The story’s events revolve around Juha in ancient times. Juha owed one of the merchants of his village a large sum of money one day and could not return it due to his tight circumstances. With the owner of the money repeatedly pressing on Juha and insisting on demanding the return of his money, Juha began to avoid him whenever he saw him. When the merchant went to Juha’s house to ask him for money, he met Juha’s wife, waiting for him to make any excuse, so that he would leave. Juha’s wife’s excuse was extremely funny, so the owner of the debt kept laughing and forgot his frown, and then Juha appeared before him suddenly, smiling with his teeth showing.
The Beginning of the Story: It is narrated that in days of yore, one day, Juha borrowed a large sum of money from one of his merchant friends but was unable to return it. He was avoiding the owner of the debt so that he would not be pursued by him. If he happened to see Juha’s face, he would remind him of what was upon him. Juha would apologize to him with the tightness of his hand, asking him for a deadline of a few more days.
Juha and the Owner of the Debt: One day, while Juha was walking and looking out of his house’s window at the road, he saw the owner of the debt coming toward him. Juha hurried to hide from the window and said to his wife, “Come and face this man, and get rid of him with your excuse.” His wife said to him, “And what should I say to him, oh Juha?” Juha said, “Say to him whatever comes to your mind until he leaves from here and does not bother us by pursuing him.”
Juha’s Wife and the Owner of the Debt: His wife stood to wait for the man’s arrival, and Juha stood far away, not hearing what was going on between his wife and the man. When the man knocked on the door, she opened it a little and asked, “Who is knocking?” The man answered, saying, “I think you know who I am when you hear my voice, for I have come to you more than once. Perhaps this time will be the last.” Then he added, saying, “Oh mistress, I am the owner of the debt, and your affair has exceeded all shame. So tell your husband to come so I can speak to him a few words.” Juha’s wife said to him calmly, “Tell me what you want to mention to him, and I will convey it to him.” The man said, “Are you telling me that Juha does not want my return and does not want to pay what is upon him of money either?”
Juha’s Wife’s Cunning: His wife answered him, “You are right in your thought. Take from me a strong promise that we will pay your debt because we have discovered a new way to earn.” The man asked her, surprised, “Are you telling me that there is a way to earn, by which you can truly pay your debt?” Juha’s wife answered him in a low voice, “Yes.” The man said, “And does this period last long?”
Juha’s Wife’s Excuse: She said, “No. For the goats of the village began to pass before our house, and as they pass, they shed much wool from them. We gather it and spin it, and we make socks from it and sell them in the market and pay your right, for we do not eat anyone’s right.” The man began to laugh, after he had been listening to her attentively with a grim face.
Juha Appears Suddenly: Juha heard the man’s laughter while he was inside, so he went to the house door and extended his jaw from the door, and looked at the man while he was laughing heavily, and the frown had completely disappeared from his face. Juha said to him, “Woe to you, oh joker. You are now laughing with your mouth full after you guaranteed your rights.”
From the anecdotes of Juha.