Eric. #ut all the time he )as )atchin* the fireman, comin* closer and
closer.
%Eric,( called Karlsson $efore he disappeared $ehind the chimney, %don't tell the firemen that &'m
here 5 $ecause &'m the 3orld's #est :ire-putter-outer, and & )ould never *et a moment's peace
)henever a fire $roke out any)here.(
The fireman )as 2uite close no). %Stay )here you are,( he shouted to Eric. %on't move an inch-
&'m comin* for you.(
&t )as kind of him, thou*ht Eric, $ut ho) unnecessary- Eric, )ho had )andered round the roofs all
the afternoon, )as perfectly a$le to )alk another t)o steps.
%id my mother send you1( he asked )hen, in the arms of the fireman, he )as comin* do)n the
ladder.
%3hat do you think1( said the fireman. %#ut look here 5 it seemed to me for a moment that there
)ere two little $oys up there on the roof 5(
Eric remem$ered )hat Karlsson had said and he ans)ered solemnly, %0o, there )asn't any boy
e+cept me.(

!ommy certainly )as )orried. She and addy, #etty, and #o$$y, and a cro)d of other people
)ere do)n $elo) in the street to receive Eric. !ommy flun* her arms around him and s2uee8ed
him, and lau*hed and )ept alternately. .nd addy carried him up to the flat, holdin* him ti*ht all
the time. #o$$y said, %4ou sure can fri*hten the life out of us, Eric-(
#etty, too, )as )eepin*, and said, %4ou must never do a thin* like that a*ain, remem$er-(
3hen Eric )as lyin* in $ed a little later, they all *athered around him, e+actly as if it had $een his
$irthday. #ut addy spoke very seriously, sayin*, %idn't you reali8e that )e'd $e )orried1 idn't
you reali8e that !ommy )ould cry and $e upset1(
Eric fid*eted in his $ed.
%0ot as )orried as that,( he muttered.
!ommy hu**ed him very hard and said, %Supposin* you'd fallen do)n- Supposin* )e'd lost you-(
%3ould you have $een sad1( said Eric hopefully.
%3hy, )hat do you think1( said !ommy. %3e )ouldn't $e )ithout you for anythin* in the )orld/
surely you kno) that1(
%0ot for a hundred thousand million dollars even1(
%0o, not for a hundred thousand million dollars.(
%.m & )orth as much as that1( asked Eric in astonishment.
%4ou are,( said !ommy, *ivin* him another hu*.
Eric thou*ht> . hundred thousand million dollars")hat a terri$le lot of money- 3as it possi$le that
he could $e )orth so much1 3hy, you could *et a puppy, a really *ood puppy, for 9ust ten or t)elve
dollars.
%addy-( said Eric, )hen he had finished thinkin*. %&f &'m )orth a hundred thousand million
dollars, couldn't & have ten of it to $uy a little do*1(

Chapter H - Karlsson =lays ;host

&t )as not until the follo)in* day at the dinner ta$le that they asked Eric ho) he had mana*ed to *et
up on the roof.
%id you clim$ throu*h the skyli*ht in the attic1( asked !ommy.
%0o, & flew up )ith Karlsson-on-the-Roof( said Eric.
!ommy and addy looked at each other.
%0o, it can't *o on any lon*er,( said !ommy. %That Karlsson-on-the-Roof is drivin* me cra8y.(
%Eric, there is no Karlsson-on-the-Roof,( said addy.
%&sn't there1( said Eric. %,e )as there yesterday.(
!ommy shook her head.
%&t's a *ood thin* this term's nearly finished so that you can *o and stay )ith your ;rannie,( she
said. %& hope Karlsson-on-the-Roof )on't $e *oin* there )ith you, at any rate.(
This )as a pro$lem that Eric had overlooked. ,e )as *oin* to ;rannie's for the summer vacation,
and he )ould not see Karlsson for t)o months. &t )asn't that he didn't like it at ;rannie's 6he
al)ays had a *ood time there7, $ut, oh, ho) he )ould miss Karlsson- .nd supposin* Karlsson )as
not livin* on the roof any more )hen Eric came home a*ain-
3ith his el$o)s on the ta$le and his head restin* on his hands, he sat there and tried to ima*ine
)hat life )ould $e like )ithout Karlsson.
%Take your el$o)s off the ta$le/ you should kno) $etter,( said #etty.
%!ind your o)n $usiness,( said Eric.
%Take your el$o)s off the ta$le, Eric,( said !ommy. %3ill you have some more cauliflo)er1(
%0o, &'d rather $e dead.(
%Eric, that's no )ay to speak,( said addy. %4ou should say, B0o, thank you.' (
3hat a )ay to order a hundred-thousand-million-dollar child a$out, thou*ht Eric, $ut he did not say
so. &nstead he said, %on't you kno) that )hen & say, B&'d rather $e dead,' & mean B0o, thank you'1(
%#ut that's not the )ay a *entleman )ould speak,( addy said firmly. %.nd you )ant to $e a
*entleman, don't you, Eric1(
%0o, &'d rather $e like you, addy,( said Eric.
!ommy and #etty and #o$$y lau*hed/ Eric could not understand )hy, $ut he felt that they )ere
lau*hin* at addy, and he did not like it.
%& )ant to $e like you, addy, $ecause you're al)ays nice,( he said, lookin* affectionately at his
father.
%Thank you, son,( said addy. %0o), )hat a$out it, don't you )ant some cauliflo)er after all1(
%0o, &'d rather $e dead,( said Eric.
%#ut it's *ood for you,( said !ommy.
%Aust )hat & thou*ht,( said Eric. %#ecause the nastier the food tastes, the $etter it is for you. 3hy do
they have to stuff all the vitamins into thin*s you can't eat1 That's )hat & )ant to kno).(
%4es, isn't it 2ueer1( said #o$$y. %& suppose you think they should $e put in toffees and che)in*
*um instead-(
%That's the sensi$lest thin* you've said for a lon* time,( said Eric.

