The Runaway Shadows facts for kids

"The Runaway Shadows, or A Trick of Jack Frost" is a fun fairy tale and fantasy short story written by L. Frank Baum. He is the famous author who created the magical Land of Oz. This story is one of a few tales by Baum that feature his fantasy world called the Forest of Burzee. This forest is home to many unique creatures.

Many people think Burzee is Baum's second most important fantasy world after Oz. He used it in his books like The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1902) and Queen Zixi of Ix (1905). It also appears in some of his short stories and is mentioned in The Road to Oz (1909).

"The Runaway Shadows" was first printed on June 5, 1901. It appeared in newspapers that had also published Baum's American Fairy Tales earlier that year. The story was meant to be in that book collection. However, it was not included when the book came out in October 1901.

The story was printed again in April 1962 in a magazine called The Baum Bugle. It also showed up in a 1980 collection of Baum's short stories. This collection was released by the International Wizard of Oz Club.

What Happens in the Story?

Jack Frost's Playful Prank

On the coldest day of the year, the Frost King gives his son, Jack Frost, permission to play tricks on people. Jack Frost finds the Prince of Thumbumbia and his cousin, Lady Lindeva. These two children insisted on playing outside, even though it was extremely cold.

The royal helpers had bundled the children up so well. Jack could not pinch their ears or noses. Feeling a bit annoyed, he thought of a new idea. He decided to freeze the children's shadows!

Shadows Gain Freedom

Once frozen, the shadows became real and independent. They quickly ran off to the Forest of Burzee to enjoy their new freedom. A fierce tiger named Kahtah tried to attack them. But the shadows were unharmed.

Then, a creature called a ryl passed by. The ryl convinced the shadows to go back to their humans. The ryl explained that if the frozen shadows thawed in warm weather, they would simply disappear.

The Missing Shadows and a New King

Later, the King of Thumbumbia passed away. Important people from the court came to the Prince. They wanted to make him the new king. But they were shocked to see that the boy did not have a shadow!

Lady Lindeva was next in line for the crown. She also had the same strange problem. She cast no shadow either. The Earl Highlough, who was the most important man in the kingdom, came to investigate. By this time, the runaway shadows had already returned to their young master and mistress.

The Prince then became King, and Lady Lindeva became his Queen.