Hi, excursionists, it's me Gnari. 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 Sam class youth one Bersie. Have you heard
of the great forest of Berzy? Nurse used to sing of it when I
was a child. She sang of the big tree trunks standing close together,
with their roots intertwining below the earth, and their branches intertwining above it,
of their rough coating of bark and queer gnarled limbs, of the bushy foliage
that roofed the entire forest, save where the sunbeams found a path through which
to touch the ground in little spots, and to cast weird and curious shadows
over the mosses, the lichens, and the drifts of dried leaves. The
Forest of Burzy is mighty and grand and awesome to those who steal beneath its
shade coming from the sunlit meadows into the mazes. It seems, at first
gloomy, then pleasant, and afterward filled with never ending delights. For hundreds
of years it has flourished in all its magnificence, the silence of its enclosure
unbroken save by the chirp of busy chipmunks, the growl of wild beasts,
and the song of birds. Nature peopled it in the beginning with fairies,
nooks, ryles and nymphs. As long as the forest stands, it will
be a home, a refuge, and a playground to these sweet immortals who
revel undisturbed in its depths. Civilization has never yet reached BERSI will it ever,
I wonder two. The child of the forest. Once so long ago
our great grandfathers could scarcely have heard it mentioned. There lived within the great
Forest of Bursey a wood nymph named Nicile. She was closely related to the
Mighty Queen's or Lean, and her home was beneath the shade of a wide
spreading oak. Once every year, on Budding Day, when the trees put
forth their new buds, Nicilee held the golden chowels of ac to the lips
of the Queen, who drank therefrom to the prosperity of the forest. She
was a nymph of some importance, and moreover, it is said that she
was highly regarded because of her beauty and grace. When she was created.
She could not have told Queen's orline, could not have told the great act
himself, could not have told. It was long ago, when the world
was new, and nymphs were needed to guard the forest and to minister to
the wants of the young trees. Then on some day not remembered, Nicill
sprang into bed, Radiant, lovely, straight, and slim as the sapling
she was created to guard. Her hair was the color that lines a chestnut
burn. Her eyes were blue in the sunlight and purple in the shade.
Her cheeks bloomed with the faint pink that edges the clouds at sunset. Her
lips were full, red, pouting, and sweet. For costume, she
adopted oak leaf green. All the wood nymphs dress in that color, and
no no other so desirable. Her dainty feet were sandal clad, while her
head remained bare of covering. Other than her silken tresses. Nicilee's duties were
few and simple. She kept hurtful weeds from growing beneath her trees and sapping
the earth food required by her charges. She frightened away the gadgels, who
took evil delight in flying against the tree trunks and wounding them so that they
drooped and died from the poisonous contact. In dry seasons, she carried water
from the brooks and pools and moistened the roots of her thirsty dependents. That
was in the beginning. The weeds had now learned to avoid the forests where
the wood nymphs dwelt the loathsome gagels no longer dared come nigh. The trees
had become old and sturdy and could bear the drought better than when they were
fresh sprouted. So Nicile's duties were lessened and time grew laggered, while succeeding
years became more tiresome and uneventful than the nymph's joyous spirit. Loved truly,
the forest dwellers did not lack amusement. Each full moon they danced in the
royal circle of the Queen. There were also the Feast of Nuts, the
Jubilee of autumn tintings, the Solemn sar ceremony of leaf shedding, and the
revelry of budding day. But these periods of enjoyment were far apart and left
many weary hours between. That a wood nymph should grow discontented was not thought
of by Nicole's sisters. It came upon her only after many years of brooding.
But when once she had settled in her mind that life was irksome,
she had no patience with her condition, and longed to do something of real
interest, and to pass her days in ways hitherto undreamed of by forest nymphs.
