The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum
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The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum
Download Ebook PDF Online The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum
Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee? 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 Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum - Published on: 2015-06-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.00" h x .17" w x 6.00" l, .24 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 74 pages
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum Review “For lit nerds and loved ones who are notoriously hard to shop for, you can’t go wrong with these festively bound classics. . . . Their size makes them perfectly stocking-stuffable.” —Entertainment Weekly, “The Must List” “Leave it to the folks at Penguin—who gave us Gothed-out editions of horror classics for Halloween—to package these . . . slim Yuletide-themed volumes.” —Newsday, “Best Books to Give as Holiday Gifts” “Remember how Christmas was celebrated before Black Friday with these 19th-century authors, in small uniform volumes wrapped in pretty jackets.” —USA Today, “Holiday Gift Books So Pretty, No Need to Wrap” “Beautifully designed.” —The Washington Post
About the Author Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919) was born in Chittenango, Ne
Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919) was born in Chittenango, New York. After trying many different professions, he turned tw York. After trying many different professions, he turned to writing for children at the age of 40. "The Wizard of Oz "o writing for children at the age of 40. "The Wizard of Oz "is the first and most popular of his fourteen Oz novels. is the first and most popular of his fourteen Oz novels.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER FIRST
Burzee
Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee? 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 Burzee is mighty and grand and awesome to those who steal beneath its shade. Coming from the sunlit meadows into its 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 inclosure unbroken save by the chirp of busy chipmunks, the growl of wild beasts and the songs of birds.
Yet Burzee has its inhabitants—for all this. Nature peopled it in the beginning with Fairies, Knooks, Ryls 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 Burzee. Will it ever, I wonder?
CHAPTER SECOND
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 Burzee a wood-nymph named Necile. She was closely related to the mighty Queen Zurline, and her home was beneath the shade of a widespreading oak. Once every year, on Budding Day, when the trees put forth their new buds, Necile held the Golden Chalice of Ak to the lips of the Queen, who drank therefrom to the prosperity of the Forest. So you see, she was a nymph of some importance, and, moreover, it is said she was highly regarded because of her beauty and grace.
When she was created she could not have told; Queen Zurline could not have told; the great Ak himself could not have told. It was long ago when the world was new and nymphs were needed to guard the forests and to minister to the wants of the young trees. Then, on some day not remembered, Necile sprang into being; radiant, lovely, straight and slim as the sapling she was created to guard.
Her hair was the color that lines a chestnut-bur; 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 know no other so desirable. Her dainty feet were sandal-clad, while her head remained bare of covering other than her silken tresses.
Necile’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 Gadgols, 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 wood-nymphs dwelt; the loathsome Gadgols no longer dared come nigh; the trees had become old and sturdy and could bear the drought better than when fresh-sprouted. So Necile’s duties were lessened, and time grew laggard, 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 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 Necile’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 Burzee 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 Woodsman 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 loves his children; and Necile lay at his feet with many of her sisters and earnestly harkened as he spoke.
“We live so happily, my fair ones, in our forest glades,” said Ak, stroking his grizzled beard thoughtfully, “that we know nothing of the sorrow and misery that fall to the 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 dwelling 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 mortals, 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 Ak has often assisted these hapless mortals.”
Ak 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. Meantime the fire went out and the frost crept into the bones of the waiting children.”
“Poor things!” murmured the Queen softly. “What did you do?”
“I called Nelko, 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 am glad you did thus,” said the good Queen, beaming upon the Master; and Necile, who had eagerly listened to every word, echoed in a whisper: “I, too, am glad!”
“And this very night,” continued Ak, “as I came to the edge of Burzee 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 quite naked upon the grasses and wailing piteously. Not far away, screened by the forest, crouched Shiegra, the lioness, intent upon devouring the infant for her evening meal.”
“And what did you do, Ak?” asked the Queen, breathlessly.
“Not much, being in a hurry to greet my nymphs. But I commanded Shiegra 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 Necile 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 mighty Burzee, 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.
Necile 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 Ak 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 Necile saw the child lying on the grass. But now it was sweetly sleeping, having been comforted by the milk drawn from Shiegra. 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 sward, 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 new-born, chubby and pink. It was entirely helpless. While the nymph gazed the infant opened its eyes, smiled upon her, and stretched out two dimpled arms. In another instant Necile had caught it to her breast and was hurrying with it through the forest paths.
CHAPTER THIRD
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 wilfully broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of all, laid his hand softly on Necile’s flowing locks and kissed her on her fair forehead.
“For the first time within my knowledge,” said he, gently, “a nymph has defied me and my laws; yet in my heart can I find no word of chiding. What is your desire, Necile?”
“Let me keep the child!” she answered, beginning to tremble and falling on her knees in supplication.
“Here, in the Forest of Burzee, where the human race has never yet penetrated?” questioned Ak.
“Here, in the Forest of Burzee,” 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 can not harm Burzee nor the Master Woodsman of the World!”
“But the Law, child, the Law!” cried Ak, sternly.
“The Law is made by the Master Woodsman,” returned Necile; “if he bids me care for the babe he himself has saved from death, who in all the world dare oppose me?” Queen Zurline, who had listened intently to this conversation, clapped her pretty hands gleefully at the nymph’s answer.
