|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 25
The Queen herself came to the dwelling of Claus that evening and
placed her Seal on every door and window, to keep out the Awgwas. And
under the Seal of Queen Zurline was placed the Seal of the Fairies and
the Seal of the Ryls and the Seals of the Knooks, that the charm might
become more powerful.
And Claus carried his toys to the children again, and made many more
of the little ones happy.
You may guess how angry the King Awgwa and his fierce band were when
it was known to them that Claus had escaped from the Forest of Ethop.
They raged madly for a whole week, and then held another meeting among
the rocks.
"It is useless to carry him where the Knooks reign," said the King,
"for he has their protection. So let us cast him into a cave of our
own mountains, where he will surely perish."
This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night to
seize Claus. But they found his dwelling guarded by the Seals of the
Immortals and were obliged to go away baffled and disappointed.
"Never mind," said the King; "he does not sleep always!"
Next day, as Claus traveled to the village across the plain, where he
intended to present a toy squirrel to a lame boy, he was suddenly set
upon by the Awgwas, who seized him and carried him away to the mountains.
There they thrust him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocks
against the entrance to prevent his escape.
Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to breathe, our
Claus was, indeed, in a pitiful plight. But he spoke the mystic words
of the Fairies, which always command their friendly aid, and they came
to his rescue and transported him to the Laughing Valley in the
twinkling of an eye.
Thus the Awgwas discovered they might not destroy one who had earned
the friendship of the immortals; so the evil band sought other means
of keeping Claus from bringing happiness to children and so making
them obedient.
Whenever Claus set out to carry his toys to the little ones an Awgwa,
who had been set to watch his movements, sprang upon him and snatched
the toys from his grasp. And the children were no more disappointed
than was Claus when he was obliged to return home disconsolate. Still
he persevered, and made many toys for his little friends and started
with them for the villages. And always the Awgwas robbed him as soon
as he had left the Valley.
They threw the stolen playthings into one of their lonely caverns, and
quite a heap of toys accumulated before Claus became discouraged and
gave up all attempts to leave the Valley. Then children began coming
to him, since they found he did not go to them; but the wicked Awgwas
flew around them and caused their steps to stray and the paths to
become crooked, so never a little one could find a way into the
Laughing Valley.
Lonely days now fell upon Claus, for he was denied the pleasure of
bringing happiness to the children whom he had learned to love. Yet
he bore up bravely, for he thought surely the time would come when the
Awgwas would abandon their evil designs to injure him.
He devoted all his hours to toy-making, and when one plaything had
been completed he stood it on a shelf he had built for that purpose.
When the shelf became filled with rows of toys he made another one,
and filled that also. So that in time he had many shelves filled with
gay and beautiful toys representing horses, dogs, cats, elephants,
lambs, rabbits and deer, as well as pretty dolls of all sizes and
balls and marbles of baked clay painted in gay colors.
Often, as he glanced at this array of childish treasures, the heart of
good old Claus became sad, so greatly did he long to carry the toys to
his children. And at last, because he could bear it no longer,
he ventured to go to the great Ak, to whom he told the story of his
persecution by the Awgwas, and begged the Master Woodsman to assist him.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|