The lives of the poor devils in Hugo Simberg’s work are full of mishaps. They have the flu, a toothache, they are starving or have burned the food. Luckily they can also receive and give help. The lives of humans and poor devils are very close and frequently intersect. In this picture, the farmer’s wife gives milk to a devil with twins – Simberg was a twin himself. A devil could also lend a hand in the kitchen. It could lift up a hot pot without burning its fingers. It could also be quite wild and cause trouble, but most of Simberg’s devils are not malicious.

The first devils in Simberg’s work bore a distinct resemblance to the artist himself. Later on the resemblance faded, and the devil acquired its distinctive features, a tail and horns.