PAREMPI" JA "HUONOMPI
by Zacharias Topelius · from Lukemisia lapsille 3
Adapted Version
Elma was a proud girl. She had pretty clothes. She came to school in a carriage. She felt better than others.
Elma sat in a high spot. The teacher saw her. "That seat is for good kids," she said. "Kids who work hard sit there." The teacher moved Elma down. Elma felt sad.
Elma went home sad. "Mother, I sit with bad kids," she said. "They treat me like them."
Mother gave Elma simple clothes. "Wear these to school," she said. "Learn to be kind. Learn to be humble." Mother sent Elma back to school. She had to sit in the lowest seat.
Elma felt bad in her new clothes. She was shy at school. She did not talk much.
A nice kid came to Elma. "Do not be sad," she said. "I will help you. Be kind."
Elma felt better. "How can I be good?" she asked. "Teach me to be kind."
Elma went to school with poor kids. She learned hard things. People called her "bad." It was not easy.
When Elma felt proud, she thought about kindness. She wanted to be good. She tried to be humble.
Elma worked hard. She was kind to all. The teacher gave her the top seat. She earned it. She was happy.
Mother and dad came to school. They saw Elma did well. They were happy and cried. They were so proud.
Mother and dad had a party. They gave Elma shiny things and nice clothes. They wanted to celebrate.
Elma said, "I am kind inside. I do not want these. Help poor people instead." She remembered her lesson.
Being kind is better than being proud. Kind people are happy. Be kind and humble. That is the best way.
Original Story
"PAREMPI" JA "HUONOMPI".
Niin, te Elman tunnette,
Kulki hän täst' ohitse,
Ylväs, pöyhkä mieleltänsä.
Sievä, hieno, kauniskin;
Hattu, kappa, kaulustin
Joululahjat isältänsä,
Päätään vaunuiss' istuissaan
Nyökkäs kovin kopeaan.
Kouluun sitte tultuaan
Hän ol' arka arvostaan.
Monta köyhää lasta siellä,
Häveljästä, siivoa,
Halvass' istui puvussa.
Ylä-penkkiin mahtimiellä
Rohkeest' Elma istahtui.
Tietkääs, mitä tapahtui?
Kursaamatta, totta mar,
Kiivas opettajatar
Otti oitis tytön, vaikka
Vastahan se taisteli,
Alapenkkiin asetti.
"Siivon, ahkeran se paikka;
Nouse sinne ansaiten,
Saathan, lapsi, paikan sen."
Häveten ja harmissaan
Enti Elma kotiaan.
"Rakas äiti, kuule pijan
Kouluss' istuu parhaastaan
Huonompata kansaa vaan;
Mä sain siellä alasijan,
Sillä lailla tosiaan
Parempia kohdellaan!"
Virkkoi äiti suruinen:
"No niin, muutat pukimen,
Hattu, kappa, koristeetkin
Pois. Käy siinä puvussa,
Mik' on köyhäin suvussa,
Paikkaa vaattees kuluneetkin.
Elämästä opit, mi
Paremp' on tai huonompi."
Niinkö tosin? Tyttönen
Pani ensin leikiks sen,
Vaan nyt syntyi kauhu suuri,
Se kun totta olikin!
Köyhäks Elma tehtihin,
Torpantytön laisna juuri
Pantiin kouluun kulkemaan,
Sinne paikkaan alimpaan.
Hetk' ol' aivan katkeraa
Täytyy tosin tunnustaa!
Silloin muuan pieni parka,
Joukost' aivan huonompain,
Tuli luokse lohduttaja:
"Älä ole, Elma, arka,"
Sanoi hyvä lapsi se;
"Kyllä sua autamme."
Ensin Elma kiukuissaan
Kääntyi pois. Eip' aikaakaan,
Jopa kova sydän suli,
Heltyi häijy ylpeys,
Riutui paha pöyhkeys.
Itkusuusta sanat tuli:
"Neuvo kuinka minäkin
Hyväks, kuin sä, tulisin!"