.fter dinner he )ent to his room. ,e )ished )ith all his heart that Karlsson )ould come. Soon he
)ould $e *oin* a)ay, and he )anted to see as much of Karlsson as possi$le $efore then.
!ay$e Karlsson felt this unconsciously $ecause he came flyin* $y as soon as Eric put his nose
outside the )indo).
%,aven't you *ot a temperature today1( asked Eric.
%Temperature- !e1( said Karlsson. %&'ve never had a temperature in my life- &t )as make-$elieve.(
%id you ima*ine that you had a temperature1( said Eric, surprised.
%0o, $ut & made you $elieve that & had,( said Karlsson )ith a deli*hted lau*h. %The 3orld's #est
Tricker"*uess )ho that is1(
Karlsson )as not still for a moment. .ll the time he )as talkin* he scampered around the room,
fin*erin* everythin* in2uisitively, openin* as many cup$oards and dra)ers as he could, and
e+aminin* their contents )ith the *reatest interest.
%0o, & haven't *ot any temperature today,( he said. %Today &'m tremendously )ell and feel like
havin* some fun.(
Eric felt like some fun, too. #ut first of all he )anted !ommy and addy and #o$$y and #etty to
see Karlsson, so that he )ouldn't have to listen to their na**in* a$out Karlsson's not e+istin*.
%3ait a minute,( he said 2uickly. %& )on't $e lon*.(
,e rushed into the sittin* room. #etty and #o$$y had 9ust *one out 6)hich )as too $ad7, $ut his
mother and father )ere sittin* there, and Eric said ea*erly, %!ommy and addy, please come to my
room ri*ht a)ay1(
,e dared not say anythin* a$out Karlsson/ it )ould $e $etter if they sa) him une+pectedly.
%3on't you come and sit )ith us instead1( said !ommy. #ut Eric tu**ed at her arm.
%0o, please come- & )ant to sho) you somethin*.(
.fter some persuasion he mana*ed to *et them $oth to come, and 9oyfully he opened the door to his
room. 0o) at last they'd see 5
,e could have )ept )ith disappointment> the room )as empty"9ust like the other time )hen he
)as *oin* to sho) them Karlsson.
%3hat did you )ant to sho) us1( asked addy.
%0othin* special,( mum$led Eric.
Duckily, the telephone ran* 9ust then, so Eric did not have to e+plain. addy )ent to ans)er it. .nd
!ommy had a spon*e cake in the oven that she had to )atch. Eric found himself alone. ,e sat
do)n $y the )indo)/ he )as 2uite an*ry )ith Karlsson and made up his mind to tell him off if he
came flyin* in.
#ut no one came flyin*. &nstead the closet door opened, and Karlsson's cheery face appeared.
Eric )as very surprised. %3hat on earth are you doin* in my closet1( he asked.
%,atchin* e**s 5 no- Contemplatin* my sins 5 no- Dyin* on the shelf and restin* 5 yes,( said
Karlsson.
Eric for*ot to $e an*ry. ,e could not help $ut feel happy $ecause Karlsson had turned up a*ain.
%This is a marvelous closet for playin* hide-and-seek in,( said Karlsson. %Det's do that- &'ll lie
do)n on the shelf a*ain, and you *uess )here & am.(
#efore Eric had time to ans)er, Karlsson had disappeared into the closet, and Eric could hear him
stru**lin* to *et up to the shelf.
%Coo-ee,( shouted Karlsson.
Eric opened the closet door )ide and, )ithout much difficulty, found Karlsson on the shelf.
%4ou horrid $oy-( shouted Karlsson. %4ou should have looked under the $ed and $ehind the ta$le
and in other places first. &'m *oin* home if that's the )ay you're *oin* to play. 4ou're $ein*
$eastly-(
The front door$ell ran*, and a moment later !ommy called from the hall, %Eric- #rid*et and
Christopher are here.(
This immediately put Karlsson in a *ood mood a*ain. %3e'll play some tricks on them,( he
)hispered to Eric. %Shut the door on me-(
Eric shut the closet door. ,e had no sooner done this than #rid*et and Christopher came in. They
lived on the same street and )ere in the same class at school as Eric. Eric liked #rid*et very much/
he )ould often tell !ommy ho) s)eet-natured she )as. ,e liked Christopher, too, and had already
for*iven him for the $ruise on his forehead. &t often happened that he fou*ht )ith Christopher, $ut
after)ard they )ere as *ood friends as ever. .s a matter of fact, it )as not only )ith Christopher
that Eric *ot into fi*hts> he had had fierce $attles )ith almost all the children on the street. #ut he
)as al)ays on *ood terms )ith #rid*et.
%,o) is it that you never fi*ht )ith #rid*et1( his mother once asked him.
% 'Cause she's so s)eet, & never need to,( said Eric.
#ut even #rid*et could $e maddenin* sometimes. 4esterday, )hen they )ere )alkin* home from
school, Eric had talked a$out Karlsson-on-the-Roof. #rid*et lau*hed and said that Karlsson )as
9ust ima*ination and make-$elieve. Christopher a*reed )ith her, so that Eric had $een o$li*ed to
punch him. That )as )hen Christopher had thro)n the stone at Eric's head.
#ut no) they )ere here, and Christopher had Aoffa )ith him. #ecause of Aoffa, Eric even for*ot
Karlsson, )ho )as lyin* on the shelf in the closet. o*s are the nicest creatures on earth, thou*ht
Eric. Aoffa 9umped and $arked, and Eric clun* to his neck, pettin* him. Christopher stood, calmly
)atchin*. ,e kne), of course, that Aoffa )as his do* and no$ody else's, so he mi*ht as )ell let Eric
pet him as much as he liked.
3hile Eric )as $usy pettin* Aoffa, #rid*et stood lookin* around. %3here have you *ot your old
Karlsson-on-the-Roof1( she said, teasin* him. %3e thou*ht he'd $e here-(
&t )as not until then that Eric remem$ered that Karlsson )as lyin* on the shelf in the closet. #ut
since he did not kno) )hat tricks Karlsson had decided to play this time, he could not tell #rid*et
and Christopher. So he only said, %Shut up- 4ou said Karlsson-on-the-Roof )as make-$elieve. 4ou
told me yesterday that he's only an invention.(
%.nd he is, isn't he1( said #rid*et, lau*hin*, and as she lau*hed the dimples appeared in her
cheeks.
%.s it happens, he isn't,( Eric replied.
%Of course he is,( said Christopher.
%Of course he isn't,( said Eric.
,e )ondered if it )as any use *oin* on )ith this %sensi$le discussion,( or if it )ouldn't $e $etter to
*ive Christopher a $lack eye ri*ht then. #ut $efore he had time to decide, a loud and clear %Cock-a-
doodle-do( )as heard from the depths of the closet.
%3hat )as that1( said #rid*et, and her mouth, )hich )as small and red like a cherry, opened in
astonishment.
%Cock-a-doodle-do,( they heard once more, and it sounded e+actly like a real rooster.
%,ave you *ot a rooster in the closet1( asked Christopher, surprised. Aoffa *ro)led. #ut Eric
lau*hed/ he could not e+plain, so he 9ust lau*hed.
%Cock-a-doodle-do,( came from the closet.
%&'m *oin* to open the door and have a look,( said #rid*et.
She opened it and peeped in. Christopher 9oined her and he looked, too. .t first they could see
nothin* $ut a lot of clothes han*in* there. #ut then they heard a titterin* from a$ove, and )hen they
looked up they sa) a fat little man on the shelf. ,e )as lyin* do)n comforta$ly, leanin* on one
el$o), and dan*lin* a chu$$y le*, )hich s)un* slo)ly to and fro. ,e had shinin*, happy $lue eyes.



