HOIDON PUUTTEESSA
by Vera Hjelt · from Siskosarjalle : $b Satuja ja kertoelmia
Adapted Version
Once, there was a boy named Pekka. His kind sister Sere cared for him. Mom was at work all day. Sere rocked the cradle very gently. She sang a soft, sweet song. Pekka slept happily in his bed. He was a small, quiet baby.
Sere wanted to feed the chicken. She climbed on a tall chair. She reached for some bread. She knocked a bowl down. It made a loud noise! Pekka woke up and cried. He was very scared.
Sere tried to calm him. She showed him the chicken. The chicken clucked softly. Pekka reached for the door. He fell from the table. He hurt his arm and cried. Mom came home and helped him. She hugged him very tightly.
Pekka lived alone for a long time. He felt sad and very lonely. A cat was his good friend. It purred softly on his bed. It kept him company every day. They were quiet together.
Pekka moved to a new home. It was near a little school. A kind Teacher lived there. The Teacher saw Pekka was sad. He had a gentle smile.
The Teacher helped Pekka learn. He gave him a special machine. Pekka learned to make things. He wove baskets and mats. He worked with his one hand. It was fun to learn.
Pekka worked every day. He earned his own money. He felt proud and very happy. He bought his own bread. He shared it with his cat.
Pekka had many friends. The Teacher visited him often. Neighbors asked him for work. A girl named Elsa read stories. The cat purred on his lap. They laughed at funny tales. They drank warm tea.
Pekka grew old. He told stories to children. They loved to listen. His eyes were kind and bright. He was never alone. He was happy because he had friends. He could help others. His heart was full of joy.
Original Story
HOIDON PUUTTEESSA.
Äiti oli rahatyössä. Pekka makasi kehdossa. Sere istui laidalla ja tuuti niin, että veljen pää vaappui edestakaisin aivan kuin kylän keinu. Hän lauloi lujalla äänellä: »Huis sika metsään, tuo Pekalle marjoja punaisessa pussisessa, sinisessä säkkisessä.» Ja veli nukkui kuin terveet lapset ainakin. Vähitellen Sere herkesi tuutimasta, niin että kärpänen sai aikaa tepastella Pekan pyöreiden punaposkien yli.
Sere oli vaan kuusivuotias.
Siellä hän istui Pekan kanssa yksinään hiljaisessa tuvassa. Ei kissaakaan edes näkynyt. Se oli lähtenyt hiiriä pyytämään, kun maitokuppi oli liian kauan ollut tyhjänä.
— Kaak, kaak, äänteli kana pihalla.
Sere juoksi ikkunaan. Sekin jo oli hauskaa, että kana kaakotti ulkona, kun sisässä oli niin ikävää.
Sere oli toimekas pikku tyttö. Koti oli köyhä, ja kun äiti oli ulkona rahatyössä, niin Sere oli keittäjä, lapsenhoitaja, siivooja, kanapiika ja torpan emäntä yht'aikaa. Tavallisesti hän teki tehtävänsä reippaasti ja kunnollisesti, mutta sattui onnettomuuksiakin toisinaan tulemaan.
Kun kana kaakotti, väänteli päätään ja tirkisteli ikkunasta sisään, niin Seren teki mieli heittää sille leipäpuretusta. Hän kapusi tuolille ja koetti saada käteensä hyllyllä olevan leivänpalasen. Äiti oli hiirien takia pannut sen korkealle.
Sere kohottausi varpailleen, minkä jaksoi, mutta työnsi samassa hyllyltä alas kivivadin, joka kolisten putosi lattialle.
Seren pieni sydän tykytti säikähdyksestä. Pekka heräsi, ja sitten lapset yhdessä itkivät hyvän aikaa.
Mutta eihän asia itkusta parannut. Pekka otettiin kehdosta. Vaivalla sai Sere hänet raapotetuksi pöydälle kanaa katsomaan.
Istu hiljaa, Pekka poju! Sere kutsuu kanan ikkunan alle.
Pekka ei ymmärtänyt vähääkään koko varotuksesta. Hän näki vaan, että sisar tarttui tuvan oveen lähteäksensä viemään leipää kanalle. Hän ojensihe sinne päin, huusi ja sätkytteli vähä pieniä sääriään ja… putosi selkä edellä lattialle pienen jakkaran päälle.
