7/28/2019 Baum. L Frank the Magic of Oz http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/baum-l-frank-the-magic-of-oz 1/86 The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Magic of Oz, by L. Frank Baum #3 in our L. Frank Baum Oz series is really book #13 in the Oz series Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! Please take a look at the important information in this header. We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. **Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** **Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** *These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and further information is included below. We need your donations. The Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum February, 1996 [Etext #419] The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Magic of Oz, by L. Frank Baum *****This file should be named magoz10.txt or magoz10.zip****** Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, magoz11.txt. VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, magoz10a.txt. This etext was created by Dennis Amundson, Fargo, North Dakota. Etext was typied in from an unabridged edition of the text. We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance of the official release dates, for time for better editing. Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a new copy has at least one byte more or less. Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take Page 1
T he P ro jec t Gu te nb er g E tex t of T he Ma gi c of Oz , b y L . F rank B au m#3 in our L. Fr ank Baum Oz ser iesis r eal ly book #13 i n t he Oz s er ies
C op yr ig ht l aw s a re c ha ng in g a ll o ve r t he w or ld , b e s ur e t o c he ckt he c op yr ig ht l aw s f or y ou r c ou nt r y b ef or e p os ti ng t he se f il es !!
P le as e t ak e a l oo k a t t he i mp or ta nt i nf or ma ti on i n t hi s h ea de r.W e en co ur ag e y ou t o k eep t hi s f il e on y ou r ow n d is k, k ee pi ng ane le ct ro ni c p at h o pe n f or t he n ex t r ea de rs . D o n ot r em ove t h is .
* *W el co me T o T he W or ld o f F re e P la in V an il la E le ct r on ic T ex t s* *
* *E te xt s R ea da bl e B y B ot h H um an s a nd B y C om pu te rs , S in ce 1 97 1* *
* Th es e E te xt s P re pa re d B y H un dr ed s o f V ol un te er s a nd D on at io ns *
I nf or ma ti on o n c on ta ct i ng P r oj ec t G ut en be rg t o g et E te xt s, a ndf ur t he r i nf or ma ti on i s i nc lu de d b el ow . W e n ee d y ou r d on at io ns .
The Ma gic of Oz
b y L. F ra nk B aum
F e br u ar y , 1 9 96 [ E te x t # 4 19 ]
T he P ro jec t Gu te nb er g E tex t of T he Ma gi c of Oz , b y L . F rank B au m* * ** * Th i s f i l e s h ou l d b e n am e d m ag o z1 0. t x t o r m ag o z1 0. z i p* * ** * *
C or r ec te d E DI TI ON S o f o ur e te xt s g et a n ew N UM BE R, m ag oz 11 .t xt .V ER SI ON S b as ed o n s ep ar at e s ou rc es g et n ew L ET TE R, m ag oz 10 a. tx t.
T hi s e te xt w as c r ea te d b y D en ni s A mu nd so n, F ar go , N or t h D ak ot a.E te xt w as t yp ie d i n f ro m a n u na br id ge d e di ti on o f t he t ex t.
W e a re n ow t ry in g t o r el ea se a ll o ur b oo ks o ne m on th i n a dva nc eo f t he o ff ic ia l r el ea se d at es , f or t im e f or b et te r e di ti ng .
P le as e n ot e: n ei th er t hi s l is t n or i ts c on te nt s a re f in al t il l
m id ni gh t o f t he l as t d ay o f t he m on th o f a ny s uc h a nn ou nc em en t.T he o ff ic ia l r el ea se d at e o f a ll P ro je ct G ut en be rg E te xt s i s a tM id ni gh t, C ent ral T im e, o f t he l as t da y o f t he s ta ted mo nt h. Ap re li mi na ry ve rs io n m ay o ft en b e p os te d f or s ug ge st io n, c om me ntand edit ing by t hose who w ish to do so. To be sur e you have anup to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizesi n t he f ir st w ee k o f t he ne xt m on th . S in ce ou r f tp pr og ram h asa bug i n it that sc rambles t he dat e [ tri ed t o f ix and f ai led] alook at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see anew copy has at leas t one byt e mor e or les s.
I n fo r ma ti o n a bo ut P r oj ec t G ut e nb er g ( on e p ag e)
W e p ro du ce a bo ut t wo m il li on d ol la rs f or e ac h h ou r w e w or k. T hef if ty h ou rs i s o ne c on se rva ti ve e st im at e f or h ow l on g i t w e t ak e
s om eo ne o th er t ha n u s, a nd e ve n i f w ha t' s w ro ng i s n ot o ur f au lt . S o, a mo ng o th er t hi ng s, t hi s " Sm al l P ri nt !" s ta te me ntd is cl ai ms m os t o f o ur l ia bi li ty t o y ou . I t a ls o t el ls y ou h owy ou c an d is tr ib ut e c opi es o f t hi s e te xt i f y ou w an t t o.
* BE FO RE !* Y OU U SE O R R EA D T HI S E TE XTB y u si ng o r r ea di ng a ny p ar t o f t hi s P RO JE CT G UT EN BE RG -t m
e te xt , y ou i nd ic at e t ha t y ou u nd er st an d, a gr ee t o a nd a cc ep tt hi s " Sm al l P ri nt !" s ta te me nt . If y ou d o n ot , y ou c an r ec ei vea r ef un d of t he m one y ( if any ) y ou pai d f or t hi s e tex t b ys en di ng a r eq ue st w it hi n 3 0 d ay s o f r ec ei vi ng i t t o t he p er so ny ou g ot i t f ro m. I f y ou r ec ei ve d t hi s e te xt o n a p hy si ca lm edi um ( suc h a s a d is k) , y ou mu st r et ur n i t w it h y ou r r eq ue st .
ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTST hi s P R OJ E CT G UT E NB E RG - tm e t ex t , l i ke m os t P R OJ E CT G UT E NB E RG -t m e te xt s, i s a " pu bl ic d om ai n" w or k d is tr ib ut ed b y P ro fe ss or M ic ha el S . H ar t t hr o ug h t he P r oj ec t G ut e nb er g A ss oc i at i on a tI l l in o is B e ne d ic t i ne C o ll e ge ( t h e " P ro j ec t " ). A m on g o t he r t hi ng s, t hi s m ea ns t ha t n o o ne o wn s a U ni te d S ta te s c op yr ig hton o r f or t hi s w or k, s o t he P roj ec t ( an d y ou !) c an c opy a ndd is tr ib ut e i t i n t he U ni te d S ta te s w it ho ut p er mi ss io n a ndw i th ou t p ay i ng c o py r ig ht r oy a lt i es . S pe c ia l r ul es , s e t f or t hb el ow , ap pl y i f y ou w is h t o c op y a nd d is tr ib ut e t hi s e te xtu nd er t h e P r oj e ct ' s " P RO J EC T G U TE N BE R G" t r ad em ar k .
T o c r ea t e t he se e te xt s , t he P r oj ec t e xp en ds c on si de r ab lee f fo r ts t o i d en t if y , t r an s cr i be a nd p r oo f re ad p ub l ic d om ai nw or ks . D es pi te t he se e ff or ts , t he P ro je ct 's e te xt s a nd a nym ed iu m t he y m ay b e o n m ay c on ta in " De fe ct s" . A mo ng o th er t hi ng s, D ef ec ts m ay t ak e t he f or m o f i nc om pl et e, i na cc ur at e o r c or r up t d at a, t r an sc ri pt io n e rr or s, a c op yr i gh t o r o th er
i n te l le c tu al p r op er t y i n fr i ng em e nt , a d ef e ct i ve o r d am ag edd is k o r o th er e te xt m ed iu m, a c om pu te r vi ru s, o r c om pu te r c od es t ha t d am ag e o r c an no t b e r ea d b y y ou r e qu ip me nt .
L I MI T ED W A RR A NT Y ; D I SC L AI ME R O F D A MA GE SB ut f or t he " Ri gh t o f R ep la ce me nt o r R ef un d" d es cr ib ed b el ow ,[ 1] t he P ro je ct ( an d a ny o th er p ar ty y ou m ay r ec ei ve th ise te xt f r om a s a P RO JE CT G UT EN BE RG -t m e te xt ) d is cl ai ms a lll i ab il i ty t o y ou f o r d am ag es , c os t s a nd e xp en se s, i nc l ud in gl eg al f ee s, a nd [ 2] Y OU H AV E N O R EM ED IE S F OR N EG LI GE NC E O RU ND ER S TR IC T L IA BI LI TY , O R F OR B RE AC H O F W AR RA NT Y O R C ON TR AC T,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
O R I NC ID EN TA L D AM AG ES , E VE N I F Y OU G IV E N OT IC E O F T HEP OS S IB I LI T Y O F S U CH D A MA G ES .
I f y ou di sc over a D ef ec t i n t hi s et ex t w it hi n 9 0 d ay s o f r ec ei vi ng i t, y ou c an r ec ei ve a r ef un d o f t he m on ey ( if a ny )y ou p ai d f or i t b y s en di ng a n e xp la na to ry n ot e w it hi n t ha tt im e t o t he p er so n y ou r ec ei ve d i t f ro m. If y ou r ec ei ve d i to n a p hy si ca l m edi um , y ou mu st r et ur n i t w it h y ou r n ot e, a nds uc h p er s on m ay c ho os e t o a lt e rn at ive l y g i ve y ou a r ep la ce me ntc op y. I f y ou r ec ei ve d i t e le ct ro ni ca ll y, s uc h p er so n m ayc ho os e t o a lt er na ti ve ly g i ve y ou a s ec on d o pp or t un it y t or e ce i ve i t e l e ct r o ni c a l ly .
T HI S E TE XT I S O TH ER WI SE P RO VI DE D T O Y OU " AS -I S" . N O O TH ERW AR RA NT IE S O F A NY K IN D, E XP RE SS O R I MP LI ED , A RE M AD E T O Y OU A STO T HE ET EXT O R A NY M ED IU M I T M AY B E O N, I NC LU DI NG B UT N OT
L IM IT ED T O W AR RA NT IE S O F M ER CH AN TA BI LI TY O R F IT NE SS F OR APARTICULAR PURPOSE.
S om e s ta te s d o n ot a ll ow d is cl ai me rs o f i mp li ed w ar ra nt ie s o r t he e xc l us i on o r l im it at i on o f c on se qu en ti al d am ag es , s o t heabove d is cl ai me rs a nd e xc lu si on s m ay n ot a pp ly t o y ou , a nd y oum ay h ave o th er l eg al r i gh ts .
INDEMNITYY ou w il l i nd em ni fy a nd h ol d t he P ro je ct , i ts d ir ec to rs ,o ff i ce rs , m em be rs a nd a ge nt s h ar m le ss f r om a ll l i ab il it y , c o sta nd e xp en se , i nc l ud in g l eg al f ee s, t ha t a ri se d ir ec t ly o r i nd ir ec tl y f ro m a ny o f t he f ol lo wi ng t ha t y ou d o o r c au se :[ 1 ] d i st r ib ut i on o f t hi s e t ex t , [ 2 ] a l te r at i on , m od if i ca t io n,o r a dd it io n t o t he et ex t, o r [ 3] an y D ef ec t.
DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"Y ou m ay d is tr ib ut e c op ie s o f t hi s e te xt e le ct ro ni ca ll y, o r b yd is k, bo ok or an y ot her m edi um i f y ou e it he r d el et e t hi s" Sm al l P r in t! " a nd a ll o th er r ef er en ce s t o P ro je ct G ut en be rg ,or:
[ 1] O nl y g ive e xa ct c op ie s o f i t. A mo ng o th er t hi ng s, t hi sr eq ui re s t ha t y ou d o n ot r em ove , a lt er o r m od if y t he
e te xt o r t hi s " sm al l p ri nt !" s ta te me nt . Y ou m ay h ow eve r,i f y ou w is h, d is tr ib ut e t hi s e te xt i n m ac hi ne r ea da bl e
b i na r y , c o mp r es s ed , m a rk - up , o r p r op r ie t ar y f o rm ,i nc l ud in g a ny f or m r es ul t in g f r om c on ve rs io n b y w or d p ro -
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f or m b y t he p ro gr am t ha t d is pl ay s t he e te xt ( as i st he c as e, f or i ns ta nc e, w it h m os t w or d p ro ce ss or s) ;
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e tex t i n i ts o ri gi na l pl ai n A SC II f or m ( or i n E BC DI Cor other equivalent proprietary form).
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p ay ab l e t o " P ro je c t G ut en be r g A s so c ia t io n / I l li no isB en ed ic t in e C ol le ge " w i th in t he 6 0 d ay s f ol l ow in g e ac h
d at e y ou p re pa re ( or w er e l eg al ly r eq ui re d t o p re pa re )
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WH AT I F Y OU *W AN T* TO SEN D MON EY E VE N I F YOU DON' T HA VE T O?T he P r oj ec t g ra t ef ul l y a cc ep t s c on tr i bu ti on s i n m on ey , t i me ,s c an ni ng m ac hi ne s, O CR s of t wa r e, p ub li c d om ai n e te xt s , r o ya lt yf r ee c op yr i gh t l ic en se s, a nd e ve ry o th er s or t o f c on tr i bu ti ony ou c an t hi nk o f. M on ey s ho ul d b e p ai d t o " Pr oj ec t G ut en be rg
Association / Illinois Benedictine College".
*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*
The Ma gic of Oz
A Faithful Record of the Remarkable Adventures of Dorothyan d T ro t an d t he W iz ar d of O z, t og et he r w it h t he
C ow ar dl y L io n, t he H un gr y T ig er a nd C ap 'n B il l,i n t he ir s uc ce ss fu l s ea rc h f or a M ag ic al
a nd B ea ut i fu l B i rt h da y P r es en t f o r Princess Ozma of Oz
b y L. F ra nk B aum" Ro ya l H is t or i an o f O z"
Contents
- - To M y R ea de rs - -
1 . M ou nt M un ch2 . T he H aw k3. T wo Ba d Ones4. Conspirators5. A Happy Corner of Oz6 . O z ma 's B i rt h da y P r es e nt s7 . T h e F or es t o f G ug u8 . T he L i -M on - Ea gs M ak e T r ou bl e9. The I sl e o f t he Ma gi c Fl owe r 10. Stuck Fast11 . The B ea st s o f t he Fo res t of Gu gu12. Kiki Uses His Magic
13. The Loss of t he Black Bag1 4. T he W iz ar d L ea rn s t he M ag ic W or d1 5. T he L on es om e D uc k1 6. T he Gl as s C at F in ds t he B la ck B ag1 7. A R e ma r ka bl e J o ur n ey18 . T he Ma gi c of t he W iz ar d1 9. D or ot hy a nd t he B um bl e B ee s2 0 . T h e M o nk e ys H a ve T ro ub le2 1. T he C ol le ge o f A th le ti c A rt s2 2. O z ma ' s B i rt h da y P ar t y2 3. T he F o un t ai n o f O bl i vi on
C ur io us ly e no ug h, i n t he e ve nt s w hi ch h ave t ak en p la ce i n t he l as tf ew y ea rs i n o ur " gr ea t o ut si de w or ld ," w e m ay f in d i nc id en ts s oma rve lo us a nd i ns pi ri ng t ha t I c an no t h op e t o e qu al t he m w it h s to ri esof The Land of Oz .
Howeve r, " Th e M ag ic o f O z" i s r ea ll y m or e s tr an ge a nd u nu su al t ha na ny th in g I h ave r ea d o r he ar d a bo ut o n ou r s id e o f T he G re at S an dyD es er t w hi ch s hu ts u s o ff f ro m T he L an d o f O z, e ve n d ur in g t he p as te xc it in g y ear s, s o I h ope i t w il l ap pe al t o y our l ove of nove lt y.
A long and confining illness has prevented my answering all the goodl et te rs s en t m e- -u nl es s s ta mp s w er e e nc lo se d- -b ut f ro m n ow o n I h op e t ob e a bl e t o g ive p ro mp t a tt en ti on t o e ac h a nd e ve ry l et te r w it h w hi chm y r ea de rs f avo r m e.
Assuring you that my love for you has never faltered and hoping theO z B ook s w il l c ont in ue t o g ive y ou pl ea sur e as l ong a s I a m ab le t ow ri te t he m, I am
Yours affectionately,L . F RA NK B AU M," R oy al H i st or i an o f O z. ""OZCOT"at HOLLYWOODin CALIFORNIA1919
1 . M ou nt M un ch
On t he east edge of t he Land of Oz , in the Munchkin Count ry , is ab ig , t al l hi ll c al led M ou nt M un ch . O ne o ne s id e, t he b ot to m o f t hi sh il l j us t t ou ch es t he D ea dl y S an dy D es er t t ha t s ep ar at es t heF ai ry lan d o f Oz f rom al l t he r es t of t he w or ld , b ut on t he o the r s i de , t he h il l t ou ch es t h e b ea ut i fu l, f e rt i le C ou nt r y o f t he M un ch ki ns .
T he M un ch ki n f ol ks , h ow eve r, m er el y s t an d o ff a nd l oo k a t M ou ntMun ch and kn ow ve ry l it tl e a bo ut i t; f or , a bou t a t hi rd o f t he w ay u p,i ts s id es b ec om e t oo s te ep t o c li mb , a nd i f a ny pe op le l ive upon t he
t op of t ha t gr eat t ow er in g pe ak t ha t s eem s t o r eac h ne ar ly t o t hes ki es , t he M un ch ki ns a re n ot a wa re o f t he f ac t.
B ut pe opl e D O l ive t he re , j us t t he s ame . Th e t op o f Mo unt Mu nc h i ss ha pe d l ik e a s au ce r, b ro ad a nd d ee p, a nd i n t he s au ce r a re f ie ld sw he re g ra in s a nd ve ge ta bl es g ro w, a nd f lo ck s a re f ed , a nd b ro ok s f lo wa nd t re es b ea r a ll s or ts o f t hi ng s. T he re a re h ou se s s ca tt er ed h er ea nd t he re , e ac h h avi ng i ts f am il y o f H yu ps , a s t he p eo pl e c al lt he ms el ve s. Th e H yu ps s el do m g o d ow n t he m ou nt ai n, f or t he s am er ea so n t ha t t he M un ch ki ns n eve r c li mb u p: t he s id es a re t oo s te ep .
I n one of t he h ous es l ive d a w is e ol d H yup na med B ini A ru, wh o u sedt o b e a c le ve r S or ce rer . B ut Oz ma of O z, w ho r ul es ever yon e i n t he
La nd of Oz , had ma de a d ec ree t ha t n o o ne s hou ld pr ac ti ce ma gi c i n h er d om in io ns e xc ep t G li nd a t he G oo d a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z, a nd w he n G li nd as en t t hi s r oy al c om ma nd t o t he H yu ps b y m ea ns o f a s tr on g- wi ng ed E ag le ,
o ld B in i A ru a t o nc e s to pp ed p er fo rm in g m ag ic al a rt s. H e d es tr oy edm an y o f h is m ag ic p ow de rs a nd t oo ls o f m ag ic , a nd a ft er wa rd h on es tl yobe yed t he l aw . H e had never s een O zma , bu t h e k ne w s he w as h is R ul er a nd m us t b e o be ye d.
T he re w as o nl y o ne t hi ng t ha t g ri eve d h im . H e h ad d is co ve re d a newa nd s ec re t m et ho d o f t r an sf or ma ti on s t ha t w as u nk no wn t o a ny o th er
S or cer er . G li nda t he Go od d id n ot k no w i t, no r d id t he l it tl e W iz ar dof O z, nor D r. P ipt no r ol d M om bi , n or an yo ne el se w ho de al t i n m ag ica rt s. I t w as B in i A ru 's o wn s ec re t. B y i ts m ea ns , i t w as t hes im pl es t t hi ng i n t he w or ld t o t ra ns fo rm a ny on e i nt o b ea st , b ir d o r f is h, o r a ny th in g e ls e, a nd b ac k a ga in , o nc e y ou k no w h ow t o p ro no un cethe mystical word: "Pyrzqxgl."
B in i A ru h ad u se d t hi s s ec re t m an y t im es , b ut n ot t o c au se e vi l o r s uf fe ri ng t o o th er s. W he n h e h ad w an de re d f ar f ro m h ome a nd w ash un gr y, h e w ou ld s ay : " I w an t t o b ec om e a c ow -- Py rz qx gl !"I n an i ns tan t he w oul d be a c ow , and t he n he w oul d eat gr as s an ds at is fy h is h ung er . A ll b ea st s a nd b ir ds c an t al k i n t he L an d o f O z,so when t he c ow was no longer hungr y, it woul d say : "I want to be Bini
Aru again: Pyrzqxgl!" and the magic word, properlyp ro no un ce d, w ou ld i ns ta nt ly r es to re h im t o h is p ro pe r f or m.
N ow , of c our se , I w oul d not da re t o w ri te d ow n t hi s m agi c w or d s op la in ly i f I t ho ug ht m y r ea de rs w ou ld p ro no un ce i t p ro pe rl y a nd s o b eab le t o t ran sf or m t he ms el ve s a nd o th er s, b ut i t i s a f ac t t hat n o o nei n al l t he w or ld e xc ep t B in i A ru, ha d e ve r ( up t o t he t im e t hi s s to ryb eg in s) b ee n a bl e t o p ro no un ce " Py rz qx gl !" t he r ig ht w ay , s oI t hi nk i t i s s af e t o gi ve i t t o y ou. It might be well , however , inr ea di ng t hi s s to ry a lo ud , t o b e c ar ef ul n ot t o p ro no un ce P yr zq xg lt he p ro pe r w ay , a nd t hu s a vo id a ll d an ge r o f t he s ec re t b ei ng a bl e t ow o rk m i sc h ie f .
B in i A r u, h avi ng d is c ove re d t he s ec r et o f i ns ta nt t r an sf or ma ti on ,w hi ch r eq ui re d n o t oo ls o r p ow de rs o r o th er c he mi ca ls o r h er bs a nda lw ay s w or k ed p er f ec t ly , w as r el uc t an t t o h ave s uc h a w on de rf uld i sc o ve ry e nt ir el y u nk no wn o r l os t t o a ll h um an k no wl ed ge . H e d ec id ednot t o use i t agai n, s ince Ozma had f orbidden him t o do so, but her ef le ct ed t ha t O zm a w as a g ir l a nd s om e t im e m ig ht c ha ng e h er m in da nd a ll ow h er s ubj ec ts t o p ra ct ic e m agi c, i n w hi ch c as e B in i A ru c oul da ga in t r an sf or m h im se lf a nd o th er s a t w il l, - -u nl es s, o f c ou rs e, h ef or go t h ow t o p ro no un ce P yr z qx gl i n t he m ea nt im e.
