Spring

A new student recovering from scarlet fever, Arno is quiet and observant. He navigates early love and peer pressure with honesty, forming a bond with Teele and choosing to act with integrity rather than gossip or retaliation.

Teele is Arno’s first love, a neighbor’s daughter whose affections shift as new attractions enter the scene. She experiences the thrill and confusion of adolescence, moving from Arno to Imelik as her feelings evolve.

Toots is the lively, prank-loving classmate whose mischief destabilizes the classroom and tests everyone’s patience. His antics drive key turning points and reveal how power can be misused or redirected toward camaraderie.

Kiir is the whiny, tattling boy who becomes entangled in Toots’ schemes. His vulnerability and tendency to seek safety in narration highlight adolescence’s anxieties and the strain between groups.

Lible is the bell-ringer whose misperceived guilt drives early conflict. His friendship with Arno and his role in the resolution show how truth and loyalty define character relationships.

Laur is the compassionate teacher who steadies the class and intervenes when Toots’ schemes spiral out of control. He guides the students toward honesty and reconciliation.

Imelik is a carefree musician who arrives later in the story, winning Teele’s attention with his lively tunes. His presence shifts relationships and shakes Arno’s romantic prospects.

Kuslap is Jüri Kuslap, a servant who accompanies Imelik and participates in the village school community. He represents the social layers that accompany the students’ world.

Pastor serves as a village religious figure around the school, providing moral framing and occasional guidance to the students.

Parish Clerk is a figure of authority who attempts to discipline the class and maintain order, though his efforts are frequently outmatched by the students’ energy.