Pekka huusi hirveästi.
Sere parka helisteli, minkä jaksoi, lusikkaa läkkituopissa, mutta ei sekään veljeä viihdyttänyt. Sere ei ollut koskaan nähnyt Pekan huutavan niin kuin nyt.
Vihdoinkin tuli äiti kotiin. Sere pantiin tilille tapaturmasta, ja äiti huomasi heti, että Pekkaa oli kohdannut suuri onnettomuus.
Pekka oli taittanut käsivartensa ja loukannut pahasti selkänsä.
Äiti ja Sere hoitelivat häntä parhaansa perään, mutta he eivät ymmärtäneet, että Pekka parka oli niin vaikeita vammoja saanut, ennenkuin äiti muutaman viikon kuluttua vei pojan kaupungin sairashuoneeseen. Siellä Pekka sai maata pitkät ajat.
Mutta apu tuli liian myöhään. Lääkärien täytyi leikata käsivarsi pois, ja lapsen, joka ei vielä edes osannut seisoa jaloillaan, täytyi sittemmin kipeän selkänsä takia oppia käymään sauvojen varassa.
Äiti kuoli muutamien vuosien kuluttua ja Sere meni palvelukseen. Pekka joutui vieraille ihmisille ruotuvaivaiseksi. Siellä hän istui kyyryllään vuoteella monta pitkää vuotta. Pekka parka unohdettiin. Toisinaan ei muistettu antaa hänelle ruokaakaan. Ei kukaan ollut oikein hyvä hänelle. Kullakin oli täysi työ vaan omista puuhistaan. Eikä kukaan ehtinyt hänelle mitään opettamaan.
Lapsena Pekalla oli tapana itkeä, kun hän jätettiin yksin avuttomana kotiin. Hänen ainoana ilonansa oli kissa, joka toisinaan tuli hänen sänkyynsä hyrräämään.
Tuo herttainen pikku kissa, se oli niin ystävällinen Pekka paralle.
Näin istui Pekka kaksikymmentä viisi vuotta, aina samassa asennossa. Mutta sitten hänelle alkoi onnen päivät. Hän vietiin ruodille toiseen paikkaan, joka oli kirkon kylässä lähellä kansakoulua. Siellä kansakoulunopettaja tuli tuntemaan Pekan ja auttoi häntä monella tavalla.
Hän opetti Pekkaa tekemään työtä sekä rakastamaan työtä. Hän hankki Pekalle pienen koneen, jota tämä käytti pois sahatun käden asemesta. Opettaja neuvoi Pekkaa pujottelemaan tuolinpohjia rottingista, kutomaan nauhaa ja valmistamaan monellaisia pikku teoksia, joita hän itse oli oppinut raajarikkoisten koulussa Helsingissä.
Pekka sai työllään 30 penniä päivässä. Ja kuolinpäiväänsä asti söi hän omaa ansaitsemaansa leipää.
Pekka tunsi itsensä onnelliseksi. Hän tiesi maailmassa olevan monta, joiden kohtalo oli paljoa kovempi kuin hänen. Olihan hän itse istunut 25 vuotta aina samassa paikassa kaikkien unohtamana, ilman työtä ja tietämättä mitään, mikä olisi antanut ajatuksille sisällystä. Silloin hän todella oli ollut onneton. Nyt hänellä oli työtä ja oli ystäviä. Täälläkin oli kissa, joka ystävällisesti hyrräten kehräsi päätään Pekan polveen ja piti hänen keräänsä leikkikalunaan, kun se putosi lattialle. Opettaja kävi tuon tuostakin häntä tervehtimässä, naapurien väki tilasi häneltä töitä ja talon pikku Elsa luki hänen kuullensa läksyjään. Lukipa Elsa joskus joutohetkinä Pekalle satujakin. Silloin he yhdessä raikkaasti nauroivat »Pikku Mattia» ja »Olli Hiihtosta» ja muita hauskoja juttuja, joita Elsa oli kuullut ääneen luettavan käsityötunneilla koulussa.
Vanhaksi tultuaan Pekka kertoi Elsan satuja muille lapsille.