After giving the matter careful thought, he decided to write the
w or d, a nd h ow i t s ho ul d b e p ro no un ce d, i n s om e s ec re t p la ce , s o t ha the c oul d f in d i t a ft er man y y ear s, but w her e n o o ne el se c oul d e ver f in d i t.
T ha t w as a c le ve r i de a, b ut w ha t b ot he re d t he o ld S or ce re r w as t of ind a s ec re t pl ac e. H e w an der ed al l over t he S au ce r at t he t op o f M ou nt M un ch , b ut f ou nd n o p la ce i n w hi ch t o w ri te t he s ec re t w or dw he re o th er s m igh t n ot b e l ik el y t o s tu mb le u pon i t. S o f in al ly h ed ec id ed i t m us t b e w ri tt en s om ew he re i n h is o wn h ou se .
B in i A ru h ad a w if e nam ed Mops i A ru w ho w as f am ous f or m ak ing f inehu ck le ber ry pi es , and he h ad a s on na med K ik i Ar u w ho w as not f amo usa t a ll . H e w as n ot ed a s b ei ng c ro ss a nd d is ag re ea bl e b ec au se h e w as
no t hap py , a nd h e w as n ot h appy bec au se he w ant ed t o go dow n t hem ou nt ai n a nd vi si t t he b ig w or ld b el ow a nd h is f at he r w ou ld n ot l eth im . N o o ne p ai d a ny a tt en ti on t o K ik i A ru , b ec au se h e d id n' t a mo un t
On ce a y ea r t her e w as a f es ti val o n Mo un t Mu nc h w hi ch al l t he H yup sa tt en de d. I t w as h el d i n t he c en te r o f t he s au ce r- sh ap ed c ou nt ry , a ndt he d ay w as g ive n o ve r t o f ea st in g a nd m er r y- ma ki ng . T he y ou ng f ol ksd an ce d a nd s an g s on gs ; t he w om en s pr ea d t he t ab le s w it h g oo d t hi ng s t oe at , a nd t he m en p la ye d o n m us ic al i ns tr um en ts a nd t ol d f ai ry t al es .
K ik i A ru u su al ly w en t t o t he se f es ti va ls w it h h is p ar en ts , a nd t he ns at s ul le nl y o ut si de t he c ir cl e a nd w ou ld n ot d an ce o r s in g o r e vent al k t o t he o the r y oun g pe opl e. S o t he f es ti val d id no t m ak e hi m a nyh ap pi er t ha n o th er d ay s, a nd t hi s t im e h e t ol d B in i A ru a nd Mo ps i A rut hat he wo ul d no t go . H e w oul d r at her s tay a t h ome an d b e u nha ppy al lb y h im se lf , h e s ai d, a nd s o t he y g la dl y l et h im s ta y.
B ut a ft er h e w as l ef t a lo ne K ik i d ec id ed t o e nt er h is f at he r' sp ri va te r oo m, w he re h e w as f or bi dd en t o g o, a nd s ee i f h e c ou ld f in da ny o f t he ma gi c t ool s B ini A ru us ed t o w or k w it h w hen h e p ra ct ic edsor cer y. As he went in Ki ki s tubbed his t oe on one of t he f loor b oa rd s. H e s ea rc he d e ve ry wh er e b ut f ou nd n o t ra ce o f h is f at he r' sm ag ic . A l l h ad b ee n d es t ro ye d.
M uc h d is ap po in te d, h e s ta rt ed t o g o o ut a ga in w he n h e s tu bb ed h ist oe o n t he s am e f lo or b oa rd . T ha t s et h im t hi nk in g. E xa mi ni ng t heb oa rd m or e c lo se ly , K ik i f ou nd i t h ad b ee n p ri ed u p a nd t he n n ai le ddo wn ag ai n i n s uc h a m an ner t ha t i t w as a l it tl e hi ghe r t han t he ot he r b oa rd s. B ut w hy h ad h is f at he r t ak en u p t he b oa rd ? H ad h e h id de ns om e o f h is m ag ic t oo ls u nd er ne at h t he f lo or ?
K ik i g ot a c hi se l a nd p ri ed u p t he b oa rd , b ut f ou nd n ot hi ng u nd er i t. H e w as j us t ab ou t t o r epl ac e t he b oar d w hen i t s li ppe d f rom h ish an d a nd t ur ne d o ve r, a nd h e s aw s om et hi ng w ri tt en o n t he u nd er s id e o f
i t. T he l igh t w as r at her d im, s o h e t oo k t he b oa rd t o t he w in do w a nde xa mi ne d i t, a nd f ou nd t ha t t he w ri ti ng d es cr ib ed e xa ct ly h ow t op ro no un ce t he m ag ic w or d P yr z qx gl , w hi ch w ou ld t ra ns f or m a ny on ei nt o a ny t hi ng i ns ta nt ly , a nd b ac k a ga in w he n t he w or d w as r ep ea te d.
N ow , a t f ir st , K ik i A ru d id n' t r ea li ze w ha t a w on de rf ul s ec re t h eha d di sc over ed ; b ut h e t hou gh t i t mi gh t be o f us e t o h im an d s o h et oo k a pi ec e of p ape r a nd m ade o n i t a n e xa ct c op y of t he i ns tr uc ti onsf or p ro no un ci ng P yr zq xg l. Th en h e f ol de d t he p ap er a nd p ut i ti n hi s p oc ket , a nd r epl ac ed t he b oa rd i n t he f lo or s o t ha t n o on ew ou ld s us pe ct i t h ad b ee n r em ove d.
After this Kiki went into the garden and sitting beneath a tree madea c ar ef ul s tudy of t he p ape r. H e ha d al wa ys w an ted t o g et a way f romM ou nt M un ch a nd vi si t t he b ig w or l d- - es pe ci al ly t he L an d o f O z- - an dt he i de a no w c ame t o hi m t ha t i f h e c oul d t ra ns for m hi ms el f i nt o abird, he c ould f ly to any pl ac e he wis hed to go and f ly back agai nwheneve r h e c ar ed t o. I t w as n ec es sa ry , h ow eve r, t o l ea rn b y h ea rtt he w ay t o p ro no un ce t he m ag ic w or d, b ec au se a b ir d w ou ld h ave n o w ayt o c ar ry a pa pe r w it h i t, an d K ik i w oul d be u na bl e t o r es um e hi sp ro pe r s ha pe i f h e f or go t t he w or d o r i ts p ro nu nc ia ti on .
S o h e s tu di ed i t a l on g t ime , r epe at ing i t a hu ndr ed t im es i n h ism in d u nt il h e w as s ur e h e w oul d n ot f or ge t i t. B ut t o m ak e s af et ydo ub ly s ur e he pl ac ed t he p ape r i n a t in b ox i n a ne gl ec ted pa rt of
t he g ar de n a nd c ove re d t he b ox w it h s ma ll s to ne s.
By t hi s ti me i t was get ti ng l ate i n t he day and Ki ki w is hed t o
a tt em pt h is f ir s t t r an sf or ma ti on b ef or e h is p ar en ts r et ur ne d f r om t hef es ti val . S o he s too d on t he f ro nt p or ch o f hi s h om e a nd s ai d:
" I w an t t o b ec om e a b ig , s tr on g b ir d, l ik e a h aw k- -P yr zq xg l! "He pronounced i t t he r ight way, so in a fl ash he felt that he wasc om pl et el y c ha ng ed i n f or m. H e f la pp ed h is w in gs , h op pe d t o t he p or chr a il i ng a nd s ai d : " C aw - oo ! C aw - oo ! "
T he n h e l au gh ed a nd s ai d h al f a lo ud : " I s up po se t ha t' s t he f un nys ound thi s s ort of a bir d mak es. B ut now l et me tr y my wi ngs and s eei f I 'm s tr on g e no ug h t o f ly a cr os s t he d es er t. "
F or h e ha d d ec ide d t o m ak e h is f ir st t ri p t o t he c ou nt ry o ut si de t heL an d o f O z. H e h ad s to le n t hi s s ec re t o f t ra ns fo rm at io n a nd h e k ne wh e h ad d is ob ey ed t he l aw o f O z b y w or ki ng m ag ic . Pe rh ap s G li nd a o r t he W iz ar d o f Oz w ou ld d is cover h im a nd p un is h h im, s o i t w ou ld beg oo d p ol ic y t o k ee p a wa y f ro m O z a lt og et he r.
S lo wl y K ik i r os e i nt o t he ai r, an d r es ti ng o n h is b ro ad w in gs ,f l oa t ed i n g r ac e fu l c i r cl e s a b ove t h e s a uc e r- s ha pe d m ou nt a in - to p.F ro m h is h ei gh t, h e c ou ld s ee , f ar a cr os s t he b ur ni ng s an ds o f t heD ea dl y D es er t, a no th er c ou nt ry t ha t m ig ht b e p le as an t t o e xp lo re , s oh e h ea de d t ha t w ay , a nd w it h s tr on g, s te ad y s tr ok es o f h is w in gs ,b eg an t he l on g f li gh t.
2 . T he H aw k
E ven a h aw k h as t o f ly hi gh i n o rde r t o c ros s t he D ea dl y D es er t,f ro m w hi ch p oi so no us f um es a re c on st an tl y r is in g. K ik i A ru f el t s ic k
and f ai nt by t he t im e he r eac hed g ood la nd a gai n, f or he c oul d no tq ui te e sc ap e t he e ff ec ts o f t he p oi so ns . B ut t he f re sh a ir s oo nr es to re d h im a nd h e a li gh te d i n a b ro ad t ab le -l an d w hi ch i s c al le dH il an d. J us t b ey on d i t i s a val le y k now n as Lo lan d, an d t hes e t woc ou nt ri es a re r ul ed b y t he G in ge rb re ad M an , J oh n D ou gh , w it h C hi ck t heC he ru b a s h is P ri me M in is te r. T he h aw k m er el y s to pp ed h er e l on ge no ug h t o r es t, a nd t he n h e f le w n or th a nd p as se d o ve r a f in e c ou nt ryc al le d M er ry la nd , w hi ch i s r ul ed b y a l ove ly W ax D ol l. T he n,f ol lo wi ng t he c ur ve o f t he D es er t, h e t ur ne d n or th a nd s et tl ed o n at re e- to p i n t he K in gd om o f N ol an d.
Ki ki w as t ir ed by t his t ime, and t he s un w as now set ti ng, s o he
d ec id ed t o r em ai n h er e t il l m or ni ng . F r om h is t re e- to p h e c ou ld s ee ah ou se n ea r b y, w hi ch l oo ke d ve ry c om fo rt ab le . A m an w as m il ki ng a c owi n t he y ar d a nd a p le as an t- fa ce d w om an c am e t o t he d oo r a nd c al le dh im t o s up pe r.
T ha t m ad e K ik i w on de r w ha t s or t o f f oo d h aw ks a te . H e f el t h un gr y,but didn't know what to eat or where t o get it. Also he t hought a bedw ou ld b e m or e c om fo rt ab le t ha n a t re e- to p f or s le ep in g, s o h e h op pe dt o t he g ro un d a nd s ai d: " I w an t t o b ec om e K ik i A ru a ga in -- Py rz qx gl !"
I ns ta nt ly h e h ad r es um ed h is n at ur al s ha pe , a nd g oi ng t o t he h ou se ,h e k no ck ed u po n t he d oo r a nd a sk ed f or s om e s up pe r.
" Wh o ar e y ou? " as ked t he m an of t he h ou se .
" A s tr an ge r f ro m t he L an d o f O z, " r ep li ed K ik i A ru .
" Th en y ou a re w el co me ," s ai d t he m an .
K i ki w a s g i ve n a g oo d s up pe r a nd a g oo d b ed , a nd h e b eh ave d ve ryw el l, a lt ho ug h h e r ef us ed t o a ns we r a ll t he q ue st io ns t he g oo d p eo pl eo f N ol an d a sk ed h im . H avi ng e sc ap ed f ro m h is h om e a nd f ou nd a w ay t os ee t he w or ld, t he y oun g ma n w as n o l on ger unh appy , and s o h e w as n o
l on ge r c ro ss a nd d is ag re ea bl e. T he p eo pl e t ho ug ht h im a ve ryr es pe ct ab le p er so n a nd g ave h im b re ak fa st n ex t m or ni ng , a ft er w hi ch h es t ar t ed o n h is w ay f ee li ng q ui t e c on te nt ed .
Havi ng w al ke d f or a n h ou r o r t wo t hr ou gh t he p re tt y c ou nt ry t ha t i sr ul ed b y K in g B ud , K ik i A ru d ec id ed h e c ou ld t ra ve l f as te r a nd s eem or e a s a b ir d, s o h e t ra ns fo rm ed h im se lf i nt o a w hi te d ove a ndvi si te d t he g re at c it y o f N ol e a nd s aw t he K in g' s p al ac e a nd g ar de nsa nd m an y o th er p la ce s o f i nt er es t. T he n h e f le w w es tw ar d i nt o t heK ingd om o f I x, an d af ter a d ay i n Quee n Z ix i's c oun tr y we nt onw es tw ar d i nt o t he L an d o f E v. E ve ry p la ce h e vi si te d h e t ho ug ht w asm uc h m or e p le as an t t ha n t he s au ce r- co un tr y o f t he H yu ps , a nd h ed ec id ed t ha t w he n h e r ea ch ed t he f in es t c ou nt ry o f a ll h e w ou ld s et tl et he re a nd e nj oy h is f ut ur e l if e t o t he u tm os t.
I n t he l and of E v h e r es ume d hi s ow n s ha pe ag ai n, f or t he c it ies an dvi ll ag es w er e c lo se t og et he r a nd h e c ou ld e as il y g o o n f oo t f ro m o net o a no th er o f t he m.
Tow ar d eve ni ng h e c am e t o a g oo d I nn a nd a sk ed t he i nn -k ee pe r i f h ec o ul d h a ve f oo d a nd l od gi ng .
" Yo u c an i f y ou h ave t he m on ey t o p ay ," s ai d t he m an , " ot he rw is e y oum u st g o e l se w he r e. "
T hi s s ur pr is ed K ik i, f or i n t he La nd o f Oz t he y do no t us e mo ney a ta ll , e ve ry on e b ei ng a ll ow ed t o t ak e w ha t h e w is he s w it ho ut p ri ce . H eh ad n o m on ey , t he re fo re , a nd s o h e t ur ne d a wa y t o s ee k h os pi ta li tye ls ew he re . L oo ki ng t hr ou gh a n o pe n w in do w i nt o o ne o f t he r oo ms o f the Inn, as he pas sed al ong, he saw an old man count ing on a table ab ig he ap o f go ld p iec es , w hi ch K ik i t hou gh t t o b e mo ne y. O ne o f t hes ew ou ld b uy h im s up pe r a nd a b ed , h e r ef le ct ed , s o h e t ra ns fo rm edh im se lf i nt o a m ag pi e a nd , f ly in g t hr ou gh t he o pe n w in do w, c au gh t u pone of t he gol d pi ec es i n hi s bea k and f lew out a gai n b ef or e t he ol dm an c ou ld i nt er fe re . I nd ee d, t he o ld m an w ho w as r ob be d w as q ui teh el pl es s, f or h e d ar ed n ot l ea ve h is p il e o f g ol d t o c ha se t he m ag pi e,an d be fo re he c ou ld pl ac e t he g ol d i n a s ac k i n hi s p oc ke t t he r obbe r
bir d was out of sight and t o seek i t would be f olly .
K ik i A ru f le w t o a gr oup of t re es a nd , dr op pi ng t he g ol d pi ec e t ot he g ro un d, r es um ed h is p ro pe r s ha pe , a nd t he n p ic ke d u p t he m on ey a ndput it in his pocket.
" Yo u' ll b e s or ry f or t hi s! " e xc la im ed a s ma ll vo ic e j us t o ve r h is h ea d.
K ik i l oo ke d u p a nd s aw t ha t a s pa rr ow , p er ch ed u po n a b ra nc h, w asw a tc h in g h i m.
" So rr y f or w ha t? " h e d em an de d.
" Oh, I s aw t he w ho le t hi ng ," a ss er te d t he s pa rr ow . " I s aw y ou l ooki n t he w indo w at t he go ld, and t hen mak e y ou rs el f i nt o a ma gpi e an dr ob t he p oor ma n, a nd t he n I s aw y ou f ly her e a nd m ak e t he bi rd i nt o
y ou r f or me r s ha pe . T ha t' s m ag ic , a nd m ag ic i s w ic k ed a nd u nl aw fu l;a nd y ou s to le m on ey , a nd t ha t' s a s ti ll g re at er c ri me . Y ou 'l l b es or ry , s om e d ay ."
" I d on 't c ar e, " r ep li ed K ik i A ru , s co wl in g.
" Ar en 't y ou a fr ai d t o b e w ic ke d? " a sk ed t he s pa rr ow .
" No, I d id n' t k no w I w as b ei ng w ic ke d, " s ai d K ik i, " bu t i f I w as ,I 'm g la d o f i t. I h at e g oo d p eo pl e. I ' ve a lw ay s w an te d t o b e w ic ke d,b ut I d id n' t k no w h ow ."
" Ha w, h aw , h aw !" l au gh ed s om eo ne b eh in d h im , i n a b ig vo i ce ; " t ha t 'st he p ro pe r s pi ri t, m y l ad ! I ' m g la d I 've m et y ou ; s ha ke h an ds ."
T he s pa rr ow g ave a f ri gh te ne d s qu ea k a nd f le w a wa y.
3. T wo Ba d Ones
K ik i t ur ne d a ro un d a nd s aw a q ue er o ld m an s ta nd in g n ea r. H e d id n' ts tan d s tr ai ght , f or he w as c ro ok ed. H e ha d a f at b od y a nd t hi n l egsan d ar ms . H e h ad a b ig, r ou nd f ac e w it h b us hy , w hi te w hi sk er s t hatc am e t o a p oi nt be lo w hi s w ai st , a nd w hi te h ai r t ha t c am e t o a p oi nto n t op o f h is h ea d. H e w or e d ul l- gr ay c lo th es t ha t w er e t ig ht f it ti ng ,a nd h is p oc ke ts w er e a ll b un ch ed o ut a s i f s tu ff ed f ul l o f s om et hi ng .
" I d id n' t k no w y ou w er e h er e, " s ai d K ik i.
" I d idn 't c om e un ti l a ft er y ou di d, " s ai d t he q ue er o ld ma n.
" Wh o a re y ou ?" a sk ed K ik i.
" My na me 's R ugg ed o. I u se d t o b e t he N ome K ing ; b ut I g ot k ic kedo ut o f m y c ou nt ry , a nd n ow I 'm a w an de re r. "
" Wh at m ad e t he m k ic k y ou o ut ?" i nq ui re d t he H yu p b oy .
" We ll , i t' s t he f as hi on t o k ic k k in gs n ow ad ay s. I w as a p re tt y g oo dK in g- -t o m ys el f- - bu t t ho se d re ad fu l O z p eo pl e w ou ld n' t l et m e a lo ne .S o I h ad t o a bdi cat e. "
" W ha t d oe s t ha t m ea n? "
" It m ea ns t o b e k ic ke d o ut . B ut l et 's t al k a bo ut s om et hi ngp le as an t. W ho a re y ou a nd w he re d id y ou c om e f ro m? "
" I' m c al le d K ik i A ru . I u se d t o l ive on M ount Munc h i n t he La nd of O z, b ut n ow I 'm a w an de re r l ik e y ou rs el f. "
T he N ome K in g g ave h im a s hr ew d l oo k.
" I h ea rd t ha t b ir d s ay t ha t y ou t ra ns fo rm ed y ou rs el f i nt o a m ag pi ea nd b ac k a ga in . I s t ha t t ru e? "
K ik i h es it at ed , bu t s aw n o r ea son t o d en y i t. H e f el t t ha t i t w ou ldm ak e h im a pp ea r m or e i mp or t an t.
" No ; I o nl y u nd er s ta nd t r an sf or ma ti on s, " h e a dm it te d.
" We ll , t ha t 's p r et t y g oo d m ag ic , a ny ho w, " d ec l ar ed o ld R ug ge do . " I
us ed t o ha ve s om e ve ry f in e m agi c, my se lf , b ut m y e ne mi es t oo k i t a lla wa y f ro m m e. W he re a re y ou g oi ng n ow ?"
" I' m g oi ng i nt o t he i nn, t o g et s om e s up per an d a be d, " s ai d K ik i.
"H ave y ou t he m on ey t o pa y f or i t?" a sk ed t he N om e.
" I h ave o ne g ol d p ie ce ."
" Wh ic h y ou s to le . V er y g oo d. A nd y ou 'r e g la d t ha t y ou 'r e w ic ke d.Bet ter yet . I li ke you, y oung man, and I 'll go to the inn w it h y ou if y ou 'l l p ro mi se n ot t o e at e gg s f or s up pe r. "
" Do n' t y ou l ik e e gg s? " a sk ed K ik i.
" I' m a fr ai d o f ' em ; t he y' re d an ge ro us !" s ai d R ug ge do , w it h a s hu dd er .
" Al l r ig ht ," a gr ee d K ik i; " I w on 't a sk f or e gg s. "
" Th en c om e a lo ng ," s ai d t he N om e.
W he n t he y e nt er ed t he i nn , t he l an dl or d s co wl ed a t K ik i a nd s ai d:
" I t ol d y ou I w oul d n ot f ee d y ou un le ss y ou h ad mo ne y. "
K ik i s ho we d h im t he g ol d p ie ce .
" An d h ow a bo ut y ou ?" a sk ed t he l an dl or d, t ur ni ng t o R ug ge do . " Ha vey o u m o ne y ?"