#oth #rid*et and Christopher )ere speechless. Aoffa uttered a *ro)l.
#ut )hen #rid*et found her ton*ue she said, %3ho's that1(
%Only a little !ake-#elieve,( said the stran*e fi*ure on the shelf, )a**lin* his chu$$y le* more
rapidly. %. small !ake-#elieve takin* a rest. &n short 5 an &nvention-(
%&s it 5 is it 5 1( stuttered Christopher.
%. small &nvention is lyin* here, 9ust cro)in*, that's all,( said the little man.
%&s it Karlsson-on-the-Roof1( )hispered #rid*et.
%3hat do you think1( said Karlsson. %id you think it )as old !rs. =ea$ody from 0um$er I@
)ho's crept in here for a nap1(
Eric )as una$le to stop lau*hin*, $ecause #rid*et and Christopher stood there )ith their mouths
)ide open, lookin* very silly.
%4ou haven't *ot much to say no), have you1( said Eric at last.
Karlsson leaped do)n from the shelf. ,e )ent up to #rid*et and pinched her cheek ro*uishly.
%.nd )hat little Childish &nvention mi*ht this $e, then1( he asked.
%3e 5( $e*an Christopher.
%3hat's your name $esides .u*ustus1( asked Karlsson.
%!y name's not .u*ustus,( said Christopher.
%.nd a *ood thin*, too.(
%They're called #rid*et and Christopher,( said Eric.
%4es, it's un$elieva$le the thin*s that happen to people,( said Karlsson. %#ut don't let it )orry you
too much 5 )e can't all $e called Karlsson, unfortunately.( ,e took a *ood look around and
continued in the same $reath, %& feel like havin* some fun. Couldn't )e thro) the chairs out of the
)indo) or somethin*1(
Eric did not think that this )ould $e a *ood idea, and he )as sure that !ommy and addy )ouldn't
think so.
%0o, )hen they're old-fashioned, there's not much you can do a$out it,( said Karlsson. %3e'll 9ust
have to think of somethin* else/ )e must have some fun. Other)ise &'m *oin* home,( he said, and
he pouted.
%3ell, )e can think of somethin* else, surely,( said Eric pleadin*ly. #ut Karlsson seemed
determined to sulk.
%4ou'd $etter )atch out, or & mi*ht fly a)ay and leave you,( he said.
Eric, #rid*et, and Christopher all reali8ed )hat a misfortune that )ould $e, and they $e**ed
Karlsson to stay )ith them.
Karlsson sat for a time, still lookin* rather put out. %&'m not sure,( he said, %$ut maybe &'ll stay if
she pats me and says B;ood Karlsson,' ( he said, pointin* at #rid*et )ith his fat little fin*er.
#rid*et hastened to pat him.
%;ood Karlsson, you )ill stay, )on't you, so that )e can have some fun1( she said.
%Cery )ell, then, & suppose &'d $etter,( said Karlsson. The children heaved a si*h of relief, $ut too
soon.
Eric's mother and father sometimes )ent for a )alk in the evenin*s/ !ommy called from the hall,
%;ood-$y for no)- #rid*et and Christopher can stay until ei*ht o'clock, and then you're to *o
strai*ht to $ed, Eric. &'ll come and say *ood ni*ht later.(
They heard the hall door slam.
%She didn't say ho) lon* I could stay,( said Karlsson, poutin*. %&t's not fair, and &'m *oin* home
no).(
%4ou can stay as lon* as you like,( said Eric.
Karlsson pouted more than ever. %3hy shouldn't & $e turned out at ei*ht o'clock like other people1(
said Karlsson. %&'m *oin* 5(
%&'ll ask !ommy to turn you out at ei*ht o'clock,( said Eric 2uickly. %3hat *ame shall )e play1(
Suddenly Karlsson's $ad temper )as *one. %Det's play *host and fri*hten the life out of people,( he
said. %4ou've no idea )hat & can do )ith only a small sheet. &f they'd *iven me a penny for
everyone that &'ve fri*htened to death, & could have $ou*ht a vast amount of toffee. &'m the 3orld's
#est ;host,( said Karlsson, his eyes shinin* )ith fun.
Eric, #rid*et, and Christopher )anted very much to play *host, $ut Eric said, %3e don't have to $e
too terribly fri*htenin*, do )e1(
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson. %4ou don't have to teach the 3orld's #est ;host anythin* a$out
*hostliness. & shall only fri*hten them to death a little. They'll hardly notice it.( Karlsson )ent over
to Eric's $ed and pulled a)ay the top sheet. %This'll do fine for a smart little *host-suit,( he said.
&n the dra)er of Eric's )ritin* desk he found a piece of charcoal and )ith it he sketched a *hastly
*host face on the sheet. Then he took Eric's scissors and, $efore Eric could stop him, cut t)o holes
for eyes.
%. sheet 5 it's a small matter,( said Karlsson. %. *host has *ot to see/ other)ise it could flutter off
and land in #urma or anywhere.(
,e thre) the sheet over his head like a monk's ro$e/ his chu$$y little hands stuck out at the sides.
.lthou*h the children kne) that it )as only Karlsson under the sheet, they )ere still fri*htened, and
Aoffa started $arkin* fiercely. &t )as no $etter )hen the *host s)itched on his en*ine and $e*an to
fly around the ceilin* li*ht, the sheet s)irlin* )ith the speed. &t looked really fri*htenin*.
%&'m a little motori8ed *host"sava*e, $ut $eautiful,( said Karlsson.
The children stood still, starin* at him in terror. Aoffa $arked.
%& must say & rather like the chuff-chuff & make )hen & fly a$out,( he said. %#ut as & am a *host, it
mi*ht $e a *ood idea to use the silencer. ,a- That's $etter-(
,e floated around )ith hardly a sound and seemed even more *hostly than $efore.
The thin* no) )as to find someone to haunt.
%& can haunt the stairs"someone is $ound to come and *et the shock of his life,( said Karlsson.
The telephone ran*, $ut Eric did not feel inclined to ans)er it. ,e let it *o on rin*in*.
Karlsson practiced a fe) suita$le si*hs and *roans. . *host )ho could not si*h and *roan )as
useless, Karlsson declared"it )as the first thin* a little *host learned at *host school.
&t all took time. 3hen at last they )ere standin* in the hall, ready to *o out on the landin* to $e*in
the hauntin*, they heard an odd scratchin* sound at the front door. .t first Eric thou*ht it must $e
!ommy and addy comin* home early, $ut then he cau*ht si*ht of a lon* piece of )ire )hich )as
$ein* pushed throu*h the letter $o+. Eric remem$ered somethin* he had heard his father readin*
aloud to his mother from the ne)spaper only a fe) days earlier. &t said in the paper that there )ere
many thieves a$out at present and that they $roke into homes. The thieves )ere very cunnin*> first
they telephoned to find out if there )as anyone at home. &f there )as no reply they hurried to the
house they had phoned, and then all they had to do )as to pick the lock, )alk in, and steal
everythin* of value.
Eric )as terri$ly fri*htened )hen he reali8ed that thieves )ere a$out to $reak in, and so )ere
#rid*et and Christopher. Christopher had shut Aoffa up in Eric's room to prevent him from $arkin*
durin* the hauntin*. 0o) he )as sorry he had done so.
#ut Karlsson )as not fri*htened"far from it.
%Calm, $e calm-( he )hispered. %On occasions such as this you can't do $etter than to have a *host
around. Come on- 3e'll creep into the sittin* room"& suppose that's )here your father keeps his
chunks of *old and his diamonds,( he said to Eric.
Karlsson, Eric, #rid*et, and Christopher crept into the sittin* room as 2uietly, cautiously, and
2uickly as they could. They crouched and hid $ehind the furniture )hile Karlsson dashed into the
$eautiful old cup$oard )here !ommy kept her linen and shut the door $ehind him as $est he could.
0o sooner )as he hidden than the thieves came paddin* in. Eric, )ho )as lyin* $ehind the couch
ne+t to the fireplace, peeped out. T)o really u*ly and dreadful-lookin* thieves )ere standin* in the
middle of the room. .nd 6)ould you $elieve it17 they )ere none other than Cosh and Ruffy-
%3ell, no), )here do they keep the cro)n 9e)els, & )onder,( said Cosh in a lo), hoarse voice.
%,ere, of course,( said Ruffy, pointin* at the anti2ue $ureau )hich had a lar*e num$er of little
dra)ers. Eric kne) that !ommy kept her housekeepin* money in one of the dra)ers, and in
another there )as the valua$le rin* and $rooch that ;rannie had *iven her. addy kept his *old
medal there, too"the one he had received as a shootin* pri8e. ,o) terri$le to think of the thieves
takin* it all, thou*ht Eric, and he could hardly refrain from $urstin* into tears as he lay $ehind the
couch.
%4ou have a look at it,( said Cosh. %&'m *oin* out into the kitchen to see if they've *ot any silver
spoons.(
Cosh disappeared, and Ruffy $e*an to pull out the dra)ers. ,e *ave a satisfied )histle. ,e had
pro$a$ly found the housekeepin* money, thou*ht Eric, *ettin* sadder and sadder.
Ruffy pulled out the ne+t dra)er and )histled a*ain. 0o dou$t he had no) found the rin* and the
$rooch.
#ut there )as no more )histlin*, for out of the cup$oard $urst a *host )ith a threatenin* little
*roan. .s Ruffy turned around and sa) the *host a rattle came from his throat, and he dropped the
housekeepin* money, the rin*, the $rooch, and everythin*. The *host fluttered a$out him, *roanin*
and si*hin*, and suddenly it fle) off into the kitchen. . second later Cosh came rushin* in, his face
)hite. %;uffy, a rhost-( he shouted in his fri*ht, instead of, %Ruffy, a *host.(



0o )onder he )as fri*htened"the *host follo)ed close $ehind him )ith dreadful si*hs and *roans.
Ruffy and Cosh made for the door, follo)ed $y the *host flappin* around their ears )hile they
rushed into the hall and out throu*h the front door. #ut they could not escape> it chased them do)n
the stairs, cryin* after them in a hollo), terri$le *host voice, %Calm, $e calm- &'ll soon catch up
)ith you and then the fun )ill start.(
#ut the *host tired of the chase and came $ack to the sittin* room. Eric picked up the housekeepin*
money, the rin*, and the $rooch and put them $ack in the $ureau. #rid*et and Christopher *athered
up all the silver spoons that Cosh had dropped )hen he raced from the kitchen into the sittin* room.
%The 3orld's #est ;host, that's Karlsson-on-the-Roof,( said the *host, takin* off his *host suit.
The children lau*hed and )ere very happy, and Karlsson said, %There's nothin* to e2ual a *host
)hen it comes to fri*htenin* thieves. &f people only kne) ho) effective it is, they'd tie a fierce little
*host to every safe in the )hole to)n.(
Eric 9umped for 9oy $ecause !ommy's housekeepin* money and rin* and $rooch, and addy's
*old medal, and all the silver spoons )ere safe, and he said, %:ancy people $ein* so silly as to
$elieve in *hosts- There aren't any such thin*s"addy says so.( ,e nodded )isely. %Silly thieves,
they thou*ht it )as a *host comin* out of the cup$oard, and really it )asn't anythin* spooky at all
" only Karlsson-on-the-Roof.(

