The great charm of this composition is in the description of a mother's love which it contains.
Kullervo brought misfortune everywhere simply by his strength and by his great passions--at last committing a terrible crime, causing the death of his own sister, whom he does not recognize.

He goes back home in desperation and remorse; and there everybody regards him with horror, except only his mother.

She alone tries to console him; she alone tells him that repentance may bring him rest.

He then proposes to go away and amend his wrong-doing in solitude.

But first he bids them all goodbye, and the episode is characteristic.
Kullervo, the son of Kalervo, gets him ready to depart; he goes to his old father and says: "Farewell now, O my dear father.