" I' ve s om et hi ng b et t er , " a ns we re d t he o ld N om e, a nd t ak in g a b agf rom one of hi s po ck et s he po ur ed f ro m i t up on t he t abl e a m as s of g l it t er i ng g em s -- d ia mo n ds , r u bi e s a nd e me r al d s.
T he l an dl or d w as ve ry p ol it e t o t he s tr an ge rs a ft er t ha t. H e s er vedt he m a n e xc el le nt s up pe r, a nd w hi le t he y at e i t, t he H yup bo y a sk edhis companion:
" Wh er e d id y ou g et s o m an y j ew el s? "
" We ll , I 'l l t el l y ou ," a ns we re d t he N om e. " Wh en t ho se O z p eo pl e t oo km y k in gd om a wa y f ro m m e- -j us t b ec au se i t w as m y k in gd om a nd I w an te dt o r un i t t o sui t my self -- t hey sai d I c ould t ake as many pr ec iouss tones as I coul d c ar ry . So I had a lot of poc ket s made i n my cl ot hesa nd l oa de d t he m a ll u p. J ew el s a re f in e t hi ng s t o h ave w it h y ou w he ny ou t ra ve l; y ou c an t ra de t he m f or a ny th in g. "
" Ar e t he y b et te r t ha n g ol d p ie ce s? " a sk ed K ik i.
" Th e s ma ll es t o f t he se j ew el s i s w or th a h un dr ed g ol d p ie ce s s uc h a s
y ou s to le f rom t he ol d ma n. "
" Do n' t t al k s o l ou d, " b eg ge d K ik i, u ne as il y. " So me o ne e ls e m ig ht
After supper they took a walk together, and the former Nome King said:
" Do y ou k no w t he S ha gg y M an , a nd t he S ca re cr ow , a nd t he T in W oo dm an ,a nd D or ot hy , a nd O zm a a nd a ll t he o th er O z p eo pl e? "
" No ," r ep li ed t he b oy , " I h ave ne ve r b ee n a wa y f ro m M ou nt M un ch u nt ilI fl ew over t he D ea dl y D es er t t he ot her d ay i n t he s hape o f a h aw k. "
" Th en y ou 've n eve r s ee n t he E me r al d C i ty o f O z? "
"Never."
" Wel l, " s ai d t he N om e, " I k ne w a ll t he O z p eop le, a nd y ou c an g ues sI d o n ot l ove t he m. A ll d ur in g m y w an de ri ng s I h ave br ood ed o n ho w Ican be revenged on them. Now that I've met you I can see a w ay toc onqu er t he Lan d of Oz a nd be K in g t he re my sel f, w hi ch i s b et ter t hanb ei ng K in g o f t he N om es ."
" Ho w c an y ou d o t ha t? " i nq ui r ed K ik i A ru , w on de ri ng ly .
" Neve r m in d h ow . In t he f ir st p la ce , I 'l l m ak e a b ar ga in w it h y ou .T el l m e t he s ec re t o f h ow t o p er fo rm t ra ns fo rm at io ns a nd I w il l g ivey ou a p oc ke tf ul o f j ew el s, t he b ig ge st a nd f in es t t ha t I p os se ss ."
" No ," s ai d K ik i, w ho r ea li ze d t ha t t o s ha re h is p ow er w it h a no th er w ou ld b e d an ge ro us t o h im se lf .
" I' ll g ive y ou T WO p oc ke ts fu l o f j ew el s, " s ai d t he N om e.
" N o, " a ns w er ed K ik i .
" I' ll g ive y ou e ve ry j ew el I p os se ss ."
" No , n o, n o! " s ai d K ik i, w ho w as b eg in ni ng t o b e f ri gh te ne d.
" Th en ," s ai d t he N ome , w it h a w ic ked l oo k a t t he b oy , " I' ll t el lt he i nn -k ee pe r t ha t y ou s to le t ha t g ol d p ie ce a nd h e w il l h ave y oup ut i n p ri so n. "
K ik i l au gh ed a t t he t hr ea t.
" Be for e h e c an d o t ha t, " s ai d h e, " I w il l t ran sf or m my se lf i nt o a
lion and t ear him to pieces, or int o a bear and eat him up, or into af ly and f ly aw ay wh er e h e c oul d not f ind me ."
" Ca n y ou r ea ll y d o s uc h w on de rf ul t r an sf or ma ti on s? " a sk ed t he o ldN om e, l oo ki ng a t h im c u ri o us l y.
" Of c ou rs e, " d ec la red K ik i. I c an t ra ns fo rm y ou i nt o a s ti ck o f w ood , i n a f la sh, o r i nt o a s ton e, an d l eave y ou h er e b y t he r oa ds ide ."
" Th e w ic ke d N om e s hi ve re d a l it tl e w he n h e h ea rd t ha t, b ut i t m ad eh im l on g m or e t ha n e ve r t o p os se ss t he g re at s ec re t. A ft er a w hi leh e s ai d:
"I 'l l t ell you what I'll do. If y ou will help me to conquer Oz andt o t ra ns for m t he Oz pe op le , w ho a re m y e nem ies , i nt o s ti ck s o r s to ne s,b y t el li ng m e y our s ec ret , I 'l l a gr ee t o ma ke Y OU t he R ul er of a ll Oz ,
a nd I w il l b e y ou r P ri me M in is te r a nd s ee t ha t y ou r o rd er s a re o be ye d. "
" I' ll h el p d o t ha t, " s ai d K ik i, " bu t I w on 't t el l y ou m y s ec re t. "
Th e N ome w as s o f ur ious a t t hi s r ef us al t ha t he j ump ed up and d ownw it h r ag e a nd s pl ut te re d a nd c ho ke d f or a l on g t im e b ef or e h e c ou ldc on tr ol h is p as si on . B ut t he bo y w as n ot a t a ll f ri gh te ne d. H e
l au gh ed a t t he w ic ke d o ld N om e, w hi ch m ad e h im m or e f ur io us t ha n e ve r.
" Le t 's g ive u p t he i de a, " h e p ro po se d, w he n R ug ge do h ad q ui et eds ome wha t. " I d on 't k no w t he Oz pe op le y ou m en ti on an d s o t he y ar e n otm y e ne mi es . I f t he y' ve k ic ke d y ou o ut o f y ou r k in gd om , t ha t' s y ou r affair--not mine."
" Wo ul dn 't y ou l ik e t o b e k in g o f t ha t s pl en di d f ai ry la nd ?"asked Ruggedo.
" Yes , I w ou ld ," r ep li ed K ik i A ru; " bu t y ou w an t t o b e k ing y ou rs el f,a nd w e w ou ld q ua r re l o ve r i t . "
" No ," s ai d t he N om e, t ry ing t o d ec ei ve h im . " I d on 't c ar e t o beKi ng of Oz , c ome t o t hi nk it over . I don't even car e t o live i n thatc oun tr y. W ha t I w an t f ir st i s r eve nge. I f w e c an c onqu er Oz , I 'l lg et e no ug h m ag ic t he n t o c on qu er m y o wn K in gd om o f t he N om es , a nd I 'l lg o b ac k a nd l ive i n m y u nd er gr ou nd c ave rn s, w hi ch a re m or e h om e- li ket ha n t he t op o f t he e ar th . S o h er e' s m y p ro po si ti on : H el p m e c on qu er Oz and ge t r evenge , and hel p me g et t he ma gi c aw ay f rom Gl inda a nd t heW iz ar d, a nd I 'l l l et y ou b e K in g o f O z f or eve r a ft er wa rd ."
" I' ll t hi nk i t o ve r, " an sw er ed K ik i, an d t ha t i s a ll he w ou ld s aythat evening.
I n t he n ig ht w he n a ll i n t he I nn w er e a sl ee p b ut h im se lf , o ld R ug ge dot he N ome r os e s of tl y f ro m h is c ou ch a nd w ent i nt o t he r oom o f K ik i A rut he H yu p, a nd s ea rc he d e ve ry wh er e f or t he m ag ic t oo l t ha t p er fo rm ed h ist r an sf or ma ti on s. O f c ou rs e, t he re w as n o s uc h t oo l, a nd a lt ho ug hR ug ge do s ea rc he d i n a ll t he b oy 's p oc ke ts , h e f ou nd n ot hi ng m ag ic alwhatever . S o h e w en t b ac k t o h is b ed a nd be gan t o do ubt t ha t K ik icould perform transformations.
N ex t m or ni ng h e s ai d:
" Wh ic h w ay d o y ou t ra ve l t o- da y? "
" I t hi nk I s ha ll vi si t t he R os e K in gd om ," a ns we re d t he b oy .
" Th at i s a l on g j ou rn ey ," d ec la re d t he N om e.
" I s ha ll t ran sf or m m ys el f i nt o a b ir d, " s ai d K ik i, " an d s o f ly t ot he R os e K in gd om i n a n h ou r. "
" The n t ran sf or m me , al so, i nt o a bi rd , an d I w il l go w it h y ou ,"s ug ge st ed R ug ge do . " Bu t, i n t hat c as e, l et u s f ly t og et he r t o t heLand of Oz , and s ee w hat it looks li ke. "
K ik i t ho ug ht t hi s o ve r. P le as an t a s w er e t he c ou nt ri es h e h advi s it ed , h e h ea rd e ve ry wh er e t ha t t he L an d o f O z w as m or e b ea ut if ul
a nd d el ig ht fu l. T he L an d o f O z w as h is o wn c ou nt ry , t oo , a nd i f t he rew as a ny p os si bi li ty o f h is b ec om in g i ts K in g, h e m us t k no w s om et hi nga bo ut i t .
W hi le K ik i t he H yu p t ho ug ht , R ug ge do t he N om e w as a ls o t hi nk in g.T hi s b oy p os se ss ed a m ar ve lo us p ow er , a nd a lt ho ug h ve ry s i mp l e i n s o mew ay s, h e w as d et er mi ne d n ot t o p ar t w it h h is s ec re t. H ow eve r, i f R ugg ed o c ou ld ge t hi m t o t ra ns po rt t he w il y o ld N om e t o Oz , w hi ch h ec oul d r eac h i n n o ot her w ay , he mi ght t hen i nduc e t he bo y t o f ol lowh is a dvi ce a nd e nt er i nt o t he p lo t f or r eve ng e, w hi ch h e h ad a lr ea dy
p la nn ed i n h is w ic k ed h ea rt .
" Th er e a re w iz ar ds a nd m ag ic ia ns i n O z, " r em ar ke d K ik i, a ft er at i me . " T he y m i gh t d is c ove r u s, i n s pi te o f o ur t r an sf or ma ti on s. "
" No t i f w e a re c ar ef ul ," R ug ge do a ss ur ed h im . " Oz ma h as a M ag icP ic tu re , i n w hi ch s he c an s ee w ha te ver s he w is he s t o s ee ; b ut O zmaw il l k no w no th ing of o ur go ing t o Oz , a nd s o s he w il l no t c omm an d h er Ma gi c P ic tur e t o s how w her e w e ar e or w hat w e ar e doi ng . Gl ind a t heGo od ha s a Gr ea t B ook c al le d t he B oo k o f R ec or ds , i n w hi ch i sm ag ic al ly w ri tt en e ve ry th in g t ha t p eo pl e d o i n t he L an d o f O z, j us tthe instant they do it."
" Th en ," s ai d K ik i, " th er e i s n o u se o ur a tt em pt in g t o c on qu er t hec ou nt ry , f or Gl in da w oul d r ea d i n her boo k al l t hat w e d o, a nd a s he r m ag ic i s g rea te r t ha n m in e, s he w oul d s oon p ut a s top t o o ur pl an s. "
" I s ai d ' pe op le ,' d id n' t I ?" r et or te d t he N om e. " T he b oo k d oe sn 'tm ak e a r ec or d o f w hat bi rd s d o, or be as ts . I t on ly t el ls t he d oi ng so f p eo pl e. S o, i f w e f ly i nt o t he c oun tr y as bi rd s, Gl ind a w on 't k nowa ny t hi n g a bo ut i t ."
" Tw o b ir ds c ou ld n' t c on qu er t he L an d o f O z, " a ss er t ed t he b oy , s co rn fu ll y.
" No ; t ha t' s t r ue ," a dm it te d R ug ge do , a nd t he n h e r ub be d h is f or eh ea d
a nd s tr ok ed h is l on g p oi nt ed b ea rd a nd t ho ug ht s om e m or e.
" Ah , n ow I h ave t he i de a! " h e d ec la re d. "I s up po se y ou c ant ra ns fo rm u s i nt o b ea st s a s w el l a s b ir ds ?"
" O f c o ur s e ."
" An d c an y ou ma ke a b ir d a b ea st , an d a be as t a bi rd a gai n, w it ho utt ak in g a h um an f or m i n b et we en ?"
" Ce rt ai nl y, " s ai d K ik i. " I c an t ra ns fo rm m ys el f o r o th er s i nt oa ny th in g t ha t c an t al k. T he re' s a ma gi c w or d t ha t mu st be s po ke n i n
c on ne ct i on w it h t he t r an sf or ma ti on s, a nd a s b ea st s a nd b ir ds a ndd ra go ns a nd f is hes c an t al k i n O z, w e m ay be co me a ny o f t hes e w ed es ir e t o. H ow eve r, i f I t ra ns fo rm ed m ys el f i nt o a t re e, I w ou ldal way s r em ai n a t re e, b ec aus e t he n I c ou ld no t ut te r t he m ag ic w or d t ochange the transformation."
" I s ee ; I s ee ," s ai d R ug ge do , n od di ng h is b us hy , w hi te h ea d u nt il t hep oi nt o f h is h ai r w ave d b ac k a nd f or th l ik e a p en du lu m. " Th at f it s i nw it h m y i de a, e xa ct ly . N ow , l is te n, a nd I 'l l e xp la in t o y ou m y p la n.We'l l f ly t o Oz as bir ds and s et tl e in one of t he t hic k f or es ts in t heG il li k in C ou nt r y. T he re y ou w il l t r an sf or m u s i nt o p ow er f ul b ea st s,an d as Gl ind a d oe sn 't k ee p a ny t ra ck o f t he doi ng s o f be as ts w e c ana c t w i t ho u t b e in g d i sc o ve r ed . "
" Bu t h ow c an t wo b ea st s r ai se a n a rm y t o c on qu er t he p ow er fu l p eo pl eo f O z? " i nq ui r ed K ik i .
" Th at 's e as y. B ut n ot an ar my o f P EO PLE , mi nd y ou . Th at w oul d beq ui ck ly di sc ove re d. A nd w hi le w e a re i n O z y ou a nd I w il l n ever r es um e o ur h um an f or ms u nt il w e' ve c on qu er ed t he c ou nt r y a nd d es tr oy edG li nd a, a nd O zm a, a nd t he W iz ar d, a nd D or ot hy , a nd a ll t he r es t, a nds o h ave n ot hi ng m or e t o f ea r f ro m t he m. "
" It i s i mp os si bl e t o k il l a ny on e i n t he L an d of O z, " d ec lar ed K ik i.
" It i sn 't n ec es sa ry t o k il l t he O z p eo pl e, " r ej oi ne d R ug ge do .
" I' m a fr ai d I d on 't u nd er st an d y ou ," o bj ec te d t he b oy . " Wh at w il lha ppe n t o t he O z pe opl e, a nd w hat s or t of an ar my c oul d w e g ett o ge t he r , e x ce pt o f p e op l e? "
" I' ll t el l y ou . T he f or es ts of Oz a re f ul l o f b ea st s. S ome o f t he m, i n t he f ar -a wa y p la ce s, a re s ava ge a nd c ru el , a nd w ou ld g la dl yf ol lo w a l ea de r a s s ava ge a s t he ms el ve s. T he y h ave n eve r t ro ub le d t heOz peo pl e mu ch, be cau se t hey ha d n o l ead er t o ur ge t hem on, bu t w ew il l t el l t hem t o he lp u s c onq ue r O z a nd as a r ew ar d w e w il l t ra ns fo rma ll t he b ea st s i nt o me n a nd w ome n, an d l et t he m l ive i n t he ho us es a nden joy al l t he g ood t hi ng s; a nd w e w il l t ra ns fo rm al l t he p eo pl e of Ozi nt o b ea st s o f var io us s or ts , an d s en d t he m t o l ive i n t he f or es ts an dt he j ung le s. T ha t i s a s pl en di d i de a, y ou m us t a dm it , a nd i t' s s o e as yt hat w e w on't h ave a ny t ro ubl e a t a ll t o c ar ry i t t hr ou gh t o s uc ce ss ."
" Wi ll t he b ea st s c on se nt , d o y ou t hi nk ?" a sk ed t he b oy .
" To be s ure t hey wil l. W e c an get every beast i n Oz on our s id e- -e xc ep t a f ew w ho l ive i n O zm a' s p al ac e, a nd t he y w on 't c ou nt ."
4. Conspirators
K ik i A ru d id n' t k no w m uc h a bo ut O z a nd d id n' t k no w m uc h a bo ut t heb ea st s w ho l ive d t her e, bu t t he ol d N ome 's p lan s eem ed t o hi m t o beq ui te r ea so na bl e. H e h ad a f ai nt s us pi ci on t ha t R ug ge do m ea nt t o g etthe bes t of him in some way, and he r es ol ved t o keep a c lose w at ch onh is f el lo w- co ns pi ra to r. A s l on g a s h e k ep t t o h im se lf t he s ec re t w or do f t he t ra ns fo rm at io ns , R ug ge do w ou ld n ot d ar e t o h ar m h im , a nd h ep ro mi se d h im se lf t ha t a s s oo n a s t he y h ad c on qu er ed O z, h e w ou ld t ra ns fo rmt he o ld N om e i nt o a m ar bl e s ta tu e a nd k ee p h im i n t ha t f or m f or eve r.
R ug ge do , o n h is p ar t, d ec id ed t ha t h e c ou ld , b y c ar ef ul w at ch in g a ndl is te ni ng , s ur pr is e t he b oy 's s ec re t, a nd w he n h e h ad l ea rn ed t hem ag ic w or d h e w ou ld t ra ns fo rm K ik i A ru i nt o a b un dl e o f f ag go ts a ndburn him up and so be rid of him.
T hi s i s a lw ay s t he w ay w it h w ic ke d p eo pl e. T he y c an no t b e t ru st edeve n b y o ne a no th er . R ug ge do t ho ug ht h e w as f oo li ng K ik i, a nd K ik it ho ug ht h e w as f oo li ng R ug ge do ; s o b ot h w er e p le as ed .
" It 's a l ong w ay a cr os s t he D es er t, " r ema rk ed t he b oy , " an d t hes an ds a re h ot a nd s en d u p p oi so no us va po rs . L et u s w ai t u nt il e ven inga nd t hen f ly a cr os s i n t he n ig ht w he n i t w il l be c oo le r. "
Th e f or me r N om e K ing agr eed t o t hi s, an d t he t wo s pen t t he r es t of t ha t d ay i n t al ki ng o ve r t he ir p la ns . W he n e ve ni ng c am e t he y p ai d t he
i nn -k ee pe r a nd w al ke d o ut t o a l it tl e g ro ve o f t re es t ha t s to od n ea r b y.
" Re ma in he re f or a f ew m inu te s a nd I 'l l s oon b e ba ck ," s ai d K ik i,a nd w al ki ng s wi ft ly a wa y, h e l ef t t he N om e s ta nd in g i n t he g ro ve .R ug ge do w on de re d w he re h e h ad g on e, b ut s to od q ui et ly i n h is p la ceun ti l, al l of a s ud de n, hi s f or m c ha nge d t o t ha t o f a g re at ea gl e, a ndh e u tt er ed a p ie rc in g c ry o f a st on is hm en t a nd f la pp ed h is w in gs i n a
s or t o f pa ni c. A t on ce hi s e ag le c ry w as a ns wer ed f ro m be yo nd t heg rove , a nd a no th er e ag le , e ve n l ar ge r a nd m or e p ow er fu l t ha n t het r an s fo r me d R u gg e do , c a me s a il i ng t h ro ug h t h e t r ee s a nd a l ig h te db e si d e h i m.
" No w w e a re r ea dy f or t he s tar t, " s ai d t he vo ic e o f K ik i, c om in gf ro m t he e ag le .
R ug ge do r ea li ze d t ha t t hi s t im e h e h ad b ee n o ut wi tt ed . H e h adt ho ug ht K ik i w oul d ut te r t he ma gi c w or d i n hi s p res enc e, a nd s o hew ou ld l ear n w ha t i t w as , but t he bo y ha d b een t oo s hr ew d f or t hat .
As the two eagles mounted high into the air and began their flightac ro ss t he gr ea t D es er t t ha t s ep ar at es t he La nd o f O z f ro m al l t her es t of t he w or ld , t he N ome s ai d:
"When I was King of t he Nomes I had a magic way of workingt ra ns fo rm at io ns t ha t I t ho ug ht w as g oo d, b ut i t c ou ld n ot c om pa re w it hy our s ec re t w or d. I ha d t o ha ve c er ta in t ool s a nd m ak e p as se s a nd s aya l ot o f m ys ti c w or ds b ef or e I c ou ld t ra ns fo rm a ny bo dy ."
" Wh at b ec am e o f y ou r m ag ic t oo ls ?" i nq ui re d K ik i.
" Th e O z p eo pl e t oo k t he m a ll a wa y f ro m m e- -t ha t h or ri d g ir l,D or ot hy , a nd t ha t t er ri bl e f ai ry , O zm a, t he R ul er o f O z- -a t t he t im e
t he y t oo k a wa y m y u nd er gr ou nd k in gd om a nd k ic ke d m e u ps ta ir s i nt o t hec o ld , h e ar t l es s w o r ld . "
" Why did y ou l et t hem do t hat ?" as ked t he boy.
" We ll ," s ai d R ug ge do , " I c ou ld n' t h el p i t. T he y r ol le d e gg s a tm e- -E GG S- -d re ad fu l e gg s! -- an d i f a n e gg e ve n t ou ch es a N om e, h e i sr u in ed f o r l i fe . "
" Is a ny k ind of a n eg g da nger ous t o a N ome?"
