The Independent-News, Volume 111, Number 29, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 19 December 1985 — Page 14

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - DECEMBER 19, 1985

■■■■ E a CHILD'S CHRISTMAS ' Ox. ”... yQ S

The story of the nutcracker One of the classic Christmas stories for youngsters was written in 1844 by E.T.A. Hoffman: “The Nutcracker and Mouse-King” This fanciful tale centers on two children, Fritz and Marie. Like all the other children in their town, they were looking forward to receiving gifts, especially from their godfather, Doctor Drosselmayer. For he was no ordinary doctor. An accomplished inventor, the doctor could make life-like puppets that walked, danced, played instruments and drilled with guns. On this particular Christmas, when the door to the parlor was opened, the children found many delightful gifts under the tree. For Fritz, there was a squadron of red-coated hussars mounted on white horses; Mane found a beautiful doll which she named Claire. But, most intriguing of all was a nutcracker in the shape of a man. When you placed a nut between his teeth and pressed on his cape, the nut would crack. The children delighted in playing with the new toy, but soon it was broken. Heartbroken, Marie insisted on taking care of the wounded nutcracker. It got late, and everyone drifted off to bed, except for Marie, who lingered by the toy cupboard. She made a bed for the nutcracker, promising to have her godfather take care of his injuries. The clock struck midnight and suddenly, an army of mice advanced on Marie, with the Mouse-King leading them. Marie heard the commotion in the toy cupboard — it was the toys, rousing themselves to battle. The nutcracker jumped from his bed, drew his sword and took command of the toy army. But, the battle went badly for the toys. Mane sprang into action, taking off one of her shoes and throwing it at the Mouse-King and knocking him down. At this point, Marie fainted, and when she came to, her mother and the doctor were hovering over her. When Marie told them what had happened, the doctor told her the story of the nutcracker, who was actually his bewitched nephew and who could only become young and handsome again when he had overcome the Mouse-King and had won the love of a charming young lady. The years went by and Marie and the nutcracker shared many adventures, traveling to the Plain of Sugar Candy and the City of Jam. There they visited the Palace of Marzipan, m front of which a fountain of lemonade, orange juice and syrup gushed forth At last. Mane reached the age of sixteen One day. she told the nutcracker of her love for him. Suddenly, a handsome young man appeared before her; it was Drosselmayer’s nephew, freed from his spell He asked for her hand in marriage, and together they reigned happily ever after over the Kingdom of Toys and Sugar Candy. This delightful story has been adapted into a popular ballet and it continues to charm children and adults alike today

©cog KIDS! COLOR THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE

L. Frank Baum’s “A Kidnapped Santa Claus”

Santa Claus lives in the Laughing Valley, where everything is happy. One would think that Santa would have no enemies on all the earth, but the Daemons who live in the moun tain caves hated Santa very much, for the simple reason that he made children happy. “Santa Claus distributes so many pretty Christmas gifts to all the children that they become happy and generous and keep away from my cave,’’ said the Daemon of Selfishness. “I’m having the same trouble,” rejoined the Daemon of Envy. "The little ones seem quite content, and there are few, indeed, that I can cause to become envious.” “And all because of this person they call Santa Claus! ” exclaimed the Daemon of Hatred. “He is simply ruining our business, and something must be done at once.” So the

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Daemons laid their plans and awaited the arrival of Christmas Eve. The moon shone big and white in the sky, as Santa cracked his whip and sped away out of the Valley. Suddenly a rope shot through the moonlight and a big noose settled over Santa and drew tight. The wicked Daemons carried Santa away to their mountain. "Ha, ha! ” laughed the Daemons, "What will the children do now?" Now it so chanced that Santa had taken with him in his sleigh his four favorite assistants, all snugly tucked under the seat. Little Wisk stuck out his head and found Santa gone. "What shall we do?” asked Wisk, anxiously. “We must go back at once and find our master,” said Nuter. ”No, no! ” exclaimed Peter. “If we delay, there will not be time to get the toys to the children before morning.” Peter called to the reindeer and they

sprang forward and dashed over hill and valley, until they came to houses where children lay sleeping. Although they worked swiftly, day had begun to break before the toys were all distributed, and the reindeer trotted in to the Laughing Valley. It did not take long to find out how the Daemons had kidnapped Santa, and the four little people laid plans to rescue him. Toward the Daemon’s mountain came a vast army, led by Wisk, Peter, Nuter and Kilter. But, coming to meet his loyal friends was Santa, who had been released by the Daemon of Repentence They clustered around Santa and danced with glee! The wicked Daemons were filled with chagrin when they found that their capture of Santa Claus had come to naught, and they never again attempted to interfere with his journeys on Christmas Eve.