Parts 3, 4, and 5 Summary

This section tells the brief but moving story of one of the poem's key relationships, that of Vainamoinen and Aino.

Part 3 - As time passes, Vainamoinen gains a reputation for being a wise and wonderful storyteller and singer. The young and impetuous Joukahainen, against the wishes of his parents, resolves to challenge him. When they meet, Joukahainen boasts that he can tell better stories, and proceeds to offer examples. His stories are childish, shallow, and at one point, outright lies. Vainamoinen becomes more and more impatient, finally causing a swamp to rise up around Joukahainen. As the swamp envelops him, Joukahainen offers Vainamoinen gold, horses, armor, land - anything and everything he can think of to get him to reverse his enchantment. Again and again Vainamoinen refuses. In final desperation, Joukahainen offers Vainamoinen his sister Aino. Vainamoinen, happily believing Aino will...