“You are fairly trapped, O Ak!” she exclaimed, laughing. “Now, I pray you, give heed to Necile’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 as 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 a 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 newfound treasure.
CHAPTER FOURTH
Claus
Another day found Necile’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 Ak’s kindness in allowing Necile 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 ‘a little one.’”
“Rather let him be called Neclaus,”* returned the Queen, “for that will mean ‘Necile’s little one.’”
The nymphs clapped their hands in delight, and Neclaus became the infant’s name, although Necile loved best to call him Claus, and in afterdays many of her sisters followed her example.
Necile gathered the softest moss in all the forest for Claus 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-udders, which grow upon the goa-tree and when opened are found to be filled with sweet milk. And the soft-eyed does willingly gave a share of their milk to support the little stranger, while Shiegra, the lioness, often crept stealthily into Necile’s bower and purred softly as she lay beside the babe and fed it.
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Most helpful customer reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful. A review of the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus By Amazon Customer First and foremost I knew by the product description this book is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic tale of everyone's favorite Christmas Giver and the book is without question breathtakingly beautiful. It is full of Santore's marvelous paintings which look like something Arthur Rackham would illustrate. The fairies are wonderful as are the nymphs, knooks, and the ryls who actually look like the colors they represent and they are cute funny looking creatures. But then Santore creates a world of strange and marvelous creatures who are fantastic yet very human. Looking at the great Ak who is the lord of the forest you see person who appears so very human and Necile, Santa's adoptive mother, looks very human and beautiful. The overall artwork portrayed shows mostly the fantastic world of the fairies and to a lesser extent the people of the human world. However Bessie Blithesome is a very human sweet girl who exudes joy at receiving a doll from Santa.One of the few flaws of this book is that it is an adaptation and whole episodes are omitted from the story, namely the awgwas were omitted and what a pity they were for it would have been terrific and terrifying to have seen Santore's portrayal of the creatures. Afterall Santore's horrifying wicked witch of the west from the Wizard of Oz is one of the best portrayals of the character ever painted for current children's books today and to have see his villains for this book would have been wonderful. Also omitted from the book are the scenes with Weekum, Mayrie and her brother, and the last chapter of the book in which Santa face adversity from an encroaching civilization and industry.It must be said the adaptor did leave in some very good sections of the book which make it more appealing to younger children and it is obvious this book is meant for the younger set The story explains why Santa Claus makes toys and why he has reindeer. Also why hang up stockings for Santa Claus? The story does explain many things and makes them accessible for modern readers. For example the episode with Mayrie features a child speaking in childlike tones which would not be acceptable to modern readers. In the scene, in which Santa creates the first Christmas tree, a teepee is featured in the background but the language is edited for modern sensibilities as in the original text the parents of the children are called "neglectful". In this version the words are edited so as not to offend modern ears. I don't necessarily approve of changing the classics but the language in the original could be seen as offensive.However over all as a beautifully illustrated classic it is beautiful and worth having on the shelf for collectors and for anyone who loves Christmas and Santa Claus.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. A magical tale about the life of Santa Claus. By A Customer Santa Claus. Two simple words that can make most children smile. L. Frank Baum once again has touched the spirits of many with his tale based on the legendary Santa Claus. I remember it being read to me by my father as a young child. As an adult, it is still magical with every reading. The story tells the tale of an abandoned baby in the woods who was adopted and raised by fairies in their forest. As Claus, a mortal, grows up among the fairies and other fascinating immortals, he learns all of their ways and secrets. When he is old enough, the Great Ak takes Claus on a journey to see how humans really live. After the trip, Claus leaves the fairy's forest to live on his own, for he has decided to try and help mankind. The first toy, was a cat that he had whittled, and painted to look real. It was given to a young, lost boy to comfort him. With this gift, and the help of his immortal friends, Claus began his legend of unselfish giving. Over the years, he was named a saint by the many who he touched. There are beautiful stories and illustrations of his gift-making and giving, along with those of the obstacles that he faced, including a fierce battle between good and evil immortals. From his adoption, to the night when Santa Claus became immortal, the book comes to life in the imagination. It is a tale that will touch children, as well as adults - perfect for nighttime reading during the holidays. As the holidays approach, I again look forward to losing myself in the spirit and magic,of Santa Claus.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Be Warned - Severly Abridged Edition By S. Lancaster I don't typically read the editorial reviews, but in this case I was glad I did. From the School Library Journal:"In this significantly shortened version of Baum's 1902 tale... Baum's original language, florid and wordy, has been pared down into a more readable and modern narrative. The large format, brimming with plenty of lush full- and double-page paintings... will appeal to many children."The Amazon description is completely misleading:"This enchanting tale, originally written more than 100 years ago by L. Frank Baum, marries all the magic and fantasy of The Wizard of Oz to the classic Christmas tale."This is NOT Baum's original tale. If that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. Essentially the story has been mostly cut out and replaced with beautiful illustrations. It's a nice picture book, but not much more than that. I can say from experience that children are capable of dealing with complicated language. It is simply a matter of getting them used to it. Personally, I find the "child-friendly" editions to be problematic in more than one way. Practically, what usually gets cut out are all the beautiful descriptions that help develop imagination, and all the complicated language that both conveys nuance and feeling and also helps develop a full vocabulary. Ideologically, it is demeaning; it communicates to children that they are neither capable of nor expected to rise to a high standard.
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