5. The Master Woodsman

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

by L. Frank Baum

Years pass swiftly in Burzee, 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.

Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day.
Necile 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 Burzee's heart, where he gathered supplies of
nuts and berries, as well as several sweet and wholesome roots, which
suited his stomach better than the belludders. He sought Necile's
bower less frequently, till finally it became his custom to return
thither only 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 Claus; 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
its teeth menacingly. The growls and snarls were not for Claus, 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 Burzee.
He helped the Ryls 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 Queen Zurline and her nymphs
and favored by the great Ak himself.

One day the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Burzee.
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 Ak remember the child he had
permitted Necile 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.

Ak paused, silent and frowning, to bend his piercing gaze upon
Claus. 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 beside 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 morning he called Claus aside, in kindly fashion,
saying:

"Bid good by, for a time, to Necile 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 Necile 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 nymph who had mothered this sturdy
youth was still as dainty, as charming and beautiful as when she had
dared to face Ak with the babe clasped to her breast; nor was her
love less great. Ak beheld the two clinging together, seemingly as
brother and sister to one another, and again he wore his thoughtful
look.