This page offers The Rattrap summary Class 12 pdf in easy language. We have presented short and long summaries from 50 words to 300 words. Go through to get a deep insight of the chapter The Rattrap from the Book Flamingo.  It is useful for exam point of view and quick learning of the chapter. Downloadable PDF is also available.  

1- Short Summary of “The Rattrap” 

This short summary will help you to understand the chapter easily and quickly covering the main events of the chapter. Read in no time and understand quickly the chapter “The Rattrap”

A poor man sold rattraps and survived by begging and stealing. He thought the world was like a big rattrap, tempting people with riches. One evening, he asked for shelter at a crofter’s house. The crofter welcomed him and gave him food.

The next morning, the peddler stole the crofter’s money and ran away, but he got lost in the forest. He followed the sounds from an iron mill and met the ironmaster, who mistook him for an old friend and invited him home.

The peddler agreed when the kind daughter, Edla, asked him. At their house, he got clean clothes and good food. The next morning, the ironmaster realized the mistake, but Edla convinced him to let the peddler stay for Christmas. Before leaving, the peddler gave Edla a rattrap with the stolen money and a thank you note, showing how her kindness changed him.

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2- Detailed Summary of “The Rattrap” 

This detailed summary will help you to understand the chapter deeply as it  covers all of the details of the chapter deeply. Read it and understand the chapter in depth knowing all the details of the chapter “The Rattrap” 

The Peddler’s Hard Life

Once there was a poor man who sold small rattraps made of wire. He made them himself from wire that he got by begging or stealing. His life was very hard. He had to beg and steal to survive. This made him sad and lonely.

The World is a Rattrap

One day, the peddler had an idea. He thought the whole world was like a big rattrap. It tempted people with riches and joys, just like a rattrap tempts mice with cheese. When people took the bait, they were trapped, just like mice. This idea made him feel better about his own life because he thought everyone was trapped in some way.

A Warm Welcome at the Crofter’s House

One evening, the peddler knocked on the door of a small gray cottage to ask for shelter. The owner, a lonely crofter, welcomed him. The crofter was happy to have someone to talk to. He gave the peddler food, tobacco, and played cards with him. The crofter showed the peddler thirty kronor that he had earned by selling milk from his cow. He kept the money in a leather pouch hung on the window frame.

The Theft and the Escape

The next morning, the peddler stole the crofter’s money. He felt smart but also scared of getting caught. To avoid being seen, he ran into the forest. The forest was big and confusing. He soon got lost. He felt trapped in the forest, just like he had thought about the world being a rattrap.

Finding Shelter at the Ironworks

As he wandered, he heard the sound of hammer strokes from an iron mill. He followed the sound and reached the Ramsjo Ironworks. The blacksmiths working there allowed him to warm himself by the fire. They didn’t ask many questions because it was common for poor people to seek warmth there.

Mistaken Identity

The ironmaster, who owned the mill, saw the peddler and mistook him for an old friend named Nils Olof. The poor light and the peddler’s shabby appearance caused this mistake. The ironmaster invited him home, but the peddler refused, afraid of being caught with the stolen money.

Edla’s Kindness

The ironmaster sent his daughter, Edla Willmansson, to bring the peddler home. She was kind and gentle. She promised him he could leave whenever he wanted. Feeling safe, the peddler agreed to go with her. Edla’s kindness and understanding touched the peddler deeply.

A Comfortable Christmas

At the ironmaster’s house, the peddler was treated very well. He got clean clothes and good food. He had a comfortable Christmas Eve. But the next morning, the ironmaster saw him clearly and realized he was not his old friend. He got angry and wanted to call the sheriff.

A Confession and Plea

The peddler explained that the whole world was a rattrap and he had been caught in it. He admitted he was not the ironmaster’s friend and pleaded not to be reported to the sheriff. Edla, who believed in showing kindness, asked her father to let the peddler stay for Christmas. She convinced her father to show mercy.

The Peddler’s Transformation

The peddler stayed and enjoyed Christmas with them. Before he left, he gave Edla a small rattrap as a gift. Inside the rattrap, he left the stolen thirty kronor and a note thanking her for her kindness. He signed the note “Captain von Stahle,” which was the name the ironmaster had mistakenly called him.

The Lesson of Kindness

The story shows how kindness and compassion from Edla changed the peddler. He felt guilty for his wrongs and decided to be honest. This story teaches us that everyone deserves a chance to change and that kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life. It also shows that treating others with respect and understanding can lead to positive changes and redemption.

3- Point-Wise Summary of “The Rattrap” 

1. Peddler’s Hard Life: The poor peddler sells rattraps and survives by begging and stealing, feeling sad and lonely.

2. World as a Rattrap: The peddler believes the world tempts people with riches, trapping them like a rattrap catches mice.

3. Shelter at the Crofter’s House: The lonely crofter welcomes the peddler, gives him food, tobacco, and shows him his money.

4. Theft and Escape: The peddler steals the crofter’s money and runs into the forest to avoid being caught, feeling lost and trapped.

5. Reaching the Ironworks: The peddler finds the Ramsjo Ironworks by following the sound of hammer strokes and warms himself by the fire.

6. Mistaken Identity: The ironmaster mistakes the peddler for an old friend due to poor lighting and invites him home.

7. Edla’s Kindness: The ironmaster’s daughter, Edla Willmansson, kindly convinces the peddler to come home, promising he can leave whenever he wants.

8. Christmas Eve at the Ironmaster’s House: The peddler enjoys good food and clean clothes but is discovered not to be the ironmaster’s friend the next morning.

9. Confession and Plea: The peddler explains his view of the world as a rattrap and pleads not to be reported; Edla convinces her father to let him stay for Christmas.

10. Peddler’s Transformation: Before leaving, the peddler returns the stolen money in a rattrap, thanks Edla for her kindness, and signs the note “Captain von Stahle,” showing his change of heart.