Chapter J - Karlsson and o* 0icholson

0e+t mornin* a sleepy, tousled little fi*ure dressed in $lue-striped pa9amas came patterin* on $are
feet to !ommy in the kitchen. #etty and #o$$y had *one to school and addy to the office. #ut
Eric did not have to leave until later, and he )as *lad of that, $ecause it )as nice havin* !ommy to
himself for a short time in the mornin*s. .lthou*h he re*arded himself as a $i* $oy )ho )ent to
school already, he still liked to sit on !ommy's lap )hen there )as no one there to see. &t )as easy
to talk then/ and if they )ere not in a hurry, !ommy and Eric )ould sin* and tell each other stories.
!ommy )as sittin* $y the kitchen ta$le, readin* the ne)spaper and drinkin* her mornin* coffee.
3ithout a )ord, Eric clim$ed on to her lap and curled up in her arms. She held him silently until he
had )aked up properly.
Dast ni*ht !ommy and addy had )alked farther than they intended, and )hen they came home,
Eric )as already in $ed, fast asleep. ,e had kicked off his $ed-clothes, and )hen !ommy )ent to
tuck him in she found t)o u*ly holes in the sheet. &t )as very dirty, too/ someone had $een dra)in*
on it )ith charcoal. 0o )onder Eric )ent to sleep early, thou*ht !ommy. #ut no) the culprit )as
here on her lap, and she )as definitely not *oin* to let him escape )ithout an e+planation.
%0o), Eric,( she said, %& certainly )ould like to kno) )ho made those holes in your sheet"and
you're not *oin* to tell me it )as Karlsson-on-the-Roof.(
Eric )as silent, thinkin* hard. #ut it was Karlsson-on-the-Roof )ho had made the holes, and he
)as not allo)ed to say so- .nd it )as pro$a$ly $est not to say anythin* a$out the thieves, either"
!ommy )ould not $elieve him.
%3ell1( said !ommy )hen there )as no reply.
%Couldn't you ask #rid*et instead1( said Eric artfully. ,e )ould let #rid*et tell !ommy )hat had
happened"!ommy )as $ound to $elieve her.
Oh, so it )as #rid*et )ho cut up the sheet, thou*ht !ommy. Eric )as a splendid $oy not to tattle
$ut to let #rid*et herself say )hat she had done. !ommy *ave Eric a hu*. She decided not to
2uestion him any more a$out the sheet 9ust no), $ut she )ould certainly tackle #rid*et a$out it at
the earliest opportunity.
%4ou like #rid*et 2uite a lot, don't you1( said !ommy.
%4es, & 5( said Eric.
!ommy took a sidelon* *lance at the ne)spaper a*ain, and Eric sat 2uietly on her lap, thinkin*.
3ho did he like, really1 !ommy $est of all 5 and then addy. Sometimes he liked #o$$y and
#etty 6)ell, he liked them most of the time 5 especially #o$$y7 5 $ut no) and then he )as so
cross )ith them that he sa) red- ,e liked Karlsson-on-the-Roof. .nd he liked #rid*et. =erhaps he
)ould marry her )hen he )as $i*> he had to have a )ife, he supposed, )hether he )anted to or not.
,e )ould much rather marry !ommy, thou*h 5 $ut may$e it )as not possi$le.
,e thou*ht a*ain and felt it )ould not $e at all nice to live )ith #rid*et. She could pro$a$ly $e
pretty difficult sometimes. #esides, he )anted to *o on livin* )ith !ommy and addy, and #o$$y
and #etty. ,e did not particularly )ant a )ife at all.
%&'d much rather have a do* than a )ife,( he said. %!ommy, couldnt & have a do*1(
!ommy si*hed. Oh, dear- Eric )as startin* up a$out that $lessed do* a*ain- &t )as nearly as
trou$lesome as Karlsson-on-the-Roof.
%&'m afraid you'll have to hurry and *et dressed,( said !ommy, %or you'll $e late for school.(
%4ou )ould say that,( said Eric crossly. %3hen & talk a$out my do*, you start talkin* a$out school-(
#ut it )as a pleasure to *o to school today, $ecause he had a lot to talk a$out )ith #rid*et and
Christopher. They )alked home to*ether as usual, and it )as more pleasant than it had $een for a
lon* time, thou*ht Eric, no) that #rid*et and Christopher also kne) Karlsson.
%,e's such fun-( said #rid*et. %'you think he'll come a*ain today1(
%& don't kno),( said Eric. %,e only says he's comin* about, and that can $e any time.(
%& hope he'll come a$out today,( said Christopher. %Can #rid*et and & *o home )ith you1(
%& don't mind,( said Eric.
There )as someone else )ho )anted to come. .s the children )ere startin* to cross the street, a
little )hite poodle came runnin* up to Eric. ,e sniffed at his le* and yapped in a friendly fashion.
%3hat a dear little do*-( said Eric, $lissfully happy. %Dook, he's pro$a$ly afraid of the traffic and
)ants to cross over )ith us.(
Eric )ould have $een deli*hted to help him across any num$er of streets. =erhaps the puppy kne)
this, $ecause it )alked $et)een the crossin* lines, pressed close to Eric's le*.
%&sn't he s)eet-( said #rid*et. %Come alon*, little do*-(
%0o, he )ants to come )ith me,( said Eric, takin* a firm hold of the puppy. %,e likes me.(
%,e likes me as )ell, so pooh to you,( said #rid*et.
The little puppy looked as if he )ould like every$ody in the )hole )orld, if only they liked him.
.nd Eric liked him/ oh, ho) he liked him- ,e stooped and stroked the puppy and made a lot of
tender little sounds )hich )ere all meant to say that this puppy )as the nicest do* ever. The puppy
)a**ed his tail and looked as if he thou*ht the same of Eric. ,e yapped and leaped a$out happily
)hen the children turned into their o)n street.
Eric )as sei8ed )ith a )ild hope.
%=erhaps he hasn't *ot any)here to live-( he said. %=erhaps he doesn't $elon* to anyone-(
%,a, 'course he does,( said Christopher.
%Shut up-( said Eric, annoyed. %4ou don't kno) anythin* a$out it.(
Christopher, )ho had Aoffa")hat could he kno) a$out $ein* )ithout a do*1"not a sin*le do* at
all1
%Come alon*, do*,( Eric called, feelin* more and more sure that the puppy had no)here to live.
%!ake sure he doesn't follo) you home,( said Christopher.



