ELMAN VIAPORIN MATKA
by Vera Hjelt · from Siskosarjalle : $b Satuja ja kertoelmia
Adapted Version
It was a sunny day. Elma played in the park with her doll. Her doll sat in a small carriage. The sun was warm and bright. The sky was very blue. The grass was green and soft. Elma was very happy.
A man came with many balloons. He had big, colorful balloons. They were red, pink, and blue. They bobbed in the air. Elma looked and looked. "Balloons!" she said.
A kind man saw Elma. He gave her a big red balloon. Elma was very happy. "More balloons!" she said. The kind man smiled. He tied many balloons to her. The balloons were bright and shiny.
The balloons lifted Elma up. She floated into the sky. She went up, up, up. It was a big adventure. The ground looked small. The houses looked small. Elma was not scared. She felt light and free.
Everyone looked up. They felt sad and helpless. "Oh no!" they said. "What can we do?" They pointed at the sky. They talked and talked.
Many smart people tried to help. They thought and thought. But they could not help. They shook their heads. They had no ideas.
Elma's mother ran fast. She pushed through the people. She needed to help her child. "I will save you!" she thought. Her heart beat fast.
She found a helper. He had a long, sticky stick. "I can pop the balloons," he said. He was very calm. He smiled kindly.
They waited for Elma to float near. The helper was very calm. He was ready. He watched carefully. He held his stick up high.
Pop! One balloon broke. Pop! Another one broke. The helper was very good. Pop! Pop! Pop! The balloons made loud sounds.
Elma came down slowly. Her mother was so happy. She smiled a big smile. "You are safe!" she cried. She opened her arms wide.
Elma was safe in her mother's arms. Her mother hugged her tight. "I love you," she said. "I love you too," said Elma. They were together again.
Love helped when other things could not.
Original Story
ELMAN VIAPORIN MATKA.
Oli kaunis kevätpäivä monta vuotta sitten. Kello oli kaksitoista ja aurinko helotti korkealla taivaalla. Sieltä se katseli ystävällisesti lämpimällä silmällään pikku lapsia, jotka leikkivät Runebergin esplanaadissa.
Pienokaisilla oli mukanaan lapiot, haravat, pallot ja muut leikkikalut. Olivatpa nuketkin päässeet mukaan. Siinä istui Elman nukki Marjattakin parhaimmassa hameessaan. Hänellä oli korvamyssy päässä ja oikean suutarin tekemät kengät jalassa. Marjatta istui nukenvaunuissa ja katsoa töllisteli silmiään räpyttämättä isoa keltaista aurinkoa. Silloin alkoi Marjatan poskia kuumottaa, mutta punehtumisen taitoa ei kukaan ollut hänelle opettanut. Marjatta oli erittäin tyyni ja tasainen pikku neiti, joka ei laisinkaan ujostellut, kun joku vieras häntä puhutteli, ja jos hänelle kertoi jonkun salaisuuden, niin hän ei kertonut sitä kellekään.
Elma piti paljon Marjalasta, mutta pitikö tämä pikku neiti itsekin itsestään, sitä ei kukaan tiennyt.
Antti oli alkanut hevosleikin, »Pitkä Leena» oli ajajana, ja neljä suurta tynnyrin vannetta vieri eteenpäin leveällä käytävällä. Niitä ajoivat Jenny, Eeva, Oskari ja Anna.
— Heleijaa! Palloukko tulee! huusivat lapset yhteen ääneen. Ja koko joukko kerääntyi palloukon ympärille lapioineen, haravoineen, nukkineen ja muine tavaroineen. Ja silloinpa kuului nauru ja riemu palloryssän ympärillä!
Pikku Elma oli muitten joukossa.
— Piuuuu, piuuuuu, pani muuan palloista, kun ilma virtasi ulos reijän kautta. Sellainen ääni oli Elmalle mieleen. Hän katseli isoilla sinisillä silmillään halukkaasti noita koreita palloja, jotka keinuivat niin hauskasti tuolla ilmassa. Hän huusi ihastuksesta, nousi varpailleen ja kohotti pieniä valkoisten lapasten sisälle kätkettyjä kätösiään ilmaan niin pitkälle kuin käsivarret ylettyivät.
