Elina, the daughter of a small farmer, would like to attend a folk high school, but her father Nestor opposes the idea. Elina suffers a severe skull fracture in an accident and is sent to Helsinki to be treated by specialist Matt. The patient recovers and begins her studies. She falls in love with forest ranger Lauri, who leaves for Canada for two years. Elina becomes ill with heartbreak and the rejection of her novel.