Leeni, a country girl, leaves to seek her fortune in Helsinki, but encounters numerous difficulties.

Based on short stories by early 20th century feminist writer Maria Jotuni, the film is a series of lively dialogue scenes between men and women, young and old, living in a small Finnish town. Most episodes evolve into humorous battles between the sexes. The film's central character is a young maid played by Maija Karhi.

Aarne marries Martta because his mother tells him it is his duty as the eldest son to marry a wealthy girl. However, the attractive school teacher Ilona arrives in the village and causes complications when Aarne falls in love with her.

Violinist Eero Viida's wife Ruth has left her husband but wants to return. Eero no longer loves his spouse and rejects her advances. Ruth shoots her husband, who ends up in the hospital. Eero becomes attached to Marja, a student of his accompanist Pallas, which drives the jealous Ruth to take extreme measures.

Immersed in his research work, professor Reinhold Varavaara realizes that he has neglected his children's upbringing. He falls in love with his son Pelle's girlfriend Marja and becomes a laughing stock in the eyes of his family. The offended father sets out to discipline his ill-behaved children.

Heta, the strong-willed daughter of the Niskavuori family, who is pregnant, marries Akusti, a farmhand, and remains bitter toward Santeria, who broke her heart. Heta and Akusti begin their life together on the modest Muumäki farm, where they are assisted by their loyal maid Siipirikko.

Pertti works as telegraph operator on a ship. The ship arrives in Helsinki and Pertti looks forward to meet his mother and the neighbor girl, who he is in love. But his plans change, when he steps into a restaurant with the first officer of the ship on the first ashore.

In a rural parish in 1906, young Heikki, one of the Finnish immigrants, lives a wild and free life in the deep forest. After poaching, his furs are confiscated and Heikki vows to have his revenge by seducing the young women of the parish, one by one.

Irmeli wants a certain job as a secretary but finds out that she would have to be married in order to get the vacancy. She lies that she has recently married and then gets a stranger from a nearby restaurant to pose as her husband. Complications arise when they have to continue their charade.

Olavi, a farmer's son, leaves his home after a dispute with his father and leads a life of a womanizing logger.