Ja Pekka oli lasten mielestä hauska setä. He kävivät usein hänen luonaan satuja kuulemassa. Ja niin ei Pekan enää tarvinnut viettää päiviänsä yksin ja ihmisten unohtamana. Hän oli oppinut jakamaan iloa muille ja itse hän oli iloisin iloisten joukossa.
Story DNA
Moral
Even in the face of profound adversity and neglect, finding purpose and connection can lead to a fulfilling life.
Plot Summary
Six-year-old Sere, left to care for her infant brother Pekka, accidentally causes him severe injuries that lead to an amputation and permanent disability. After their mother's death, Pekka is abandoned to a life of neglect as a parish charge for 25 years. His fate changes when a kind schoolteacher discovers him, teaches him a trade, and provides him with tools to earn his own living. Pekka ultimately finds happiness, purpose, and companionship, becoming a beloved storyteller in his old age, no longer forgotten.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects the harsh realities of poverty and social welfare in Finland during the late 19th or early 20th century, highlighting the vulnerability of children and the disabled in a society with limited social safety nets.
Plot Beats (10)
- Sere, a six-year-old, is left to care for her infant brother Pekka while their mother is at work.
- Sere tries to get bread for a chicken, accidentally knocking down a stone bowl and startling Pekka.
- While Sere tries to calm Pekka by showing him the chicken, Pekka falls from the table onto a stool, severely injuring his arm and back.
- Their mother returns, and after some weeks, takes Pekka to a hospital where his arm is amputated, and he is left permanently disabled.
- Years later, after their mother's death, Pekka is sent to live with strangers as a parish charge, where he is neglected and forgotten for 25 years, his only companion a cat.
- Pekka is moved to a new 'ruotu' in a church village, near a school.
- A kind schoolteacher discovers Pekka and teaches him various crafts, like weaving, using a special machine adapted for his disability.
- Pekka begins to earn his own living, gaining independence and a sense of purpose.
- Pekka finds happiness, friendship with the teacher, neighbors, and a new cat, and enjoys listening to stories read by a local girl, Elsa.
- As an old man, Pekka shares Elsa's stories with other children, becoming a beloved figure in the community and no longer forgotten.
Characters
Sere
A small, slender girl, typical of a six-year-old in a poor Finnish household, likely with a somewhat thin build from meager sustenance.
Attire: Simple, worn Finnish peasant clothing from the late 19th or early 20th century. This would include a practical, perhaps patched, linen or homespun wool dress, likely in muted colors like grey, brown, or faded blue, possibly with a plain apron over it. She would wear sturdy, practical shoes or go barefoot indoors.
Wants: To care for her younger brother and fulfill her mother's duties, to alleviate boredom and loneliness.
Flaw: Her young age and inexperience, leading to accidental mishaps and an inability to fully comprehend or handle serious situations.
She begins as a diligent but naive caregiver. The tragic accident with Pekka marks a turning point, leading to a life of service after her mother's death, suggesting a loss of childhood innocence and a forced maturity.
Industrious, responsible (for her age), caring, easily startled, resilient.
Pekka
As an infant, he has round, red cheeks. After his accident, he is severely disabled: one arm amputated, a severely injured back requiring crutches, and later, a hunched posture from sitting for 25 years. As an elderly man, he would show the wear of his difficult life but also the contentment of his later years.
Attire: As an infant, swaddling clothes or simple linen garments. As a disabled adult, his clothing would be practical and simple, likely homespun, perhaps ill-fitting during his years of neglect. Later, when he earns his own living, his clothes would be clean and well-maintained, still simple but reflecting his newfound dignity, perhaps a plain linen shirt and trousers, with a warm wool vest.
Wants: Initially, to survive and find comfort. Later, to find purpose, self-sufficiency, and connection with others.
Flaw: His severe physical disabilities, which make him dependent on others and vulnerable to neglect.
Pekka's arc is one of profound transformation from a helpless, neglected, and forgotten invalid to a self-sufficient, happy, and beloved storyteller who brings joy to children. He learns the value of work, friendship, and sharing his experiences.
As an infant, vulnerable and prone to crying. As a neglected adult, likely withdrawn and sad. Later, he becomes industrious, resilient, grateful, happy, and kind, finding joy in work and sharing stories.
