The Symbol and the Saint

Eugene Field’s The Symbol and the Saint is about the birth of Santa Claus: Norss sails overseas in order to find a wife because he has been told to do so in a dream; he finds on the bank a woman who received the same message in a dream. He recognizes her thanks to a symbol she has around her neck: a small wooden cross, which appeared in his dream. They marry, they have a child called Claus and that night fairies, elves, goblins, gnomes, trolls appear. The child carves beautiful fantasy figures, such as dolls and toys, and he can talk to anyone, even to the trees and waves. Parents ask for him the gift of immortality. Claus will give gifts to children forever.

Keywords: The Symbol and the Saint, Eugene Field, Faligi