%#ut he can,( said Eric. %& )ant him to come.(
.nd the puppy follo)ed. ,e follo)ed him all the )ay to Eric's door. Then Eric picked him up and
carried him up the stairs.
%&'m *oin* to ask !ommy if & can keep him,( said Eric ea*erly. #ut !ommy )as not in si*ht/ he
found a note lyin* on the kitchen ta$le sayin* that she )as in the $asement doin* the )ash, and that
Eric should look for her there if he )anted anythin*.
The puppy made a $eeline for Eric's room, and Eric, #rid*et, and Christopher follo)ed him at a
run. Eric )as )ild )ith 9oy.
%,e )ants to live )ith me, & kno),( he said.
.t the same moment Karlsson came chuffin* in throu*h the )indo).
%,i-ho-( he shouted. %,ave you washed the do*1 ,e seems to have shrunk-(
%This isn't Aoffa/ you didn't think it )as, did you1( said Eric. %This is my do*.(
%4ou can hardly say that,( said Christopher.
%4ou haven't *ot a do*, & $et,( said #rid*et, lookin* at Karlsson.
%!e- &'ve *ot a thousand do*s in my house,( said Karlsson. %The 3orld's #est o*-keeper 5(
%& didn't see any do*s )hen & visited,( said Eric.
%They )ere out flyin*,( said Karlsson. %!ine are :lyin* o*s.(
Eric took no notice of Karlsson. . thousand flyin* do*s )ere not nearly as interestin* as this s)eet
little puppy.
%& don't think he $elon*s to any$ody,( he said a*ain.
#rid*et stooped do)n over the do*.
%#ut it says 0icholson on his collar,( she said.
%4ou see- That's the people he $elon*s to,( said Christopher.
%=erhaps 0icholson is dead,( said Eric.
3hoever this 0icholson mi*ht $e, he disliked him. #ut then he had a $ri*ht idea.
%!ay$e it's the puppy that's called 0icholson,( he said, )ith a pleadin* look to)ard Christopher
and #rid*et. They lau*hed teasin*ly.
%&'ve *ot several do*s that are called 0icholson,( said Karlsson. %,ello, 0icholson-(
The puppy took a little leap to)ard Karlsson, $arkin* playfully.
%See that-( shouted Eric. %,e kno)s his name is 0icholson. Come alon*, little 0icholson-(
#rid*et *ra$$ed the puppy. %There's a telephone num$er on his collar, as )ell,( she said, )ithout
considerin* Eric's feelin*s.
%The do*'s *ot his o)n telephone,( said Karlsson. %Tell him to call up his master to say that he's
run a)ay. !y do*s al)ays do that )hen they've run a)ay. One of my do*s, called 0icholson, lost
his )ay the other day, so he phoned to let me kno). #ut he had some trou$le )ith the dial, and an
old lady at the other end of the to)n ans)ered instead. 3hen she found that it )as a do* on the
telephone, she said, B3ron* num$er.' B3hy did you ans)er, then1' asked 0icholson, $ecause he's a
very sensi$le do*.(
Eric )as not listenin* to Karlsson. .t present his )hole attention )as on the puppy, and he took no
notice even )hen Karlsson said that he felt like a little fun. #ut Karlsson pouted and said, %&'m
leavin*, if you're *oin* to play )ith that do* all the time. & think I ou*ht to have some fun, too.(
#rid*et and Christopher a*reed )ith him.
%3e could have a ma*ic sho),( said Karlsson, havin* soon *ot over his sulks. %The 3orld's #est
!a*ician"*uess )ho that is1(
Eric, #rid*et, and Christopher *uessed at once that it must $e Karlsson.
%Then )e'll decide to have a ma*ic sho),( said Karlsson.
%.ll ri*ht,( said the children.
%.nd )e'll decide to have a toffee entrance fee.(
%.ll ri*ht,( said the children.
%.nd )e'll decide that all the toffees are to *o to a deservin* charity,( said Karlsson.
%3ell"all ri*ht, then,( said the children dou$tfully.
%.nd there's only one really deservin* charity and that is Karlsson-on-the-Roof,( said Karlsson.
The children looked at each other.
%Oh, & don't kno) 5( $e*an Christopher.
%3e'll decide,( shouted Karlsson, %or else &'m *oin* home.(
So it )as decided that all the toffees should *o to Karlsson-on-the-Roof.
#rid*et and Christopher )ent out into the street and told all the children that there )as *oin* to $e a
$i* ma*ic sho) up at Eric's. .nd those )ho still had at least a penny of their pocket money ran off
to the s)eet shop to $uy toffee.
#rid*et stood $y the door of Eric's room to collect the toffees, )hich she put into a $o+ $earin* the
inscription, %:or a eservin* Charity.(
Christopher had arran*ed chairs for the audience in a ro) across the floor. &n a corner of the room a
$lanket had $een hun*, and $ehind it you could hear a *ood deal of activity *oin* on, and a do*
yappin*.
%3hat are )e *oin* to see1( asked a $oy called Aack. %. lot of nonsense, pro$a$ly, and if so &'m
*oin* to have my toffee $ack.(
0either Eric, #rid*et, nor Christopher thou*ht much of Aack/ he )as al)ays $ra**in*.
Eric, )ho until no) had $een standin* $ehind the $lanket, came out. ,e )as carryin* the little
puppy in his arms.
%4ou are a$out to see the 3orld's #est !a*ician and the clever do* 0icholson,( he said.
%.s )e )ere sayin* 5 the 3orld's #est !a*ician,( said a voice $ehind the $lanket, and Karlsson
stepped for)ard. ,e )as )earin* Eric's father's top hat, and from his shoulders hun* !ommy's
checked apron, the strin*s tied under his chin in a neat $o). The apron )as intended to $e one of
those $lack cloaks that ma*icians )ear.



.ll clapped their hands e+cept Aack. Karlsson $o)ed, lookin* very pleased )ith himself. Then he
raised his top hat, as ma*icians do, to sho) that it )as empty.
%Take a look, ladies and *entlemen,( he said. %There's nothin* in it, not a thin*.(
& e+pect he'll make a ra$$it come out of the hat, thou*ht Eric. ,e had once seen a ma*ician do this.
&t )ill $e funny to see Karlsson make a ra$$it appear, he thou*ht.
%.s & )as sayin* 5 there's nothin* in it,( said Karlsson in a *loomy voice. %.nd there isn't *oin*
to $e anythin* in it, either, if you don't put somethin* in,( he continued. %& can see a lot of *reedy
little children in front of me, eatin* toffees. 3e are no) *oin* to pass the hat around for everyone to
put another toffee in it. &t's for a Cery eservin* Charity.(
Eric passed the hat, and soon there )as 2uite a pile of toffees in it. ,e handed the hat to Karlsson.
%&t rattles suspiciously,( said Karlsson, *ivin* the hat a shake. %&f it )as full of toffees, it )ouldn't
rattle at all.(
,e stuffed one of the toffees into his mouth and $e*an to che). %&t certainly tastes *ood,( he said,
munchin* contentedly.
Aack had not put a sin*le toffee into the hat, althou*h he had a )hole $a* full.
%3ell, my dear youn* friends 5 and Aack,( said Karlsson. %4ou see $efore you the Clever o*
0icholson"the do* )ho can do anythin*> telephone, fly, $ake cakes, talk, scratch his ears 5
anythin*-(
.t that moment the little poodle actually sat do)n $eside Aack's chair and started to scratch his ear.
%4ou see- &'m not e+a**eratin*,( said Karlsson. %This do* can really do anythin*.(
%Rot-( said Aack. %.ny do* can do that. #ut make him talk/ not 2uite so easy, eh1 ,aha-(
Karlsson turned to)ard the puppy. %'you find it difficult to talk, 0icholson1(
%0ot at all,( said 0icholson. %Only )hen &'m smokin* a ci*ar.(
Eric, #rid*et, and Christopher nearly 9umped. &t sounded e+actly as if the puppy )as talkin*. #ut
Eric ima*ined it must $e Karlsson )ho )as up to some trick. ,e )as *lad of that $ecause he )anted
an ordinary do* and not one that could talk.
%=lease, 0icholson,( said Karlsson, %)on't you tell all our friends"and Aack"a little a$out a do*'s
life1(
%Certainly,( said 0icholson.
.nd he $e*an to tell a story.
%& )as at the movies the other ni*ht,( he said, 9umpin* playfully around Karlsson's le*s.
%Oh, so you )ent to the movies1( said Karlsson.
%4es, and there )ere t)o do* fleas sittin* ne+t to me,( said 0icholson.
%There )ere, )ere there1( said Karlsson.
%4es, and )hen )e *ot out into the street after)ard & heard one of the fleas sayin* to the other,
BShall )e walk home, or shall )e *o $y do*1' (
The children all thou*ht it )as a *ood performance, even thou*h there had not $een much ma*ic.
Only Aack sat there, lookin* superior.
%Tell him to $ake some cakes-( he said scornfully.
%3ould you like to $ake some cakes, 0icholson1( said Karlsson.
0icholson ya)ned and lay do)n on the floor. %& can't,( he said.
%,aha, 9ust )hat & thou*ht,( said Aack.
%& haven't *ot any $akin* po)der at home,( said 0icholson.
.ll the children liked 0icholson very much. #ut Aack foolishly )ent on, %Det him fly, then, instead.
4ou don't need any $akin* po)der for that.(
%3ould you like to fly, 0icholson1( asked Karlsson.
0icholson seemed to $e asleep, $ut he did ans)er )hen Karlsson spoke to him. %Oh, & )ouldn't
mind flyin*,( he said, %$ut you'll have to come )ith me, $ecause &'ve promised my mother not to
take off alone.(
%Come alon* then, little 0icholson,( said Karlsson, liftin* the puppy in his arms.
. second later they )ere flyin*, Karlsson and 0icholson. :irst they rose to)ard the ceilin* and
circled around the li*ht t)ice, then they shot strai*ht out of the )indo). .t this even Aack )ent pale
)ith astonishment.
The children all rushed to the )indo) and stood there )atchin* Karlsson and 0icholson float over
the rooftops. #ut Eric called desperately, %Karlsson, Karlsson, $rin* $ack my do*-(
Karlsson soon returned and put 0icholson on the floor. 0icholson shook himself and looked so
surprised one mi*ht have thou*ht it )as the first fli*ht of his life.
%3ell, that's all for today. 3e've nothin* else to offer,( said Karlsson. %#ut you have,( he said,
*ivin* Aack a little nud*e.
Aack did not take the hint.
%Toffee,( said Karlsson.
Aack $rou*ht out his $a* and *ave Karlsson the )hole lot, $ut first he took out a toffee for himself.