" An y k in d a nd e ve ry k in d. A n e gg i s t he o nl y t hi ng I 'm af ra id o f. "
5. A Happy Corner of Oz
Th er e is no ot her c ount ry s o be aut if ul as t he Land of Oz . The re a ren o o th er p eo pl e s o h ap py a nd c on te nt ed a nd p ro sp er ou s a s t he O zp eo pl e. T he y h ave a ll t h ey d es i re ; t he y l ove a nd a dm ir e t he ir b ea ut if ul g ir l R ul er , Oz ma o f O z, a nd t he y m ix w or k a nd p lay s o j us tl yt ha t b ot h a re d el ig ht fu l a nd s at is fy in g a nd n o o ne h as a ny r ea so n t oc om pl ai n. O n ce i n a w hi le s om et hi ng h ap pe ns i n O z t o d is tu rb t hep eo pl e' s h ap pi ne ss f or a b ri ef t im e, f or s o r ic h a nd a tt ra ct ive a
f ai ry la nd i s s ur e t o m ak e a f ew s el fi sh a nd g re ed y o ut si de rs e nvi ou s,a nd t h er e fo re c e rt ai n e vi l -d oe r s h ave t r ea c he r ou s ly p l ot t ed t o c o nq ue r Oz and e ns la ve i ts p eo pl e a nd d es tr oy i ts g ir l R ul er , a nd s o g ai n t he
w eal th of O z f or t hem sel ve s. B ut up t o t he t ime w hen t he c ru el a ndc ra ft y N om e, R ug ge do , c on sp ir ed w it h K ik i A ru , t he H yu p, a ll s uc ha tt em pt s h ad f ai le d. T he O z p eo pl e s us pe ct ed n o d an ge r. L if e i n t hew or l d' s n ic es t f ai ry la nd w as o ne r ou nd o f j oy ou s, h ap py d ay s.
I n t he c en te r o f t he E me ral d C it y of Oz , t he c ap it al c it y o f O zm a' sd om in i on s, i s a va st a nd b ea ut if ul g ar de n, s ur ro un de d b y a w al l i nl ai d
w it h s hi ni ng e me ra ld s, a nd i n t he c en te r o f t hi s g ar de n s ta nd sO zm a' s R oy al P al ac e, t he m os t s pl en di d b ui l di ng e ve r c on st r uc t ed .F ro m a h un dr ed t ow er s a nd d om es f lo at ed t he b an ne rs o f O z, w hi chi nc lu de d t he O zm ie s, t he M un ch ki ns , t he G il li ki ns , t he W in ki es a nd t heQ ua dl in gs . T he b an ne r o f t he M un ch ki ns i s b lu e, t ha t o f t he W in ki esy el lo w; t he G il li k in b an ne r i s p ur pl e, a nd t he Q ua dl in g' s b an ne r i sr ed . T he c ol or s o f t he E me ra ld C it y a re o f c ou rs e g re en . O zm a' s o wnb an ne r h as a g re en c en te r, a nd i s d ivi de d i nt o f ou r q ua rt er s. T he seq ua rt er s a re c ol or ed b lu e, p ur pl e, y el lo w a nd r ed , i nd ic at i ng t ha t s her ul es o ve r al l t he c ou nt ri es o f t he L an d of Oz .
Th is f ai ry land i s s o bi g, h ow eve r, t ha t a ll o f i t i s n ot y et k no wnt o i ts gir l R ul er , and i t i s s ai d t hat i n s ome f ar par ts of t hec ou nt r y, i n f or es t s a nd m ou nt ai n f as t ne ss es , i n h id de n va ll ey s a ndt hi ck j un gl es , a re p eo pl e a nd b ea st s t ha t k no w a s l it tl e a bo ut O zm a a ss he k no ws o f t he m. St il l, t he se u nk no wn s ub je ct s a re n ot n ea rl y s on um er ou s a s t he k no wn i nh ab it an ts o f O z, w ho o cc up y a ll t he c ou nt ri esn ea r t o t he E mer al d C it y. I nde ed , I 'm s ur e i t w il l no t be l on g un ti la ll p ar ts o f t he f ai ry la nd o f O z a re e xp lo re d a nd t he ir p eo pl es m ad ea cq ua in te d w it h t he ir R ul er , f or i n O zm a' s p al ac e a re s eve ra l o f h er f ri en ds w ho a re s o c ur io us t ha t t he y a re c on st an tl y d is co ve ri ng n ew an de x tr a or d in a ry p l ac e s a nd i n ha b it a nt s .
O ne o f t he m os t f re qu en t d is co ve re rs o f t he se h id de n p la ce s i n O z i sa l it tl e K an sa s g ir l n am ed D or ot hy , w ho i s O zm a' s d ea re st f ri en d a nd
l ive s i n l ux ur io us r oo ms i n t he R oy al P al ac e. D or ot hy i s, i nd ee d, aP ri nc es s o f O z, b ut s he do es n ot l ik e t o b e c al le d a pr in ce ss , a ndb ec au se s he i s s im pl e a nd s we et a nd d oe s n ot p re te nd t o b e a ny th in gb ut a n o rd in ar y l it tl e g ir l, s he i s c al le d j us t " Do ro th y" b y e ve ry bod ya nd i s t he mo st po pu la r p er son , n ex t t o O zm a, i n a ll t he L an d o f O z.
O ne m or ni ng D or ot hy c ro ss ed t he h al l o f t he p al ac e a nd k no ck ed o nt he d oo r o f a no th er g ir l n am ed T ro t, a ls o a g ue st a nd f ri en d o f O zm a.W he n t ol d t o e nt er , D or ot hy f ou nd t ha t T ro t h ad c om pa ny , a n o lds ai lo r- ma n w it h o ne w oo de n l eg a nd o ne m ea t l eg , w ho w as s it ti ng b yt he o pe n w in do w p uf fi ng s mo ke f ro m a c or n- co b p ip e. T hi s s ai lo r- ma nw as n am ed C ap 'n B il l, a nd h e h ad a cc om pa ni ed T ro t t o t he L an d o f O z
a nd w as h er o ld es t a nd m os t f ai th fu l c om ra de a nd f r ie nd . Do ro th yl ik ed C ap 'n B il l, t oo, a nd af te r s he h ad g re et ed h im, s he s ai d t o Tr ot :
" Yo u k no w, O zm a' s b ir t hd ay i s n ex t m on th , a nd I 've b ee n w on de ri ngw ha t I c an gi ve he re as a bi rt hd ay pr es ent . Sh e' s s o g oo d t o u s al lt ha t w e c er t ai nl y o ug ht t o r em em be r h er b ir t hd ay . "
" Th at 's t r ue ," a gr ee d T ro t. " I' ve b ee n w on de ri ng , t oo , w ha t I c ou ldg ive O zm a. I t' s p re tt y h ar d t o d ec id e, ' ca us e s he 's g ot a lr ea dy a lls he w an ts , a nd a s s he 's a f ai ry a nd k no ws a l ot a bo ut m ag ic , s he c ou ldsatisfy any wish."
" I k no w, " r et ur ne d D or ot hy , " bu t t ha t i sn 't t he p oi nt . I t i sn 't
t ha t O zm a N EE DS a ny th in g, b ut t ha t i t w il l p le as e h er t o k no w w e' ver em em be re d h er b ir t hd ay . B ut w ha t s ha ll w e g ive h er ?"
" I' ve t ri ed t o t hi nk a nd I c an 't ," s he d ec la re d.
" It 's t he s ame w ay w it h m e, " s ai d D or ot hy .
" I k no w o ne t hi ng t ha t ' ud p le as e h er ," r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l, t ur ni ng
h is r ou nd f ac e w it h i ts f ri ng e o f w hi sk er s t ow ar d t he t wo g ir ls a nds ta ri ng a t t he m w it h h is b ig , l ig ht -b lu e e ye s w id e o pe n.
" W h at i s i t , C a p 'n B i l l ?"
" It 's a n E nc ha nt ed F lo we r, " s ai d h e. " I t 's a p re tt y p la nt t ha ts ta nd s i n a g ol de n f lo we r- po t a n' g ro ws a ll s or ts o ' f lo we rs , o nea ft er a no th er . O ne m in ut e a f in e r os e b ud s a n' b lo om s, a n' t he n at ul i p, a n' n ex t a c hr y s- - ch r ys - -"
" - - an t he m um , " s a id D o ro t hy , h el p in g h i m.
" Tha t' s i t; a nd ne xt a dah li a, a n' t hen a da ff ydi l, an ' on a llt hr ou gh t he r an ge o ' p os ie s. J us ' a s s oo n a s o ne f ad es a wa y, a no th er c om es , o f a d if fe re nt s or t, a n' t he p er fu me f ro m ' em i s m ig ht y s ni ft y,a n' t he y k ee ps b lo om in ' n ig ht a nd d ay , y ea r i n a n' y ea r o ut ."
" Th at 's w on de rf ul ! " e xc l ai me d D or ot hy . " I t hi nk O zm a w ou ld l i ke i t. "
" Bu t w he re i s t he M ag ic F low er , an d ho w c an w e g et i t?" a sk ed Tr ot .
" Du n' no , z ac 'l y, " s lo wl y r ep li ed C ap 'n B il l. " Th e G la ss C at t ol ' m ea bou t i t on ly y es ter da y, a n' s ai d i t w as i n s ome l on el y pl ac e u p a tt he n or 'e as t o ' h er e. T he G la ss C at g oe s t ra ve li n' a ll a ro un d O z, y ouk no w, a n' t he l it tl e c ri tt er s ee s a l ot o ' t hi ng s no o ne e ls e d oe s. "
" Th at 's t r ue ," s ai d D or ot hy , t ho ug ht f ul ly . " No rt he as t o f h er e m us tbe i n t he Mu nc hk in C oun tr y, an d p er ha ps a go od w ay o ff , s o l et 's as kt he Gl as s C at t o t el l us how to get t o t he Magic Flower ."
S o t he t wo g ir ls , w it h C ap 'n B il l s tu mp in g a lo ng o n h is w oo de n l ega ft er t he m, w en t o ut i nt o t he g ar de n, a nd a ft er s om e t im e s pe nt i ns ea rc hi ng , t he y f ou nd t he G la ss C at c ur le d u p i n t he s un sh in e b es id e ab us h, f a st s l ee p.
The Glass Cat is one of the most cur ious c reat ur es i n all Oz. I tw as m ad e b y a f am ou s m ag ic ia n n am ed D r. P ip t b ef or e O zm a h ad f or bi dd en
h er s ub je ct s t o w or k m ag ic . Dr . P ip t h ad m ad e t he G la ss C at t o c at chm ic e, b ut t he C at r ef us ed t o c at ch m ic e a nd w as c on si de re d m or ec u ri o us t h an u s ef u l.
T hi s a st oni sh ed c at w as m ad e al l o f gl as s an d w as s o c le ar a ndt ra ns pa re nt t ha t y ou c ou ld s ee t hr ou gh i t a s e as il y a s t hr ou gh aw indo w. I n t he t op of i ts head , ho weve r, w as a ma ss of de li cat e p in kb al ls w hi ch l oo ke d l ik e j ew el s b ut w er e i nt en de d f or b ra in s. I t h ad ah ea rt m ad e o f b lo od -r ed r ub y. T he e ye s w er e t wo l ar ge e me ra ld s. B ut ,a si de f rom t he se c ol or s, al l t he r es t of t he a ni ma l w as o f c le ar g la ss , a nd i t h ad a s pu n- gl as s t ai l t ha t w as r ea ll y b ea ut if ul .
" He re , w ak e u p, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l. " We w an t t o t al k t o y ou ."
S lo wl y t he Gl as s C at g ot u po n i ts f ee d, y aw ne d an d t hen l oo ked a tt he t hr ee w ho s to od b ef or e i t.
" Ho w d ar e y ou d is tu rb m e? " i t a sk ed i n a p ee vi s h vo ic e. " Yo u o ug htt o b e a sh am ed o f y ou rs el ve s . "
" Ne ve r m in d t ha t, " r et ur ne d t he S ai lo r. " D o y ou r em em be r t el l in ' m ey es te rd ay ' bo ut a M ag ic F lo we r i n a G ol d P ot ?"
" Do y ou t hi nk I 'm a f ool ? Lo ok at m y br ai ns -- you c an s ee ' em w or k.O f c ou rs e I r em em be r! " s ai d t he c at .
" We ll , w he re c an w e f in d i t? "
" Yo u c an' t. I t' s n on e of y ou r bu si ne ss , a ny ho w. Go a way a nd l et m es l ee p, " a dvi s ed t h e G la s s C at .
" No w, s ee h er e, " s ai d D or ot hy ; " we w an t t he M ag ic F lo we r t o g ive t oO zm a o n h er b ir th da y. Y ou 'd b e g la d t o p le as e O zm a, w ou ld n' t y ou ?"
" I' m n ot s ur e, " r ep li ed t he c re at ur e. " Wh y s ho ul d I w an tt o p l ea s e a ny b od y ?"
" You' ve g ot a h ear t, ' ca us e I c an s ee i t i ns id e o f y ou ," s ai d T ro t.
" Yes; i t' s a pr et ty hear t, and I 'm f ond of i t, " s aid t he c at ,t wi st in g ar ou nd t o vi ew i ts o wn b od y. " Bu t i t' s ma de f ro m a r ub y, a ndi t' s h ar d a s n ai ls ."
" Ar en 't y ou g oo d f or A NY th in g? " a sk ed T ro t.
"Y es , I 'm pr ett y t o l ook at , and that 's mor e t han can be said of y ou ," r e to rt ed t he c r ea tu re .
T ro t l au gh ed a t t hi s, a nd D or ot hy , w ho u nd er st oo d t he G la ss C atp r et t y w el l , s ai d s oo t hi ng l y:
" Yo u a re i nd ee d b ea ut if ul , a nd i f y ou c an t el l C ap 'n B il l w he re t of ind t he Ma gi c Fl ow er , al l t he pe op le i n Oz w il l pr ai se y our c l eve rn es s. T he F lo we r w il l b el on g t o O zm a, b ut e ve ry on e w il l k no wt h e G la s s C a t d is c ove r ed i t ."
T hi s w as t he k in d o f p ra is e t he c ry st al c re at ur e l ik ed .
" We ll ," i t s ai d, w hi le t he p in k b ra in s r ol le d a ro un d, " I f ou nd t heM ag ic F lo we r w ay u p i n t he n or th o f t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry w he re f ew
p eo pl e l ive o r e ve r g o. T he re 's a r ive r t he re t ha t f lo ws t hr ou gh af or es t, a nd i n t he m id dl e of t he f or es t t her e i s a s mal l i sl and o nw hi ch s ta nd s t he g ol d p ot i n w hi ch g ro ws t he M ag ic F lo we r. "
" Ho w d id y ou g et t o t he i sl an d?" a sk ed D or ot hy . " Gl as s c at s c an 't s wi m. "
" No , bu t I 'm n ot af rai d o f w at er ," w as t he r epl y. " I j us t w al ke da cr os s t he r ive r o n t he b ot to m. "
" U nd er t h e w a te r ?" e x cl a im ed T r ot .
T he c at g ave h er a s co rn fu l l oo k.
" How c oul d I w al k OV ER t he w at er on t he BOT TOM of t he r iver ? I f y ouw er e t ra ns pa re nt , a ny on e c ou ld s ee Y OU R b ra in s w er e n ot w or k in g. B utI 'm s ur e y ou c ou ld n eve r f in d t he p la ce a lo ne . I t h as a lw ay s b ee n
" Bu t y ou , w it h y ou r f in e p in k br ai ns , c ou ld f in d i t a gai n, Is ' po s e, " r e ma r ke d D o ro t hy .
" Ye s; a nd i f y ou w ant t ha t Ma gi c F lo we r f or Oz ma , I 'l l go w it h y oua nd s how y ou t he w ay ."
" Th at 's l ove ly o f y ou !" d ec l ar ed D or ot hy . " T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l w il lg o w it h y ou , f or t hi s i s t o b e t he ir bi rt hd ay p re se nt t o Oz ma . Wh il ey ou 'r e g on e I 'l l h ave t o f in d s om et hi ng e ls e t o g ive h er ."
" Al l r ig ht . C om e o n, t he n, C ap' n, " s ai d t he G las s C at , s ta rt in g t omove away.
" Wa it a m in ut e, " b eg ge d T ro t. " Ho w l on g w il l w e b e g on e? "
" Oh , a bo ut a w ee k. "
" The n I 'l l p ut s om e t hi ng s i n a b as ke t t o t ak e w it h u s, " s ai d t heg ir l, a nd r an i nt o t he p al ac e t o m ak e h er p re pa ra ti on s f or t he j ou rn ey .
6 . O z ma 's B i rt h da y P r es e nt s
W hen C ap' n Bi ll and Tr ot a nd t he Gl as s C at ha d s tar ted f or t heh idd en i sl an d i n t he f ar -o ff r ive r t o g et t he M ag ic F lo we r, D or ot hyw ond er ed a ga in w ha t s he c ou ld g ive O zm a o n h er b ir th da y. S he m et t heP at c hw or k G ir l a nd s ai d:
" Wh at a re y ou g oi ng t o g ive O zm a f or a b ir th da y p re se nt ?"
" I' ve w ri t te n a s on g f or h er , " a ns we re d t he s tr an ge P at c hw or k G ir l ,w ho w en t b y t he n am e o f " Sc ra ps ," a nd w ho , t hr ou gh s tu ff ed w it hc ot to n, h ad a f ai r a ss or tm en t o f m ix ed b ra in s. " It 's a s pl en di d s on ga nd t he c ho rus r un s t hi s w ay :
I am c raz y;Y ou 'r e a d ai sy ,
O z ma d e ar ;I'm demented;
You're contented,O z ma d ea r;I a m p at ch ed and gay and gl ar y;Y ou 'r e a s we et a nd l ove l y f ai r y;M ay y ou r b ir th da ys a ll b e h ap py ,
O z ma d e ar ! "
" Ho w d o y ou l ik e i t, D or ot hy ?" i nq ui re d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l.
" I s i t g oo d p oe t ry , S c ra ps ?" a sk ed D or o th y , d ou bt f ul l y.
" It 's a s g oo d a s a ny o rd in ar y s on g, " w as t he r ep ly . " I h ave g iven
i t a dandy t it le, t oo. I s hall c all the s ong: ' When Ozma H as aB ir th da y, E ve ry bo dy 's S ur e t o B e G ay , f or S he C an no t H el p t he F ac tT ha t S he W as B or n. '"
" Th at 's a p re tt y l on g t it le , S cr ap s, " s ai d D or ot hy .
" Th at m ak es i t s ty li sh ," r ep li ed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, t ur ni ng as om er s au lt a nd a li gh ti ng o n o ne s t uf f ed f oo t. " No w- a- da ys t he t it l esa re s om et i me s l on ge r t ha n t he s on gs . "
D or ot hy l ef t h er a nd w al ke d s lo wl y t ow ar d t he p la ce , w he re s he m ett he T in W oo dm an j us t g oi ng u p t he f ro nt s te ps .
" Wh at a re y ou g oi ng t o g ive O zm a o n h er b ir th da y? " s he a sk ed .
" It 's a s ec re t, b ut I 'l l t el l y ou ," r ep li ed t he T in W oo dm an , w ho w asE mp er or o f t he W in ki es . "I a m h avi ng m y p eo pl e m ak e O zm a a l ove lyg ir dl e s et w it h b ea ut if ul t in n ug ge ts . E ac h t in n ug ge t w il l b es ur ro un de d b y a c ir cl e o f e me ra ld s, j us t t o s et i t o ff t o g oo d a dva nt ag e.Th e c las p of t he gi rdl e w il l b e p ur e t in ! W on' t t hat be f ine ?"
" I' m s ur e s he 'l l l ik e i t, " s ai d D or ot hy . " Do y ou k no w w hat I c angive her?"
" I h ave n' t t he s li gh te st i de a, D or ot hy . I t t oo k m e t hr ee m on th s t ot hi nk o f m y o wn p re se nt f or O zm a. "
T he g ir l w al ke d t ho ug ht fu ll y a ro un d t o t he b ac k o f t he p al ac e, a ndp re se nt ly c am e u po n t he f am ou s S ca re cr ow o f O z, w ho h as h avi ng t wo o f t he p al ac e s er va nt s s tu ff h is l eg s w it h f re sh s tr aw .
" Wh at a re y ou g oi ng t o g ive O zm a o n h er b ir th da y? " a sk ed D or ot hy .
" I w an t t o s ur pr i se h er , " a ns we re d t he S ca re cr ow .
" I w on 't t el l, " p ro mi se d D or ot hy .
" W el l , I ' m h avi ng s om e s tr aw s li pp er s m ad e f or h er - -a ll s tr aw , m in dy ou , a nd b ra id ed ve ry a rt is ti ca ll y. O zm a h as a lw ay s a dm ir ed m y s tr awf il li ng , s o I 'm s ur e s he 'l l b e p le as ed w it h t he se l ove ly s tr aw s li pp er s. "
" Oz ma w il l b e p le as ed w it h a ny th in g h er l ovi ng f ri en ds g ive h er , "s ai d t he g ir l. " Wh at I 'M w or ri ed a bo ut , S ca re cr ow , i s w ha t t o g iveO zm a t ha t s he h as n' t g ot a lr ea dy ."
" Th at 's w ha t w or ri ed m e, u nt il I t ho ug ht o f t he s li pp er s, " s ai d t heS ca re cr ow . " Yo u' ll h ave t o T HI NK , D or ot hy ; t ha t' s t he o nl y w ay t o g et
a g oo d i de a. I f I h ad n' t s uc h w on de rf ul b ra in s, I 'd n eve r h avet h ou gh t o f t h os e s t ra w f o ot - de c or a ti o ns . "
D or ot hy l ef t hi m a nd w en t t o her r oom , w her e s he s at d ow n and t ri edt o t hi nk h ar d. A P ink K it te n w as c ur le d up on t he w ind ow -s il l an dD o ro t hy a s ke d h e r:
" Wh at c an I g ive O zm a f or h er b ir th da y p re se nt ?"
" Oh , g ive h er s om e m il k, " r ep li ed t he P in k K it te n; " th at 's t hen ic es t t hi ng I k no w o f. "
A fuzzy little black dog had squatted down at Dorothy's feet and now
l oo ke d u p a t h er w it h i nt el li ge nt e ye s.
