Chapter XXV: Part II: Esthonian Folk-Tales

These are very numerous, and, while some are of course
identical with well-known stories of world-wide distribution,
others have a peculiarly original character of their own. We
have divided them into sections, but this classification must
not be taken as too stringent, for many tales would fall
equally well under two or three of our separate headings. In so
far as any foreign elements are visible, they are apparently
Scandinavian or German. Finnish tales show more trace of
Russian influence, but there is seldom any visible in Esthonian
tales, and even in the _Kalevipoeg_ there is no resemblance to
the Russian hero-legends. It is, however, noteworthy that even
in the most heathenish tales, the heroes usually have names of
[Pg 146]
Christian origin; though not in the _Kalevipoeg_. It is
possible that the Gospel of Nicodemus, which describes the
descent into hell, may have suggested the name of Nicodemus
for Slyboots.

[Pg 147]