%Some people are *reedy,( said Karlsson. Then he looked around ea*erly.
%3here's the $o+ for a eservin* Charity1( he asked.
#rid*et )ent to fetch it. She thou*ht, 0o) that Karlsson's *ot so many he's sure to offer us a toffee.
#ut Karlsson didn't. ,e took the $o+ and counted the toffees.
%:ifteen,( he said. %That'll 9ust do for supper. ,i-ho, &'ve *ot to *o home and have my supper.( .nd
Karlsson disappeared throu*h the )indo).
&t )as time for the children to *o home, includin* #rid*et and Christopher. Eric and 0icholson )ere
left alone, and Eric )as *lad. ,e picked the puppy up in his arms and sat )hisperin* to him. The
puppy licked his face and )ent to sleep. ,e could hear *entle sounds of $reathin* from the sleepin*
puppy.
#ut !ommy came up from the $asement, and then everythin* suddenly )ent )ron*. !ommy did
not $elieve that 0icholson had no)here to live. She dialed the telephone num$er on his collar and
said that her son had found a small, )hite poodle.
Eric )as standin* $eside the telephone )ith 0icholson in his arms, )hisperin* the )hole time,
%=lease, dear ;od, let it not $e their puppy-(
#ut it was their puppy.
%arlin*,( said !ommy, )hen she had put the receiver do)n, %To$y $elon*s to a $oy called
Stephen 0icholson.(
%To$y1( 2ueried Eric.
%4es, it's the name of the puppy. Stephen has $een cryin* all afternoon. ,e's comin* to pick up
To$y at seven o'clock.(
Eric said nothin*, $ut his face )ent )hite, and his eyes *re) lar*e and shiny. ,e s2uee8ed the
puppy and )hispered in his ear )hen !ommy )as not listenin*, %Dittle 0icholson, & )ant you to $e
my do*.(
#ut at seven o'clock Stephen 0icholson came to take a)ay his puppy. Eric )as then lyin* on his
$ed, cryin* as if his heart )ould $reak.

Chapter K - Karlsson ;oes to a #irthday =arty

&t )as summertime. School )as over, and Eric )ould soon $e *oin* to his ;rannie's. #ut first a
very important event )as due to take place. Eric )ould $e ei*ht years old. Oh, )hat a lon* time he
had )aited for this day to come 5 ever since his seventh $irthday- Stran*e that it should $e so lon*
$et)een $irthdays"almost as lon* as $et)een Christmases.
On the eve of his $irthday Eric had a little talk )ith Karlsson.
%&'m *oin* to have a $irthday party,( said Eric. %#rid*et and Christopher are comin*, and )e can
have tea in my room 5(
Eric paused and looked *loomy. %&'d like very much to ask you, too,( he said, %$ut"(
!ommy *ot so an*ry at any mention of Karlsson-on-the-Roof. &t did not seem much use askin* her
to let Karlsson come to his $irthday party.
#ut Karlsson pouted, )ith his lo)er lip stuck out more than ever.
%&'m *oin* home if & can't come,( he said. %3hy shouldn't I have some fun1(
%4es, all ri*ht- 4ou can come,( said Eric hastily. ,e )ould talk to !ommy, come )hat may. &t )as
impossi$le to have a $irthday party )ithout Karlsson.
%3hat )ill there $e to eat1( asked Karlsson, no) restored to *ood humor.
%#irthday cake, of course,( said Eric. %& )ill have a cake )ith ei*ht candles on it.(
%Oh-( said Karlsson. %Dook, &'ve *ot an idea.(
%3hat1( asked Eric.
%Couldn't you ask your !ommy for eight $irthday cakes and one candle instead1(
Eric did not think his !ommy )ould a*ree to that.
%3ill you *et some nice presents, then1( asked Karlsson.
%& don't kno),( said Eric.
,e si*hed. ,e certainly kne) )hat he )anted"more than anythin* else in the )orld. #ut he )ould
not *et it.
%& don't think &'ll have a do* as lon* as & live,( he said. %#ut there'll $e a lot of other presents, of
course. So & must $e contented and not think of a do* all day/ &'ve made up my mind a$out that.(
%4es, and you've *ot me, haven't you1( said Karlsson. %& should ima*ine that's one up on a do*-(
,e tilted his head and looked at Eric. %& )onder )hat sort of presents you'll *et,( he said. %& )onder
if you'll *et any toffee. &f you do, & think it ou*ht to *o strai*ht to a eservin* Charity.(
%Oh, yes- &f & *et a $a* of toffee &'ll *ive it to you,( said Eric. There )as nothin* he )ould not do
for Karlsson, and $esides, they )ould soon have to part.
%Karlsson- The day after tomorro) &'m *oin* a)ay to stay )ith ;rannie, and & )ill $e there all
summer,( said Eric.
Karlsson looked a little sulky at first, $ut then he said importantly, %Im *oin* to my *rannie's, too.
.nd she's much *rannier than yours-(
%3here does your *rannie live1( asked Eric.
%&n a house,( Karlsson replied. %3hat did you think1 She )ouldn't $e out runnin* around all ni*ht,
)ould she1(
.fter that not much more )as said a$out Karlsson's *rannie, or a$out Eric's $irthday presents, or
anythin*, $ecause it )as *ettin* late, and Eric )anted to *o to $ed to make sure that he )ould )ake
up early on his $irthday.

The minutes )hen he )as lyin* in $ed, )aitin* for the door to open and for the family to troop in"
)ith presents and everythin*")ere almost too e+citin*. Eric felt tense )ith ea*er e+pectation.
#ut at last they came. 0o) they started sin*in* %,appy $irthday to you.( 0o) the door opened, and
there they )ere, all of them, !ommy and addy and #o$$y and #etty.
Eric sat up in his $ed, strai*ht as a ramrod, and his eyes sparkled.
%,appy $irthday, darlin*-( said !ommy.
They all )ished him happy $irthday. The cake )ith ei*ht candles )as there on a tray )ith some of
the presents"several presents, $ut perhaps not 2uite so many as he usually had on his $irthday. #ut
addy said, %There may $e more presents later in the day. They don't all necessarily come in the
mornin*.(