Äiti (The Mother)
A woman likely worn by poverty and hard labor, perhaps thin and tired, but with a practical and determined demeanor.
Attire: Simple, sturdy Finnish peasant clothing suitable for manual labor, such as a dark, practical linen or wool dress, a sturdy apron, and practical shoes. Her clothes would be clean but worn.
Wants: To earn money to support her family and ensure her children's survival.
Flaw: Her inability to be present for her children due to the necessity of working, leading to the tragic accident. Her lack of understanding of the severity of Pekka's injuries initially.
She is introduced as a working mother struggling with poverty. She experiences the tragedy of Pekka's accident and tries to care for him, but ultimately dies a few years later, leaving her children to fend for themselves.
Hardworking, responsible, concerned for her children's welfare, but overwhelmed by poverty and circumstances.
Kissa (The Cat)
A domestic cat, likely lean from its hunting duties, with fur that could be any common color for a farm cat (e.g., tabby, black, ginger). Its presence is a source of comfort.
Attire: None, natural fur coat.
Wants: To hunt for food, to seek warmth and companionship, to play.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but its independence means it is not always present.
Remains a consistent source of comfort and companionship for Pekka throughout his life, symbolizing unconditional affection.
Independent (hunting for mice), affectionate, comforting, playful.
Kansakoulunopettaja (The Schoolteacher)
Not explicitly described, but likely a person of respectable appearance, perhaps somewhat scholarly or practical, given their profession and actions.
Attire: Era-appropriate Finnish schoolteacher attire, likely modest but well-kept, perhaps a dark suit for a male or a practical, long dress for a female, indicating their professional status.
Wants: To help those in need, to educate, and to empower individuals like Pekka to become self-sufficient.
Flaw: None explicitly stated.
Introduced as a benevolent figure who discovers Pekka and transforms his life, providing him with purpose and skills. Their role is to uplift and empower.
Compassionate, proactive, dedicated, resourceful, kind, patient.
Elsa
A young girl, likely lively and bright, typical of a child attending school in a Finnish village.
Attire: Simple, clean Finnish children's clothing, such as a practical dress or skirt and blouse, possibly with a pinafore, in modest colors, suitable for a school-going child.
Wants: To learn, to share stories, and to connect with Pekka.
Flaw: None explicitly stated.
She begins as a child who reads to Pekka and becomes his companion, eventually inspiring him to become a storyteller himself.
Curious, kind, intelligent, cheerful, empathetic.
Locations
Sere and Pekka's Torppa (Cottage) Interior
A quiet, humble Finnish torppa (crofter's cottage) interior, sparsely furnished. The main room contains a simple wooden cradle, a small wooden table, and shelves mounted high on the wall. The floor is likely rough-hewn timber or packed earth. Sunlight filters through a small window. The air is still and somewhat lonely.
Mood: Quiet, lonely, slightly anxious due to the children being unsupervised.
Sere cares for Pekka, the accident with the stone bowl occurs, and Pekka falls from the table.
The Torppa's Farmyard
A simple, unkempt farmyard outside the torppa, likely with some chickens roaming. The ground is probably dirt or sparse grass. A hen is heard clucking, suggesting a typical rural Finnish setting.
Mood: Ordinary, rural, a brief moment of distraction for Sere.
Sere is distracted by the clucking hen, leading to her attempt to reach the bread and the subsequent accidents.
Pekka's Room in the Foster Home
A small, confined room in a foster home, where Pekka sits hunched on a bed for many years. The room is likely spartan and neglected, reflecting his forgotten state. The only comfort is the occasional presence of a cat.
Mood: Desolate, forgotten, lonely, stagnant.
Pekka spends 25 years in isolation and neglect, his only companion a cat.
Pekka's New Home in the Village near the School
A more welcoming and active room in a new foster home, located in a church village near a folk school. This room is where Pekka learns new skills and finds purpose. It contains a small machine for his work, and is visited by the teacher, neighbors, and children. It feels warm and productive.
Mood: Hopeful, productive, social, warm, joyful.
Pekka learns to work, finds friends, and shares stories, transforming his life from isolation to joy.