Mikko Kallakari

Irmeli worships the memory of her deceased composer father, but falls in love with her mother Ruuti's new fiancé, Dr. Hallamaa. Unhappy love depresses Irmeli, and she tries to run away to Sweden. Antti, an engineering student who lives as a tenant in the family's home, sets off after Irmeli to bring her back home.

Life on a farm in Kitkankoski is disrupted when construction of a hydroelectric power plant begins in the area. Determined Emma, who has returned from America, and stubborn local farmer Jeremias Junnila clash when Junnila refuses to produce milk for the construction site. At the same time, a romance blossoms between Junnila's daughter Hillevi and Eero, who works at the construction site, but Eero is not the only worker who seeks Hillevi's love.

Ahti Helpi, the pastor of a rural parish who sees himself as both a priest and a soldier, leaves for the front to continue the war. At home, his pregnant wife Lea takes care of their large family as well as the parishioners. They endure the difficult times by believing in God, home, and their fatherland.

Esko is going to a neighboring village to marry Kreeta after her father arranged the marriage with Esko's father. Esko takes Mikko as his travel companion and that's where Esko's ordeals begin.