Vieras herra kulki ohitse. Hän kääntyi katsomaan ja pysähtyi. Vieras herra huomasi, kuinka hartaasti pikku Elma halusi palloa. Silloin hänessä heräsi ystävällinen ajatus ja hän osti pikku Elmalle suuren punaisen pallon ja kiinnitti sen tytön peukaloon, jottei se leijaisi tiehensä. Mutta Elma ei osannut tyytyä siihen, mitä sai. Hän pyysi niin herttaisen somasti, että »setä» antaisi hänelle enemmän palloja. Hän hyppi ja huitoi käsillään innokkaasti ja hauskasti ja tavoitteli palloja ilmasta.
Tuon pienen kaksivuotiaan innostus sai »vieraan sedän» hyvälle tuulelle. Hän pyysi palloryssää lainaamaan hetkeksi pallokimppuaan Elmalle.
Kimpussa oli ainakin pari sataa palloa: vaaleanpunaisia, tummanpunaisia ja sinisiä. »Vieras setä» sitoi palloihin kiinnitetyn nuoran Elman vyötäisille.
Mutta mitä tapahtui?
Pallot alkoivat kohota ja pikku Elma kohosi mukana. Pallot nousivat yhä korkeammalle. Ihmiset esplanaadissa näkivät, miten pikku Elma potki jaloillaan ja ojenteli pieniä lapasiin kätkettyjä kätösiään maahan päin, mutta mikään ei auttanut. Pallot leijasivat kohden pilviä ja Elma mukana.
Siinä seisoivat nyt »vieras setä», »Pitkä Leena», Marjatta ja kaikki pienet leikkitoverit katsellen, kuinka Elma hiljaisen tuulen kannattamana purjehti ilmojen halki Viaporia kohden.
»Vieras setä» oli neuvoton, kaikki kaupungin isät ja äidit olivat neuvottomat.
Millä keinoin saisikaan Elman ilmasta, kun ei tikapuista ole apua?
Siinäkös alkoi juoksu ja neuvotteleminen! Koko kaupunki oli liikkeellä etsimässä jotain viisasta ihmistä, joka keksisi keinon, millä Elman saisi takaisin maan pinnalle.
— Joutukaa… pian, pian! huudettiin poliiseille. — Ottakaa Elma kiinni, muuten tuuli vie hänet vaikka Saharan erämaahan, tai putoaa hän mereen ja hukkuu!
Mutta poliisit pudistivat päätään neuvottomina. Heille oli vanhastaan tuttua, että ihmiset olivat valmiit vaatimaan, että heidän piti temmata vaikka kuu taivaalta. Mutta silläkin on omat vaikeutensa, tuumasivat he.
Kaikki viisaat ihmiset kutsuttiin kokoon. Siellä olivat kaikki neuvosherrat neuvottelemassa: siellä oli todelliset ja nimelliset valtioneuvokset, siellä oli kanslianeuvokset, kunnallisneuvokset, kamarineuvokset, hovineuvokset y.m., mutta yksikään ei ollut kyllin neuvokas keksiäkseen keinoa Elman pelastamiseksi.
— Nyt se laskeutuu!
— Ei, se nousee taas!
— Se laskeutuu, se laskeutuu! huusi kansanjoukko, ja kaikkialta kuului huutoa ja vaikeroimista.
Silloin tunkeutui pikku Elman äiti esille kansanjoukosta. Hän ei huutanut eikä vaikeroinnut. Hän riensi eteenpäin kautta väentungoksen ääneti, kalpeana ja nopeaan, aivan kuin olisi hänellä ollut siivet. Ja kummallista — kukaan ei kysynyt, ken hän oli, mutta kaikki väistyivät hänen tieltään. Aivan kuin yhteisestä suostumuksesta nuo suuret väkijoukot antoivat hänelle tietä.
Isossa talossa asuivat tarkk'ampujat. He olivat saaneet nimensä siitä, että osasivat ampua niin tarkasti. He olisivat voineet tähdätä vaikka neulan nuppiin, jos se olisi asetettu maalitaululle. Heidän luoksensa meni äiti ja pyysi heitä tulemaan pyssyineen pelastamaan hänen lastansa.
Pallot nousivat ja laskeutuivat vuoron perään. Kesti siis kauan aikaa, ennenkuin Elma saapui Viaporiin, jossa äiti jo toivon ja epätoivon vaiheella tarkk'ampujan kanssa lastansa odotti.
