L. Frank Baum’s Short Story ‘A Kidnapped Santa Claus’

"Santa Claus" circa 1862, by William Holbrook Beard. Public Domain

Although we are looking toward the end of this year rather than looking toward the new one, it’s always a good time to think about repentance. Sometimes we let vice rule our lives, hiding our virtue in the deepest and darkest parts of ourselves. In his short story “A Kidnapped Santa Claus,” L. Frank Baum personifies vices (selfishness, envy, hatred, and malice) and highlights the return to virtue by showing what happens when Santa Clause is kidnapped.

Next to the Laughing Valley are the mountain caves where the Daemons of Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, and Malice trap humans. The Daemons have grown discontented, jealous, and bitter because no one visits their dark abodes anymore. Humans want to visit only the Laughing Valley where laughter, happiness, and contentment reside.

Baum’s story points out that Repentance lives with the other Daemons and resides in a cave at the farthest end of the mountain. He is “a pleasant sort of fellow who gladly opens for one a little door admitting you into fresh air and sunshine again.” His cave has the only door to escape from the Daemons’ dark mountain.

Santa lives in a castle in the Laughing Valley, where he works all year making toys for the children of the world. To prevent Santa from spreading joy, the Daemons try to lead him away from his virtuous ways. They each, in turn, try to tempt Santa.

Santa proves too wise and joyful to fall for the Daemons’ tricks. He is not selfish and will not keep the toys for himself. He is not envious of toy shops. In fact, he is happy for the shops and their success. He does not hate those who do not believe in him, for they do him no harm. And Santa will never be malicious.

Exasperated by their failed attempts, the Daemons decide to simply kidnap Santa. If they take away the children’s source of joy and generosity, the Daemons hope the children themselves will fall prey to selfishness, envy, hatred, and malice and become trapped in the Daemons’ caves.

On Christmas Eve, Santa prepares his sleigh; his job this night is a big one. As he sets out, the Daemons snatch Santa out of his sleigh and imprison him in their caves. They believe that they have won. Little do they know that Santa has three helpers with him. They successfully deliver all of the presents.

Though a little worried about the presents, Santa remains courageous and jolly. Nevertheless, the only way for Santa to be freed is for Repentance to take charge.

In his short story “A Kidnapped Santa Claus,” L. Frank Baum highlights the return to virtue. Harper Collins

Repentance Brings Light

Repentance regrets assisting in Santa’s capture. The Daemon acknowledges that he cannot reverse the evil deed, but he does realize that repentance “comes only after an evil thought or deed, for in the beginning there is nothing to repent of.”  Repentance takes Santa to his specific cave. There, he shows Santa that he resides with the other Daemons so that he can help others return to the light.

Baum shows that though we cannot reverse our evil or wicked thoughts or deeds, we must not despair and be willing to repent and amend our ways. Repentance is crucial for us to regain our virtue, as he says to Santa: “I believe I accomplish a great deal of good in the world.”

Our hidden goodness does not mean that we no longer possess virtue, for with repentance our virtue can escape from its deep, dark cave and again rise to the light.

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