The law of the forest alone restrained her from going forth in search of
adventure. While this mood lay heavy upon pretty Necile, it chanced that the
Great Ak visited the forest of Bursey and allowed the wood nymphs, as was
their wont to lie at his feet and listen to the words of wisdom that
fell from his lips. Ak is the master woodsmen of the world. He
sees everything and knows more than the sons of men. That night he held
the queen's hand, for he loved the nymphs as a father loved his children.
And Naicillo lay at his feet with many of her sisters, and earnestly
hearkened as he spoke, We live so happily, my fair ones, in
our forest glades, said Ac, stroking his grizzled beard, thoughtfully, that
we know nothing of the sorrow and misery that fall to a lot of those
poor mortals who inhabit the open spaces of the earth. They are not of
our race, it is true, yet compassion well befits beings so fairly favored
as ourselves. Often as I pass by the dwellings of some suffering mortal,
I am tempted to stop and banish the poor thing's misery. Yet suffering in
moderation is the natural lot of morse, and it is not our place to
interfere with the laws of nature. Nevertheless, said the fair Queen, nodding
her golden head at the master woodsman. It would not be a vain guess
that Ac has often assisted these helpless mortals. Ax smiled. Sometimes, he
replied, when they are very young children, the mortals call them. I
have stopped to rescue them from misery. The men and women I dare not
interfere with. They must bear the burdens nature has imposed upon them. But
the helpless infants, the innocent children of men, have a right to be
happy until they become full grown and able to bear the trials of humanity.
So I feel I am justified in assisting them. Not long ago, a
year maybe, I found four poor children huddled in a wooden hut, slowly
freezing to death. Their parents had gone to a neighboring village for food,
and had left a fire to warm their little ones while they were absent.
But a storm arose and drifted the snow in their path, so they were
long on the road. Meanwhile, the fire out and the frost crept into
the bones of the waiting children. Poor things, murmured the queen softly.
What did you do? I called Noko, bidding him fetch wood from my
forests and breathe upon it until the fire blazed again and warmed the little room
where the children lay. Then they ceased shivering and fell asleep until their parents
came. I'm glad you did, thus said the good Queen, beaming upon
the master, and Nesile, who had eagerly listened to every word, echoed
in a whisper. I too am glad. And this very night continued ac
as I came to the edge of bersy, I heard a feeble cry,
which I judged came from a human infant. I looked about me and found
close to the forest a helpless babe, lying white naked upon the grasses and
wailing piteously. Not far away, screened by the forest crowd, Chigra,
the lioness, intent upon devouring the infant for her agny meal. What did
you do, ak, asked the queen, breathlessly, not much, being
in a hurry to greet my nymphs. But I commanded Chigra to lie close
to the babe and to give it her milk to quiet its hunger. And
I told her to send word throughout the forest to all beasts and reptiles that
the child should not be harmed. I am glad you did, thus said
the good Queen again, in a tone of relief. But this time Nicille
did not echo her words, for the nymph, filled with a strange resolve,
had suddenly stolen away from the group. Swiftly, her lithe form darted
through the forest paths until she reached the edge of the mighty Bersey, when
she paused to gaze curiously about her. Never until now had she ventured so
far, For the law of the forest had placed the nymphs in its inmost
depths. Naecille knew she was breaking the law, but the thought did not
give pause to her dainty feet. She had decided to see with her own
eyes this infant act had told of, for she had never yet beheld a
child of man. All the immortals are full grown, there are no children
among them. Peering through the trees, Nicille saw the child lying on the
grass, But now it was sweetly sleeping, having been comforted by the milk
drawn from Chigret. It was not old enough to know what peril means.
If it did not feel hunger, it was content softly. The nymph stole
to the side of the babe and knelt upon the sword, her long robe
of rose leaf color spreading about her like a gossamer cloud. Her lovely countenance
expressed curiosity and surprise, but most of all a tender, womanly pity.
The babe was a new born, chubby and pink. It was entirely helpless.