Päivät kulki kulkuaan
Elma kävi kouluaan
Muiden köyhäin lasten kanssa,
Tyytyi kovaan kannikkaan,
Puutett' oppi tuntemaan,
Sai myös kuulla toisinansa
Puheentapaa vihlovaa:
Se on kansaa huonompaa.
Ylpeys kun jällehen
Hälle pyrki mielehen,
Herralt' anoi viisautta
Voidaksensa erottaa
Parempaa ja huonompaa.
Tahto toikin valppautta,
Koulussa jo viimein hän
Saikin paikan ylimmän.
Tuli sitten tutkinto,
Isä, äiti saapui jo,
Näkivätpä kyynelsilmin
Heidän laps ol' etevin.
Nyt he laati pidotkin,
Kätköst' otettiin jo ilmiin
Helmet, kultakoreilut,
Tyttösellen aiotut.
Silloin Elma virkkoi näin:
"Köyhä olen eeskin päin.
Helmet, kulta, koru-vaatteet
Turhuuteen meit' takertaa,
Kurjia niill' auttakaa!
Iloitsen, kun mieleen' aatteet
Luoja toi ja neuvoi, mi
Paremp' on tai huonompi."
Huonomp' on, ken pöyhkeillen,
Muita ylenkatsoen,
Korskaileepi rehtevänä.
Paremp' on, ken itseltään
Vaatii paljon, mieleltään
Pysyy nöyrän', lempeänä.
Onni tulee, onnen saa,
Joka Herraa rakastaa.
Story DNA
Moral
True worth and superiority come from humility, kindness, and inner character, not from wealth or outward appearance.
Plot Summary
Elma, a proud and wealthy girl, is humbled when her teacher places her in the lowest school seat, meant for diligent students. After complaining to her mother, Elma is made to dress in simple clothes and experience life among the poorer children. Through this experience and the kindness of a 'worse' child, Elma's heart softens, and she learns humility and the true meaning of worth. She eventually earns the highest seat through her own merit and, at the story's conclusion, rejects her material possessions, advocating for charity and demonstrating her profound transformation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Zacharias Topelius was a prominent Finnish author known for his children's stories and historical novels, often imbued with moral lessons and patriotic themes. This story reflects common societal values and educational practices of 19th-century Finland.
Plot Beats (14)
- Elma, a proud and finely dressed girl, arrives at school in a carriage, feeling superior.
- She confidently takes a high seat, but the teacher immediately moves her to the lowest seat, explaining that it is for the diligent and earned.
- Elma goes home upset and complains to her mother about being treated like the 'worse' people.
- Her mother decides to teach Elma a lesson, making her wear simple, mended clothes like the poor children and sending her back to the lowest seat.
- Elma initially finds this experience bitter and shameful.
- A kind, poor child from the 'worse' group approaches Elma to comfort her.
- Elma's hardened heart softens, her pride melts away, and she asks the kind child how she can become good like her.
- Elma continues attending school with the poor children, experiencing hardship and hearing herself referred to as 'worse'.
- Whenever pride resurfaces, Elma prays for wisdom to understand what is truly 'better' and 'worse'.
- Through her changed behavior and effort, Elma eventually earns the highest seat in the school.
- At the final examination, Elma's parents arrive and are moved to tears by her achievement.
- Her parents prepare a celebration and bring out jewels and fine clothes for Elma.
- Elma, however, declares herself still 'poor' in spirit, rejects the lavish items, and asks her parents to use them to help the needy, having learned the true meaning of 'better' and 'worse'.
- The story concludes with a direct moral: 'Worse' is the proud and scornful, 'Better' is the humble and kind, and happiness comes to those who love God.
Characters
Elma
A young girl of average height and slender build, with a delicate and refined appearance. Her initial presentation is one of pampered privilege, suggesting well-maintained skin and a generally neat, if haughty, demeanor.
