5. The Master Woodsman
Years pass swiftly in Burzee, for the nymphs have no need to regardtime in any way. Even centuries make no change in the daintycreatures; ever and ever they remain the same, immortal and unchanging.
Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day. Necile wasdisturbed, presently, to find him too big to lie in her lap, and he hada desire for other food than milk. His stout legs carried him far intoBurzee's heart, where he gathered supplies of nuts and berries, as wellas several sweet and wholesome roots, which suited his stomach betterthan the belludders. He sought Necile's bower less frequently, tillfinally it became his custom to return thither only to sleep.
The nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to comprehendthe changed nature of her charge, and unconsciously altered her ownmode of life to conform to his whims. She followed him readily throughthe forest paths, as did many of her sister nymphs, explaining as theywalked all the mysteries of the gigantic wood and the habits and natureof the living things which dwelt beneath its shade.
The language of the beasts became clear to little Claus; but he nevercould 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'sglossy coat while the creature snarled and bared its teeth menacingly.The growls and snarls were not for Claus, he well knew, so what didthey matter?
He could sing the songs of the bees, recite the poetry of thewood-flowers and relate the history of every blinking owl in Burzee.He helped the Ryls to feed their plants and the Knooks to keep orderamong the animals. The little immortals regarded him as a privilegedperson, being especially protected by Queen Zurline and her nymphs andfavored by the great Ak himself.
One day the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Burzee. He hadvisited, in turn, all his forests throughout the world, and they weremany and broad.
Not until he entered the glade where the Queen and her nymphs wereassembled to greet him did Ak remember the child he had permittedNecile to adopt. Then he found, sitting familiarly in the circle oflovely 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 ofrelief as he marked their placid depths and read the youth's brave andinnocent heart. Nevertheless, as Ak sat beside the fair Queen, and thegolden chalice, filled with rare nectar, passed from lip to lip, theMaster Woodsman was strangely silent and reserved, and stroked hisbeard 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 shallaccompany me on my journey through the world."
The venture pleased Claus, who knew well the honor of being companionof the Master Woodsman of the world. But Necile wept for the firsttime in her life, and clung to the boy's neck as if she could not bearto let him go. The nymph who had mothered this sturdy youth was stillas dainty, as charming and beautiful as when she had dared to face Akwith the babe clasped to her breast; nor was her love less great. Akbeheld the two clinging together, seemingly as brother and sister toone another, and again he wore his thoughtful look.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus Page 4