While the nymph gazed, the infant opened its eyes and smiled upon her,
and stretched out two dimpled arms. In another instant, Nicilee had caught
it to her breast and was hurrying with it through the forest. Paths three
the adoption. The Master Woodsman suddenly rose with knitted brows. There is a
strange presence in the forest, he declared. Then the Queen and her nymphs
turned and saw standing before them necile, with the sleeping infant clasped tightly in
her arms, and a defiant look in her deep blue eyes. And thus
for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with surprise and consternation, but
the brow of the Master Woodsman gradually clearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful
immortal who had willfully broken the law. Then the great act to the wonder
of all laid his hand softly on the sea's flowing locks and kissed her on
her fair forehead. For the first time within my knowledge, he said,
gently, a nymph has deified me and my laws. Yet in my heart
can I find no word of childing. What is your desire, monsieur,
Let me keep the child, she answered, beginning to tremble and falling on
her knees in supplication. Here in the forest of Bersy, where the human
race has never yet penetrated, questioned, ac Here in the forest of Bersy,
replied the nymph boldly, it is my home, and I am weary
for lack of occupation. Let me care for the babe. See how weak
and helpless it is. Surely it cannot harm BERSI nor the Master Woodsman of
the world. But the law child, the law, cried Ax sternly.
The law is made by the master Woodsman, returned Nascile. If he bids
me care for the babe, he himself has saved from death. Who in
all the world dare oppose me? Queen Zarline, who had listened intently to
this conversation, clapped her pretty hands gleefully at the Nymph's answer. Oh you
are fairly trapped, oac, she exclaimed, laughing. Now I pray you
give heed to Nuile's petition. The Woodsman, as was his habit when in
thought, stroked his grizzled beard slowly. Then he said, she shall keep
the babe, and I will give it my protection. But I warn you
all that this is the first time I have relaxed the law. So shall
it be the last time? Never more? To the end of the world,
shall mortal be adopted by an immortal? Otherwise would we abandon our happy
existence for one of trouble and anxiety? Good night, my nymphs. Then
ak was gone from their midst, and Necile hurried away to her bower to
rejoice over her new found treasure four Claus. Another day found Neicile's bower the
most popular place in the forest. The nymphs clustered around her and the child
that lay asleep in her lap, with expressions of curiosity and delight. Nor
were they wanting in praises for the great axe kindness in allowing Necille to keep
the babe and to care for it. Even the Queen came to peer into
the innocent, childish face and to hold a helpless, chubby fist in her
own fair hand. What shall we call him, Necile, she asked,
smiling. He must have a name, you know. Let him be called
Claus, answered Necile, for that means little one. Rather let him be
ne Clos, returned the queen, for that will mean Nesille's little one.
The nymphs clapped their hands in delight, and Neiclous became the infant's name,
although Nasile loved to call him Claus, and in after days many of her
sisters followed her example. Nicilee gathered the softest moss in all the forest for
cloths to lie upon, and she made his bed in her own bower.
Of food, the infant had no lack. The nymphs searched the forest for
bell utters, which grow upon the goat tree, and when opened or found
to be filled with sweet milk, and the soft eyed doughs willingly gave a
share of their milk to support the little stranger. While Sheigra, the lioness,
often crept stealthily into Nicile's bower and purred softly as she lay beside the
babe and fed it. So the little one flourished and grew big and sturdy
day by day, while Nicilee taught him to speak and to walk, and
to play. His thoughts and words were sweet and gentle, for the nymphs
knew no evil, and their hearts were pure and loving. He became the
pet of the forest, for acte decree had forbidden beast or reptile to molest
him, and he walked fearlessly wherever his will guided him. Presently, the
news reached the other immortals that the nymphs of Burzy had adopted a human infant,
and that the act had been sanctioned by the Great ac Therefore, many
of them came to visit the little Stranger, looking upon him with much interest.
