The Home Spirit's Box

The Danish critic and literary scholar G. Brandes rightly noted that «in almost all countries there comes a moment when literature suddenly seems to reveal what has remained unnoticed in society... In Denmark, it was H. C. Andersen who opened the eyes of the child.» Without exaggeration, the same can be said about Zakarías Topelius (1818—1898), one of the greatest storytellers in the world and an extraordinary patriot of his homeland: he opened the eyes of the child in Finland.

The adoration that little Finns showed for their beloved author and the enormous influence he had on them is partly explained by Finnish poet K. A. Tavaststjerna: «All the properties of talent necessary to captivate and engage children were present in him. What should be demanded of a fairy tale first of all? „That it should be poetic,— says Brandes. — Then, that it should be fairy-tale-like. That’s why a poet must be able to completely immerse himself in the fairy-tale world; must be able to fully identify with the child, thoroughly absorb his realm of ideas, his way of thinking“».

Topelius did just that. For him, nothing was inanimate; whatever caught his eye became animated, came to life! Due to their simplicity and naivety, all his fairy tales are easily understood by children. Yet, at the same time, how many high, noble feelings do they awaken in tiny hearts, teaching them patience, love for their homeland, for nature, for all people.

«Happy is the old man who, after a calm, quiet life, as he moves into eternity, can say to himself that he, like a mother, soothed the sufferings of his own children with his poems and fairy tales and instilled in them peace and tranquility.» This phrase concludes the essay on Topelius by the French writer and translator J. Kussange. But this characterization of the writer seems incomplete. In fact, it is unlikely that Topelius would have enjoyed such wide renown not only in Europe but far beyond its borders if he merely «instilled peace and tranquility and soothed suffering.»

To receive several letters daily from his little and adult readers until deep old age; for his death to drape the whole country in national mourning; for special trains to bring masses of those wishing to pay their respects to the grave of their beloved author from all corners of the homeland, even from the most remote backwaters, on the day of his funeral—something more is needed for this.

It is necessary for a writer to find access to the hearts of his contemporaries, to instill in them faith in the ideal, a striving for spiritual elevation, and to make them love not only their homeland but humanity in general!

And all of this was accomplished by Topelius.

The proposed book contains the best samples of his fairy tales and stories for children's reading.