The Mystery

L. Frank Baum and Mary Cowles Clark collaborated on the 1902 children’s novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, discovers Santa Claus while he is a little child in the Forest of Burzee. As an adult, he is unable to live in Burzee, so he moves to the adjacent Laughing Valley of Hohaho. To avoid mentioning Necile to the kids, he creates a clay figurine that looks a lot like Necile and calls it a “dolly.” Two deer named Glossie and Flossie help him by pulling his toy-filled sleigh. The gifts that Claus is giving the kids are stolen by the Awgwas, malevolent creatures with the ability to become invisible because the toys keep the kids from misbehaving. Claus gains the label “Santa” as he keeps providing gifts. As Santa Claus approaches the end of his life, the Immortals decide to bestow immortality on him. After considerable discussion, he receives immortality just as the Spirit of Death approaches him. Four special deputies are assigned to Santa Claus: Wisk the Fairy, Peter the Knook, Kilter the Pixie, and Nuter the Ryl.