Reindeer in L. Frank Baum's Santa Claus story Quiz

Answer:

Theses are the reindeer on Santa Claus's team in L. Frank Baum's 1902 book "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus": Fearless, Flossie, Glossie, Pacer, Peerless, Racer, Ready, Reckless, Speckless, Steady.

In Baum's story, Santa Claus was found as a baby, in a forest by an immortal man named Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World. Ak gave Santa over to a lioness named Shiegra who cared for him before Santa was later adopted by a wood nymph named Necile. When Claus, as he was called, became an adult, he began encountering society and civilization and witnessed the awful things in the world like war, and poverty and was struck hard by witnessing how much child neglect there was. Soon he moved to a place called the Laughing Valley of Hohaho where he became renowned for his kindness toward children. One day, a neighbor came to visit and Claus gave him a wood carving he made of his cat Blinky, and this became known as the very first toy.

The other immortal beings in Laughing Valley began helping Claus out with his ongoing toy carvings. They brought him supplies, and paints that Claus used in the creation of more and more toys. Claus began making dolls and gave one to a wealthy woman named Bessie Blithesome.

The story then introduces the Awgwas, who were evil beings that began to steal the toys Claus was giving to children because the toys kept children from misbehaving. The Awgwas even attempted to kill Claus! Yep, it gets dark like that! Ak declared war against the Awgwas when they refused to cease their attempts on Claus's life. The Awgwas had armies of other evil beings at their disposal, so this looked bad for Claus. But no, Ak and his own forces of good were able to destroy the Awgwas.

When winter came, it became difficult for Claus to walk through the snow with a bag of toys, and so Claus received the assistance of two reindeer named Flossie and Glossie, who were the first two reindeer, to pull Claus in a sleigh full of toys through the snow. When Clause would come to a house where the doors were locked, he would enter the home by climbing down the chimney. He soon became so revered for his generosity that he was called "Santa" Clause for his saintliness.

Soon the need/demand for toys grew so great that Glossie the reindeer noted that "We might pull it over the snow, to be sure, but we would not pull it fast enough to enable us to visit the far-away cities and villages and return to the Forest by daybreak." So, Santa Claus decided he should get two more reindeer. And Glossie suggested, why not get as many as ten since the Knook Prince who was the guardian of reindeers allowed that many.

In the story, these reindeer weren't born with the ability to fly. Instead, they were given the power of flight by Ak, who enchants them so they can help Santa Claus on his initial trip.

So, Santa Clause did just that and took on Fearless and Peerless, Reckless and Speckless, Pacer and Racer, and Ready and Steady. Each of these reindeer symbolized a virtue that helps Santa Claus carry out his mission of generosity and spreading joy.
Fearless implies bravery and steadfast courage.
Peerless embodies excellence, perfection, and unsurpassed skill.
Reckless symbolizes bold energy, daring, and speed.
Speckless is spotless, a pure coat, representing moral or physical purity.
Steady represents dependability, calm, and endurance.
Ready is always prepared, composed, and reliable.
Pacer is one of the reindeer named in some editions of Baum's story, though not always included in some later reprints. Pacer refers to measured movement, rhythm, and endurance, regulating the team's speed.
Racer first appears in Chapter 8 of the story, titled "The First Journey with the Reindeer." Racer represents speed and vigor.