They were students , on a boating excursion , and wanted to get something to eat . ` Bring us a junket , good mother , ' cried they to Maie . ` Ah ! if only I had such a thing ! ' sighed Maie . ' A can of fresh milk , then , ' said the students ; ` but it must not be skim . ' ` Yes , if only I had it ! ' sighed the old woman , still more deeply . ` What ! have n't you got a cow ? ' Maie was silent . This question so struck her to the heart that she could not reply . ` We have no cow , ' Matte answered ; ` but we have good smoked herring , and can cook them in a couple of hours . ' ` All right , then , that will do , ' said the students , as they flung themselves down on the rock , while fifty silvery-white herring were turning on the spit in front of the fire . ` What 's the name of this little stone in the middle of the ocean ? ' asked one of them . ` Ahtola , ' answered the old man . ` Well , you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea King 's dominion . ' Matte did not understand . He had never read Kalevala and knew nothing of the sea gods of old , but the students proceeded to explain to him .
-LSB- FN # 2 : XXXXX is a collection of old Finnish songs about gods and heroes . -RSB-
Ahtola Kalevala King Maie Matte fire hours junket right skim