" Te ll me , T ot o, " s ai d t he g ir l; " wha t w oul d Oz ma l ik e b es t f or a
T he l it tl e b la ck d og w ag ge d h is t ai l.
" Yo ur l ove ," s ai d h e. " Oz ma w an ts t o b e l ove d m or e t ha n a ny th in g e ls e. "
" Bu t I a lr ea dy l ove h er , T ot o! "
" Then t el l h er y ou l ove he r t wi ce as m uc h a s y ou e ver di d bef or e. "
" Th at w ou ld n' t b e t ru e, " o bj ec te d D or ot hy , " fo r I 've a lw ay s l ove dh er a s m uc h as I c ou ld , a nd , r ea ll y, T ot o, I w ant t o g ive Oz ma s omeP RE SE NT , ' ca us e e ve ry on e e ls e w i ll g ive h er a p re se nt . "
" Le t m e s ee, " s ai d T ot o. " Ho w w oul d i t b e t o g ive h er t ha t u sel es sPink Kitten?"
" No , T ot o; t ha t w ou ld n' t d o. "
"Then six kisses."
" N o; t ha t 's n o p re se nt . "
" We ll , I g ue ss y ou 'l l h ave t o f ig ur e i t o ut f or y ou rs el f, D or ot hy ,"s ai d t he l it tl e d og . " To M Y n ot io n y ou 'r e m or e p ar ti cu la r t ha n O zm aw i ll b e. "
D or ot hy d ec id ed t ha t i f a ny on e c ou ld h el p h er i t w ou ld b e G li nd a t heG oo d, t he w on de rf ul S or ce re ss o f O z w ho w as O zm a' s f ai th fu l s ub je cta nd f ri en d. B ut G li nd a' s c as tl e w as i n t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry a nd q ui tea j ou rn ey f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y.
S o t he l it tl e g ir l w ent t o Oz ma an d a sk ed p er mi ss ion t o us e t he W ood enS aw ho rs e and t he r oy al R ed W ag on t o p ay a vi si t t o Gl in da , a nd t he g ir lR ul er k i ss ed P ri nc es s D or ot hy a nd g ra ci ou sl y g ra nt ed p er mi s si on .
T he W oo de n S aw ho rs e w as o ne o f t he m os t r em ar ka bl e c re at ur es i n O z.I ts body was a s mall log and i ts legs w er e l imbs of t rees s tuc k i n t hebody . It s eyes wer e k not s, it s mout h was saw ed in t he end of t he loga nd i ts ea rs w er e t wo c hi ps . A s mal l b ra nc h ha d be en l ef t at t he r ea r e nd o f t he l og t o s er ve a s a t ai l.
O zm a h er se lf , d ur in g o ne o f h er e ar ly a dve nt ur es , h ad b ro ug ht t hi sw oo de n h or se t o l if e, a nd s o s he w as m uc h a tt ac he d t o t he q ue er a ni ma l
an d ha d s ho d t he b ot to ms of i ts w ood en l eg s w it h p lat es of go ld s ot he y w ou ld n ot w ea r o ut . T h e S aw ho rs e w as a s wi ft a nd w il li ngt ra ve le r, a nd t ho ug h i t c ou ld t al k i f n ee d a ro se , i t s el do m s ai da ny th in g u nl es s s po ke n t o. W he n t he S aw ho rs e w as h ar ne ss ed t o t he R edW ag on t he re w er e n o r ei ns t o g ui de h im b ec au se a ll t ha t w as n ee de d w ast o tell him w her e to go.
D or ot hy n ow t ol d h im t o g o t o G li nd a' s C as tl e a nd t he S aw ho rs ec a rr i ed h er t h er e w i th m a rve l ou s s p ee d.
" Gl i nd a, " s ai d D or ot hy , w he n s he h ad b ee n g re et ed b y t he S or ce re ss ,w ho w as t al l a nd s ta te ly , w it h h an ds om e a nd d ig ni fi ed f ea tu re s a ndd re ss ed i n a s pl en di d a nd b ec om in g g ow n, " wh at a re y ou g oi ng t o g ive
O zm a f or a b ir th da y p re se nt ?"
T he S or c er e ss s m il e d a nd a ns w er e d:
" Com e i nt o m y p at io a nd I w il l s ho w y ou. "
S o t he y e nt er ed a pl ac e t hat w as s ur rou nd ed by t he w in gs o f t heg re at c as tl e b ut h ad n o r oo f, a nd w as f il le d w it h f lo we rs a ndf ou nt ai ns a nd e xq ui s it e s t at ua ry a nd m an y s et t ee s a nd c ha ir s o f p ol is he d m ar bl e o r f il ig re e g ol d. H er e t he re w er e g at he re d f if ty
b ea ut if ul y ou ng g ir ls , G li nd a' s h an dm ai ds , w ho h ad b ee n s el ec te d f ro mal l pa rt s o f t he La nd of Oz on ac coun t of t he ir w it and b eau ty and s we etd is po si ti on s. I t w as a g re at h on or t o b e m ad e o ne o f G li nd a' s h an dm ai de ns .
W he n D or ot hy f ol lo we d t he S or c er es s i nt o t hi s d el ig ht f ul p at io a llt he f if t y g ir l s w er e b us il y w ea vi ng , a nd t he ir s hu tt le s w er e f i ll edw it h a s pa rk li ng g re en s pu n g la ss s uc h a s t he l it tl e g ir l h ad n ever seen before.
"What is it, Glinda?" she asked.
" On e o f m y r ec en t d is c ove r ie s, " e xp la in ed t he S or c er es s . " I h avef ou nd a w ay t o m ak e t hr ea ds f ro m e me ra ld s, b y s of te ni ng t he s to ne s a ndt he n s pi nn in g t he m i nt o l on g, s il ke n s tr an ds . W it h t he se e me ra ldt hr ea ds w e ar e w ea vi ng c lo th t o m ak e O zm a a s pl en di d c ou rt g ow n f or h er b ir th da y. Y ou w il l n ot ic e t ha t t he t hr ea ds h ave a ll t he b ea ut if ulg li tt er a nd l us te r o f t he e me ra ld s f ro m w hi ch t he y a re m ad e, a nd s oO zm a' s n ew d re ss w il l b e t he m os t m ag ni fi ce nt t he w or ld h as e ve r s ee n,a nd q ui te f it ti ng f or o ur l ove ly R ul er o f t he F ai ry la nd o f O z. "
D or ot hy 's e ye s w er e f ai r ly d az ed b y t he b ri ll ia nc e o f t he e me ra ldc lo th , s om e o f w hi ch t he g ir ls h ad a lr ea dy w ove n.
" I' ve n eve r s ee n A NY t hi ng s o b ea ut i fu l! " s he s ai d, w i th a s ig h." Bu t t el l m e, G li nd a, w ha t c an I g ive o ur l ove ly O zm a o n h er b ir th da y? "
T he g oo d S or c er es s c on si de re d t hi s q ue st io n f or a l on g t im e b ef or es he r e pl i ed . F i na l ly s h e s a id :
" Of c our se t her e w il l b e a gr an d f ea st at t he R oy al P al ac e o n O zma 'sb ir th da y, a nd a ll o ur f ri en ds w il l b e p re se nt . S o I s ug ge st t ha t y oum ak e a f in e b ig b ir th da y c ak e o f O zm a, a nd s ur ro un d i t w it h c an dl es ."
" Oh , j us t a C AK E! " e xc l ai me d D or o th y, i n d is a pp oi nt me nt .
" No th in g i s n ic er f or a b ir th da y, " s ai d t he S or ce re ss .
" Ho w m an y c an dl es s ho ul d t he re b e o n t he c ak e? " a sk ed t he g ir l.
" Jus t a r ow of t hem ," r epl ie d G li nda , " fo r no o ne k now s how ol d Oz mai s, a lt hou gh s he a pp ea rs t o u s t o be j us t a y oun g gi rl -- as f res h an df ai r as i f s he ha d l ive d bu t a f ew y ea rs ."
" A c ak e d oe sn 't s ee m l ik e m uc h o f a p re se nt ," D or ot hy a ss er te d.
" Ma ke i t a s ur pr is e c ak e, " s ug ge st ed t he S or ce re ss . " Do n' t y our em em be r t he f ou r a nd t we nt y b la ck bi rd s t ha t w er e b ak ed i n a p ie ?W el l, y ou n eed n ot u se l ive bl ac kb ir ds i n y ou r c ak e, b ut y ou c ou ldh ave s om e s ur pr is e o f a d if f er en t s or t ."
" L ik e w h at ? " q ue s ti o ne d D o ro t hy , e a ge r ly .
" If I t ol d y ou, i t w oul dn 't be Y OU R p re se nt t o Oz ma, b ut M IN E, "
a ns we re d t he S or ce re ss , w it h a s mi le . " Th in k i t o ve r, m y d ea r, a nd Ia m s ur e y ou c an o ri gi na te a s ur pr is e t ha t w il l a dd g re at ly t o t he j oya nd m er r i me n t o f O z ma ' s b i rt h da y b a nq ue t ."
D or ot hy t ha nk ed h er f ri en d a nd e nt er ed t he R ed W ag on a nd t ol d t heS aw ho rs e t o t ak e he r b ac k ho me t o t he p al ac e i n t he E me ra ld C it y.
O n t he w ay s he t ho ug ht t he m at te r o ve r s er io us ly o f m ak in g as ur pr is e b ir t hd ay c ak e a nd f in al ly d ec id ed w ha t t o d o.
As soon as she reached home, she went to the Wizard of Oz, who had ar oo m f it ted up i n on e of t he hi gh t owe rs of t he pal ac e, wh er e h es tu di ed m ag ic s o as t o b e a bl e t o p er for m s uc h w iz ar dr y a s Oz mac om ma nd ed h im t o d o f or t he w el fa re o f h er s ub je ct s.
T he W iz ar d a nd D or ot hy w er e f ir m f ri en ds a nd h ad e nj oy ed m an ys tr an ge a dve nt ur es t og et he r. H e w as a l it tl e m an w it h a b al d h ea d a nds ha rp e ye s a nd a r ou nd , j ol ly f ac e, a nd b ec au se h e w as n ei th er h au gh tyn or p ro ud he h ad b ec ome a g rea t f avo ri te w it h t he O z p eo pl e.
" Wi za rd ," s ai d D or ot hy , " I w ant y ou t o h el p m e f ix up a pr es en t f or Ozma's birthday."
" I' ll b e g la d t o d o a ny th in g f or y ou a nd f or O zm a, " h e a ns we re d." Wh at ' s o n y ou r m in d, D or ot hy ?"
" I' m g oi ng t o m ak e a g re at c ak e, w it h f ro st in g a nd c an dl es , a nd a llt ha t, y ou k no w. "
" Ve ry g oo d, " s ai d t he W iz ar d.
" In t he c ent er o f t hi s c ak e I 'm g oi ng t o l ea ve a ho ll ow pl ac e, w it h
just a roof of the frosting over it," continued the girl.
" Ve ry g oo d, " r ep ea te d t he W iz ar d, n od di ng h is b al d h ea d.
" In t ha t ho ll ow pl ac e, " s ai d D or ot hy , " I w an t t o hi de a l ot o f m on ke ys a bo ut t hr ee i nc he s h ig h, a nd a ft er t he c ak e i s p la ce d o n t heb an qu et t ab le , I w an t t he m on ke ys t o b re ak t hr ou gh t he f ro st in g a ndd an ce a ro un d o n t he t ab le -c lo th . T he n, I w an t e ac h m on ke y t o c ut o uta piec e of cake and hand it to a gues t. "
" Me rc y m e! " c ri ed t he l it tl e W iz ar d, a s h e c hu ck le d w it h l au gh te r." Is t ha t A LL y ou w an t, D or ot hy ?"
" Al mo st ," s ai d s he . " Ca n y ou t hi nk o f a ny th in g m or e t he l it tl em on ke y s c a n d o, W i za r d? "
" No t j us t n ow ," h e r ep li ed . " Bu t w he re w il l y ou g et s uc h t in y m on ke ys ?"
" Th at 's w he re y ou 'r e t o h el p m e, " s ai d D or ot hy . " In s om e o f t ho sew il d f or es ts i n t he G il li ki n C ou nt ry a re l ot s o f m on ke ys ."
" Bi g o ne s, " s ai d t he W iz ar d.
"Well, you and I will go t here, and we'll get some of the bigm on ke ys , a nd y ou w il l m ak e t h em s ma ll - -j us t t hr ee i nc he s h ig h- - by
m ea ns o f y our m ag ic , a nd w e' ll p ut t he l it tl e mo nk ey s a ll i n a ba sk eta nd b ri ng t he m h om e w it h u s. T he n y ou 'l l t ra in t he m t o d an ce -- up h er ei n y ou r r oo m, w he re n o o ne c an s ee t he m- -a nd o n O zm a' s b ir th da y w e' ll
put 'em int o t he c ake and t hey'l l k now by t hat t ime jus t what t o do. "
T he W iz ar d l oo ke d a t D or ot hy w it h a dm ir in g a pp ro va l, a nd c hu ck l ed a ga in .
" Th at 's r ea ll y c le ve r, m y d ea r, " h e s ai d, " an d I s ee n o r ea so n w hywe can't do it, just the way you say, if only we can get the wildm on ke ys t o a gr ee t o i t. "
" Do y ou t hi nk t he y' ll o bj ec t? " a sk ed t he g ir l.
" Ye s; bu t p er hap s w e c an a rg ue t hem i nt o i t. A ny ho w i t' s w or tht ry in g, a nd I 'l l h el p y ou i f y ou 'l l a gr ee t o l et t hi s S ur pr is e C ak e b ea p re se nt t o O zm a f ro m y ou a nd m e t og et he r. I 've b ee n w ond er in g w ha tI c oul d g ive Oz ma, an d as I 've g ot t o t ra in t he m on key s as w el l a sm ak e t hem s ma ll , I t hi nk y ou o ug ht t o ma ke m e y ou r p ar tn er ."
" Of c ou rs e, " s ai d D or ot hy ; " I' ll b e g la d t o d o s o. "
" Th en i t' s a b ar ga in, " d ec lar ed t he W iz ar d. " We m us t g o t o s ee kt ho se m onk ey s at on ce , h ow ever , f or i t w il l t ak e t im e t o t ra in t he m a ndw e' ll h ave t o t ra ve l a g oo d w ay t o t he G il li ki n f or es ts w he re t he y l ive ."
" I' m r ead y t o g o a ny t im e, " a gr ee d D or ot hy . " Sh al l w e as k Oz ma t ol et u s t ak e t he S aw ho rs e? "
T he W iz ar d d id no t a ns we r t ha t a t o nc e. He t oo k t ime t o t hi nk of the suggestion.
" No ," h e a ns we re d a t l en gt h, " th e R ed W ag on c ou ld n' t g et t hr ou gh t het hi ck f or es ts an d t he re 's s om e da ng er t o u s i n go ing i nt o t he w il dp la ce s t o s ea rc h f or m on ke ys . So I p ro po se w e t ak e t he C ow ar dl y L io nand t he Hungr y Ti ger. We can r ide on t heir bac ks as well as in the
R ed W ag on , a nd i f t her e i s da ng er t o u s f rom o the r bea st s, t he se t wof r ie nd ly c ha mp io ns w il l p ro te ct u s f r om a ll h ar m. "
" Th at 's a s pl en di d i de a! " e xc l ai me d D or ot hy . " Le t' s g o n ow a nd a skt he H un gr y T ig er a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n i f t he y w il l h el p u s. S ha ll w eask Oz ma if we can go?"
" I t hi nk n ot ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, g et ti ng h is ha t a nd h is b la ck ba g o f m ag ic t ool s. " Th is i s t o b e a s ur pr is e f or h er b ir thd ay , a nd s o s hem us tn 't k no w w he re w e' re g oi ng . W e' ll j us t l ea ve w or d, i n c as e O zm ai nqu ir es f or us , t hat w e' ll b e b ac k i n a f ew da ys ."
7 . T h e F or es t o f G ug u
I n t he c en tr al w es te rn p ar t o f t he G il li ki n C ou nt ry i s a g re att an gl e o f t re es c al le d G ug u F or es t. I t i s t he bi gg es t f or es t i n a llO z a nd s t re t ch es m il e s a nd m il e s i n e ve ry d ir ec ti on -- no rt h, s ou th ,e as t a nd w es t. A dj oi ni ng i t on t he e as t s id e i s a r an ge of r ug ge dm ou nt ai ns c ove re d w it h u nd er br us h a nd s ma ll t wi s te d t r ee s. Y ou c anfi nd t hi s place by looki ng at the Map of the Land of Oz.
Gu gu F or es t i s t he h om e o f m os t of t he w il d b ea st s t ha t i nh ab it Oz .
T he se a re s el do m d is tu rb ed i n t he ir l ea fy h au nt s b ec au se t he re i s n or ea so n w hy O z p eo pl e s ho ul d g o t he re , e xc ep t o n r ar e o cc as io ns , a ndm os t p ar ts o f t he f or es t h ave neve r b ee n s een by a ny ey es bu t t he ey es
o f t he b ea st s w ho m ak e t he ir h om e t he re . T he b ig ge st b ea st s i nh ab itt he g re at f or es t, w hi le t he s ma ll er o ne s l ive m os tl y i n t he m ou nt ai nu nd er br us h a t t he e as t.
Now, y ou mus t know that ther e are laws i n the f or es ts , as well as ineve ry o th er p la ce , a nd t he se l aw s a re m ad e b y t he b ea st s t he ms el ve s,a nd a re n ec es sa ry t o k ee p t he m f r om f ig ht in g a nd t ea ri ng o ne a no th er
t o p ie ce s. I n G ug u F or es t t he re i s a K in g- -a n e no rm ou s y el lo w l eo pa rdc al le d " Gu gu "- -a ft er w ho m t he f or es t i s n am ed . A nd t hi s K in g h ast hr ee o th er b ea st s t o a dvi se h im i n k ee pi ng t he l aw s a nd m ai nt ai ni ngo rd er -- Br u t he B ea r, L oo t he U ni co rn a nd R an go t he G ra y A pe -- wh o a rek no wn a s t he K in g' s C ou ns el or s. A ll t he se a re f ie rc e a nd f er oc io usb ea st s , a nd h ol d t he ir h ig h o ff ic es b ec au se t he y a re m or e i nt el li ge nta nd m or e f ea re d t he n t he ir f el lo ws .
S in ce O z b ec am e a f ai ry la nd , n o m an , w om an o r c hi ld e ve r d ie s i nt ha t l an d n or i s a ny on e e ve r s ic k. L ik ew is e t he b ea st s o f t he f or es tsneve r d ie , s o t ha t l on g y ea rs a dd t o t he ir c un ni ng a nd w is do m, a s w el la s t o t he ir s iz e a nd s tr en gt h. I t i s p os si bl e f or b ea st s- -o r e venp eo pl e- -t o b e d es tr oy ed , bu t t he t as k i s s o d if fi cu lt t ha t i t i ss el do m a tt em pt ed . B ec au se i t i s f re e f ro m s ic kn es s a nd d ea th i s o ner ea so n w hy O z i s a f ai ry la nd , b ut i t i s d ou bt fu l w he th er t ho se w hoc om e t o O z f ro m t he o ut si de w or ld , a s D or ot hy a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a ndT ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l a nd t he W iz ar d d id , w il l l ive f or eve r o r c an no t b ei nj ur ed . E ve n O zm a i s n ot s ur e a bou t t hi s, an d s o t he gu es ts of Oz maf ro m o th er l an ds a re a lw ay s c ar ef ul ly p ro te ct ed f ro m a ny d an ge r, s o a st o be on t he s af e si de.
I n s pi te of t he l aw s o f t he f or es ts t her e a re o ft en f ig ht s amo ng t hebeast s; s ome of t hem have los t an eye or an ear or even had a leg tor no ff . T he K in g a nd t he K in g' s C ou ns el or s a lw ay s p un is h t ho se w ho s ta rta f ight , but s o f ier ce i s t he nat ur e of s ome beas ts t hat they wi ll at
t im es f ig ht i n s pi te o f l aw s a nd p un is hm en t.
Ove r t hi s va st , w il d F or es t o f G ug u f le w t wo e ag le s, o ne m or ni ng ,and near t he c en ter o f t he ju ngl e t he eagl es al ight ed on a b ranc h of at a ll t r ee .
" He re i s t he p la ce f or u s t o be gi n ou r w or k, " s ai d on e, w ho w asR ug ge do , t h e N om e.
" Do m an y b ea st s l ive h er e? " a sk ed K ik i A ru , t he o th er e ag le .
" Th e f or es t i s f ul l o f t he m, " s ai d t he N om e. " Th er e a re e no ug h
be as ts r igh t h er e t o e na bl e us t o c on qu er t he p eo pl e of Oz , i f w e c anget them t o c ons ent to join us . To do t hat , w e must go among t heman d t el l t hem ou r pl ans , s o w e mus t n ow dec ide on w hat s ha pe s w e ha db et te r a ss um e w hi le i n t he f or es t. "
" I s up po se w e m us t t ak e t he s hap es of b ea st s? " s ai d K ik i.
" Of c ou rs e. B ut t ha t r eq ui re s s om e t ho ug ht . A ll k in ds o f b ea st sl ive h er e, a nd a y el lo w l eo pa rd i s K in g. I f w e b ec om e l eo pa rd s, t heKing will be jealous of us. I f we t ake the for ms of some of the other b ea st s , w e s ha ll n ot c om ma nd p r op er r e sp ec t ."
" I w on de r i f t he b ea st s w il l a tt ac k u s? " a sk ed K ik i.
" I' m a N om e, a nd i mm or ta l, s o n ot hi ng c an h ur t m e, " r ep li ed R ug ge do .
"I was bor n i n t he Land of Oz, so not hi ng can hurt me, " said Kik i.
" Bu t, i n o rde r t o c ar ry o ut ou r p la ns , w e m us t w in t he f avor of al lt he a ni ma ls o f t he f or es t. "
" Th en w ha t s ha ll w e d o? " a sk ed K ik i.
