5.  The Master Woodsman

  Years pass swiftly in Burzee, for the nymphs have no need to
regard time in any way.  Even centuries make no change in the
dainty creatures; ever and ever they remain the same, immortal
and unchanging.

  Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day. 
Necile was disturbed, presently, to find him too big to lie in
her lap, and he had a desire for other food than milk.  His
stout legs carried him far into Burzee's heart, where he
gathered supplies of nuts and berries, as well as several
sweet and wholesome roots, which suited his stomach better
than the belludders.  He sought Necile's bower less
frequently, till finally it became his custom to return
thither only to sleep.

  The nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to
comprehend the changed nature of her charge, and unconsciously
altered her own mode of life to conform to his whims.  She
followed him readily through the forest paths, as did many of
her sister nymphs, explaining as they walked all the mysteries
of the gigantic wood and the habits and nature of the living
things which dwelt beneath its shade.

  The language of the beasts became clear to little Claus; but
he never could 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's glossy coat while the
creature snarled and bared its teeth menacingly.  The growls
and snarls were not for Claus, he well knew, so what did they
matter?

  He could sing the songs of the bees, recite the poetry of the
wood-flowers and relate the history of every blinking owl in
Burzee. He helped the Ryls to feed their plants and the Knooks
to keep order among the animals.  The little immortals
regarded him as a privileged person, being especially
protected by Queen Zurline and her nymphs and favored by the
great Ak himself.

  One day the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Burzee. 
He had visited, in turn, all his forests throughout the world,
and they were many and broad.

  Not until he entered the glade where the Queen and her nymphs
were assembled to greet him did Ak remember the child he had
permitted Necile to adopt.  Then he found, sitting familiarly
in the circle of lovely 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 of relief as he marked their placid
depths and read the youth's brave and innocent heart. 
Nevertheless, as Ak sat beside the fair Queen, and the golden
chalice, filled with rare nectar, passed from lip to lip, the
Master Woodsman was strangely silent and reserved, and stroked
his beard 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
shall accompany me on my journey through the world."

  The venture pleased Claus, who knew well the honor of being
companion of the Master Woodsman of the world.  But Necile
wept for the first time in her life, and clung to the boy's
neck as if she could not bear to let him go.  The nymph who
had mothered this sturdy youth was still as dainty, as
charming and beautiful as when she had dared to face Ak with
the babe clasped to her breast; nor was her love less great. 
Ak beheld the two clinging together, seemingly as brother and
sister to one another, and again he wore his thoughtful look.