Attire: Initially, she wears a fine, fashionable hat, a cape (kappa), and a collar (kaulustin), likely made of quality wool or velvet, possibly adorned with ribbons or lace, indicative of a wealthy Finnish family in the mid-19th century. After her mother's lesson, she wears simple, patched, and worn clothes typical of a poor peasant girl: a plain linen dress, perhaps with a simple apron, and practical, sturdy shoes or clogs. Later, she rejects finery like pearls and gold ornaments.
Wants: Initially, her motivation is to maintain her perceived superior social status and enjoy the privileges that come with it. Later, she is motivated to understand true goodness and humility, and to earn her place through merit.
Flaw: Her greatest weakness is her pride and arrogance, which lead her to look down on others and misinterpret true worth.
Elma undergoes a significant transformation from a proud, spoiled, and judgmental girl to a humble, empathetic, and wise young woman who understands that true worth comes from character, not wealth or social status.
Initially proud, haughty, arrogant, and somewhat spoiled. She is quick to judge others based on their social standing. Through her experiences, she becomes humble, empathetic, and wise, learning the true meaning of 'better' and 'worse'.
Elma's Mother
A woman of mature age, likely well-dressed but with a serious and thoughtful demeanor. Her appearance would reflect her social standing but also her wisdom and resolve.
Attire: She would wear a respectable, well-made dress, likely of dark, practical wool or linen, perhaps with a simple lace collar, reflecting a middle to upper-class Finnish woman's attire of the era. Her clothing would be elegant but not ostentatious.
Wants: To teach her daughter humility, empathy, and the true meaning of worth, rather than allowing her to remain spoiled and arrogant.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a tendency to be overly strict in her methods, though ultimately effective.
She remains consistent in her role as a moral guide, her actions driving Elma's transformation.
Wise, firm, loving but strict, and principled. She believes in teaching her daughter important life lessons through experience.
The Teacher
A woman of mature age, likely with a no-nonsense and strict appearance, reflecting her role as an educator in a 19th-century Finnish school.
Attire: She would wear a practical, modest, dark-colored dress, likely made of sturdy wool or linen, typical of a schoolteacher in 19th-century Finland. Her attire would be functional and without adornment.
Wants: To maintain order, fairness, and humility among her students, teaching them that merit, not social status, determines their place.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but her strictness might be perceived as harsh by some, though it serves a positive purpose in the story.
She remains a consistent figure of authority and fairness, serving as an external force for Elma's change.
Strict, fair, principled, and unyielding in her enforcement of rules and moral conduct. She does not tolerate arrogance or class distinctions in her classroom.
The Kind Poor Child
A small, perhaps slightly frail, child with a gentle and comforting presence. Her appearance would reflect her poverty but also her inner goodness.
Attire: She wears simple, patched, and worn clothes typical of a poor Finnish peasant child in the 19th century: a plain, perhaps faded, linen dress, possibly with visible mends, and sturdy but worn shoes or clogs.
Wants: To comfort Elma and offer friendship, demonstrating unconditional kindness despite Elma's initial arrogance.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps her vulnerability due to her poverty.
She serves as a catalyst for Elma's change, demonstrating the values Elma needs to learn.
Kind, empathetic, compassionate, and helpful. She embodies the true 'better' character in the story.
Locations
Elma's Family Home
A comfortable, well-to-do Finnish home, likely a wooden house, where Elma receives fine clothes and gifts. Later, it transforms as Elma is dressed in simpler, patched clothes to learn humility.
Mood: Initially one of privilege and comfort, later becomes a place of reflection and change as Elma learns humility.
Elma receives her Christmas gifts, complains about school, and later is dressed in poor clothes by her mother to teach her a lesson.
The Schoolroom
A modest Finnish schoolroom, likely in a village or small town, with wooden benches. There's a clear distinction between the 'upper' and 'lower' benches, symbolizing social status.
Mood: Initially tense and hierarchical due to Elma's pride, then becomes a place of learning, humility, and eventual triumph.
Elma is moved from the upper to the lower bench by the teacher, experiences shame, learns humility among the 'poorer' children, and eventually earns her place on the highest bench.