Pyssy oli ladattuna. Tarkk'ampuja odotti sopivaa hetkeä. Se tulikin. Luoti vihiäsi ilmaa. Se puhkasi ylimmäisen pallon. Hän ampui ampumistaan. Joka laukauksella särkyi pallo, ja Elma laskeusi yhä alemma, ja samalla kohosi äidin rinnasta palavat rukoukset taivahille. Ja kun viimeinen luoti oli lauaistu, saattoi äiti ilosta väristen jo sulkea syliinsä pikku Elman.
Elma oli pelastettu.
Kun viisaus oli ollut neuvottomana, oli rakkaus keksinyt keinon.
Elma vietiin höyrylaivalla Viaporista kotiin. Hän oli uupunut ja nukkui koko matkan. Herättyään pienokainen tuskin muistikaan purjehtineensa ilmassa Viaporiin. Ei hän ainakaan tiennyt kertoa matkastaan, ei sääskistä, kärpäsistä, linnuista eikä muista huvimatkailijoista, jotka hänen kanssaan olivat purjehtineet Runebergin esplanaadista Viaporiin.
Story DNA
Moral
When conventional wisdom fails, love and determination can find a way.
Plot Summary
On a beautiful spring day, little Elma is given a large cluster of balloons by a kind stranger, which unexpectedly lift her into the sky and carry her towards Viapori. The city's adults and 'wise men' are helpless to rescue her. Elma's determined mother, however, seeks out a skilled sharpshooter. As Elma floats over Viapori, the sharpshooter systematically bursts the balloons, allowing Elma to descend safely into her mother's arms, proving that love can find a way where conventional wisdom fails.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocent joy to peril to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a time before modern aviation or rescue technology, making the balloon incident a truly dire situation. The mention of specific Helsinki landmarks grounds the fairy tale in a real-world setting.
Plot Beats (13)
- Children, including Elma and her doll Marjatta, play happily in Runeberg's esplanade on a sunny spring day.
- A 'balloon man' arrives, and Elma is captivated by the colorful balloons.
- A kind stranger buys Elma a red balloon, then, charmed by her enthusiasm, ties a large cluster of hundreds of balloons to her waist.
- The balloons lift Elma into the air, and she floats away towards Viapori, despite her attempts to kick and reach for the ground.
- The stranger, other children, and all the adults in the city are helpless and distressed, unable to devise a way to bring Elma down.
- All the city's 'wise men' (various councillors) are called upon but cannot find a solution, as Elma continues to drift up and down.
- Elma's mother, pale and silent, pushes through the frantic crowd, her determination evident.
- The mother goes to the sharpshooters, known for their precision, and asks for their help.
- As Elma floats over Viapori, the sharpshooter, with the mother present, waits for the opportune moment.
- The sharpshooter fires, bursting the top balloon, and continues to shoot, breaking one balloon with each shot.
- With each burst balloon, Elma descends lower, while her mother offers fervent prayers.
- After the last balloon is shot, Elma is safely reunited with her mother, who embraces her with joy.
- The story concludes that love succeeded where wisdom failed, and Elma is taken home, barely remembering her adventure.
Characters
Elma
A very small, delicate two-year-old girl. Her build is typical of a toddler, with soft, rounded limbs. She is light enough to be lifted by a cluster of balloons.
Attire: She wears white mittens on her small hands. Her other clothing is not detailed but would be appropriate for a child playing in a park in spring in early 20th-century Finland, likely a simple dress and perhaps a light coat.
Wants: To acquire more balloons, driven by childlike wonder and desire.
Flaw: Her extreme youth and inability to understand consequences; her small size makes her vulnerable.
She experiences an extraordinary, terrifying journey but is too young to fully comprehend or remember it, returning to her innocent state.
Enthusiastic, easily delighted, persistent (in asking for more balloons), innocent, somewhat demanding (in a childlike way).
Marjatta
A doll, described as a 'little lady' (pikku neiti). She is well-dressed and appears to be of good quality, with a sturdy build that allows her to sit upright in a doll carriage.
Attire: She wears her 'best skirt' (parhaimmassa hameessaan), an ear cap (korvamyssy) on her head, and shoes made by a real shoemaker (oikean suutarin tekemät kengät) on her feet. This suggests a well-cared-for doll with detailed, period-appropriate clothing for a Finnish child's doll.