" Le t u s m ix t he s ha pe s o f s eve ra l b ea st s, s o w e w il l n ot l ook l ik ea ny on e of t he m, " pr opo sed t he w il y ol d N om e. " Let u s ha ve t he head so f l io ns , t he bo di es o f mo nk ey s, t he w in gs o f ea gl es a nd t he t ai ls of w il d a ss es , w it h k nob s o f g ol d o n t he e nd o f t he m i ns tea d o f bu nc heso f h ai r. "
" Wo n' t t ha t m ak e a q ue er c om bi na ti on ?" i nq ui r ed K ik i.
" T he q ue er e r t h e b et t er , " d ec l ar e d R u gg ed o.
" Al l r ig ht ," s ai d K ik i. " Yo u s ta y h er e, a nd I 'l l f ly a wa y t oa no th er t re e a nd t ra ns fo rm u s b ot h, a nd t he n w e' ll c li mb d ow n o ur t re es a nd m ee t i n t he f or es t. "
" No ," s ai d t he N om e, " we m us tn 't s ep ar at e. Y ou m us t t ra ns fo rm u sw hi le w e a re t og et he r. "
" I w on 't d o t ha t, " a ss er te d K ik i, f ir ml y. " Yo u' re t ry in g t o g et m ys ec re t, a nd I w on 't l et y ou. "
T he e ye s o f t he o th er e ag le f la sh ed a ng ri ly , b ut R ug ge do d id n otd ar e i ns is t. If h e o ff en de d t hi s b oy , h e m ig ht h ave t o r em ai n a nea gl e al wa ys a nd he w ou ldn 't l ik e t hat . S ome da y he ho pe d t o b e abl et o l ea rn t he s ec re t w or d o f t he m ag ic al t ra ns fo rm at io ns , b ut j us t n owh e m u s t l e t K i k i h a ve h i s o w n w a y.
" Al l r ig ht ," h e s ai d g ru ff ly ; " do a s y ou p le as e. "
S o K ik i f lew t o a t ree t ha t w as f ar e no ug h d is tan t s o t ha t R ugg ed oc ou ld n ot o ve rh ea r h im a nd s ai d: " I w an t R ug ge do , t he N om e, a nd m ys el f t o h ave t he h ea ds o f l io ns , t he b od ie s o f m on ke ys , t he w in gs o f e ag le sa nd t he t ai ls of w il d a ss es , w it h k no bs o f g ol d on t he e nds o f t hemi n st e ad o f b un c he s o f h a ir - - Py r z qx g l! "
H e p ro no un ce d t he m ag ic w or d i n t he p ro pe r m an ne r a nd a t o nc e h isf or m c ha ng ed t o t he o ne h e h ad d es cr ib ed . H e s pr ea d h is e ag le 's w in gsa nd f in di ng t he y w er e s tr on g e no ug h t o s up po rt h is m on ke y b od y a nd
l io n h ea d h e f le w s wi ft ly t o t he t re e w he re h e h ad l ef t R ug ge do . Th eN om e w as a ls o t ra ns fo rm ed a nd w as c li mb in g d ow n t he t re e b ec au se t heb ra nc he s a ll a ro un d h im w er e s o t hi ck ly e nt wi ne d t ha t t he re w as n or oo m b et we en t he m t o f ly .
K ik i qu ic kl y j oi ne d h is c om rad e a nd i t d id n ot t ak e t he m l on g t or e ac h t he g r ou nd .
8 . T he L i -M on - Ea gs M ak e T r ou bl e
T he re h ad b ee n t ro ub le i n t he F or es t o f Gu gu t ha t m or ni ng . C hi pot he W il d B oa r ha d bi tt en t he t ai l of f A rx t he Gi raf fe w hi le t he l at ter h ad h is h ea d a mo ng t he l ea ve s o f a t re e, e at in g h is b re ak fa st . Ar x
k ic ke d w it h h is h ee ls a nd s tr uc k T ir ri p, t he g re at K an ga ro o, w ho h ad ane w ba by i n he r po uc h. Ti rr ip k ne w i t w as t he W il d B oa r's f au lt , s os he k no ck ed h im o ve r w it h on e p ow er fu l b lo w a nd t he n r an a wa y t oe sc ap e C hi po 's s ha rp t us ks . I n t he c ha se t ha t f ol lo we d a g ia ntp or cu pi ne s tu ck f if ty s ha rp q ui ll s i nt o t he B oa r a nd a c hi mp an ze e i na t re e t hr ew a c oc oa nu t a t t he p or cu pi ne t ha t j am me d i ts h ea d i nt oits body.
All this was against the Laws of the Forest, and when the excitementw as o ve r, G ug u t he L eo pa rd K in g c al le d h is r oy al C ou ns el or s t og et he r t o d ec id e h ow b es t t o p un is h t he o ff en de rs .
T he f ou r l or ds o f t he f or es t w er e h ol di ng s ol em n c ou nc il i n a s ma llc le ar in g w he n t he y s aw t wo s tr an ge b ea st s a pp ro ac hi ng t he m- - be as ts t hel ik e o f w hi ch t he y h ad n eve r s ee n b ef or e.
N ot o ne o f t he f ou r, ho we ve r, r el ax ed h is d ig ni ty o r s ho we d b y am ove me nt t ha t h e w as s ta rt le d. T he g re at L eo pa rd c ro uc he d a t f ul ll en gt h u po n a f al le n t re e- tr un k. B ru t he B ea r s at o n h is h au nc he sb ef or e t he K in g; R an go t he G ra y A pe s to od w it h h is m us cu la r a rm sf ol de d, a nd L oo t he U ni co rn r ec li ne d, m uc h a s a h or se d oe s, b et we enh is f el l ow - co un ci l lo r s. W it h o ne c on se nt t he y r em ai ne d s il en t, e ye in gw it h s te ad fa st l oo ks t he i nt ru de rs , w ho w er e m ak in g t he ir w ay i nt ot h ei r f o re s t d om a in .
" Wel l m et , B rot he rs !" s ai d o ne o f t he s tr an ge b eas ts , c omi ng t o a h al tb es id e t he g ro up , w hi le h is c om ra de w it h h es it at io n l ag ge d b eh in d.
" We a re n ot b ro th er s, " r et ur ne d t he G ra y A pe , s te rn ly . " Wh o a rey ou , a nd h ow c ame y ou i n t he f or es t o f Gu gu?"
" We a re t wo L i- Mo n- Ea gs , " s ai d R ug ge do , i nve nt in g t he n am e. " Ou r
h om e i s i n S ky I sl an d, a nd w e h ave c om e t o ear th t o w ar n t he f or es tbe as ts t hat t he pe opl e of Oz a re ab out t o ma ke w ar upo n t hem an de ns la ve t he m, s o t ha t t he y w il l b ec om e b ea st s o f b ur de n f or eve r a ft er a nd o be y o nl y t he w il l o f t he ir t wo -l eg ge d m as te rs ."
A low roar of anger arose from the Council of Beasts.
" WH O' S g oi ng t o d o t ha t? " a sk ed L oo t he U ni co rn , i n a h ig h, s qu ea kyvo ic e, a t t he s am e t im e r is in g t o h is f ee t.
" Th e p eo pl e o f O z, " s ai d R ug ge do .
" Bu t w ha t w il l W E b e d oi ng ?" i nq ui re d t he U ni co rn .
" Tha t' s w ha t I 've c om e t o t al k t o y ou a bo ut ."
" Yo u n ee dn 't t al k! We 'l l f i gh t t he O z p eo pl e! " s c re am ed t he U ni c or n." We 'l l s ma sh ' em ; w e' ll t r am pl e ' em ; w e' ll g or e ' em ; w e' ll - -"
" Si le nc e! " g ro wl ed G ug u t he K in g, a nd L oo o be ye d, a lt ho ug h s t il lt re mb li ng w it h w ra th . T he c ol d, s te ad y g az e o f t he L eo pa rd w an de re dove r t he t wo s tr an ge b ea st s. " Th e p eo pl e o f O z, " s ai d h e, " ha ve n otb ee n o ur f ri en ds ; t he y h ave n ot b ee n o ur e ne mi es . T h ey h ave l e t u sa lo ne , a nd w e h ave l et t he m a lo ne . T he re i s n o r ea so n f or w ar b et we enus . T he y h ave n o s lave s. T he y c ou ld n ot u se u s a s s la ve s i f t he y
s ho ul d c on qu er us . I t hi nk y ou a re t el li ng u s l ie s, y ou s tr ang eL i -M on - Ea g- - yo u m ix e d- u p b ea st w h o a r e n ei t he r o ne t h in g n or a no t he r ."
" Oh, on m y w or d, i t' s t he t ru th !" pr ot es ted t he N om e i n t he be as t' ss ha pe . " I w ou ld n' t l ie f or t he w or ld ; I -- "
" S il e nc e !" a g ai n g r ow l ed G u gu t h e K i ng ; a n d s o me h ow , e ve n R ug ge dow as a ba sh ed a nd o be ye d t he e di ct .
" Wh at d o y ou s ay , B ru ?" a sk ed t he K in g, t ur ni ng t o t he g re at B ea r,
w ho h ad u nt il n ow s ai d n ot hi ng .
" Ho w do es t he M ix ed B ea st k no w t ha t w ha t h e s ay s i s t ru e? "a sk ed t he B ea r.
" Wh y, I c an f ly , y ou k no w, h avi ng t he w in gs o f a n E ag le ," e xp la in edt he N om e. " I a nd my c om rad e y on der ," t ur ni ng t o K ik i, " fl ew t o agr ove i n O z, a nd t he re w e h ea rd t he p eo pl e t el li ng h ow t he y w il l m ak em an y r op es t o s na re y ou b ea st s, a nd t he n t he y w il l s ur ro un d t hi sf or es t, a nd a ll o th er f or es ts , a nd m ak e y ou p ri so ne rs . S o w e c am eh er e t o w ar n y ou , f or b ei ng b ea st s o ur se lve s, a lt ho ug h w e l ive i n t hes ky , w e a re y ou r f ri en ds ."
T he L eo pa rd 's l ip c ur l ed a nd s ho we d h is e no rm ou s t ee th , s ha rp a sn ee dl es . H e t ur ne d t o t he G ra y A pe .
" Wh at d o Y OU t hi nk , R an go ?" h e a sk ed .
" Se nd t he se m ix ed b ea st s a wa y, Y ou r M aj es ty ," r ep li ed t he G ra y A pe ." T he y a r e m i sc h ie f -m a ke r s. "
" Do n' t d o t ha t- - do n' t d o t ha t! " c ri ed t he U ni co rn , n er vo us l y. " Th es tr an ge r s ai d h e w ou ld t el l u s w ha t t o do . L et h im t el l u s, t he n.
Are we fools, not to heed a warning?"
G ug u t he K in g t ur ne d t o R ug ge do .
" S pe ak , S t r an g er , " h e c o mm a nd ed .
" Well ," sai d t he N ome, "i t' s t hi s w ay: The Land of Oz i s a fi nec ou nt ry . T he p eo pl e o f O z h ave m an y g oo d t hi ng s- - ho us es w it h s of tb ed s, a ll s o rt s o f n ic e -t as t in g f o od , p r et t y c l ot h es , l ove ly j ew e ls ,a nd m an y o th er t hi ng s t ha t b ea st s k no w n ot hi ng o f. He re i n t he d ar kf or es ts t he po or be as ts have h ar d w or k t o get enou gh t o e at a nd t of ind a be d t o r es t i n. B ut t he b eas ts a re b et ter t ha n t he p eop le , an dw hy s ho ul d t he y n ot h ave a ll t he g oo d t hi ng s t he p eo pl e h ave ? S o Ip ro po se t ha t b ef or e t he O z p eo pl e h ave t he t im e t o m ak e a ll t ho se
r op es t o s na re y ou w it h, t ha t a ll w e b ea st s g et t og et her a nd m ar cha ga in st t he O z p eo pl e a nd c ap tu re t he m. T he n t he b ea st s w il l b ec om et he m as t er s a nd t he p eo pl e t he ir s l ave s . "
" Wh at go od w ou ld t ha t d o us ?" a sk ed B ru t he B ea r.
" It w ou ld s ave y ou f ro m s la ve ry , f or o ne t hi ng , a nd y ou c ou ld e nj oya ll t he f in e t hi ng s o f O z p eo pl e h ave ."
" Be as ts w ou ld n' t k no w w ha t t o d o w it h t he t hi ng s p eo pl e u se ," s ai dt he G ra y A pe .
" Bu t t hi s i s o nl y p ar t o f m y p la n, " i ns is te d t he N om e. "L is te n t o
t he r es t o f i t. W e t wo L i- Mo n- Ea gs a re p ow er fu l m ag ic ia ns . W he n y ouhave c on qu er ed t he O z p eo pl e w e w il l t ra ns fo rm t he m a ll i nt o b ea st s,a nd s en d t hem t o t he f or es ts t o l ive , a nd w e w il l t rans for m a ll t he
b ea st s i nt o p eo pl e, s o t he y c an e nj oy a ll t he w on de rf ul d el ig ht s o f t h e E me r al d C i ty . "
F or a m om en t n o b ea st s po ke . T he n t he K in g s ai d: " Pr ove it . "
" P r ove w ha t ?" a sk e d R ug g ed o.
" Pr ove t ha t y ou c an t ra ns fo rm u s. I f y ou a re a m ag ic ia n t ra ns fo rmt he U ni cor n i nt o a man . T hen w e w il l be li eve y ou . I f y ou f ai l, w ew i ll d es t ro y y ou . "
" Al l r ig ht ," s ai d t he N om e. " Bu t I 'm t ir ed, s o I 'l l l et m y c om ra dem a ke t h e t r a ns f or m at i on . "
K ik i A ru ha d s to od ba ck f rom t he c ir cl e, b ut he ha d h ea rd a ll t ha tw as s ai d. H e n ow r ea li ze d t ha t h e m us t m ak e g oo d R ug ge do 's b oa st , s oh e r et re at ed t o t he e dg e o f t he c le ar in g a nd w hi sp er ed t he m ag ic w or d.
I ns ta nt ly t he U ni co rn b ec am e a f at , c hu bb y l it tl e m an , d re ss ed i nt he pu rp le G il li ki n c os tum e, a nd i t w as h ar d t o t el l w hi ch w as t hem or e a st on is he d, t he K in g, t he B ea r, t he A pe o r t he f or me r U ni co rn .
" It 's t ru e! " s ho rt ed t he m an -b ea st . " Go od g ra ci ou s, l oo k w ha t I a m!It's wonderful!"
T he K in g o f B ea st s n ow a dd re ss ed R ug ge do i n a m or e f ri en dl y t on e.
" We m us t b el ie ve y ou r s to ry , s in ce y ou h ave g ive n u s p ro of o f y ou r p ow er ," s ai d he . " Bu t w hy , i f y ou ar e s o g rea t a ma gi ci an , c an not y ouc on qu er t he O z p eo pl e w it ho ut o ur h el p, a nd s o s ave u s t he t ro ub le ?"
" Al as !" r ep li ed t he c ra ft y o ld N om e, " no m ag ic ia n i s a bl e t o d o
e ve ry th in g. T he t ra ns f or ma ti on s a re e as y t o u s b ec au se w e a reL i- Mo n- Ea gs , b ut w e c an no t f ig ht , o r c on qu er e ve n s uc h w ea k c r ea tu re sa s t he O z p eop le. Bu t w e w il l s ta y w it h y ou a nd a dvi se a nd h el p y ou,a nd w e w il l t ra ns fo rm a ll t he O z p eo pl e i nt o b ea st s, w he n t he t im ec om es , a nd a ll t he b ea st s i nt o p eo pl e. "
G ug u t he K in g t ur ne d t o h is C ou ns el or s.
" Ho w s ha ll w e a ns we r t hi s f r ie nd ly s tr an ge r? " h e a sk ed .
L oo t he f or me r U ni co rn w as d an ci ng a ro un d a nd c ut ti ng c ap er s l ik e a c lo wn .
" On my w or d, y ou r M aj es ty ," h e s ai d, " th is be ing a m an i s m or e f unt ha n b ei ng a U ni co rn ."
" Yo u l ook l ik e a f oo l, " s ai d t he Gr ay A pe.
" We ll , I F EE L f i ne !" d ec l ar ed t he m an -b ea st .
"I t hi nk I prefer t o be a Bear, " said Big Br u. "I was bor n a Bear ,and I know a Bear's ways. So I am s at is fi ed to li ve as a Bear li ve s. "
" Th at ," s ai d t he o ld N om e, " is b ec au se y ou k no w n ot hi ng b et te r.W he n w e h ave c on qu er ed t he O z p eo pl e, a nd y ou b ec om e a m an , y ou 'l l b eg la d o f i t. "
T he i mm en se L eo pa rd r es te d h is c hi n o n t he l og a nd s ee me d t ho ug ht fu l.
" Th e b ea st s o f t he f or es t m us t d ec id e t hi s m at te r f or t he ms el ve s ,"h e s ai d. " Go y ou , R ang o t he Gr ay A pe, a nd t el l y our mo nk ey t ri be t oo rd er a ll t he f or es t b ea st s t o a ss em bl e i n t he G re at C le ar in g a ts un ri s e t o- mo rr ow . W he n a ll a re g at he re d t og et he r, t hi s m ix ed -u p B ea stwho is a magic ian s hal l t al k t o t hem and t el l t hem what he has tol du s. T he n, i f t he y d ec id e t o f ig ht t he O z p eo pl e, w ho h ave d ec la re dwar on us, I wi ll lead t he beas ts t o batt le. "
R an go t he G ra y A pe t ur ne d a t o nc e a nd g li de d s wi ft ly t hr ou gh t hef or es t o n h is m is si on . T he B ea r g ave a g ru nt a nd w al ke d a wa y. G ug ut he K in g r os e a nd s tr et ch ed h im se lf . T he n h e s ai d t o R ug ge do : " Me et u sa t s un r is e t o- m or r ow , " a nd w it h s t at el y s t ri de va ni s he d a mo ng t he t r ee s.
T he m an -u ni co rn , l ef t a lo ne w it h t he s t ra ng er s , s ud de nl y s t op pe d h isfoolish prancing.
" Yo u' d b et te r m ak e me a U ni cor n ag ai n, " he s ai d. " I l ik e b ei ng am an , b ut t he f or es t b ea st s w on 't k no w I 'm t he ir f ri en d, L oo , a nd t he ym ig ht t ea r m e i n p ie ce s b ef or e m or ni ng ."
S o K ik i c ha ng ed h im b ac k t o h is f or me r s ha pe , a nd t he U ni co rnd ep ar t ed t o j oi n h is p eo pl e.
R ug ge do t he N om e w as m uc h p le as ed w it h h is s uc ce ss .
" To -m or ro w, " h e s ai d t o K ik i A ru , " we 'l l w in o ve r t he se b ea st s a nds et t he m t o f ig ht a nd c on qu er t he O z p eo pl e. T he n I w il l h ave m yr eve ng e o n O zm a a nd D or ot hy a nd a ll t he r es t o f m y e ne mi es ."
" But I am doi ng all t he wor k, " s ai d Ki ki .
" Ne ve r m in d; y ou 'r e g oi ng t o b e K in g o f O z, " p ro mi se d R ug ge do .
" Wi ll t he b ig L eop ar d l et me b e K ing ?" a sk ed t he b oy an xi ous ly .
T he N om e c am e c lo se t o h im a nd w hi sp er ed :
" If G ug u t he L eo pa rd o pp os es u s, y ou w il l t ra ns fo rm h im i nt o a t re e,a nd t he n h e w il l b e h el pl es s. "
" Of c our se, " a gr ee d K ik i, a nd h e s ai d t o h im se lf : " I s ha ll al sot ra ns fo rm t hi s d ec ei tf ul N om e i nt o a t re e, f or h e l ie s a nd I c an no ttrust him."
9. The I sl e o f t he Ma gi c Fl owe r
The Gl as s Ca t wa s a good gui de and l ed Tr ot and C ap' n B ill b ys tr ai gh t a nd e as y p at hs t hr ou gh a ll t he s et tl ed p ar t o f t heM un ch ki n C ou nt r y, a nd t he n i nt o t he n or th s ec ti on w he re t he rew er e f ew h ou se s, a nd f in al ly t hr ou gh a w il d c ou nt r y w he re t he rew er e no ho us es o r p at hs at a ll . B ut t he w al ki ng w as n otd if fi cu lt an d at l as t t he y c ame t o t he ed ge o f a f or es t a nds to pp ed t he re t o m ak e c am p a nd s le ep u nt il m or ni ng .
F ro m b ra nc he s o f t re es C ap 'n B il l m ad e a t in y h ou se t ha t w as just big enough for the little girl to crawl into and lie down.
B ut f ir st t hey a te s ome o f t he f ood T rot h ad c ar ri ed i n t he b as ket .
" Do n' t y ou w ant s om e, t oo ?" s he as ke d t he G la ss C at .
" N o, " a ns w er e d t h e c r ea t ur e .
" I s up po se y ou 'l l h un t a ro un d a n' c at c h a m ou se ," r em ar ke dC a p' n B i ll .
" Me ? C at ch a mo us e! W hy s ho ul d I d o t ha t?" i nq ui red t he G la ss C at .
" Wh y, t he n y ou c ou ld e at i t, " s ai d t he s ai lo r- ma n.
" I be g t o i nf or m y ou, " r et ur ne d t he c ry st al t ab by , " th at I d on ot e at m ic e. B ei ng t ra ns pa re nt , s o a ny on e c an s ee t hr ou gh m e,I 'd l oo k n ic e, w ou ld n' t I , w it h a c om mo n m ou se i ns id e m e? Bu tt he f ac t i s t ha t I h ave n' t a ny s to ma ch o r o th er m ac hi ne ry t ha tw ou ld p er mi t m e t o e at t hi ng s. T he c ar el es s m ag ic ia n w ho m ad e m ed id n' t t hi nk I 'd n ee d t o e at , I s up po se ."
" Do n' t y ou e ve r g et h un gr y o r t hi rs ty ?" a sk ed T ro t.
