Melancholy marigolds

Det var en gång för länge sedan, i en liten by i norra Åbo, bodde en bonde och hans hustru.

This farmer grew potatoes, beets, and kale to sell. He also few the most beautiful flowers in Northern Turku. The flowers were not for sale, at any price.

The flowers were a labor of love. Each colorful blossom held the memories of the farmer's beloved wife and unborn child who both tragically perished all those years ago. Such precious plants could never be soled with the mundane crops.

Years went by and the farmer became more and more obsessed with the flowers. He must pay tribute to his wife and son! Each year he tore up more of his crops until flowers grew as far as the eye could see. The farmer, weakened and poor, still would not give up.

One spring, a wealthy traveler marveled at the blooms and offered a kingly sum. The farmer went straight to court, gold in hand. “My family please,” he said. “And the interest?” the magistrate asked. The farmer handed his last, gem-encrusted bouquet and the matter was settled.