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Chapter companions for The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

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  1. Chapter 1

    Dedication

    The author dedicates the work to Dr. J. D. Buck, acknowledging him as an encouraging and unselfish friend, and extends the dedication to his affectionate family.

  2. Chapter 2

    The Kalevala

    The opening of the Kalevala introduces the ancient Finnish epic, setting the stage for the creation of the world and the adventures of its heroes, including Wainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen, amid themes of magic, nature, and fate.

  3. Chapter 3

    Proem

    The singer declares his readiness to chant the ancient folk-songs of the nation, passed down from bygone ages. He invites a childhood friend to join in singing the legends of Kalevala, recalling how he learned these songs from his parents and from nature itself. He speaks of storing the runes in a copper-lined chest and now resolves to bring them forth, calling for beer to enhance the enchantment. The proem concludes by mentioning the birth of Wainamoinen from the Ether's daughter.

  4. Chapter 4

    Rune I: Birth of Wainamoinen

    Ilmatar, the Daughter of the Ether, descends to the ocean and becomes the water-mother. After centuries of wandering and travail, a duck lays eggs on her knee; the eggs break and form the earth, sky, sun, moon, stars, and clouds. Ilmatar then shapes the landscape. Wainamoinen remains unborn for thirty years, eventually forces his own birth, swims for years, and finally emerges onto land as a hero and enchanter.

  5. Chapter 5

    Rune II: Wainamoinen's Sowing

    Wainamoinen, having arrived on a barren island, enlists Pellerwoinen (Sampsa) to sow seeds across the land, resulting in a lush forest except for the oak tree. After a giant from the ocean, Tursas, helps create the oak from an acorn in ashes, it grows so large it blocks the sun and moon. A tiny sea-hero transforms into a giant and fells the oak, restoring light. Wainamoinen then clears the forest (leaving a birch for birds), sows barley with divine aid from Ukko, and the crop flourishes.

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  1. Chapter 6Rune III: Wainamoinen and Youkahainen
  2. Chapter 7Rune IV: The Fate of Aino
  3. Chapter 8Rune V: Wainamoinen’s Lamentation
  4. Chapter 9Rune VI: Wainamoinen’s Hapless Journey
  5. Chapter 10Rune VII: Wainamoinen’s Rescue
  6. Chapter 11Rune VIII: Maiden of the Rainbow
  7. Chapter 12Rune IX: Origin of Iron
  8. Chapter 13Rune X: Ilmarinen Forges the Sampo
  9. Chapter 14Rune XI: Lemminkainen’s Lament
  10. Chapter 15Rune XII: Kyllikki’s Broken Vow
  11. Chapter 16Rune XIII: Lemminkainen's Second Wooing
  12. Chapter 17Rune XIV: Death of Lemminkainen
  13. Chapter 18Rune XV: Lemminkainen’s Restoration
  14. Chapter 19Rune XVI: Wainamoinen's Boat-Building
  15. Chapter 20Rune XVII: Wainamoinen Finds the Lost-Word
  16. Chapter 21Rune XVIII: The Rival Suitors
  17. Chapter 22Rune XIX: Ilmarinen's Wooing
  18. Chapter 23Rune XX: The Brewing of Beer
  19. Chapter 24Rune XXI: Ilmarinen’s Wedding-Feast
  20. Chapter 25Rune XXII: The Bride’s Farewell
  21. Chapter 26Rune XXIII: Osmotar the Bride-Adviser
  22. Chapter 27Rune XXIV: The Bride’s Farewell
  23. Chapter 28Rune XXV: Wainamoinen’s Wedding-Songs
  24. Chapter 29Rune XXVI: Origin of the Serpent
  25. Chapter 30Rune XXVII: The Unwelcome Guest
  26. Chapter 31Rune XXVIII: The Mother’s Counsel
  27. Chapter 32Rune XXIX: The Isle of Refuge
  28. Chapter 33Rune XXX: The Frost-Fiend
  29. Chapter 34Rune XXXI: Kullerwoinen Son of Evil
  30. Chapter 35Rune XXXII: Kullervo as a Shepherd
  31. Chapter 36Rune XXXIII: Kullervo and the Cheat-Cake
  32. Chapter 37Rune XXXIV: Kullervo Finds His Tribe-Folk
  33. Chapter 38Rune XXXV: Kullervo's Evil Deeds
  34. Chapter 39Rune XXXVI: Kullerwoinen’s Victory and Death
  35. Chapter 40Ilmarinen's Bride of Gold
  36. Chapter 41Rune XXXVIII: Ilmarinen’s Fruitless Wooing
  37. Chapter 42Rune XXXIX: Wainamoinen's Sailing
  38. Chapter 43Birth of the Harp
  39. Chapter 44Rune XLI: Wainamoinen’s Harp-Songs
  40. Chapter 45Rune XLII: Capture of the Sampo
  41. Chapter 46Rune XLIII: The Sampo Lost in the Sea
  42. Chapter 47Rune XLIV: Birth of the Second Harp
  43. Chapter 48Rune XLV: Birth of the Nine Diseases
  44. Chapter 49Rune XLVI: Otso the Honey-Eater
  45. Chapter 50Rune XLVII: Louhi Steals Sun, Moon, and Fire
  46. Chapter 51Rune XLVIII: Capture of the Fire-Fish
  47. Chapter 52Rune XLIX: Restoration of the Sun and Moon
  48. Chapter 53Rune L: Mariatta—Wainamoinen’s Departure
  49. Chapter 54Epilogue