UUSI VUOSI 1868
by Zacharias Topelius · from Lukemisia lapsille 5
Adapted Version
Hello! I am the New Year Boy. I come with the snow.
I am new. I am here. I slide down from the stars. My sled is small and fast. I land on the soft, white snow. The world is cold and very quiet. I see my breath in the air. Everything is still and bright.
I see children playing. They are so happy in the snow. They run and they laugh. They build a big, tall snowman. They throw soft, white snowballs. Their smiles are bright and warm. They make snow angels on the ground. Their cheeks are red like apples.
I am new too! I love to play. Come play with me! Let us run in the snow. Let us ski on the hills. Let us slide down the hill. Our cheeks are red and warm. We can have so much fun.
Remember your home. Your home is good. It helps you when you need it. It gives you food and love. It keeps you safe and warm. Share what you have with your home. Give your home a big hug. Say thank you to your home.
Grow big and strong. Grow like a tall tree. A tree is strong and kind. It gives shade and clean air. Help your home in bad times. Keep your home safe and happy. Be kind to your home every day. Your home needs your help too.
I came from the stars. I bring hope and joy. Spring will come. We will be happy. The sun will shine again. Flowers will grow in the green grass. Remember to be happy. Help your home. Grow strong.
Original Story
UUSI VUOSI 1868.
Terve sä pienoinen!
Tunnetko tähtien
Juoksijapoikaa?
Tääll' olen jällehen.
Toveri rientävä,
Nuori ja nälkäisä,
Onkosta ruokaa
Vaan hyvä ystävä?
Kerran ol' isäni
Pieni kuin minäki,
Myös lumisilla
Täällä hän teuhaili.
Sattuipa puuskahdus,
Vaikea vilustus,
Siitäpä seuras
Kylmä ja kohmetus.
Juur' ihan silloin mä
Kelkalla pienellä
Mäkeä laskin
Taivahan sinessä,
Rinne ol' jyrkkä ja
Kelkkani luistava,
Sieltä mä maahan
Soljahdin paikalla.
Kun tulin entäen,
Maa tämä louhinen,
Köyhä ol' aivan
Peitossa hankien.
Kuitenki lapsoset
Leikkivät iloiset,
Kosk' ei he huolta
Ymmärrä, pienoset.
Niinp' olen minäkin
Laps, kuten sinäkin, —
Viikkoa vanha
Tuskin mä olenkin.
Kuinkas mä murheisna
Aikojen vammoista
Häiritä voisin
Leikkiäs riemuista!
Siis tule leikkimään
Viimassa talvi-sään,
Hehkuvin poskin
Hangelle hiihtämään!
Ruusujen ihanuus,
Honkien vihannuus,
Olkohon myötäs,
Eik' alakuloisuus!
Jos sua joskuskaan
Sattuisi viittaamaan
Äitisi hellä,
Silloin sä muista vaan
Onhan sull' oma maa,
Hälle sä lempes jaa,
Äitiä köyhää
Täytyyhän rakastaa!
Ahdingon aikana
Aina hän altisna
Jakeli sulle
Leipänsä palasta.
Siis sinä puolestas,
Avulla Jumalas,
Suo hänell' aina
Mit' on sun omanas!
Leipä se ma'ukkain,
Ruoka se herkukkain,
Puutteessa minkä
Kotonas nautit vain.
Myös puku lämpöisin,
Takki se sopivin,
Väristen minkä
Yllesi puetkin.
Kasva kuin honka vaan!
Vahvistu ainiaan,
Äitiäs köyhää
Lemmiten suojaamaan,
Että hän juurellais
Myrskyissä turvan sais,
Lehväsi häntä
Vaaroissa varjoais!
Niin, hyvä ystävä
Tänn' alasmäkeä
Luokses mä saavuin
Tähtien kentältä.
Kelkalla kiitelen
Latuja enkelten,
Surusta toivoon,
Talvesta kevääsen.
Story DNA
Moral
Despite hardship, one should embrace joy, remember their roots, and care for their struggling homeland and family.
Plot Summary
The personified New Year of 1868 arrives as a young 'star runner boy' on a sled, greeting a child and noting the cold, hungry land, reminiscent of his 'father' (the previous year). Despite the hardships, he observes children playing joyfully and encourages the child to embrace winter's playfulness, rejecting sorrow. He then shifts to a poignant plea, urging the child to remember and cherish their 'poor mother' (the homeland), who has always provided, and to grow strong like a pine to protect and provide for her in future storms. The New Year concludes by symbolizing his journey from sorrow to hope, from winter to spring, emphasizing renewal and the enduring spirit of care for one's nation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
melancholy to hope
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Written in 1868, during or immediately after the Great Famine of 1866–1868 in Finland, which was one of the worst famines in European history. This context explains the poem's themes of hunger, poverty, and the call for resilience and care for the 'poor mother' (the nation).
Plot Beats (11)
- The New Year, personified as a young 'star runner boy,' arrives and greets a child, asking if there is food.
- He recalls his 'father' (the previous year) also arriving small and struggling through a harsh, cold winter.
- He describes his own birth and journey, sliding down from the sky on a small sled to a land covered in snow and poverty.
- Despite the hardship, he observes children playing happily, oblivious to the world's worries.
