High excursionists. It's me Nari. I hope you enjoy this very special Christmas
production. I thought it would be fun to have something we can all share
leading up to the Christmas holiday. L frank Baum is a literary icon who
introduced every one of us to the land of Oz. Please gather around with
family and friends for this very special presentation of another of his wonderful stories,
the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. For how Little Mayre became frightened.
The winter was over now, and all the Laughing valley was filled with joyous
excitement. The brook was so happy at being free once again that it gurgled
more boisterously than ever, and dashed so recklessly against the rocks that it sent
showers of spray high in the air. The grass thrust its sharp little blades
upward through the mat of the dead stalks, where it had hidden from the
snow, But the flowers were yet too timid to show themselves. Although the
ryles were busy feeding their roots, the sun was in remarkably good humor and
sent his rays dancing merrily throughout the valley. Claws was eating his dinner one
day when he heard a timid knock on his door, Come in, he
called. No one entered, but after a pause came another rapping claws,
jumped up and threw open the door. Before him stood a small girl holding
a smaller brother fast by the hand. Is you TLAs, she asked shyly.
Indeed, I am, my dear, he answered with a laugh,
as he caught both children in his arms and kissed them. You are very
welcome, and you have come just in time to share my dinner. He
took them to the table and fed them with fresh milk and nutcakes. When
they had eaten enough, he asked, why have you made made this long
journey to see me? I wants a tete, replied little Mayre, and
her brother, who had not yet learned to speak many words, nodded his
head and exclaimed, like an echo, tete, oh you want my toy
cats? Do you? Returned Klaus, greatly pleased to discover that his creations
were so popular with the children. The little visitors nodded eagerly. Unfortunately,
he continued, I have but one cat now ready, for I carried two
to children in town yesterday, and the one I have shall be given to
your brother Mayre, because he is the smaller, and the next one I
make shall be for you. The boy's face was bright with smiles as he
took the precious toy Claws held out to him, but Little may Re covered
her face with her arms and began to sob grievously. I hope he wants
a tete. Now she will. Her disappointment made Klaus feel miserable for a
moment. Then he suddenly remembered, she don't cry, darling, he said
soothingly. I have a much nicer toy than a cat, and you shall
have that. He went to the cupboard and drew out the image of the
lioness, which he placed on the table before Mayrey. The girl raised her
arm and gave one glance at the fierce teeth and glaring eyes of the beast,
and then, uttering a terrified scream, she rushed from the house.
The boy followed her, also screaming lustily and even dropping his precious cat in
his fear. For a moment, Claw stood motionless, being puzzled and astonished.
Then he threw Sheigra's image into the cupboard and ran after the children,
calling to them not to be frightened. Little Mayre stopped in her flight,
and her brother clung to her skirt, but they both cast fearful glances at
the house until Claus had assured them many times that the beast had been locked
in the cupboard. Yet why were you frightened at seeing it? He asked?
It is only a toy to play with. It's bad, said Mayor
decidedly, And and just horrid, and not a bit nice like tats.
Perhaps you are right, returned Claws thoughtfully. But if you return with me
to the house, I will soon make you a pretty cat. So they
timidly entered the house again, having faith in their friend's words, and afterward
they had the joy of watching Claws carve out a cat from a bit of
wood and painted in natural colors. It did not take him long to do
this, for he had become skillful with his knife by this time, and
may Re loved her toy the more dearly because she had seen it made.
After his little visitors had trotted away on their journey homeward, Laws sat long
in deep thought, and he then decided that such fierce creatures as his friend
the Lioness, would never do as models from which to fashion his toys.
There must be nothing to frighten the dear babies, he reflected, and while
I know she grew well and am not afraid of her, it is but
natural that children should look upon her image with terror. Hereafter, I will
choose such mild mannered animals as squirrels and rabbits, and deer and lambkins from
which to carve my toys, For then the little ones will love rather than
fear them. He began his work that very day, and before bedtime he
had made a wooden rabbit and a lamb. They were not quite so lifelike
as the cats had been, because they were formed from memory, while Blinkie
had sat very still for Claws to look at while he worked. But the
new toys pleased the children nevertheless, and the fame of Clawss playthings quickly spread
to every cottage on plain and in village. He always carried his gifts to
the sick or crippled children, but those who were strong enough walked to the
house in the valley to ask for them. So a little path was soon
worn from the plain to the door of the toy maker's cottage. First came
the children who had been playmates of Claws before he began to make toys.