Eric )as very pleased )ith all of his presents. There )ere a $o+ of paints, a toy pistol, a $ook, and a
pair of $lue 9eans, and he liked everythin*. ,o) kind they )ere "!ommy and addy and #o$$y
and #etty- 0o one could have a kinder family than he had, he thou*ht.
,e took a couple of shots )ith his pistol, and it made a fine noise. The )hole family sat on his $ed
and listened. Oh, ho) he loved them all-
%To think that ei*ht years have *one $y since this little $oy came into the )orld-( said addy.
%4es,( said !ommy, %ho) time flies- o you remem$er ho) it poured in Stockholm that day1(
%!ommy- & )as $orn in Stockholm, )asn't &1( said Eric.
%4es, of course you )ere,( said !ommy.
%#ut #o$$y and #etty"they )ere $orn in !almL1(
%4es, they )ere.(
%.nd you, addy, you )ere $orn in ;othen$ur*, you said.(
%4es, &'m a ;othen$ur*er,( said addy.
%.nd )here )ere you $orn, !ommy1(
%&n Eskilstuna,( said !ommy.
Eric thre) his arms around her neck.
%3asn't it terrifically lucky that )e all met-(
They all thou*ht it )as. .nd then they san* %,appy #irthday( a*ain, and he fired his pistol and it
made a splendid noise.
,e had plenty of time to shoot )ith his pistol durin* the day )hile he )aited for the hour of the
$irthday party. ,e also had ample time to think over )hat addy had said 5 that there mi*ht $e
more presents later. :or a $rief, happy moment he )ondered if, after all, perhaps a miracle mi*ht
happen and he )ould have a do*"$ut then he came to the conclusion that it )as impossi$le. ,e
)as cross )ith himself for havin* such an idea. ,e remem$ered he had decided not to think of a
do* at all on his $irthday and to $e happy all the same.
Eric was happy. Dater in the afternoon !ommy $e*an to set the ta$le in his room very festively. She
put a $i* vase of flo)ers on it and her $est pink cups and saucers"three of them.
%!ommy, )e )ant four cups,( said Eric.
%3hy1( asked !ommy, surprised.
Eric s)allo)ed. ,e must tell !ommy that he had invited Karlsson-on-the-Roof, althou*h she
)ould not like it.
%Karlsson-on-the-Roof is comin* as )ell,( said Eric, lookin* his mommy steadily in the eye.
%Ooh-( said !ommy. %3ell, & suppose it's all ri*ht. &t is your $irthday, after all.(
She patted Eric's fair head.
%3hat a $a$y you are, Eric, ima*inin* thin*s. 3ho )ould think you're ei*ht years old- ,o) old are
you really1(
%&'m a !an in his =rime,( said Eric )ith di*nity. %.nd so is Karlsson.(

The day seemed to pass at a snail's pace. 0o) it )as 2uite %later,( $ut he still sa) no si*n of any
more presents.
.t last he did have another. #o$$y and #etty came home from school. They shut themselves in
#o$$y's room and )ould not let Eric in. ,e heard them *i**lin* and paper rustlin*. Eric )as
$urstin* )ith curiosity.
.fter a lon* time they came out, and #etty lau*hin*ly handed him a packa*e. Eric )as thrilled and
)anted to tear the paper off at once. #ut #o$$y said, %4ou've *ot to read the verse on it first.(
They had used lar*e capital letters to make it easy for Eric to read, and it said>

#i* sister, $i* $rother, kinder than you thou*ht,
:or little $rother's $irthday, an animal have $ou*ht.
This little velvet poodle do* is *ood and soft and round,
,e does not 9ump up hi*h and $ark/ he never makes a sound.

Eric stood a$solutely still.
%Open it, then-( said #o$$y. #ut Eric thre) the packa*e on the floor, and tears *ushed from his
eyes.
%#ut Eric- 3hatever's the matter1( cried #etty.
%.re you upset1( asked #o$$y unhappily.
#etty thre) her arms around Eric.
%Oh, please for*ive us"it )as only a 9oke.(
Eric $roke a)ay sharply. Tears )ere streamin* do)n his cheeks.
%#ut you kne),( he so$$ed, %$ut you kne) & )anted a real do*. &t )asn't a $it funny.(
,e rushed a)ay from them to his o)n room and thre) himself on the $ed. #o$$y and #etty
follo)ed him and !ommy came runnin*. #ut Eric took no notice of them. ,e )ept so that his
)hole $ody shook. ,is $irthday )as entirely spoiled. ,e )as determined to $e happy, althou*h he
)as not *oin* to have a do*/ $ut )hen they came and *ave him a velvet do* 5 ,is )eepin* rose to
pitiful so$s )hen he thou*ht of it, and he $urro)ed his face as far into the pillo) as he could.
!ommy, #o$$y, and #etty stood $y the $ed, and they too )ere unhappy.
%& must call up addy and ask him to come home from the office a little earlier,( said !ommy.
Eric )as cryin* 5 )hat *ood )ould it do if addy came home1 Everythin* )as sad no), and the
$irthday )as spoiled. 0othin* )ould make any difference.
. little later he heard addy come home 5 $ut he cried. ,e )ould never $e happy a*ain. &t )ould
$e $etter to die, and then #o$$y and #etty could keep their velvet do* and never, never for*et ho)
horrid they had $een to their little $rother )hen he )as alive and had his $irthday.
Suddenly they )ere all standin* $y his $ed, addy and !ommy and #o$$y and #etty. ,e $uried
his face even deeper in the pillo).
%Eric- There's someone )aitin* for you out in the hall,( said addy.
Eric did not ans)er. addy shook him $y the shoulder.
%There's a little friend of yours in the hall/ listen to me-(
%&s it #rid*et or Christopher1( muttered Eric crossly.
%0o, it's some$ody called #im$o,( said !ommy.
%& don't kno) anyone called #im$o,( mum$led Eric, even more crossly.
%=erhaps not,( said !ommy. %#ut he very much )ants to *et to kno) you.( .s she spoke a short
little yappin* $ark )as heard from the hall.
Eric's muscles all )ent tense and he *ripped the pillo) hard 5 0o- he really must stop ima*inin*
thin*s.
#ut once more he heard the little yappin* sound. Eric $olted upri*ht in $ed.
%&s it a do*1( he said. %&s it a real do*1(
%4es, it's your do*,( said addy.
Then #o$$y rushed out into the hall, and a second later he returned, and in his arms he )as carryin*
"oh, it couldn't $e true- &n his arms he )as carryin* a small, )ire-haired dachshund puppy.
%&s it my real do*1( )hispered Eric.
There )ere tears still in his eyes )hen he stretched out his arms for #im$o. ,e looked as if he
thou*ht the puppy )ould at any moment *o up in smoke and disappear.



