Finally I have a small one, inspired by our very own Róisín!
Leaves
“Come on Lalli, give me a break! That’s just a bunch of leaves!” Emil groaned.
“Not just leaves. Nothing is “just”, stupid. This one is food. These, medicine.” Lalli was piling leaves and other parts of plants on the table. “You must learn. This one’s roots are food, this gives berries, this used for dyeing, spice, tea, tea against cough, helps with sleep, food, spice…”
“But they all look the same!”
“Pay attention. I teach. You learn”
“But why do I have to…”
“You live here now, with us. You learn. Let’s start again.”
*Sigh* “Ok. But you are a pain in the behind sometimes you know.”
“Pay attention now. Let’s start with the ones you should know. I show, you tell.”
“Right, right. I’ll try. So. Puolukka.”
“Correct. What is it?”
“Berries, in the autumn.”
“Yes. This?”
“Mustikka. Berries in summer.”
“Good. See, you pay attention, you learn. Go on.”
“Voikukka. Food, all parts in different time. Ratamo, for wounds. Poimulehti… for eating and tea…”
“See. You are stupid but you can learn!”
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The plants are puolukka = lingonberry, mustikka = bilberry, voikukka = dandelion, ratamo = plantain, poimulehti = Lady’s mantle
