Ehstnische Märchen. Zweite Hälfte by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald and F. Löwe

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Ehstnische Märchen. Zweite Hälfte by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald and F. Löwe

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By Ashley Gutierrez Posted on Jan 14, 2026

In Category - Environment

Authors: Published By :

Book Language: German

Hey, I just finished reading this fascinating collection of Estonian folktales from the 19th century, and it's a trip. It's the second volume of stories collected by Kreutzwald, who's basically the Estonian equivalent of the Brothers Grimm. Forget the sanitized fairy tales you know. This is the real stuff. We're talking about a world where the forest is alive with spirits, where farmhands bargain with devils, and where cleverness beats brute strength every time. There's no single plot, but the big mystery running through all these stories is how ordinary people—farmers, orphans, third sons—manage to survive and even thrive in a world full of magical dangers. It's a survival guide wrapped in a spellbook. If you're tired of the same old fantasy tropes and want to explore the deep, weird roots of European folklore from a corner of the continent you might not know, this is your next read. It's surprisingly funny, often dark, and feels incredibly authentic.

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For the baseness of its nature shall have strength to drag her down. “Sisters and brothers, little Maid? There stands the Inspector at thy door: Like a dog, he hunts for boys who know not two and two are four.” “Kind words are more than coronets,” She said, and wondering looked at me: “It is the dead unhappy night, and I must hurry home to tea.” A SEA DIRGE [Picture: The sea, beach and children] THERE are certain things—as, a spider, a ghost, The income-tax, gout, an umbrella for three— That I hate, but the thing that I hate the most Is a thing they call the Sea. Pour some salt water over the floor— Ugly I’m sure you’ll allow it to be: Suppose it extended a mile or more, _That’s_ very like the Sea. Beat a dog till it howls outright— Cruel, but all very well for a spree: Suppose that he did so day and night, _That_ would be like the Sea. I had a vision of nursery-maids; Tens of thousands passed by me— All leading children with wooden spades, And this was by the Sea. Who invented those spades of wood? Who was it cut them out of the tree? None, I think, but an idiot could— Or one that loved the Sea. It is pleasant and dreamy, no doubt, to float With ‘thoughts as boundless, and souls as free’: But, suppose you are very unwell in the boat, How do you like the Sea? [Picture: And this was by the sea] There is an insect that people avoid (Whence is derived the verb ‘to flee’). Where have you been by it most annoyed? In lodgings by the Sea. If you like your coffee with sand for dregs, A decided hint of salt in your tea, And a fishy taste in the very eggs— By all means choose the Sea. And if, with these dainties to drink and eat, You prefer not a vestige of grass or tree, And a chronic state of wet in your feet, Then—I recommend the Sea. For _I_ have friends who dwell by the coast— Pleasant friends they are to me! It is when I am with them I wonder most That anyone likes the Sea. They take me a walk: though tired and stiff, To climb the heights I madly agree; And, after a tumble or so from the cliff, They kindly suggest the Sea. I try the rocks, and I think it cool That they laugh with such an excess of glee, As I heavily slip into every pool That skirts the cold cold Sea. [Picture: As I heavily slip into every pool] Ye Carpette Knyghte I have a horse—a ryghte good horse— Ne doe Y envye those Who scoure ye playne yn headye course Tyll soddayne on theyre nose They lyghte wyth unexpected force Yt ys—a horse of clothes. I have a saddel—“Say’st thou soe? Wyth styrruppes, Knyghte, to boote?” I sayde not that—I answere “Noe”— Yt lacketh such, I woote: Yt ys a mutton-saddel, loe! Parte of ye fleecye brute. I have a bytte—a ryghte good bytte— As shall bee seene yn tyme. Ye jawe of horse yt wyll not fytte; Yts use ys more sublyme. Fayre Syr, how deemest thou of yt? Yt ys—thys bytte of rhyme. [Picture: I have a horse] HIAWATHA’S PHOTOGRAPHING [In an age of imitation, I can claim no special merit for this slight attempt at doing what is known to be so easy. Any fairly practised writer, with the slightest ear for rhythm, could compose, for hours together, in the easy running...

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Let's clear something up first: this isn't a novel. "Ehstnische Märchen. Zweite Hälfte" is exactly what it says on the tin—a collection of Estonian folktales. It’s the second half of the life's work of Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, a man who traveled around Estonia in the 1800s, listening to people tell stories that had been passed down for generations. He wrote them down, and with the help of F. Löwe, published them. This book is a window into a pre-industrial, oral culture.

The Story

There's no single plot. Instead, you get dozens of short tales. A boy outsmarts a troll to win a princess. A poor farmer makes a dangerous deal with the Vanapagan (the Old Pagan, a devil-like figure) to get rich. Animals talk and give crucial advice. The landscape itself is a character: bogs hold secrets, trees offer shelter, and stones remember ancient events. The heroes are almost never knights or royalty. They're the youngest son, the clever daughter, or the brave farmhand who uses their wits to overcome magical obstacles. The endings are often satisfyingly just—the greedy get their comeuppance, and the kind-hearted find their reward, even if it's just a peaceful life.

Why You Should Read It

This collection feels different from the more famous German or French fairy tales. There's a grounded, earthy quality to it. The magic feels closer to the soil. It's less about castles and more about farms, forests, and the sea. I loved how the stories celebrate intelligence and perseverance over sheer power. The humor is dry and sly, often at the expense of arrogant giants or foolish devils. Reading it, you get a real sense of the Estonian national character being formed—resilient, observant, and deeply connected to nature. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a piece of cultural DNA.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for folklore nerds, fantasy writers looking for fresh inspiration, or anyone curious about the lesser-known corners of European culture. It’s not a breezy read—the language is of its time—but it’s a rewarding one. Think of it as an adventure in anthropology. You're not just reading stories; you're listening to the echoes of voices from centuries past, telling you how they saw the world. If that sounds cool to you, dive in.

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