#ut #im$o did not disappear. #im$o )as in his arms, and #im$o licked his face and )hined and
$arked and snapped at Eric's ears. #im$o )as really real.
%.re you happy no), Eric1( asked addy.
Eric si*hed. ,o) could addy ask such a 2uestion1 ,e )as so happy that it hurt"some)here in
his soul, or in his tummy, or )herever it does hurt )hen you are perfectly happy.
%4ou see, Eric, that velvet do* )as meant to $e a toy for #im$o,( said #etty. %3e didn't mean to $e
horrid 5 not very, any)ay,( she added.
Eric for*ave everyone. #esides, he )as hardly listenin*. ,e )as talkin* to #im$o.
%#im$o, little #im$o, you're my do*-(
Then he said to !ommy, %& think #im$o is cuter than 0icholson. #ecause )ire-haired dachshunds
are the cutest, & think.(
Then he remem$ered that #rid*et and Christopher )ould arrive any minute. Oh, dear, he could not
understand ho) so many lovely thin*s could happen in one sin*le day. Think of it- 0o) they )ould
see that he had a do*, and one that )as really his o)n, and the nicest, nicest, nicest do* on the
)hole earth.
%!ommy- Can & take #im$o )ith me )hen & *o to ;rannie's1( he asked an+iously.
%Of course- 4ou can carry him in this little $asket )hen you *o on the train,( said !ommy, pointin*
at a do* $asket )hich #o$$y had fetched from the hall.
%Oh-( said Eric. %Oh-(
Then the door$ell ran*. &t )as #rid*et and Christopher.
Eric rushed to meet them, shoutin*, %&'ve *ot a do*- &t's my o)n do*-(
%Oh, isn't he s)eet-( said #rid*et. Then she remem$ered herself and said, %,appy $irthday- This is
from Christopher and me.(
She held out a $a* of toffee, then she ea*erly turned $ack to #im$o and e+claimed, %Oh- isn't he
cute-( )hich pleased Eric very much.
%.lmost as cute as Aoffa,( said Christopher.
%.lmost cuter,( said #rid*et. %Even cuter than 0icholson.(
%4es, much cuter than 0icholson,( e+claimed Christopher.
Eric thou*ht that #rid*et and Christopher )ere really nice, $oth of them, and he asked them to
come and sit do)n to the $irthday party.
!ommy had 9ust put out piles of tasty ham-and-cheese sand)iches, and platefuls of pastries. .nd in
the middle of the ta$le stood the $irthday cake )ith ei*ht candles on it.
0o) !ommy $rou*ht a lar*e 9u* of chocolate from the kitchen and poured it into the cups.
%Shouldn't )e )ait for Karlsson1( su**ested Eric.
!ommy shook her head.
%& don't think )e'll $other a$out Karlsson. 4ou see, &'m almost sure he's not *oin* to come. :rom
no) on )e )on't $other a$out him at all. #ecause no) you've *ot #im$o.(
4es, of course, no) he had #im$o 5 $ut that did not make Eric )ant Karlsson any the less at his
party.
#rid*et and Christopher sat do)n at the ta$le, and !ommy handed out the sand)iches. Eric put
#im$o in the little do* $asket and sat do)n himself. Then !ommy )ent a)ay and left the children
to themselves.
#o$$y put his nose throu*h the door and shouted, %4ou'll save some cake, )on't you, so that #etty
and & can each have a slice1(
%& suppose so,( said Eric, %thou*h it doesn't seem 2uite fair. .fter all, you'd $een )olfin* cake for
seven or ei*ht years $efore & )as $orn.(
%on't $e an idiot- & )ant a $i* piece,( said #o$$y, shuttin* the door.
.s soon as he had *one the familiar $u88in* sound )as heard and in came Karlsson.
%,ave you started already1( he shouted. %,o) much have you eaten1(
Eric reassured him. They had not had time to start yet.
%;ood-( said Karlsson.
%.ren't you *oin* to say happy $irthday to Eric1( asked #rid*et.
%Oh, yes, happy $irthday,( said Karlsson. %3here shall I sit1(
There )as no cup for Karlsson, and )hen he noticed this, he stuck out his lo)er lip and looked
cross.
%&'m *oin* home if it's not fair shares. 3hy isn't there a cup for me1(
Eric hastily *ave him his o)n. Then he slipped out into the kitchen and fetched another cup for
himself.
%Karlsson- &'ve *ot a do*,( he said )hen he returned. %,e's over there, and he's called #im$o.(
Eric pointed at #im$o, )ho )as lyin* in his $asket fast asleep.
%Oh, *ood,( said Karlsson. %&'ll take that sand)ich 5 and that one 5 and that one- Oh, &'ve 9ust
remem$ered,( he added. %& $rou*ht a $irthday present for you. &'m the kindest person in the )orld.(
,e took a )histle from his trousers pocket and *ave it to Eric. %4ou can use it )hen you )ant to
)histle for #im$o. & )histle for my do*s, too, thou*h they're called 0icholson and can fly.(
%.re they all called 0icholson1( asked Christopher.
%4es, all thousand of them,( said Karlsson. %3hen are )e *oin* to cut the cake1(
%Thank you, dear, dear Karlsson, for the )histle,( said Eric. %&t'll $e )onderful to have it for
#im$o.(
%=erhaps &'ll $orro) it sometimes,( said Karlsson. %=erhaps &'ll $orro) it 2uite often,( he said, and
added an+iously, %id you receive any toffee1(
%Oh, yes,( said Eric. %:rom #rid*et and Christopher.(
%&t'll *o strai*ht to a eservin* Charity,( said Karlsson, sei8in* the $a*. ,e put it in his pocket and
started on the sand)iches.
#rid*et, Christopher, and Eric had to $e 2uick to *et their share. #ut fortunately !ommy had
provided plenty.
!ommy, addy, #o$$y, and #etty )ere in the sittin* room.
%o you hear them1( said !ommy. %They're havin* a *ood time in there. & am *lad Eric *ot his
do*. &t's *oin* to $e a nuisance, of course, $ut that can't $e helped.(
%4es, no) he'll for*et his silly ideas a$out Karlsson-on-the-Roof. &'m sure of that,( said addy.
Sounds of lau*hter and talkin* came from Eric's room, and !ommy said, %Det's *o and have a look
at the children"they're so funny-(
%4es, let's-( said #etty.
They all )ent in"!ommy and addy and #o$$y and #etty"to look at Eric's $irthday party.
&t )as addy )ho opened the door. #ut it )as !ommy )ho called out first, for it )as she )ho first
cau*ht si*ht of the fat little man sittin* $eside Eric> a fat little man )ith )hipped cream up to his
eyes.
%& feel faint,( said !ommy.
addy, #o$$y, and #etty stood rooted to the floor and stared.



%4ou see, !ommy- Karlsson did come after all,( said Eric happily. %3hat a )onderful $irthday &'m
havin*-(
The fat little man s)ept a)ay some of the cream from his mouth and )ith a chu$$y hand he )aved
to addy, !ommy, #o$$y, and #etty, sprayin* the cream around him like a cloud.
%,i-ho-( he shouted. %4ou haven't had the pleasure yet, have you1 !y name's Karlsson-on-the-
Roof 5 ah, ah, #rid*et, not so *reedy- Im supposed to have some cake too, aren't &1(
,e took hold of #rid*et's hand as she held a piece of cake and made her let it *o. %0ever sa) such
a *reedy little *irl-( he said.
Then he helped himself to another lar*e slice. %The 3orld's #i**est Cake-Eater, that's Karlsson-on-
the-Roof,( he said )ith a sunny smile.
%Come, let's *o,( said !ommy.
%on't let me stop you,( said Karlsson.

%=romise me one thin*,( said addy to !ommy )hen they had shut the door $ehind them.
%=romise me one thin*, all of you"you too #o$$y and #etty- on't tell anybody a$out this"not
anybody-(
%3hy not1( asked #o$$y.
%0o one )ould $elieve us,( said addy. %.nd if they did $elieve us )e )ouldn't have a moment's
peace for the rest of our lives.(
addy, !ommy, #o$$y, and #etty promised each other not to tell a sin*le person a$out the stran*e
playmate Eric had found.
.nd they kept their )ord. 0o one has ever heard them so much as mention Karlsson. That is )hy
Karlsson can *o on livin* in his little house that no one kno)s anythin* a$out, althou*h it stands on
an ordinary roof of an ordinary house on a perfectly ordinary street in Stockholm. Karlsson can
)alk a$out and play tricks undistur$ed, and this is e+actly )hat he does. #ecause he's the 3orld's
#est Tricker.

.ll the sand)iches, all the cakes, and the )hole of the $irthday cake )ere finished, and #rid*et and
Christopher had *one home/ #im$o slept, and Eric )as sayin* *ood-$y to Karlsson. Karlsson )as
sittin* on the )indo) led*e, ready to fly off. The curtains fluttered to and fro, the air )as soft, for it
)as summertime.
%ear Karlsson, you'll still $e livin* on the roof )hen & come $ack from ;rannie's, )on't you1(
said Eric.
%Calm, $e calm-( said Karlsson. %So lon* as my *rannie lets me *o. #ut you never can tell, $ecause
she thinks &'m the 3orld's #est ;randchild.(
%.re you1( asked Eric.
%Of course- 3ho else1 Can you think of any$ody $etter1( asked Karlsson.
Then he turned the $utton in the middle of his tummy and the en*ine $e*an to $u88.
%3hen & come $ack, )e shall have lots of cake,( he shouted, %$ecause this )asn't enou*h to fatten
any$ody. ,i-ho, Eric-(



%,i-ho, Karlsson-( shouted Eric.
.nd Karlsson )as *one.

#ut $y the side of Eric's $ed lay #im$o in the little do* $asket, fast asleep. Eric $ent over him, and
put his face in #im$o's fur. 3ith a rou*h little hand he *ently stroked the puppy's head.
%#im$o, tomorro) )e're off to ;rannie's,( he said. %;ood ni*ht, #im$o- S)eet dreams, #im$o-(


=u$lication &nfo

.STR& D&0;RE0
Karlsson-
on-the-Roof
&llustrated $y Aan =yk
Translated by A!IA""# T$!"#!

The %iking &ress
"ew York


'irst #nglish-language edition published in #ngland
under the title Eric and Karlsson-on-the-Roof.
Copyri*ht 1IGG, M 1IJ1 $y .strid Dind*ren
Translation copyri*ht M O+ford ?niversity =ress 1IGK
=u$lished in 1IJ1 $y The Cikin* =ress, &nc., H@G !adison .venue, 0e) 4ork, 0.4. 1NN@@
Di$rary of Con*ress catalo* card num$er> JH-1H@HJN. =rinted in ?.S...
1 @ E F G JG JF JE J@ J1
:ic 1. S)eden
HJN-F11JH-N
vl$ HJN-F11JJ-I