It's a December afternoon, and the darkness is descending in the quoters of Katinhäntä. Grandfather Iisakki has just strolled around the block, leaning on his walking cane. He takes pride in his walking cane, which is made from a shark's backbone.
Iisakki steps into the small cottage, lights the fire in the fireplace, ignites the oil lamp, and settles into his rocking chair. Topi the cat climbs onto his lap and starts to purr. Soon, Iisakki's eyes grow heavy, and he dreams of swaying on the skance of a ship, riding the waves of the open sea. The old blood courses through his withered veins, bringing back ancient memories.
At sea, Iisakki earned a decent living. The cottage is free of debt. Now, the cigarette money flows from the sailors' pension fund. The frost is cracking outside. Iisakki awakens, and Topi the cat jumps to the floor. It has been a year since Fiia, his wife, passed away. The cottage is neat and beautifully decorated, with Fiia's touch evident everywhere.
Fiia was an orphan, which allowed her to attend the school founded by Sofia Lybecker for impoverished girls. There, she learned to read, write, and do handicrafts, skills that proved valuable to the whole family. Fiia earned a small income from her crafts, which helped plug many financial holes over the years.
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