7. Claus Leaves the Forest

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

by L. Frank Baum

When good Queen Zurline had touched the golden chalice with her
fair lips and it had passed around the circle in honor of the
travelers' return, the Master Woodsman of the World, who had not yet
spoken, turned his gaze frankly upon Claus and said:

"Well?"

The boy understood, and rose slowly to his feet beside Necile.
Once only his eyes passed around the familiar circle of nymphs, every
one of whom he remembered as a loving comrade; but tears came
unbidden to dim his sight, so he gazed thereafter steadfastly at the
Master.

"I have been ignorant," said he, simply, "until the great Ak in
his kindness taught me who and what I am. You, who live so sweetly
in your forest bowers, ever fair and youthful and innocent, are no
fit comrades for a son of humanity. For I have looked upon man,
finding him doomed to live for a brief space upon earth, to toil for
the things he needs, to fade into old age, and then to pass away as
the leaves in autumn. Yet every man has his mission, which is to
leave the world better, in some way, than he found it. I am of the
race of men, and man's lot is my lot. For your tender care of the
poor, forsaken babe you adopted, as well as for your loving
comradeship during my boyhood, my heart will ever overflow with
gratitude. My foster-mother," here he stopped and kissed Necile's
white forehead, "I shall love and cherish while life lasts. But I
must leave you, to take my part in the endless struggle to which
humanity is doomed, and to live my life in my own way."

"What will you do?" asked the Queen, gravely.

"I must devote myself to the care of the children of mankind,
and try to make them happy," he answered. "Since your own tender
care of a babe brought to me happiness and strength, it is just and
right that I devote my life to the pleasure of other babes. Thus
will the memory of the loving nymph Necile be planted within the
hearts of thousands of my race for many years to come, and her kindly
act be recounted in song and in story while the world shall last.
Have I spoken well, O Master?"

"You have spoken well," returned Ak, and rising to his feet he
continued: "Yet one thing must not be forgotten. Having been adopted
as the child of the Forest, and the playfellow of the nymphs, you
have gained a distinction which forever separates you from your kind.
Therefore, when you go forth into the world of men you shall retain
the protection of the Forest, and the powers you now enjoy will
remain with you to assist you in your labors. In any need you may
call upon the Nymphs, the Ryls, the Knooks and the Fairies, and they
will serve you gladly. I, the Master Woodsman of the World, have
said it, and my Word is the Law!"

Claus looked upon Ak with grateful eyes.

"This will make me mighty among men," he replied. "Protected by
these kind friends I may be able to make thousands of little children
happy. I will try very hard to do my duty, and I know the Forest
people will give me their sympathy and help."

"We will!" said the Fairy Queen, earnestly.

"We will!" cried the merry Ryls, laughing.

"We will!" shouted the crooked Knooks, scowling.

"We will!" exclaimed the sweet nymphs, proudly. But Necile said
nothing. She only folded Claus in her arms and kissed him
tenderly.

"The world is big," continued the boy, turning again to his
loyal friends, "but men are everywhere. I shall begin my work near
my friends, so that if I meet with misfortune I can come to the
Forest for counsel or help."

With that he gave them all a loving look and turned away. There
was no need to say good by, by for him the sweet, wild life of the
Forest was over. He went forth bravely to meet his doom--the doom of
the race of man--the necessity to worry and work.

But Ak, who knew the boy's heart, was merciful and guided his
steps.

Coming through Burzee to its eastern edge Claus reached the
Laughing Valley of Hohaho. On each side were rolling green hills,
and a brook wandered midway between them to wind afar off beyond the
valley. At his back was the grim Forest; at the far end of the
valley a broad plain. The eyes of the young man, which had until now
reflected his grave thoughts, became brighter as he stood silent,
looking out upon the Laughing Valley. Then on a sudden his eyes
twinkled, as stars do on a still night, and grew merry and wide.

For at his feet the cowslips and daisies smiled on him in
friendly regard; the breeze whistled gaily as it passed by and
fluttered the locks on his forehead; the brook laughed joyously as it
leaped over the pebbles and swept around the green curves of its
banks; the bees sang sweet songs as they flew from dandelion to
daffodil; the beetles chirruped happily in the long grass, and the
sunbeams glinted pleasantly over all the scene.

"Here," cried Claus, stretching out his arms as if to embrace
the Valley, "will I make my home!"

That was many, many years ago. It has been his home ever since.
It is his home now.