These, you may be sure, were well supplied. Then children who lived
farther away heard of the wonderful images and made journeys to the valley to secure
them. All the little ones were welcome, and never a one went away
empty handed. The demand for his handiwork kept Claws busily occupied, but he
was quite happy in knowing the pleasure he gave so many of the dear children.
His friends. The immortals were pleased with his success and supported him bravely.
The knooks selected for him clear pieces of soft wood that his knife might
not be blunted in cutting them. The ryles kept him supplied with paints of
all colors and brushes fashioned from the tips of timothy grasses. The fairies discovered
that the workmen needed saws and chisels, and hammers and nails, as well
as knives, and brought him a goodly array of such tools. Claws soon
turned his living room into the most wonderful workshop. He built a bench before
the window and arranged his tools and paints so that he could reach everything as
he sat on his stool, and as he finished toy after toy to delight
the hearts of little children. He found himself growing so gay and happy that
he could not refrain from singing and laughing and whistling all the day long.
It's because I live in the Laughing Valley, where everything else laughs, said
Claws. But that was not the reason. Five. How Bessie Blythesome came
to the Lapping Valley One day? As Claw sat before his door to enjoy
the sunshine. While he busily carved the head and horns of a toy deer,
he looked up and discovered a glittering cavalcade of horsemen approaching through the valley.
When they drew nearer, he saw that the band consisted of a score
of men at arms, clad in bright armor, and bearing in their hands
spears and battle axes. In front of those rode little Bessie Blythesome, the
pretty daughter of that proud Lord of Lurd who had once driven Claws from his
palace. Her palfrey was pure white, Its bridle was covered with glittering gems,
and its saddle draped with cloth of gold richly broidered. The soldiers were
sent to protect her from harm while she journeyed. Walls was surprised, but
he continued to whittle and to sing until the cavalcade drew up before him.
Then the little girl leaned over the neck of her palfrey and said, please,
mister Claus, I want a toy. Her voice was so pleading that
Claus jumped up at once and stood beside her. But he was puzzled how
to answer her request. You are a rich lord's daughter, said he,
and have all that you desire. Accept toys, added Bessie. There are
no toys in all the world but yours, and I make them for the
poor children who have nothing else to amuse them, continued Claus. Do poor
children love to play with toys more than rich ones? Asked Bessie. I
suppose not, said Claus. Thoughtfully. Am I to blame because my father
is a lord? Must I be denied the pretty toys I long for?
Because other children are poorer than I? She inquired earnestly. I'm afraid you
must, dear, he answered, for the poor have nothing else with which
to amuse themselves. You have your pony to ride, your servants to wait
on you, and every comfort that money can procure. But I want toys,
cried Bessie, wiping away the tears that forced themselves into her eyes.
If I cannot have them, I shall be very unhappy. Claws was troubled
for her grief recalled to him the thought that his desire was to make all
children happy, without regard to their condition in life. Yet, while so
many poor children were clamoring for his toys, he could not bear to give
one of them to Bessie Blithesom, who had so much already to make her
happy. Listen, my child, he said gently. All the toys I
am making now are promised to others, but the next shall be yours.
Since your heart so longs for it, Come to me again in two days,
and it shall be ready for you. Bessie gave a cry of,
and, leaning over her pony's neck, she kissed Claws prettily upon his forehead.
Then, calling to her men at arms, she rode gaily away,
leaving Claws to resume his work. If I am to supply the rich children
as well as the poor ones, he thought, I shall not have a
spare moment in the whole year. But is it right I should give to
the rich. Surely I must go to Nicille and talk with her about this
matter. So, when he had finished the toy deer, which was very
like a deer he had known in the forest glades. He walked into Bersey
and made his way to the bower of the beautiful nymph Necile, who had
been his foster mother. She greeted him tenderly and lovingly, listening with interest
to his story of the visit of Bessie Blithesome. And now tell me,
he said, shall I give toys to rich children? We have the forest
know nothing of riches. She replied, It seems to me that one child
is like another child, since they are all made of the same clay,
and that riches are like a gown which may be put on or taken away,
leaving the child unchanged. But the fairies are guardians of mankind, and
no mortal children better than I. Let us call the fairy queen. This
was done, and the Queen of the fairies sat beside them and heard Claws
relate his reasons for thinking the rich children could get along without his toys,
and also what the nymph had said. Missielle is right, declared the queen,
For whether it be rich or poor, a child's longings for pretty playthings
are but natural. Rich Bessy's heart may suffer as much for grief as poor
Mayre's. She can be just as lonely and discontented, and just as gay
and happy. I think, friend, Claws, it is your duty to
make all little ones glad, whether they chance to live in palaces or in
cottages. Your words are wise, fair, queen, replied Claws, and
my heart tells me they are just as they are wise. Hereafter all children
may claim my services. Then he bowed before the gracious fairy, and kissing
Necile's red lips, went back into his valley. At the brook, he
stopped to drink, and afterward he sat on the bank and took a piece
of moist clay in his hand. While he thought what sort of toy he
should make for Bessy Blithesome. He did not notice that his fingers were working
the clay into shape, until glancing downward, he found he had unconsciously formed
a head that bore a slight resemblance to the nymph ne Sele. At once
he became interested. Gathering more of the clay from the bank, he carried
it to his house. Then, with the aid of his knife and a
bit of wood, he succeeded in working the clay into the image of a
toy nymph. With skillful strokes, he formed long, waving hair on the
head and covered the body with a gown of oak leaves, while the two
feet sticking out at the bottom of the gown were clad in sandals. But
the clay was soft, and Claws found he must handle it gently to avoid
ruining his pretty work. Perhaps the rays of the sun will draw out the
moisture and cause the clay to become hard, he thought, so he laid
the image on a flat board and placed it in the glare of the sun.