" Neve r. I d on 't c om pl ai n, y ou k no w, a t t he w ay I 'm m ad e, f or I've neve r y et s ee n a ny l ivi ng t hi ng a s b ea ut if ul a s I a m. Ih ave t he h an ds om es t b ra in s i n t he w or l d. T he y' r e p in k, a nd y ouc an s ee ' em w or k. "
" I w on de r, " s ai d T ro t t ho ug ht fu ll y, a s s he a te h er b re ad a nd jam, "if MY brains whirl around in the same way yours do."
" No ; n ot t he s am e w ay , s ur el y, " r et ur ne d t he G la ss C at ; " fo r,i n t hat c as e, t hey 'd be a s g ood a s M Y b ra in s, ex ce pt t ha t t he y' reh id de n u nd er a t hi ck , b on ey s ku ll ."
" Br ai ns ," r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l, " is o f a ll k in ds a nd w or kd if fe re nt w ay s. B ut I 've n ot ic ed t ha t t he m a s t hi nk s t ha t t he ir b ra in s i s b es t i s o ft en m is to ok ."
T ro t w as a l it tl e d is tu rb ed b y s ou nd s f ro m t he f or es t, t ha tn ig ht , f or m an y b ea st s s ee me d p ro wl in g a mo ng t he t re es , b ut s hew as c on fi de nt C ap 'n B il l w ou ld p ro te ct h er f ro m h ar m. A nd i nf ac t, n o b ea st ve nt ur ed f ro m t he f or es t t o a tt ac k t he m.
At daybreak they were up again, and after a simple breakfastC ap 'n B il l s ai d t o t he G la ss C at :
" Up a nc ho r, M at e, a nd l et 's f or ge a he ad . I d on 't s up po se w e' ref ar f ro m t ha t M ag ic F lo we r, a re w e? "
" No t f ar ," a ns we re d t he t ra ns pa re nt o ne , a s i t l ed t he w ay i nt othe forest, "but it may take you some time to get to it."
B ef or e l on g t he y r ea ch ed t he b an k o f a r ive r. I t w as n ot ve ryw ide , at t hi s pl ac e, b ut a s t he y f ol lo wed t he b an ks i n an or t he r ly d i re c ti o n i t g r ad ua l ly b r oa de n ed .
S ud de nl y t he b lu e- gr ee n l ea ve s o f t he t r ee s c ha ng ed t o a p ur pl eh ue , a nd T ro t n ot ic ed t hi s a nd s ai d:
" I w on de r w ha t m ad e t he c ol or s c ha ng e l ik e t ha t? "
" It 's b ec au se w e h ave l ef t t he M un ch ki n C ou nt r y a nd e nt er ed t heG il li ki n C ou nt ry ," e xp la in ed t he G la ss C at . " Al so i t' s a s ig no ur j ou rn ey i s n ea rl y e nd ed ."
T he r ive r m ad e a s ud de n t ur n, a nd a ft er t he t r ave le rs h adp as se d a ro un d t he b en d, t he y s aw t ha t t he s tr ea m h ad n ow b ec om eas br oad as a smal l lake, and i n t he c ent er of the Lak e t hey
b eh el d a l it tl e i sl an d, n ot m or e t ha n f if ty f ee t i n e xt en t,e it he r w ay . S om et hi ng g li tt er ed i n t he m id dl e o f t hi s t in yi sl an d, a nd t he Gl as s C at p aus ed o n t he ba nk a nd s ai d:
" Th er e i s t he g ol d f l ow er -p ot c on ta in in g t he M ag ic F lo we r,w hi ch i s ve ry c ur io us a nd b eau ti fu l. I f y ou c an ge t t o t he i sl an d,y ou r t as k i s e nd ed -- ex ce pt t o c ar ry t he t hi ng h om e w it h y ou ."
C ap 'n B il l l oo ke d a t t he b ro ad e xp an se o f w at er a nd b eg an t ow hi st le a l ow , q ua ve ri ng t un e. T ro t k ne w t ha t t he w hi st le m ea ntt ha t C ap 'n B il l w as t hi nk in g, a nd t he o ld s ai lo r d id n' t l oo k a tt he i sl an d as mu ch a s h e l oo ke d at t he t re es up on t he b an k w he ret hey s to od. P re se nt ly h e t oo k f ro m t he bi g po ck et of h is c oa t a na xe -b la de , w ou nd i n a n o ld c lo th t o k ee p t he s ha rp e dg e f ro mc ut ti ng h is c lo th in g. T he n, w it h a l ar ge p oc ke t k ni fe , h e c ut as mal l l imb f rom a t ree a nd w hi tt led i t i nt o a ha ndl e f or hi s a xe .
" Si t d ow n, T ro t, " h e a dvi se d t he g ir l, a s h e w or ke d. " I' ve g otquit e a j ob ahead of me now , f or I 've g ot t o b ui ld u s a r af t. "
" Wh at d o w e n ee d a r af t f or , C ap 'n ?"
" Why , t o t ak e us t o t he is land. We c an't wal k under w at er , int he r ive r b ed , a s t he Gl as s C at d id , s o w e m us t f lo at a to p t he w at er ."
" Ca n y ou m ak e a r af t, C ap 'n B il l? "
" O' c ou rs e, T ro t, i f y ou g ive me ti m e. "
T he l it tl e gi rl s at d ow n o n a l og a nd gaz ed a t t he I sl and of t he M ag ic F lo we r. No th in g e ls e s ee me d t o g ro w o n t he t in y i sl e.Th er e w as no t re e, n o s hr ub, no gr as s, even , a s f ar a s s he c oul dm ak e o ut f rom t ha t d is tan ce. B ut t he g ol d p ot gl it ter ed i n t her ay s o f t he s un , a nd T ro t c ou ld c at ch g li mp se s o f g lo wi ng c ol or sabove i t, a s t he M ag ic F lo we r c ha ng ed f ro m o ne s or t t o a no th er .
" Wh en I w as h er e b ef or e, " r em ar ke d t he G la ss C at , l az il y
r ec li ni ng at t he g ir l' s f ee t, " I s aw t wo K al id ahs o n t hi s ver yb an k, w he re t he y h ad c om e t o d ri nk ."
" Wh at a re K al id ah s? " a sk ed t he g ir l.
" Th e m os t p ow er fu l a nd f er oc io us b ea st s i n a ll O z. T hi s f or es ti s t hei r e sp ec ia l hom e, a nd s o t he re a re f ew o th er b ea st s t o b ef ou nd e xc ep t m on ke ys . T he m on ke ys a re s pr y e no ug h t o k ee p o ut o f t he w ay o f t he f ie rc e K al id ah s, w hi ch a tt ac k a ll o th er a ni ma lsa nd o f te n f i gh t a mo ng t h em s el ve s . "
" Di d t he y t ry t o f igh t y ou w hen y ou s aw ' em? " as ked T ro t,g et t in g ve r y m uc h e x ci t ed .
"Yes . They s pr ang upon me in an i ns tant ; but I lay fl at on t hegr oun d, s o I wo ul dn 't ge t my l egs br ok en by t he g rea t w ei ght of
t he be as ts , a nd w hen t hey t ri ed t o b it e m e I l au gh ed a t t he m an d jeered them until they were frantic with rage, for they nearly
b rok e t he ir t ee th o n my ha rd gl as s. S o, a ft er a t ime , t he yd is co ve re d t he y c ou ld n ot h ur t m e, a nd w en t a wa y. I t w as g re at f un ."
" I h op e t he y d on 't c om e h er e a ga in t o d ri nk ,- -n ot w hi le w e' reh er e, a ny ho w, " r et ur ne d t he g ir l, " fo r I 'm n ot m ad e o f g la ss , n or
i s C ap 'n B il l, a nd i f t hos e b ad b ea st s b it u s, w e' d g et hu rt ."
C ap 'n B il l w as c ut ti ng f ro m t he t re es s om e l on g s ta ke s, m ak in gt hem s har p at one end a nd l eavi ng a c ro tc h a t t he o th er e nd .Th es e w er e t o bi nd t he l og s of h is r af t t og et her . H e hadf as hi on ed s eve ra l a nd w as j us t f i ni sh in g a no th er w he n t he G la ssC at c ri ed : " Lo ok o ut ! T he re 's a K al id ah c om in g t ow ar d u s. "
T ro t j um pe d u p, g re at ly f ri gh te ne d, a nd l oo ke d a t t he t er ri bl ea ni ma l a s i f f as ci na te d b y i ts f ie rc e e ye s, f or t he K al id ah w asl oo ki ng at h er , t oo , an d i ts l ook w as n' t a t a ll f ri en dl y. B utC ap 'n B il l c al le d t o he r: " Wa de i nt o t he r iver , T ro t, u p t o y our k ne es -- an ' s ta y t he re !" a nd s he o be ye d h im a t o nc e. T hes ai lo r- ma n h ob bl ed f or wa rd , t he s ta ke i n o ne h an d a nd h is a xe i nt he o th er , a nd g ot b et we en t he g ir l a nd t he b ea st , w hi ch s pr an gu po n h im w it h a g ro wl o f d ef ia nc e.
C ap 'n B il l m ove d p re tt y s lo wl y, s om et im es , b ut n ow h e w as q ui cka s c ou ld b e. A s t he K al id ah s pr an g t ow ar d h im h e s tuc k o ut h isw ood en l eg an d t he p oi nt of i t s tr uc k t he be as t b et wee n t he ey esa nd s en t i t r ol li ng u po n t he g ro un d. B e fo re i t c ou ld g et u po ni ts f ee t a ga in t he s ai lo r p us he d t he s ha rp s ta ke r ig ht t hr ou ghi ts b od y a nd t he n w it h t he f la t s id e o f t he ax e h e ha mm er ed t hest ake as f ar int o t he gr ound as i t would go. B y thi s means hec ap tu red t he gr eat be as t a nd m ade i t h ar ml es s, f or t ry a s i t
w ou ld , i t c ou ld n ot g et a wa y f ro m t he s ta ke t ha t h el d i t.
C ap 'n B il l k ne w h e c ou ld n ot k il l t he K al id ah , f or n o l ivi ngt hi ng i n Oz c an b e k il le d, s o h e s to od b ac k a nd w at ch ed t he b eas tw ri gg le a nd g ro wl a nd p aw t he e ar th w it h i ts s ha rp c la ws , a ndt he n, s at is fi ed i t c ou ld n ot e sc ap e, he t ol d T ro t t o c om e o ut of t he w at er a ga in a nd d ry h er w et s ho es an d s toc ki ngs i n t he s un .
" Ar e y ou s ur e h e c an 't g et a wa y? " s he a sk ed.
" I' d b et a c oo ki e on i t, " s ai d C ap 'n B il l, s o T ro t c ame a sh or ean d t ook o ff h er s ho es an d s toc ki ng s an d l ai d t he m on t he l og t o
d ry , w hi le t he s ai lo r- ma n r es um ed h is w or k o n t he r af t.
T he K al id ah , r ea li z in g a ft er m an y s t ru gg le s t ha t i t c ou ld n ote sc ap e, n ow b ec am e q ui et , b ut i t s ai d i n a h ar sh , s na rl in g vo ic e:
" I s up pos e y ou t hi nk y ou' re c lever , t o p in m e t o t he gr oun d i n t hi sm an ne r. B ut w he n m y f ri en ds , t he o th er K al id ah s, c om e h er e, t he y' llt ea r y ou t o p ie ces f or t re at in g me t hi s w ay ."
" P' ra ps ," r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l, c oo ll y, a s h e c ho pp ed a t t he l og s," an ' p 'r ap s n ot . W he n a re y ou r f ol ks c om in ' h er e? "
" I d on 't k no w, " a dm it te d t he K al id ah . "B ut w he n t he y D O c om e, y ou
c an 't e sc ap e t h em ."
" If t he y h ol d o ff l on g e no ug h, I 'l l h ave m y r af t r ea dy ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l.
" Wh at ar e y ou go ing t o d o w it h a r af t? " i nq ui red t he b ea st .
" We 'r e g oi n' o ve r t o t ha t i sl an d, t o g et t he M ag ic F lo we r. "
T he hug e b eas t l oo ked at hi m i n s ur pr is e a mo men t, and t hen i t b ega nto laugh. The laugh was a good deal like a roar, and it had a cruel
a nd d er is ive s ou nd , b ut i t w as a l au gh n eve r th el es s .
" Go od !" s ai d t he K al id ah . " Go od ! V er y g oo d! I 'm g la d y ou 'r e g oi ngt o get t he Magic Fl ower . But w hat wi ll y ou do w it h it ?"
" We' re go ing t o t ak e i t t o Oz ma, as a p res en t on he r bi rt hd ay ."
T he K al id ah l au gh ed a ga in ; t he n i t b ec am e s ob er . " I f y ou g et t o t hel an d o n y ou r r af t b ef or e my p eop le c an c at ch y ou ," i t s ai d, " yo u w il lb e s af e f ro m u s. W e c an s wi m l ik e d uc ks , s o t he g ir l c ou ld n' t h avee sc ap ed m e b y ge tt in g i nt o t he w at er ; b ut K al ida hs d on' t g o t o t ha ti s l an d o ve r t h er e ."
" Wh y n ot ?" a sk ed T ro t.
T he b ea st w as s il en t.
" Te ll u s t he r ea so n, " u rg ed C ap 'n B il l.
" We ll , i t' s t he I sl e o f t he M ag ic F lo we r, " a ns we re d t he K al id ah ," an d w e do n' t c ar e muc h f or mag ic . I f y ou h adn 't ha d a ma gi c l eg,i ns te ad o f a m ea t o ne , y ou c ou ld n' t h ave k no ck ed m e o ve r s o e as il y a nds tu ck t hi s w oo de n p in t hr ou gh m e. "
" I' ve b ee n t o t he M ag ic I sl e, " s ai d t he G la ss C at , " an d I 've w at ch ed
t he M ag ic F low er b lo om , an d I 'm s ur e i t' s t oo pr et ty t o be l ef t i nt ha t l on el y p la ce w he re o nl y b ea st s p ro wl a ro un d i t a nd n o e ls e s ee si t. So w e' re g oi ng t o t ak e i t a way t o t he E me ra ld C it y. "
" I d on 't c ar e, " t he b eas t r ep li ed i n a s ur ly t on e. " We K al id ah sw ou ld b e j us t a s c on te nt ed i f t he re w as n' t a f lo we r i n o ur f or es t.W ha t g oo d a re t he t hi ng s a ny ho w? "
" Do n' t y ou l ik e p re tt y t hi ng s? " a sk ed T ro t.
"No."
" Yo u o ug ht t o a dm ir e m y p in k b ra in s, a ny ho w, " d ec la re d t he G la ssC at . " Th ey 'r e b ea ut if ul a nd y ou c an s ee ' em w or k. "
T he b ea st o nl y g ro wl ed i n r ep ly , a nd C ap 'n B il l, h avi ng n ow c ut a llhi s l og s t o a p rop er s iz e, b eg an t o r ol l t he m t o t he w at er 's ed ge an df a st e n t h em t o ge t he r .
10. Stuck Fast
T he day w as ne ar ly g one w he n, at l as t, t he r af t w as r eady .
" It a in 't s o ve ry b ig ," s ai d t he ol d s ai lo r, " but I d on' t w ei ghmu ch , a n' y ou , T rot , d on 't w ei gh h al f a s m uc h a s I d o, an ' t he gl as s
" Bu t i t' s s af e, i sn 't i t? " i nq ui re d t he g ir l.
" Ye s; i t' s g ood e nou gh t o c ar ry us t o t he i sl an d a n' ba ck a gai n, a n't hat 's ab ou t a ll w e c an e xp ec t o f i t. "
S ay in g t hi s, C ap 'n B il l p us he d t he r af t i nt o t he w at er , a nd w he n i tw as a fl oat , s tep pe d u po n i t an d h el d o ut h is h an d t o Tr ot , w ho qu ic kl yf ol lo we d h im . T he G la ss C at b oa rd ed t he r af t l as t o f a ll .
Th e s ai lor ha d c ut a l on g po le, and ha d a ls o w hi tt le d a f lat pa ddl e,a nd w it h t he se h e e as il y p ro pe ll ed t he r af t a cr os s t he r ive r. A s th eya pp r oa c he d t h e i s la n d, t h e W on d er f ul F l ow e r b ec a me m o re p l ai n lyvi si bl e, a nd t he y q ui ck ly d ec id ed t ha t t he G la ss C at h ad n ot p ra is edi t t oo h ig hl y. T he c ol or s o f t he f lo we rs t ha t b lo om ed i n q ui cks uc ce ss io n w er e s t ri k in gl y b ri gh t a nd b ea ut i fu l, a nd t he s ha pe s o f t heb lo ss om s w er e va ri ed a nd c ur io us . I nd ee d, t he y d id n ot r es em bl eo rd in ar y f lo we rs a t a ll .
S o i nt en tl y d id T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l g az e u po n t he G ol de n F lo we r- po tt ha t h el d t he M ag ic F lo we r t ha t t he y s ca rc el y n ot ic ed t he i sl an di ts el f u nt il t he r af t be ac he d u po n i ts s and s. B ut t he n t he gi rle xc la im ed : " Ho w f un ny i t i s, C ap 'n B il l, t ha t n ot hi ng e ls e g ro ws h er ee xc ep ' t he M ag ic F lo we r. "
T he n t he s ai lo r gl anc ed at t he i sl and a nd s aw t ha t i t w as al l ba regr ound , w it ho ut a w eed , a s tone or a bl ade o f gr as s. Tr ot , eage r t oe xa mi ne t he F lo we r c lo se r, s pr an g f ro m t he r af t a nd r an u p t he b an ku nt il s he r ea ch ed t he G ol de n F lo we r- po t. Th en s he s to od b es id e i tm ot io nl es s a nd f il le d w it h w on de r. C ap 'n B il l j oi ne d h er , c om in g m or el ei su re ly , a nd h e, t oo , s to od i n s il en t a dm ir at io n f or a t im e.
" Oz ma w il l l ik e t hi s, " r em ar ke d t he G la ss C at , s it ti ng d ow n t o w at cht he s hi ft in g h ue s o f t he f lo we rs . " I' m s ur e s he w on 't h ave a s f in e ab i rt h da y p r es e nt f r om a n yo n e e l se . "
" Do y ou ' sp os e i t' s ver y heavy , C ap 'n ? A nd c an w e ge t i t ho mew it ho ut b re ak i ng i t ?" a sk ed T r ot a nx i ou sl y.
" We ll , I 've l if te d m an y b ig ge r t hi ng s t ha n t ha t, " h e r ep li ed ; " bu tl et 's s ee w ha t i t w ei gh s. "
H e t ri ed t o t ak e a s te p f or wa rd , b ut c ou ld n ot l if t h is m ea t f oot
f ro m t he g ro un d. H is w oo de n l eg s ee me d f re e e no ug h, b ut t he o th er w ou l d n ot b ud ge .
" I s ee m s tu ck , T ro t, " h e s ai d, w it h a p er pl ex ed l oo k at h is f oo t." It a in 't m ud , a n' i t a in 't g lu e, b ut s om et hi n' s h ol di n' m e d ow n. "
T he g ir l a tt em pt ed t o l if t h er o wn f ee t, t o g o n ea re r t o h er f ri en d,b ut t he g ro und h el d t hem a s f as t as i t h el d C ap' n B il l' s f oot . S het ried to s li de t hem, or t o t wi st them ar ound, but it was no use; shec ou ld n ot m ove e it he r f oo t a h ai r' s b re ad th .
" Th is i s f un ny !" s he e xc la im ed . " Wh at d o y ou ' sp os e h as h ap pe ne d t ou s, C ap 'n B i ll ?"
" I' m t ry in ' t o m ak e o ut ," h e a ns we re d. " Ta ke o ff y ou r s ho es , T ro t.P 'r ap s i t' s t he l ea th er s ol es t ha t' s s tu ck t o t he g ro un d. "
S he l ea ne d d ow n a nd u nl ac ed h er s ho es , b ut f ou nd s he c ou ld n ot p ul lh er f ee t o ut o f t he m. T he G la ss C at , w hi ch w as w al ki ng a ro un d a sn at ur a ll y a s e ve r, n ow s ai d:
" Yo ur f oot h as go t r oo ts t o i t, C ap' n, an d I c an s ee t he r oo ts go in gi nt o t he g ro un d, w he re t he y s pr ea d o ut i n a ll d ir ec ti on s. I t' s t he s am e
w ay w it h T ro t. T ha t' s w hy y ou c an 't m ove . T h e r oo ts h ol d y ou f as t. "
C ap 'n B il l w as r at he r f at a nd c ou ld n' t s ee h is o wn f ee t ve ry w el l,b ut h e s qu at te d d ow n a nd e xa mi ne d T ro t' s f ee t a nd d ec id ed t ha t t heG la ss C at w as r ig ht .
" Th is i s ha rd l uc k, " h e d ec lar ed , i n a vo ic e t ha t s how ed he w asu ne as y a t t he d is co ve ry . " We 'r e p ri s' ne rs , T ro t, o n t hi s f un nyi sl an d, a n' I 'd l ik e t o k no w h ow w e' re e ve r g oi n' t o g et l oo se , s o' sw e c an g et h om e a ga in ."
" No w I k no w w hy t he Ka li dah l au gh ed a t us ," s ai d t he gi rl , " and w hyhe s ai d no ne of t he bea st s ever c am e t o t hi s i sl an d. T he ho rr idc re at ur e k ne w w e' d b e c au gh t, a nd w ou ld n' t w ar n u s. "
I n t he m ea nt im e, t he K al id ah , a lt ho ug h p in ne d f as t t o t he e ar th b yC ap 'n B il l' s s ta ke , w as f ac in g t he i sl an d, a nd n ow t he u gl y e xp re ss io nw hi ch p as se d o ve r i ts f ac e w he n i t d ef ie d a nd s ne er ed a t C ap 'n B il la nd T ro t, h ad c ha ng ed t o o ne o f a mu se me nt a nd c ur io si ty . W he n i t s awt he a dve nt ur er s h ad a ct ua ll y r ea ch ed t he i sl an d a nd w er e s ta nd in gb es id e t he M ag ic F lo we r , i t h ea ve d a b re at h o f s at is fa ct io n- - a l on g, d ee pb re at h t ha t s we ll ed i ts d ee p c he st u nt il t he b ea st c ou ld f ee l t he s ta ket ha t h el d h im m ove a l it tl e, a s i f w it hd ra wi ng i ts el f f ro m t he g ro un d.
