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Page 11
"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.
MANHOOD
1. The Laughing Valley
When Claus came the Valley was empty save for the grass, the brook,
the wildflowers, the bees and the butterflies. If he would make his
home here and live after the fashion of men he must have a house.
This puzzled him at first, but while he stood smiling in the sunshine
he suddenly found beside him old Nelko, the servant of the Master
Woodsman. Nelko bore an ax, strong and broad, with blade that gleamed
like burnished silver. This he placed in the young man's hand, then
disappeared without a word.
Claus understood, and turning to the Forest's edge he selected a
number of fallen tree-trunks, which he began to clear of their dead
branches. He would not cut into a living tree. His life among the
nymphs who guarded the Forest had taught him that a live tree is
sacred, being a created thing endowed with feeling. But with the dead
and fallen trees it was different. They had fulfilled their destiny,
as active members of the Forest community, and now it was fitting that
their remains should minister to the needs of man.
The ax bit deep into the logs at every stroke. It seemed to have a
force of its own, and Claus had but to swing and guide it.
When shadows began creeping over the green hills to lie in the Valley
overnight, the young man had chopped many logs into equal lengths and
proper shapes for building a house such as he had seen the poorer
classes of men inhabit. Then, resolving to await another day before
he tried to fit the logs together, Claus ate some of the sweet roots
he well knew how to find, drank deeply from the laughing brook, and
lay down to sleep on the grass, first seeking a spot where no flowers
grew, lest the weight of his body should crush them.
And while he slumbered and breathed in the perfume of the wondrous
Valley the Spirit of Happiness crept into his heart and drove out all
terror and care and misgivings. Never more would the face of Claus be
clouded with anxieties; never more would the trials of life weigh him
down as with a burden. The Laughing Valley had claimed him for its own.
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