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Claus laughed and whistled and sang all the way home. Never had he been so
happy as on that day.
When he entered his house he found Shiegra, the lioness, awaiting him. Since
his babyhood Shiegra had loved Claus, and while he dwelt in the Forest she
had often come to visit him at Necile's bower. After Claus had gone to live in
the Laughing Valley Shiegra became lonely and ill at ease, and now she had
braved the snow-drifts, which all lions abhor, to see him once more. Shiegra
was getting old and her teeth were beginning to fall out, while the hairs that
tipped her ears and tail had changed from tawny-yellow to white.
Claus found her lying on his hearth, and he put his arms around the neck of
the lioness and hugged her lovingly. The cat had retired into a far corner.
She did not care to associate with Shiegra.
Claus told his old friend about the cats he had made, and how much pleasure
they had given Weekum and the sick girl. Shiegra did not know much about
children; indeed, if she met a child she could scarcely be trusted not to devour
it. But she was interested in Claus' new labors, and said:
"
These images seem to me very attractive. Yet I can not see why you should
make cats, which are very unimportant animals. Suppose, now that I am
here, you make the image of a lioness, the Queen of all beasts. Then, indeed,
your children will be happy--and safe at the same time!"
Claus thought this was a good suggestion. So he got a piece of wood and
sharpened his knife, while Shiegra crouched upon the hearth at his feet. With
much care he carved the head in the likeness of the lioness, even to the two
fierce teeth that curved over her lower lip and the deep, frowning lines above
her wide-open eyes.
When it was finished he said:
"
You have a terrible look, Shiegra."
"
Then the image is like me," she answered; "for I am indeed terrible to all who
are not my friends."
Claus now carved out the body, with Shiegra's long tail trailing behind it. The
image of the crouching lioness was very life-like.
"
"
It pleases me," said Shiegra, yawning and stretching her body gracefully.
Now I will watch while you paint."
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