Wants: To be a good companion for Elma (implied).
Flaw: Being an inanimate object, she cannot move or react independently.
Remains unchanged, a steadfast presence.
Tyyni (calm), tasainen (even-tempered), not shy, discreet (keeps secrets). These are projected personality traits from Elma's perspective.
The Foreign Gentleman
An adult man, his build is not specified but he is capable of interacting with children and purchasing items. He is a passerby in the park.
Attire: His clothing is not specified, but as a 'gentleman' in early 20th-century Helsinki, he would likely wear a suit, a hat, and a coat, appropriate for a stroll in the park.
Wants: To bring joy to a child; later, to help rescue Elma, though he is helpless.
Flaw: Lack of foresight, leading to Elma's predicament; helplessness in a crisis.
He inadvertently causes Elma's aerial journey and then becomes one of the many helpless onlookers, learning the consequences of impulsive generosity.
Kind, observant, generous, easily amused, well-meaning but ultimately thoughtless in his actions.
The Balloon Man
An adult man, likely of a sturdy build to manage a large cluster of balloons. He is referred to as 'Palloukko' (Balloon Man) and 'palloryssä' (Balloon Russian), which might imply a specific ethnic background or simply a common term for street vendors in that era.
Attire: His clothing is not specified but would be practical and perhaps a bit worn, typical for a street vendor in early 20th-century Helsinki. He would likely have a way to carry and display many balloons.
Wants: To sell balloons; to assist the Foreign Gentleman.
Flaw: None explicitly shown.
Remains unchanged.
Accommodating, as he lends his balloon cluster.
Elma's Mother
An adult woman, described as pale and moving with great speed and determination, as if she had wings. Her physical appearance is secondary to her emotional state and actions.
Attire: Her clothing is not specified, but she would be dressed in typical early 20th-century Finnish civilian attire, likely a practical dress and perhaps a shawl or coat, suitable for rushing through a crowd.
Wants: To save her child, Elma, at any cost.
Flaw: Her emotional vulnerability due to her child's danger.
She transforms from a worried bystander into the active agent of her child's rescue, demonstrating the power of maternal love.
Devoted, determined, resourceful (in seeking help), loving, courageous, silent in her grief and action.
The Sharpshooter
An adult man, a member of a unit known for their precise shooting skills. His build is likely strong and steady, suitable for handling a rifle with accuracy.
Attire: As a 'tarkk'ampuja' (sharpshooter) living in a large house, he would likely wear a uniform or practical, sturdy clothing appropriate for his skill, possibly a military or militia-style uniform from early 20th-century Finland.
Wants: To perform his duty and assist in the rescue of Elma.
Flaw: None explicitly shown.
He successfully executes the plan to save Elma, demonstrating his skill.
Skilled, precise, patient, calm under pressure, helpful.
Locations
Runebergin Esplanaadi (Esplanade Park)
A beautiful, wide promenade in Helsinki, bustling with children playing. The sun shines brightly overhead, illuminating the open space where children gather with their toys. There are wide pathways and open areas suitable for games.
Mood: Joyful, lively, innocent, bustling with activity, then quickly shifts to anxious and frantic.
Children are playing, Elma receives a large cluster of balloons, and then is lifted into the sky by them, beginning her unexpected journey.
The Sky Above Helsinki and Viapori
An expansive, open sky with clouds, through which Elma floats, carried by a cluster of balloons. Below, the city of Helsinki stretches out, eventually giving way to the sea and the fortress island of Viapori (Suomenlinna).
Mood: Surreal, wondrous, terrifying, vast, lonely, with a sense of helpless drift.
Elma's journey through the air, carried by balloons, from the city towards the fortress island, observed by anxious crowds below.
Viapori (Suomenlinna) Fortress Island
A historic sea fortress island, likely with stone walls, barracks, and open areas. The story implies a specific 'big house' where sharpshooters reside, suggesting military architecture. The mother and the sharpshooter wait in an open area, looking up.
Mood: Tense, hopeful, desperate, focused on the impending rescue.
Elma's mother and a sharpshooter await Elma's arrival. The sharpshooter shoots the balloons, allowing Elma to descend safely into her mother's arms.