Kalevala, Rune II summary

What happens

1. Sampsa sows the island, and forests grow, but the oak remains dormant until Tursas plants an acorn in ashes.
2. The oak grows large enough to hide the heavenly lights, so Wainamoinen asks his mother for help.
3. A tiny ocean hero becomes a giant and fells the oak; a Northland maiden gathers its chips for enchanted arrows.
4. Wainamoinen finds barley kernels, but a titmouse warns that the forest needs clearing and burning before barley can thrive.
5. Wainamoinen leaves a birch for birds, and an eagle rewards this care by setting the cleared branches alight.
6. Wainamoinen sows and prays; Ukko sends rain, the barley grows, and a cuckoo settles in the spared birch.

In this rune

What to notice

Wainamoinen’s explanation shows that clearing the land also includes care for birds. The eagle responds by helping prepare the ground with fire.

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