JOULUKUUSI
by Zacharias Topelius · from Lukemisia lapsille 6
Adapted Version
I am a little fir tree. I live in the forest. My friends are the tall trees. The wind sings to me. I grew up here. The forest is my home. It is a big, green forest. I love my home.
I lived by a deep, blue lake. The sun was warm on my leaves. Birds sang in my branches every day. I was very happy there. The water was shiny. The birds were my friends. I liked my life.
One day, a boy came. He had a bright star. He cut me down. I would be a Christmas tree. I was not sad. I felt important. I was going on a trip.
I went to a big, warm house. A kind mother was there. She put pretty red ribbons on me. She put bright, twinkling lights on me. I looked so beautiful. The lights were like stars. I felt so special.
It was Christmas time. Many happy children came. They played all around me. They laughed and sang songs. I felt so happy inside. Their smiles were bright. Their songs were sweet. I loved the happy noise.
I was happy for the children. I missed the forest a little. But I was glad to be there. I helped make a happy day. I was a good tree. I did my job. I was useful.
I felt very, very happy. It was like a happy song inside. I was full of joy. The joy was warm. It filled my branches. I was a happy tree.
After Christmas, I was put away quietly. But I remembered the happy time. I remembered the children's smiles and songs. I remembered the bright lights. I remembered the red ribbons. I remembered the fun.
I am glad I made the children happy. That was my special gift. I helped them have a good day. My gift was my beauty. My gift was my place in their home. I gave them joy.
Giving is good. It makes me happy to help others. I am happy. I am a helpful tree. I will always remember. I am full of good memories. I am a happy fir tree.
Original Story
JOULUKUUSI.
Isäni vuorten valtia
Ja jättiläinen oiva!
Mun äitin mättään kanerva,
Kuin ilta purppuroiva.
Mun siskoin tähti taivainen,
Vaan veljein koski kuohuinen,
Säveltä Ahdin soiva.
Kankaalla kasvoin kauniisti
Luon' järven syvän kovin.
Valt'istuimeni tunturi
Muodosti, hongat hovin.
Valaisi tähti latvassain,
Ja kuuhut riippui oksallain
Ja huurre helmin somin.
Mä metsän prinssi suorana,
Iloisna kasvoin, elin.
Oravan muistan: rannalla
Se riemuin hypiskeli.
Latvassain rastas raksutti,
Ja kaiku amen vastasi,
Kun metsä rukoeli.
Talvella joulutähtineen
Sai poika vierelleni,
Mua katsoi: kuoreen, ytimeen
Sen kirveen-isku meni.
Vehreenä kaaduin, nuorna niin,
Iloksi muille kanerviin;
Sep' oli mielelleni.
Ja silloin herrastalohon
Minulle tuli retki.
Sain siellä äitin hoitohon,
Sain sievät seppeletki.
Kuin morsian mä puettiin
Somasti silkkiin, kukkasiin,
Kun oli juhlahetki.
Sain sisään joulu-iltana,
Kun tulet loisti siellä
Ja lapsijoukko huimana
Siell' leikki riemumiellä.
Mä muistin kankaan autian
Ja rastaan laulun, oravan;
Niit' ikävöitsin vielä.
Riemusta muiden riemuitsin
Mä muuten surevainen.
Vaan myöskin mulle enkelin
Soi laulu taivahainen;
Kerubin valkosiivestä
Sai heijastusta heleintä
Mun oksain vihantainen.
Unohdun, ystävittä jään,
Kun jonkin päivät meni.
En takaisin mä metsäänkään
Voi mennä juurelleni.
Nuoruuden kevähällä mä
Pois kuihdun; yhtään kyyneltä
Ei suoda muistokseni.
Tok' iloitsen mä, että sain,
Laps, tähtes uhrautua.
Se suurempaa kuin paikallain
Kuninkaaks vaurastua,
Uljaasti pilviin kasvaen,
Tiedotta, kuink' on riemuinen,
Ken iloittaa voi sua.
Itsensä antaa alttiiksi,
Se ilo suurenlaista.
Kaikk' antaa muiden hyväksi,
Eik' itse saada maistaa,
Se ilo — jota Jumala
Vain lapsilleen suo taivaassa —
On enkel'ilon laista.
Story DNA
Moral
True joy and purpose are found in self-sacrifice for the happiness of others.
Plot Summary
A proud fir tree describes its idyllic life growing in the forest. One winter, it is cut down by a boy to become a Christmas tree. Adorned and brought into a festive home, it brings immense joy to children on Christmas Eve, though it also feels a pang of longing for its wild home. After the holiday, it is discarded and withers, but the tree finds profound solace and purpose in the joy it provided, understanding that true happiness lies in selfless sacrifice for others.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to sacrifice to bittersweet acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Zacharias Topelius was a prominent Finnish-Swedish author, and this poem reflects the emerging Christmas tree tradition in Nordic countries during the 19th century, often imbued with deeper spiritual meaning.