First the ryles, who are first cousins to the wood nymphs, although
so differently formed, for the ryles are required to watch over the flowers and
plants. As the nymphs watch over the forest trees. They search the wide
world for the food required by the roots of the flowering plants, while the
brilliant colors possessed by the full blown flowers are due to the dyes placed in
the soil by the ryles, which are drawn through the little veins and the
roots and the body of the plants as they reach maturity. The ryles are
a busy people, for their flowers bloom and fade continually, but they are
merry and light hearted and are very popular with the other immortals. Next came
the knooks, whose duty it was to watch over the beasts of the world,
both gentle and wild. The knooks have a hard time of it,
since many of the beasts are ungovernable and rebel against restraint. But they know
how to manage them after all, and you will find that certain laws of
the knooks are obeyed by even the most ferocious animals. Their anxieties make the
knooks look old and worn and crooked, and their natures are a bit rough
from associating with wild creatures continually. Yet they are most useful to humanity and
to the world in general, as their laws are the only laws the forest
beasts recognize, except those of the master woodsmen. Then there were the fairies,
the guardians of mankind, who were much interested in the adoption of class
because their own laws forbade them to become familiar with their human charges. There
are instances on record where the fairies have shown themselves to human beings and have
even conversed with them. But they are supposed to guard the lives of mankind,
unseen and unknown, and if they favor some people more than others,
it is because these have won such distinction fairly, as the fairies are very
just and impartial. But the idea of adopting a child of men had never
occurred to them, because it was in every way opposed to their laws.
So their curiosity was intense to behold the little strain adopted by Missile and her
sister nymphs Claws looked upon the immortals who thronged around him with fearless eyes and
smiling lips. He rode laughingly upon the shoulders of the merry ryles. He
mischievously pulled the gray beards of the low browed knooks. He rested his curly
head confidently upon the dainty bosom of the fairy queen herself. And the ryles
loved the sound of his laughter. The knooks loved his courage, The fairies
loved his innocence. The boy made friends of them all and learned to know
their laws. Intimately. No forest flower was trampled beneath his feet, lest
the friendly ryles should be grieved. He never interfered with the beasts of the
forest, lest his friends, the knooks, should become angry. The fairies
he loved dearly, But knowing nothing of mankind, he could not understand that
he was the only one of his race admitted to friendly intercourse with them.
Indeed, Claus came to consider that he alone, of all the forest people,
had no like or fellow to him. The forest was the world.
He had no idea that millions of toiling, striving human creatures existed, and
he was happy and content. Five the master woodsman years passed swiftly in burzy,
For the nymphs have no need to regard time in any way. Even
centuries make no change in the dainty creatures. Ever and ever they remain the
same, immortal and unchanging claws. However, being mortal, grew to manhood
day by day. Nicille was disturbed presently to find him too big to lie
in her lap, and he had a desire for other food than milk.
His stout legs carried him far into bersy his heart, where he gathered supplies
of nuts and berries, as well as several sweet and wholesome roots, which
suited his stomach better than the bell utters. He sought Noicille's bower less frequently,
till finally it became his custom to return thither early to sleep. The
nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to comprehend the
changed nature of her charge, and unconsciously altered her own mode of life to
conform to his whims. She followed him readily through the forest paths, as
did many of her sister nymphs, explaining as they walked all the mysteries of
the gigantic wood and the habits and nature of the living things which dwelt beneath
its shade. The language of the beasts became clear to little claws, but
he never could understand their sulky and morose tempers. Only the squirrels, the
mice, and the rabbits seemed to possess cheerful and merry natures. Yet would
the boy laugh when the panther growled and stroke the bear's glossy coat, while
the creature snarled and bared his teeth menacingly. The growls and snarls were not
for Klass, he well knew, so what did they matter. He could
sing the songs of the bees, recite the poetry of the wood flowers,
and relate the history of every blinking owl in Burzy. He helped the ryles
to feed their plants, and the knooks to keep order among the animals.
The little immortals regarded him as a privileged person, being especially protected by Queens
Roline and her nymphs, and favored by the Great act himself. One day
the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Bursey. He had visited in
turn all his forests throughout the world, and they were many and broad.
