7. Claus Leaves the Forest
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.
