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The story of Aino ("The Only One") is told in the Finnish epic, Kalevala.

Her hand was promised to the hero Väinämöinen by her brother Joukahainen … more »

The story of Aino ("The Only One") is told in the Finnish epic, Kalevala.

Her hand was promised to the hero Väinämöinen by her brother Joukahainen after losing a singing contest. Though the family approves of such an illustrious match, Aino is upset by the news as she doesn't want to marry and Väinämöinen is too old for her. When Väinämöinen approaches her while she gathers firewood, and asks her to be his, she mocks him and flees in floods of tears.  The disconsolate Aino wanders through the woods lamenting her situation. She comes to a bay and sees three maidens bathing. Envying their carefree play, she decides to join them. Shedding her finery she swims out, whereupon the island sinks beneath the waves carrying the hapless Aino with it. « Less