Not until he entered the glade, where the Queen and her nymphs were assembled
to greet him. Did ac remember the child he permitted Missile to adopt?
Then he found, sitting familiarly in the circle of lovely immortals, a broad
shouldered, stalwart youth, who, when erect stood fully as high as the
shoulder of the Master himself. Ac paused, silent and frowning, to bend
his piercing gaze upon class. The clear eyes met his own steadfastly, and
the Woodsman gave a sigh of relief as he marked their placid depths and read
the youth's brave and innocent heart. Nevertheless, as Ak sat behind the fair
Queen and the golden chalice filled with rare nectar passed from lip to lip,
the Master Woodsman was strangely silent and reserved, and stroked his beard many times
with a thoughtful motion. With mourning. He called Claus aside, in kindly
fashioned saying it good bye for a time to the Seal and her sisters,
for you shall accompany me on my journey through the world. The venture pleased
Claus, who knew well the honor of being companion of the Master Woodsman of
the world, but nasill wept for the first time in her life, and
clung to the boy's neck as if she could not bear to let him go.
The nymphu had mothered, This sturdy youth was still as dainty and charming
and beautiful as when she dared to face ak with the babe clasped to her
breast. Nor was her love less. Great ac beheld the two clinging together,
seemingly as brother and sister to one another, and again he wore his
thoughtful look. Six Claus Discovers Humanity. Taking Claws to a small clearing in
the forest, the Master said, place your hand upon my girdle, and
hold fast while we journey through the air. For now shall we encircle the
world, and look upon many of the haunts of those men from whom you
are descended. These words caused Claws to marvel, for until now he had
thought of himself as the only one of his kind upon the earth. Yet
in silence he grasped firmly the girdle of the Great act his astonishment forbidding speech.
Then the vast forest of Bursey seemed to fall away from their feet,
and the youth found himself passing swiftly through the air at a great height.
Ere long there were spires beneath them, while buildings of many shapes and colors
met their downward view. It was a city of men and ak pausing to
descend led claws to its enclosure, said the Master, So long as you
hold fast to my girdle, you will remain unseen by all mankind, though
seeing clearly yourself, to release your grasp will be to separate yourself forever from
me and your home, imbursing, one of the first laws of the forest
is obedience, and Claus had no thought of disobeying the master's wish. He
clung fast to the girdle and remained invisible. Thereafter, with each moment passed
in the city, the youth's wonder grew. He who had supposed himself created
differently from all others, now found the earth swarming with creatures of his own
kind. Indeed, said Ac the immortals are few, but the mortals are
many. Claus looked earnestly upon his fellows. There were sad faces, gay
and reckless faces, pleasant faces, anxious faces, and kindly faces, all
mingled in puzzling disorder. Some worked at tedious tasks, some strutted impudence conceit.