- He identifies with the children's innocence, being only a week old himself, and states he doesn't want to disturb their joy with the sorrows of time.
- He invites the child to play in the winter wind, ski on the snow with rosy cheeks, and embrace beauty and vitality over melancholy.
- He then urges the child to remember their 'tender mother' (interpreted as the homeland or nation) and share their love with her.
- He reminds the child that this 'poor mother' always shared her bread during times of distress.
- He implores the child, with God's help, to always give back what is theirs to the mother, including the simple, nourishing bread and warm clothes from home.
- He encourages the child to grow strong like a pine tree, to protect the 'poor mother' with love, so she may find shelter and shade in their strength during storms and dangers.
- The New Year concludes by reaffirming his journey from the stars, from sorrow to hope, and from winter to spring, symbolizing renewal and the enduring spirit of care.
Characters
New Year 1868 (The Narrator)
A small, nimble boy, appearing no older than a young child, perhaps seven or eight years old. He is described as 'young and hungry,' suggesting a lean build, but also 'running' and 'playing,' implying energy despite his hunger. His cheeks are likely rosy from the cold Finnish winter air.
Attire: Simple, practical winter clothing typical of a Finnish child in 1868. This would include a thick, dark wool jacket or coat, possibly hand-me-down and slightly worn, with wooden buttons. He would wear sturdy wool trousers, perhaps in grey or brown, tucked into high, laced leather boots. A knitted wool cap, possibly in a muted color like red or blue, covers his head, and thick wool mittens protect his hands.
Wants: To bring hope and joy to the children of Finland, to remind them of their blessings, and to encourage them to care for their 'poor mother' (Finland). He seeks to transition from sorrow to hope, from winter to spring.
Flaw: His youth and inherent transience. As a new year, he is only 'a week old' and will eventually pass, unable to permanently alleviate the deep-seated sorrows of the land.
He arrives from the 'field of stars' and descends a 'steep slope' on a 'small sled,' symbolizing his arrival on Earth. His arc is to bring a message of hope and resilience, transitioning from the 'sorrow to hope, from winter to spring.'
Playful, optimistic, empathetic, and slightly melancholic. He embodies the fleeting joy of childhood while also acknowledging the hardships of the past and present. He is a messenger of hope.
The Child (You)
A small child, likely similar in age and build to the Narrator, perhaps six to eight years old. They are described as 'playing happily' despite the 'poor land' and snow, suggesting a healthy, active child, possibly with rosy cheeks from the cold.
Attire: Practical, warm winter clothing, similar to the Narrator's but perhaps slightly less worn. This would include a wool coat, trousers or a long skirt, sturdy boots, a knitted cap, and mittens, all in muted, functional colors like grey, brown, or dark blue, made of wool or thick linen.
Wants: To play and enjoy childhood, to understand and cherish their 'poor mother' (Finland), and to grow strong.
Flaw: Their innocence means they 'do not understand worries,' making them vulnerable to hardship if not guided.
The Narrator encourages them to grow strong, protect their 'poor mother,' and carry hope forward. Their arc is one of potential growth and responsibility.
Innocent, joyful, carefree, and receptive to guidance. They represent the unspoiled hope of the future.
The Mother (Finland)
Implied to be a figure of endurance and suffering, yet also nurturing. She is 'poor' and has 'always given her piece of bread,' suggesting a lean but resilient physique, perhaps with hands worn from labor. Her appearance would reflect the hardships of the time, but also a quiet strength.
Attire: Simple, functional peasant clothing of 1868 Finland. This would include a long, dark wool skirt, a plain linen blouse, and a practical wool apron. A warm shawl or headscarf would cover her head and shoulders. Her clothes would be mended and clean, but not new, in muted, earthy tones.
Wants: To provide for and protect her children, to endure hardship, and to hope for a better future.
Flaw: Her poverty and the suffering she endures, making her vulnerable and in need of protection.
Her arc is one of enduring and being protected. The children are encouraged to grow strong to shelter her, so she may find 'shelter in the storms' under their 'foliage.'
Nurturing, self-sacrificing, resilient, and enduring. She represents the spirit of the Finnish nation, providing for her children even in times of scarcity.
Locations
Snowy Hillside
A steep, snow-covered slope under a clear blue sky, where children are playing. The ground is rocky and completely blanketed in deep snow, making it ideal for sledding.
Mood: playful, exhilarating, crisp, bright
The narrator recalls sledding down this hill as a child, and encourages the listener to play there, symbolizing the joy of childhood despite harsh conditions.
Impoverished Finnish Home
A humble, warm interior of a Finnish cottage, likely a simple log cabin or a small wooden house, where basic necessities like bread and warm clothing are cherished. It's a place of comfort and maternal love despite scarcity.
Mood: warm, humble, loving, secure despite hardship
This is the setting where the mother provides for her child, sharing what little she has, emphasizing the importance of family love and gratitude in times of need.
Pine Forest in Winter
A serene and resilient pine forest, covered in snow, symbolizing strength and protection. The 'greenness of pines' stands out against the winter landscape, offering shelter.
Mood: resilient, protective, serene, enduring
The child is encouraged to grow strong like a pine tree to protect their mother, finding shelter and safety within its 'branches' during storms.