Susamel y.m. kertomuksia

A boy’s recollections of his Arctic hometown come alive in vivid, almost tactile detail. He describes the bustling harbor of Tromsø during the Russian era, when tall, clanking cargo ships prowled the quay and locals gathered to sing, hunt mushrooms, and barter exotic treats. The streets glow under a strange northern light, and the scent of tea from steaming kettles mingles with the salty sea breeze, painting a picture of a community caught between ordinary routine and the exotic presence of foreign sailors.

Amid this lively tableau, the name “Susamel” hangs in the air like a whispered warning. The children’s games turn uneasy when a dark, bear‑like creature appears aboard a Russian vessel, its bite leaving a lingering pain that haunts the narrator through a sleepless night. The unsettling rumor that Susamel has been captured and is being carried away on a Russian ship spreads, and the town’s uneasy silence is broken only by hushed cries and the restless watch of those who stay nearby.