Plot Beats (10)
- The fir tree describes its origins and family in the forest, feeling like a prince.
- It recounts its peaceful life growing by a deep lake, surrounded by nature and wildlife.
- A boy arrives in winter with a Christmas star and cuts down the tree.
- The tree is taken to a grand house and lovingly decorated with garlands, silk, and flowers.
- On Christmas Eve, the tree is brought into a room filled with light and joyous children.
- It feels a mix of joy for the children and longing for its forest home.
- The tree experiences a moment of transcendent joy, feeling a heavenly song and a reflection of an angel's wing on its branches.
- After a few days, the tree is forgotten and left to wither, unable to return to its roots.
- Despite its fate, the tree expresses joy in having sacrificed itself for the children's happiness.
- It concludes that giving oneself completely for others, without expecting anything in return, is a divine and angelic joy.
Characters
The Christmas Tree
A tall, straight, and vibrant young spruce or fir tree, with lush green needles and strong, well-formed branches. It stands proudly, embodying the vigor of a forest prince. Its trunk is sturdy and its overall form is conical, typical of a healthy conifer.
Attire: Initially, its 'wardrobe' is its natural green needles, adorned by nature with frost like 'pretty pearls'. Later, it is dressed 'like a bride' with 'silks and flowers', implying delicate fabrics, ribbons, ornaments, and possibly small candles or lights, in festive, celebratory colors.
Wants: To live a full life in the forest, then to bring joy to others, even at the cost of its own existence.
Flaw: Its rooted nature makes it vulnerable to being cut down and unable to return to its natural home.
Transforms from a proud 'forest prince' living a natural life to a decorated Christmas tree bringing temporary joy to children, ultimately finding spiritual fulfillment in its sacrifice despite its physical demise.
Proud, joyful, observant, nostalgic, self-sacrificing, content.
The Boy
A young boy, likely sturdy and accustomed to the outdoors, given his task of felling a tree. His build would be typical for a child of his age, perhaps a bit robust from physical activity.
Attire: Practical, warm winter clothing suitable for a Finnish forest. This would include a thick wool coat, possibly a knitted cap (pipo), sturdy trousers, and warm boots, likely in muted, natural colors like browns, greys, or dark blues.
Wants: To find and cut down a Christmas tree for his family's celebration.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a child's lack of full awareness of the tree's 'feelings'.
He serves as the catalyst for the tree's journey, but his own arc is not detailed.
Determined, practical, perhaps a bit innocent in his actions, focused on his task.
The Mother
A nurturing adult woman, likely with a gentle demeanor. Her build would be typical for a woman of her social standing in a Finnish manor house, perhaps graceful and composed.
Attire: Elegant but practical attire for a Finnish manor house. This would include a long, modest dress made of wool or linen, possibly with a patterned apron or a simple shawl, in colors like deep greens, blues, or maroons, reflecting a comfortable but not overly opulent lifestyle.
Wants: To create a beautiful and joyful Christmas celebration for her children.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown.
She facilitates the tree's transformation and its purpose, but her own arc is not detailed.
Nurturing, artistic (in her decorating), responsible, central to the family's festive traditions.
The Children
A group of lively children, varying in age, full of energy and excitement. Their builds would be slender and active, typical of children at play.
Attire: Festive but comfortable clothing suitable for indoor play in a manor house. This would include simple dresses for girls and trousers with shirts or tunics for boys, possibly in brighter colors than their outdoor wear, made of wool or linen, perhaps with some festive embroidery.
Wants: To celebrate Christmas and enjoy the festivities, especially the decorated tree.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown.
They experience the joy of Christmas, fulfilling the tree's purpose, but their individual arcs are not detailed.
Joyful, playful, innocent, easily delighted.
Locations
Deep Lake Forest
A beautiful, wild Finnish forest landscape by a deep lake, with a fells (tunturi) forming a natural throne and tall pine trees (hongat) as a court. The ground is covered with heather (kanerva).
Mood: Wild, serene, majestic, natural, peaceful, with a sense of belonging and quiet grandeur.
The Christmas tree's origin and childhood, where it grew tall and strong, observing nature.
Herrastalo (Manor House) Interior
The interior of a Finnish manor house, likely a 'kartano' or 'herrastalo', decorated for Christmas. It is brightly lit with many lights, filled with children playing joyfully.
Mood: Joyful, festive, warm, lively, but with an underlying sense of longing and sacrifice for the tree.
The Christmas tree's transformation into a decorated centerpiece, bringing joy to children on Christmas Eve, and its subsequent wilting.