Tragedy is also a big theme. Usually, the ghosts are the result of some sort of tragic event, like the family in the abandoned house. Their untimely death or misfortune seems to be what keeps their spirits lingering. It could be that these stories are a way for Finns to remember and process the sad events of the past.
There is also the story of the Haunted Forest in Finland. People claim that when they enter this particular forest at night, they can hear strange whispers and see shadowy figures moving among the trees. Some say these are the spirits of those who got lost in the forest and perished. The forest has an eerie atmosphere that makes even the bravest souls a bit nervous.
One characteristic is that they can be quite simple in their narrative structure. They usually have a clear beginning, middle, and end. For instance, a story might start with a child getting lost in the woods, then they meet friendly animals in the middle, and finally find their way home at the end. Also, Finnish bedtime stories tend to have a moral or lesson. It could be about the importance of kindness, like when a character helps another in need and is rewarded for it. They also sometimes reflect the Finnish culture and way of life, like stories about traditional Finnish festivals or family traditions.
Finnish short stories often have a strong connection to nature. Given Finland's beautiful and sometimes harsh natural environment, it frequently features in the stories, like vast forests and long winters.
Nature is also a big part of Finnish knitting stories. The wool used might be sourced from local animals, and the colors and patterns could be inspired by the Finnish landscape, like the forests and lakes.
Finnish war novels often reflect Finnish culture through the values shown by the characters. For example, in 'The Unknown Soldier', the soldiers' perseverance in the face of great hardships reflects the Finnish concept of 'sisu', which is a kind of tenacity. They keep fighting and surviving in difficult war situations.
One common element is nature. Finnish scary stories often involve forests, lakes, and rivers as settings. For instance, as I mentioned before, the Näkki in the water and Metsänpeitto in the forest. These natural elements are given a spooky touch, like the forest becoming a place where you can easily get lost forever or the water hiding dangerous spirits.
The sauna also features in some stories. Families might go to the sauna on Christmas Eve as part of their traditions. It's a warm and relaxing place. And in stories, it can be a place where magical things happen, like seeing visions related to Christmas wishes.
One common theme is nature. Finnish bedtime stories often feature the beautiful and sometimes harsh Finnish landscape like forests, lakes, and snow - covered areas. Another theme is about kindness and helping others. For example, characters in the stories usually show kindness to animals or other people in need. Also, there is a sense of magic and mystery. Things like the Northern Lights or mythical creatures are often part of the stories, which makes them very enchanting for children at bedtime.
There are stories of how Finnish civilians supported the war effort. Women, for example, took on many roles in the absence of men at the front. They worked in factories, produced supplies, and provided medical care. There were also stories of children helping out in small ways, like gathering firewood for the troops. This all - around effort from the Finnish people was crucial in their ability to endure the long and difficult wars.