This done, he went to his bench and began painting the toy deer,
and soon he became so interested in the work that he forgot all about
the clay nymph. But next morning, happening to notice it as it lay
on the board, he found the sun had baked it into the hardness of
stone, and it was strong enough to be safely handled. Claws now painted
the nymph with great care, in the likeness of missile, giving it deep
blue eyes, with white teeth, rosy lips, and ruddy brown hair.
The gown he colored oak leaf green, and when the paint was dry,
Claws himself was charmed with the new toy. Of course, it was not
nearly so lovely as the real massile, but considering the material of which it
was made, Claws thought it was very beautiful. When Bessie, riding upon
her white palfrey, came to his dwelling the next day, Claws presented her
with the new toy. The little girl's eyes were brighter than ever as she
examined the pretty image, which she loved at once, and held it close
to her breast as a mother does to her child. What is it called,
Claws, she asked. Now Claws knew that nymphs do not like to
be spoken of by mortals, so he could not tell Bessie it was the
image of Nasille he had given her. But as it was a new toy,
he searched his mind for a new named call it by, and the
first word he thought of he decided would do very well. It's called a
dolly, my dear, he said to Bessie. I shall call the dolly
my baby, returned Bessie, kissing it fondly, and I shall tend it
and care for it just as nurse cares for me. Thank you very much,
Claus, your gift has made me happier than I have ever been before.
Then she rode away, hugging the toy in her arms, and Claws,
seeing her delight, thought he would make another Dolly, better and more
natural than the first. He brought more clay from the brook, and,
remembering that Bessie had called the dolly her baby, he resolved to form this
one into a baby's image. That was no difficult task to the clever workman,
and soon the baby Dolly was lying on the board and play in the
sun to dry. Then, with the clay that was left, he began
to make an image of Bessie Blithesome herself. This was not so easy,
for he found he could not make the silken robe of the lord's daughter out
of the common clay. So he called the fairies to his aid and asked
them to bring him colored silks with which he could make a real dress for
the clay image. The fairy set off at once on their errand, and
before nightfall they returned with a generous supply of silks and laces and gold threads.
Claws now became impatient to complete his new Dolly, and instead of waiting
for the next day's sun He placed the clay image upon his hearth and covered
it with glowing calls by mourning. When he drew the dolly from the ashes,
it had baked as hard as if it had lain a full day in
the hot sun. Now our claws became a dressmaker as well as a toy
maker. He cut the lavender silk and neatly sewed it into a beautiful gown
that just fitted the new dolly, and he put a lace collar around its
neck and pink silk shoes on its feet. The natural color of baked clay
a light gray, but Claws painted the face to resemble the color of flesh,
and he gave the dolly Bessie's brown eyes and golden hair and rosy cheeks.
It was really a beautiful thing to look upon, and sure to bring
joy to some childish heart. While Klaus was admiring it, he heard a
knock at his door, and little Mayre entered. Her face was sad and
her eyes red with continued weeping. What why, what has grieved you,
my dear, said Claus, taking the child in his arms. I've boke
my tad, sobbed Mayy. How he inquired, his eyes twinkling I I
dwopped him and boke off his tail, and then I dwopped him and boke
off him's ear, and now him's all spoiled. Claws laughed. Never mind,
Mayrie, dear, he said, how would you like this new dolly
instead of a cat? Mayrey looked at the silk robed dolly, and her
eyes grew big with astonishment. Oh tlus, she cried, clapping her small
hands together with rapture. Can I have a beautiful lady? Do you like
it? He asked, I love it, She said, it's better than
tats. Then take it, dear, and be careful not to break it.
