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2. How Claus Made the First Toy
Truly our Claus had wisdom, for his good fortune but strengthened his resolve
to befriend the little ones of his own race. He knew his plan was approved by
the immortals, else they would not have favored him so greatly.
So he began at once to make acquaintance with mankind. He walked through
the Valley to the plain beyond, and crossed the plain in many directions to
reach the abodes of men. These stood singly or in groups of dwellings called
villages, and in nearly all the houses, whether big or little, Claus found
children.
The youngsters soon came to know his merry, laughing face and the kind
glance of his bright eyes; and the parents, while they regarded the young man
with some scorn for loving children more than their elders, were content that
the girls and boys had found a playfellow who seemed willing to amuse them.
So the children romped and played games with Claus, and the boys rode upon
his shoulders, and the girls nestled in his strong arms, and the babies clung
fondly to his knees. Wherever the young man chanced to be, the sound of
childish laughter followed him; and to understand this better you must know
that children were much neglected in those days and received little attention
from their parents, so that it became to them a marvel that so goodly a man
as Claus devoted his time to making them happy. And those who knew him
were, you may be sure, very happy indeed. The sad faces of the poor and
abused grew bright for once; the cripple smiled despite his misfortune; the
ailing ones hushed their moans and the grieved ones their cries when their
merry friend came nigh to comfort them.
Only at the beautiful palace of the Lord of Lerd and at the frowning castle of
the Baron Braun was Claus refused admittance. There were children at both
places; but the servants at the palace shut the door in the young stranger's
face, and the fierce Baron threatened to hang him from an iron hook on the
castle walls. Whereupon Claus sighed and went back to the poorer dwellings
where he was welcome.
After a time the winter drew near.
The flowers lived out their lives and faded and disappeared; the beetles
burrowed far into the warm earth; the butterflies deserted the meadows; and
the voice of the brook grew hoarse, as if it had taken cold.
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