Some were thoughtful and grave, while others seemed happy content. Men of
many natures were there as everywhere, and Claws found much to please him and
much to make him sad. But he especially noted the children, first curiously,
then eagerly, then lovingly. Ragged little ones rolled in the dust of
the streets, playing with scraps and pebbles. Other children, gaily dressed,
were propped upon cushions and fed with sugar plums. Yet the children of the
rich were not happier than those playing with the dust and pebbles. It seemed
to Claws. Childhood is the time of man's greatest content, said ac following
the youth's thoughts. Tis during these years of innocent pleasure that the little ones
are most free from care. Tell me, said Claus, why do not
all these babies fare alike? Because they are born in both cottage and palace,
returned the master. The difference in the wealth of the parents determines the
law of the child. Some are carefully tended and clothed in silks and danker
living, others are neglected and covered with rats. Yet all seem equally fair
and sweet, said Klaus thoughtfully, while they are babes, yes, agreed
Ac, Their joy is in being alive, and they do not stop to
think. In after years, the doom of mankind overtakes them, and they
find they must struggle and worry, work and fret to gain the wealth that
is so dear to the hearts of men. Such things are unknown in the
forest where you were reared, Bows was silent a moment. Then he asked,
why was I reared in the forest among those who are not of my
race? Then Ac, in a gentle voice, told him the story of
his babyhood, how he had been abandoned at the forest edge and left a
prey to wild beasts, and how the loving Nymphosile had rescued him and brought
him to manhood under the protection of the immortals. Yet I am not of
them, said Claus, musingly, you are not of them, returned the
woodsman. The nymph who cared for you as a mother, seems now like
a sister to you. By and bye. When you grow old and pray,
she will seem like a daughter yet another brief span, and you will
be but a memory while she remains nicill. Then why if man must perish
is he born, demanded the boy. Everything perishes except the world itself and
its keepers, answered ac But while life lasts, everything on earth has its
use. The wise seek way is to be helpful to the world, for
the helpful ones are sure to live again. Much of this class failed to
understand fully, but a longing seized him to become helpful to his fellows,
and he remained grave and thoughtful. While they resumed their journey. They visited
many dwellings of men in many parts of the world, watching farmer's toil in
the fields, warriors dash into cruel fray, and merchants exchanged their goods for
bits of white and yellow metal. And everywhere the eyes of Claus sought out
the children in love and pity, for the thought of his own helpless babyhood
was strong within him, and he yearned to give help to the innocent little
ones of his race, even as he had been succored by the kindly nymph.
Day by day, the master woodsman and his pupil traversed the earth,
acts, speaking but seldom to the youth, who clung steadfastly to his girdle,
but guiding him into all the places where he might become familiar with the
lives of human beings, and at last they returned to the grand old forest
of Bersey, where the Master set cloths down within the circle of nymphs,
among whom the pretty Nicile anxiously awaited him. The brow of the great act
was now calm and peaceful, but the brow of Claws had become lined with
deep thought. Nicile sighed at the change in her foster son, who until
now had been ever joyous and smiling, and the thought came to her that
never again would the life of the boy be the same as before this eventful
journey with the Master. Seven Claws leaves the forest. When the good queens
Erline had touched the golden chalice with her fair lips, and it had passed
around the circle in honor of the traveler's return, the Master Woodsman of the
world, who had not yet spoken, turned his gaze frankly upon Claws and
said, WHOA. The boy understood and rose slowly to his feet beside Monsiele.
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 his
dim sight. So he gazed thereafter steadfastly at the master. I have been
ignorant, he said, simply until the great act in his kindness, taught
me who and what I am. You, who have lived 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 a life of a brief space upon earth, to toil for
the things he needs, to fade into old age, and then pass away
as the leaves into 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 Missile'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
me to happiness and strength, it is just right that I devote my life
to the pleasure of other babes. Thus would 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 ac 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 playfellows 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
and Julia, who remain with you to assist you in your labors. In
any need, you may call upon the Nymphs, the Riles, the Naphs,
and the Faarius, and they will serve you gladly. I the master
woodsmen 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 ryles, laughing. We will, shouted the crooked knooks, scowling,
we will, exclaimed the sweet nymphs proudly. But Nicille said nothing.
She only folded claws 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 council or help.
With that, he gave them a loving look and turned away. There
was no need to say goodbye 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
ac who knew the boy's heart, was merciful and guided his steps. Coming
through Bersey to its eastern edge, claws reached the laughing valley of Hohaho.
On each side were rolling green hills and a brook wandering midway between them to
wind. Far 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 cow slipped 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 leapt 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 chirped happily in the long
grass, and the sunbeams glinted pleasantly. Over all the scene here, said
Claws, stretching out his arms as if to embrace the valley. I will
make my home. That was many, many years ago. It has been
his home ever since. It is his home now. Thank you for joining
me for the Into the Night Anthology podcast production of the Life and Adventures of
Santa Claus by L. Frank boun 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.