May retook the dolly with a joy that was almost reverent, and her
face dimpled with smiles as she started along the path toward home. Six.
The wickedness of the Aguas. I must now tell you something about the Aguas,
the terrible race of creatures which caused our good claws so much trouble,
and nearly succeeded in robbing the children of the world of their earliest and best
friend. I do not like to mention the Aguas, but they are a
part of this history and cannot be a They were neither mortals nor immortals,
but stood midway between those classes of beings. The aguas were invisible to ordinary
people, but not to immortals. They could pass swiftly through the air from
one part of the world to another, and had the power of influencing the
minds of human beings to do their wicked will. They were of gigantic stature
and had coarse, scowling countenances, which showed plainly their hatred of all mankind.
They possessed no consciences whatever, and delighted only in evil deeds. Their
homes were in rocky, mountainous places, from whence they sallied forth to accomplish
their wicked purposes. The one of their number that could think of the most
horrible deed for them to do was always elected the king Agua, and all
the race obeyed his orders. Sometimes these creatures lived to become a hundred years
old, but usually they fought so fiercely among themselves that many were destroyed in
combat, and when they died, that was the end of them. Mortals
were more powerless to harm them, and the immortals shuddered when the aguas were
mentioned and always avoided them. So they flourished for many years unopposed and accomplished
much evil. I am glad to assure you that these vile creatures have long
since perished and passed from earth. But in the days when Claus was making
his first toys, they were a numerous and powerful tribe. One of the
principal sports of the Aguas was to inspire angry passions in the hearts of little
children, so that they quarreled and fought with one another. They would tempt
boys to eat of unripe fruit, and then delighten the pain they suffered.
They urged little girls to disobey their parents, and then would laugh when the
children were punished. I do not know what causes a child to be naughty
in these days, but when the Aguas were on the earth, naughty children
were usually under their influence. Now, when Claws began to make children happy,
he kept them out of the power of the Aguas. For children possessing
such lovely playthings as he gave them had no wish to obey the evil thoughts
the Aguas tried to thrust into their minds. Therefore, one year, when
the wicked tribe was to elect a new kas, they chose an Agua,
who proposed to destroy Claws and take him away from the children. There are,
as you know, fewer naughty children in the world since Claws came to
the Laughing Valley and began to make his toys, said the new king,
as he squatted upon a rock and looked around the scowling faces of his people.
Why Bessie Blithesome has not stamped her foot once this month, nor has
Mary's brother slapped his sister's face or thrown the puppy into the rain barrel.
Little Wickham took his bath last night without screaming or struggling, because his mother
had promised he should take his toy cat to bed with him. Such a
condition of affairs is awful for any agua to think of. And the only
way we can direct the naughty actions of children is to take this person,
Claws, away from them. Pooh cried, The big ogwas in a chorus,
and they clapped their hands to applaud the speech of their king. What
shall we do with him, asked one of the creatures. I have a
plan, replied the wicked king, And what his plan was you will soon
discover. That night, Claws went to bed, feeling very happy for he
had completed no less than four pretty toys during the day, and they were
sure he thought to make four little children happy. But while he slept,
the band of invisible aguas surrounded his bed, bound him with stout charts,
and then flew away with him to the middle of a dark forest in far
off ethop, where they laid him down and left him. When morning came,
Claws found himself thousands of miles from any human being, a prisoner in
the wild jungle of an unknown land. From the limb of a tree above
his head swayed a huge python, one of those reptiles that are able to
crush a man's bones in their coils. A few yards away crouched a savage
panther, its glaring red eyes fixed full on the helpless claws. One of
those monstrous spotted spiders whose sting is death, crept stealthily toward him over the
matted leaves, which shriveled and turned black at its very touch. But Claws
had been reared in burzy and was not afraid. Come to me, ye
knooks of the forest. He cried and gave the low, peculiar whistle that
the knooks know. The panther, which was about to spring upon its victim,
turned and slunk away. The python swung itself into the tree and disappeared
among the leaves. The spider stopped short in its advance and hid beneath a
rotting log. Claws had no time to notice them, for he was surrounded
by a band of harsh, featured nooks, more crooked and deformed in appearance
than any he had ever seen. Who are you to call on us,
demanded one in a gruff voice. The friend of your brother's in Berzy,
answered Claws. I have been brought here by my enemies, the Oguas,
and left to perish miserably. Yet now I implore your help to release me
and send me home again. Have you sign asked another, Yes, said
