New and old bridges in Pärnu, photographed from beneath the bow of Mihkel

“He took Siim’s hand and stared at it for a long time. Tellingly, he drew a long line across his rough palm and made a cross in the middle. “Basket weaving will soon leave you in hunger,” he said predictably. “Soon a new competitor will come and no one will buy your baskets anymore. You will go to fairs in vain, only to bring all your wares back home later. I am telling you: go to Pärnu; happiness is waiting for you on Pärnu Bridge.”

Excerpt from Happiness of Siim the Basket Weaver, a short story by Peet Vallak