Halveksittu mies

Iivari, a wiry teenager from a tiny lakeside cottage, is already known in the village as “houna‑Iivari” for his restless energy and knack for causing mischief. Though still young enough to be called a boy, he helps his mother Rosina and takes on any odd job he can find, from running a sawmill to tinkering in a local workshop. His reputation rests on daring tricks that keep the other lads both wary and fascinated, and his restless imagination fuels countless schemes.

In the cramped attic of a fellow apprentice’s shed, Iivari has cobbled together a curious collection of contraptions: a rattling cage of gears, a lively squirrel that darts on a wheel, and even a harmless snake that mesmerises the boys when he offers a show. With a mix of charm and bravado, he trades these oddities for a few extra coins, always promising the next grand discovery. One spring afternoon, eyes shining, he declares that a hidden vein of gold lies just beyond the pine forest, igniting the restless hopes of his friends and setting the stage for his next daring venture.