Claus. They cut his bonds, and with his free arms, he made
the secret sign of the knooks. Instantly, they assisted him to stand upon
his feet, and they brought him food and drink to strengthen him. Our
brothers of Bersie make queer friends, grumbled an ancient knook, whose flowing beard
was pure white. But he who knows our secret sign and signal is entitled
to our help, whoever he may be. Close your eyes, stranger,
and we will conduct you to your home. Where shall we seek it'tis
in the laughing valley, answered Claus, shutting his eyes. There is but
one laughing valley in the known world, so we cannot go astray, remarked
the knook. As he spoke, the sound of his voice seemed to die
away, so Claws opened his eyes to see what caused the change. To
his astonishment, he found himself seated on the bench by his own door,
with the laughing valley spread out before him. That day he visited the wood
Nymphs and related his adventure to the queens Erline and Nesille. The Aguas have
become your enemies, said the lovely queen thoughtfully, so we must do all
we can to protect you from their power. It was cowardly to bind him
while he slept, Remarkednasilee with indignation. The evil ones are ever cowardly,
answered Zerline. But our friends slumber shall not be disturbed again. The Queen
herself came to the dwelling of Claws that evening and placed her seal on every
door and window to keep out the aguas, and under the seal of queens
Erline was placed the seal of the Fairies, and the seal of the ryles,
and the seals of the Knooks, that the charm might become more powerful.
And Claws carried his toys to the children again and made many more of
the little ones happy. You may guess how angry the King Agua and his
fierce band were when it was no to them that Claws had escaped from the
forest of Ethop. They raged madly for a whole week, and then held
another meeting among the rocks. It is useless to carry him where the knooks
reign, said the king, for he has their protection. So let us
cast him into a cave of our own mountains, where he will surely perish.
This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night
to seize Claws. But they found his dwelling guarded by the seals of the
immortals, and were obliged to go away, baffled and disappointed. Never mind,
said the king, he does not sleep always. Next day, as
Claws traveled to the village across the plain, where he intended to present a
toy squirrel to a lame boy, he was suddenly set upon by the Aguas,
who seized him and carried him away to the mountains. There they thrust
him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocks against the entrance to prevent
his escape. Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to
breathe, our Claws was indeed in a pitiful plight. But he spoke the
mystic words of the fairies, which always command their friendly aid, and they
came to his rescue and transported him to the Laughing Valley in the twinkling of
an eye. Thus the og was discovered they might not destroy one who had
earned the friendship of the immortals. So the evil band sought other means of
keeping Claws from bringing happiness to children and so making them obedient. Whenever Claws
set out to carry his toys to the little ones, and Agua, who
had been set to watch his movements, sprang upon him and snatched the toys
from his grasp. And the children were no more disappointed than was Claws.
When he was obliged to return home. Disconsolate, still, he persevered and
made many toys for his little friends, and started with them for the villages.
And always the Oga was robbed him as soon as he had left the
valley, they threw the stolen playthings into one other their lonely caverns, and
quite a heap of toys accumulated before Claws became discouraged and gave up all attempts
to leave the valley. Then children began coming to him, since they found
he did not go to them, But the wicked aguas flew around them and
caused their steps to stray and the paths to become crooked, so never a
little one could find a way into the laughing valley. Lonely days now fell
upon Claws, for he was denied the pleasure of bringing happiness to the children
whom he had learned to love. Yet he bore up bravely, for he
thought surely the time would come when the oguas would abandon their evil designs to
injure him. He devoted all his hours to toy making, and when one
plaything had been completed, he stood it on a shelf he had built for
that purpose. When the shelf became filled with rows of toys, he made
another and filled that one also, so that in time he had many shelves
filled with gay and beautiful toys representing horses, dogs, cats, elephants,
lambs, rabbits, and deer, as well as pretty dolls of all sizes,
and balls and marbles of baked clay painted in gay colors. Often,
as he glanced at the array of childish treasure, the heart of good old
Claws became sad. So greatly did he long to carry the toys to his
children. And at last, because he could bear it no longer, he
ventured to go to the Great Act, to whom he told the story of
his persecution by the Aguas, and begged the Master Woodsman to assist him.
Thank you for joining me for the Into the Night Anthology podcast production of the
Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum. All original music,
editing, and sound design provided by Omenhawk Studios. Thank you so much
to Project Gutenberg for making public domain books such as this one accessible to everyone