" Ah h a! " m ur mu re d t he K al ida h, " a l it tl e m or e o f t hi s w il l s et m e
f re e a nd a ll ow m e t o e sc ap e! "
S o he beg an br ea thi ng as har d as h e c ou ld, puf fi ng o ut hi s c he st asm uc h a s p os si bl e w it h e ac h i nd ra wi ng b re at h, a nd b y d oi ng t hi s h em an ag ed t o r ai se t he s ta ke w it h e ac h p ow er fu l b re at h, u nt il a t l as tt he K al id ah -- us in g t he m us cl es o f h is f ou r l eg s a s w el l a s h is d ee pb re at hs -- fo un d i ts el f f re e o f t he s an dy s oi l. T he s ta ke w as s ti ck in gr ig ht t hr ou gh h im , h ow eve r, s o h e f ou nd a r oc k d ee pl y s et i n t he b an kan d pr es sed t he s har p po int o f t he s tak e up on t he s ur fa ce o f t hi s r oc ku nt il h e h ad d ri ve n i t c le ar t hr ou gh h is b od y. T h en , b y g et ti ng t hes ta ke t an gl ed a mo ng s om e t ho rn y b us he s, a nd w ig gl in g h is b od y, h em an ag ed t o d ra w i t o ut a lt og et he r.
" Th er e! " h e e xc la im ed , " ex ce pt f or t ho se t wo h ol es i n m e, I 'm a sg oo d a s e ve r; b ut I m us t a dm it t ha t t ha t o ld w oo de n- le gg ed f el lo ws ave d b ot h h im se lf a nd t he g ir l b y m ak in g m e a p ri so ne r. "
N ow t he K al id ah s, a lt ho ug h t he m os t d is ag re ea bl e c r ea tu re s i n t heL an d o f O z, w er e n eve rt he le ss m ag ic al i nh ab it an ts o f a m ag ic alF ai ry la nd , a nd i n t he ir n at ur es a c er ta in a mo un t o f g oo d w as m in gl edw it h t he e vi l. T hi s o ne w as n ot ve ry r eve ng ef ul , a nd n ow t ha t h is l at ef oe s w er e i n d an ge r o f p er is hi ng , h is a ng er a ga in st t he m f ad ed a wa y.
" Ou r o wn K al id ah K in g, " h e r ef le ct ed , " ha s c er ta in m ag ic al p ow er s o f h is o wn . P er hap s h e k no ws h ow t o f il l u p t hes e t wo h ol es i n m y b od y. "
S o w it ho ut p ay in g a ny m or e a tt en ti on t o T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l t ha nt he y w er e p ay in g t o h im , h e e nt er ed t he f or es t a nd t ro tt ed a lo ng a
s ec re t p at h t ha t l ed t o t he h id de n l ai r of al l t he K al id ah s.
W hi le t he K al id ah w as m ak in g g oo d i ts e sc ap e C ap 'n B il l t oo k h isp ip e f ro m h is p oc ke t a nd f il le d i t w it h t ob ac co a nd l ig ht ed i t. Th en ,as h e pu ff ed ou t t he s mo ke, h e t ri ed t o t hi nk w ha t c ou ld b e d on e.
" Th e G la ss C at s ee ms a ll r ig ht ," h e s ai d, " an ' m y w oo de n l eg d id n' t
t ak e r oo ts a nd g ro w, e it he r. S o i t' s o nl y f le sh t ha t g et s c au gh t. "
" It 's m ag ic t ha t d oe s i t, C ap 'n !"
" I k no w, T ro t, a nd t ha t' s w hat s ti ck s m e. W e' re l ivi n' i n a ma gi c c ou nt ry ,b ut n ei th er o f u s k no ws a ny m ag ic a n' s o w e c an 't h el p o ur se lve s. "
" Co ul dn 't t he W iz ar d o f O z h el p u s- -o r G li nd a t he G oo d? " a sk ed t helittle girl.
" Ah , n ow w e' re b eg in ni n' t o r ea so n, " h e a ns we re d. " I' d p ro ba bl yt hou gh t o' t ha t, m ys el f, i n a m in ut e m or e. B y go od l uc k t he G las s C atis fr ee, an' s o i t can run bac k t o t he Emer ald Ci ty an' tel l theW iz ar d ab ou t ou r f ix , a n' a sk hi m t o c om e a n' h el p u s g et l oos e. "
" Wi ll y ou g o? " T ro t a sk ed t he c at , s pe ak in g ve ry e ar ne st ly .
" I' m n o m es se ng er , t o b e s en t h er e a nd t he re ," a ss er te d t he c ur io usa ni mal i n a s ul ky t on e o f vo ic e.
" We ll ," s ai d C ap 'n B il l, " yo u' ve g ot t o g o h om e, a ny ho w, ' ca us e y oudon't want t o st ay here, I t ake it . And, w hen you get home, i tw ou ld n' t w or ry y ou m uc h t o t el l t he W iz ar d w ha t' s h ap pe ne d t o u s. "
" Th at 's t ru e, " s ai d t he c at , s it ti ng o n i ts h au nc he s a nd l az il y
w as hi ng i ts f ac e w it h o ne g la ss p aw . " I d on 't m in d t el li ng t heW i za r d- - wh en I g et h o me . "
" Wo n' t y ou go no w? " p lea de d Tr ot . " We d on 't w an t t o s tay he re a nyl on ge r t ha n w e c an h el p, a nd e ve ry bo dy i n O z w il l b e i nt er es te d i ny ou , a nd c al l y ou a h er o, a nd s ay n ic e t hi ngs a bou t y ou be ca us e y ouh el pe d y ou r f ri en ds o ut o f t ro ub le ."
T ha t w as t he b es t w ay t o m an age t he Gl as s C at , w hi ch w as s o vaint h at i t l o ve d t o b e p ra is ed .
" I' m g oi ng h om e r ig ht a wa y, " s ai d t he c re at ur e, " an d I 'l l t el l t he
W iz ar d t o c om e a nd h el p y ou ."
S ay in g t hi s, i t w al ke d d ow n t o t he w at er a nd d is ap pe ar ed u nd er t hes ur fa ce . N o t b ei ng a bl e t o m an ag e t he r af t a lo ne , t he G la ss C atw al ked on t he b ot tom of t he r iver a s i t h ad d on e w he n i t vi si te d t hei sl an d b ef or e, a nd s oo n t he y s aw i t a pp ea r o n t he f ar th er b an k a nd t ro ti nt o t he f or es t, w he re i t w as qu ic kl y l os t t o s ig ht a mo ng t he t re es .
T he n T ro t h ea ve d a d ee p s i gh .
" Ca p' n, " s ai d s he , " we 'r e i n a b ad f ix . T he re 's n ot hi ng h er e t oea t, an d w e c an 't e ve n l ie d ow n t o s le ep. U nl es s t he Gl as s C ath ur ri es , a nd t he W iz ar d h ur ri es , I d on 't k no w w ha t' s g oi ng t o b ec om e
T ha t w as a w on de rf ul g at he ri ng o f w il d a ni ma ls i n t he F or es t o f G ug un ex t s un ri se . R an go , t he G ra y A pe , h ad e ve n c al le d h is m on ke ys en ti ne ls a wa y f ro m t he f or es t e dg e, a nd e ve ry b ea st , l it tl e a nd b ig ,
w as i n t he g re at c le ar in g w he re m ee ti ng s w er e h el d o n o cc as io ns o f great importance.
I n t he c en te r o f t he c le ar in g s to od a g re at s he lvi ng r oc k, h avi ng af la t, i nc li ne d s ur fa ce , a nd o n t hi s s at t he s ta te ly L eo pa rd G ug u, w how as K in g o f t he F or es t. On t he g ro un d b en ea th h im s qu at te d B ru t heB ea r, L oo t he U ni co rn , a nd R an go t he G ra y A pe , t he K in g' s t hr eeC ou ns el or s, a nd i n f ro nt o f t he m s to od t he t wo s tr an ge b ea st s w ho h adc a ll e d t h em s el ve s L i -M o n- E ag s , b u t w e re r e al l y t h e t r an s fo r ma t io n s o f R ug ge do t he N om e, a nd K ik i A ru t he H yu p.
T he n c am e t he b ea st s- -r ow s a nd r ow s a nd r ow s o f t he m! T he s ma ll es tb ea st s w er e n ea re st t he K in g' s r oc k t hr on e; t he n t he re w er e w ol ve s a ndf ox es , l yn xe s a nd h ye na s, a nd t he l ik e; b eh in d t he m w er e g at he re d t hem on ke y t ri be s, w ho w er e h ar d t o k ee p i n o rd er b ec au se t he y t ea se d t heo t he r a n im al s a n d w e re f u ll o f m i sc h ie vo u s t r i c k s . B a c k o f t h em on ke ys w er e t he p um as , j ag ua rs , t ig er s a nd l io ns , a nd t he ir k in d;n ex t t he b ea rs , a ll s iz es a nd c ol or s; a ft er t he m b is on s, w il d a ss es ,z eb ra s a nd u ni co rn s; f ar t he r o n t he r hi no ce ri a nd h ip po po ta mi , a nd a tt he f ar edge of t he for es t, c lose to t he tr ees t hat shut i n t hec le ar in g, w as a r ow o f t hi ck -s ki nn ed e le ph an ts , s ti ll a s s ta tu es b utw it h e ye s b r ig ht a nd i nt el l ig en t.
M an y o th er k in ds o f b ea st s, t oo n um er ou s t o m en ti on , w er e t he re , a nds ome w er e un li ke an y b ea st s w e s ee i n t he m en ag er ies an d z oo s i n ou r
c ou nt ry . S om e w er e f ro m t he m ou nt ai ns w es t o f t he f or es t, a nd s om ef ro m t he pl ai ns at t he e as t, a nd s om e f rom t he r iver ; bu t a ll p res en ta ck no wl ed ge d t he l ea de rs hi p o f G ug u, w ho f or m an y y ea rs h ad r ul ed t he mw is el y a nd f or ce d al l t o o be y t he l aw s.
W he n t he b ea st s h ad t ak en t he ir p la ce s i n t he c le ar in g a nd t her is in g s un w as s ho ot in g i ts f ir st b ri gh t r ay s o ve r t he t re et op s, K in gG ug u r os e o n h is t hr on e. T he L eo pa rd 's g ia nt f or m, t ow er in g a bo ve a llt he o th er s, c au se d a s ud de n h us h t o f al l o n t he a ss em bl ag e.
" Br ot he rs ," h e s ai d i n h is d ee p vo ic e, " a s tr an ge r h as c om e a mo ngus, a beas t of c ur ious for m who i s a gr eat magi cian and is able t o
c han ge t he s hap es o f me n o r be as ts a t hi s w il l. T hi s s tr an ger h ascome t o us , wi th anot her of hi s ki nd, fr om out of t he sk y, to war n usof a dan ge r w hi ch t hr eat en s us al l, an d t o o ff er u s a w ay t o es ca pef rom t ha t da nge r. H e s ay s h e i s ou r f ri en d, a nd he has pr ove d t o m ea nd t o m y C ou ns el or s h is m ag ic p ow er s. W il l y ou l is te n t o w ha t h e h ast o s ay t o y ou -- to t he me ss age he ha s b rou ght f ro m t he s ky ?"
" Le t h im s pea k! " c am e i n a gr eat r oar f rom t he g rea t c omp any of assembled beasts.
S o R ug ge do t he N om e s pr an g u po n t he f la t r oc k b es id e G ug u t he K in g,a nd a no th er r oa r, g en tl e t hi s t i me , s ho we d h ow a st on is he d t he b ea st sw er e a t t he s ig ht o f h is c ur io us f or m. H i s l io n' s f ac e w as s ur ro un de d
by a m ane of pu re w hi te ha ir ; hi s e agl e's w ings w er e a tt ac hed t o t hes ho ul de rs o f h is m on ke y b od y a nd w er e s o l on g t ha t t he y n ea rl y t ou ch edt he g ro un d; h e h ad p ow er fu l a rm s a nd l eg s i n a dd it io n t o t he w in gs ,
an d at t he e nd o f hi s l ong , s tr ong t ai l w as a g ol den b al l. N ever hada ny b ea st b eh el d s uc h a c ur io us c re at ur e b ef or e, a nd s o t he ve ry s ig htof t he s tr an ge r, w ho w as s ai d t o be a gr ea t mag ic ia n, f il led al lp re se nt w it h a we a nd w on de r.
K ik i s ta yed d ow n be lo w an d, h al f hi dde n by t he s he lf o f r oc k, w ass ca rc el y n ot ic ed . T he b oy r ea li ze d t ha t t he o ld N om e w as h el pl es s
w it ho ut h is m ag ic p ow er , b ut h e a ls o r ea li ze d t ha t R ug ge do w as t heb es t t al ke r. S o he w as w il li ng t he N ome s hou ld t ak e t he l ea d.
" Be as ts o f t he F or es t o f G ug u, " b eg an R ug ge do t he N om e, " my c om ra dean d I a re y our f ri ends . We ar e ma gi ci ans , and f rom o ur h ome i n t hes ky w e c an l oo k d ow n i nt o t he La nd o f Oz a nd s ee eve ry th in g t ha t i sgo ing on. A ls o w e c an hea r w hat t he pe opl e be low u s ar e s ay ing . Th ati s how w e h ea rd Oz ma, w ho r ul es t he La nd of Oz , s ay t o h er pe opl e:'The beasts in the Forest of Gugu ar e lazy and ar e of no use t o us.L et us g o t o t he ir f or es t a nd ma ke t he m a ll o ur pr is one rs . L et us t iet he m w it h r op es , a nd b ea t t he m w it h s ti ck s, u nt il t he y w or k f or u s a ndb ec om e o ur w il li ng s la ve s. ' A nd w he n t he p eo pl e h ea rd O zm a o f O z s ayt hi s, t he y w er e g lad a nd r ai se d a gr ea t s hou t an d s ai d: ' We w il l d oi t! W e w il l ma ke t he b eas ts o f t he Fo res t o f Gu gu o ur s la ves !'"
T he w ic ked ol d N ome c oul d s ay no m or e, j us t t he n, f or s uc h a f ie rc er oa r o f a ng er r os e f ro m t he m ul ti tu de o f b ea st s t ha t h is vo ic e w asd ro wn ed b y t he c la mo r. F in al ly t he r oa r d ie d a wa y, l ik e d is ta ntt hu nd er , a nd R ug ge do t he N om e w en t o n w it h h is s pe ec h.
" Havi ng h ea rd t he O z p eo pl e p lo t a ga in st y ou r l ib er ty , w e w at ch ed t os ee w ha t t he y w ou ld d o, a nd s aw t he m a ll b eg in m ak in g r op es -- ro pe sl on g a nd s ho rt -- wi th w hi ch t o s na re o ur f ri en ds t he b ea st s. Y ou a rea ng ry , b ut w e a ls o w er e a ng ry , f or w he n t he O z p eo pl e b ec am e t hee ne mi es o f t he b ea st s t he y a ls o b ec am e o ur e ne mi es ; f or w e, t oo , a re
b ea st s, al th ou gh w e l ive i n t he s ky . A nd m y c om ra de a nd I s ai d: ' Wew il l s ave o ur f ri en ds a nd h ave r eve ng e o n t he O z p eo pl e, ' a nd s o w ec am e he re t o t el l y ou of y our dan ger and of our pl an t o s ave y ou ."
" W e c a n s a ve o ur s el ve s, " c r ie d a n o l d E le ph an t . " W e c an f i gh t. "
" Th e O z p eo pl e a re f ai ri es , a nd y ou c an 't f ig ht a ga in st m ag ic u nl es sy ou a ls o h ave m ag ic ," a ns we re d t he N om e.
" Te ll u s y ou r p la n! " s ho ut ed t he h ug e T ig er , a nd t he o th er b ea st se ch oe d h is w or ds , c ry in g: " Te ll u s y ou r p la n. "
" My p la n i s s im pl e, " r ep li ed R ug ge do . " By o ur m ag ic w e w il lt ra ns fo rm a ll y ou a ni ma ls i nt o m en a nd w om en -- li ke t he O z p eo pl e- - an dw e w il l t ran sf or m al l t he O z pe opl e i nt o be as ts . Y ou c an t he n l ive i nthe fine houses of the Land of Oz, and eat the fine food of the Ozp eo pl e, a nd w ea r t he ir f in e c lo th es , a nd s in g a nd d an ce a nd b e h ap py .
And the Oz people, having become beasts, will have to live here in thef or es t a nd h un t a nd f ig ht f or f oo d, a nd o ft en g o h un gr y, a s y ou n owdo, and have no place to sleep but a bed of leaves or a hole in t heg ro un d. H avi ng b ec om e m en a nd w om en , y ou b ea st s w i ll h ave a l l t hec om fo rt s y ou d es ir e, a nd h avi ng b ec om e b ea st s, t he O z p eo pl e w il l b eve ry m is er ab le . T hat i s o ur p la n, a nd i f y ou ag ree t o i t, w e w il l a llm ar ch a t o nc e i nt o t he L an d o f O z a nd q ui ck ly c on qu er o ur e ne mi es ."
W he n t he s tr an ge r c ea se d s pe ak in g, a g re at s il en ce f el l o n t hea ss em bl ag e, f or t he b ea st s w er e t hi nk in g o f w ha t h e h ad s ai d. F in al lyo ne o f t he w al ru se s a sk ed :
" Ca n y ou r ea ll y t ra ns fo rm b ea st s i nt o m en , a nd m en i nt o b ea st s? "
" He c an -- he c an !" c ri ed L oo t he U ni co rn , p ra nc in g u p a nd d ow n i n a ne xc it ed m an ne r. " He t ra ns fo rm ed M E, o nl y l as t e ve ni ng , a nd h e c ant r an sf or m u s a ll . "
G ug u t he K in g n ow s te pp ed f or wa rd .
" Yo u h ave h ea rd t he s tr an ge r s pe ak ," s ai d h e, " an d n ow y ou m us t a ns we r h im .I t is f or you t o dec ide. Shall we agr ee to this plan, or not ?"
" Ye s! " s ho ut ed s om e o f t he a ni ma ls .
" N o! " s h ou t ed o t he r s.
And some were yet silent.
G ug u l oo ke d a ro un d t he g re at c ir cl e.
" Ta ke m or e t im e t o t hi nk ," h e s ug ge st ed . " Yo ur a ns we r i s ve ryi mp or ta nt . U p t o t hi s t im e w e h ave h ad no t ro ubl e w it h t he Oz p eopl e,b ut w e a re p rou d a nd f re e, a nd ne ve r w il l b ec om e s la ve s. T hi nkc ar ef ul ly , a nd w he n y ou a re r ea dy t o a ns we r, I w il l h ea r y ou ."
12. Kiki Uses His Magic
T he n a ro se a g re at c on fu si on o f s ou nd s a s a ll t he a ni ma ls b eg ant al ki ng t o t he ir f el l ow s. T h e m on ke ys c ha tt er ed a nd t he b ea rs g ro wl ed
a nd t he vo ic es o f t he j ag ua rs a nd l io ns r um bl ed , a nd t he w ol ve s y el pe da nd t he e le ph an ts h ad t o t ru mp et l ou dl y t o m ak e t he ir vo ic es h ea rd .S uc h a h ub bu b h ad n eve r b ee n k no wn i n t he f or es t b ef or e, a nd e ac h b ea sta rg ue d w it h h is n ei gh bo r u nt il i t s ee me d t he n oi se w ou ld n eve r c ea se .
R ugg ed o t he N om e w ave d h is a rm s a nd f lu tt er ed h is w in gs t o t ry t om ak e t he m l is te n t o h im ag ai n, bu t t he be as ts p ai d n o a tt en ti on . S om ew an te d t o f ig ht t he O z p eo pl e, s om e w an te d t o b e t ra ns fo rm ed , a nd s om ew an te d t o d o n ot hi ng a t a ll .
T he g ro wl in g a nd c on fu si on h ad g ro wn g re at er t ha n e ve r w he n i n af la sh s il en ce f el l o n a ll t he b ea st s p re se nt , t he a rg um en ts w er e
h us he d, a nd a ll g az ed i n a st on is hm en t a t a s tr an ge s ig ht .
F or i nt o t he c ir cl e s tr od e a g re at L io n- -b ig ge r a nd m or e p ow er fu lt ha n a ny o th er l io n t he re -- an d o n h is b ac k r od e a l it tl e g ir l w hos mi le d f ea rl es sl y a t t he m ul ti tu de o f b ea st s. A nd b eh in d t he L io n a ndt he l it tl e g ir l c am e a no th er b ea st - -a m on st r ou s T ig er , w ho b or e u po nh is b ac k a f unn y l it tl e ma n c ar ry in g a b la ck b ag . R ig ht p as t t he r ow so f w on de ri ng b ea st s t he s tr an ge a ni ma ls w al ke d, a dva nc in g u nt i l t he ys to od j us t b ef or e t he r oc k t hr on e o f G ug u.
T he n t he l it tl e g ir l a nd t he f un ny l it tl e m an d is mo un te d, a nd t heg re at L io n d em an de d i n a l ou d vo i ce :
" Wh o i s K in g i n t hi s f or es t? "
" I a m! " a ns we re d G ug u, l oo ki ng s te ad il y a t t he o th er . " I a m G ug u
t he L eo par d, an d I a m K in g o f t hi s f or es t. "
" Th en I g re et Y ou r M aj es ty w it h g re at r es pe ct ," s ai d t he L io n." Pe rh ap s y ou h ave h ea rd o f m e, G ug u. I a m c al le d t he ' Co wa rd ly L io n, 'a nd I a m K ing o f al l B eas ts , t he w or ld o ve r. "
G ug u 's e y es f l as h ed a n gr i ly .
" Ye s, " s ai d h e, " I h ave hea rd o f y ou . Y ou h ave l ong c lai med t o beK in g o f B ea st s, b ut no be as t w ho i s a c ow ar d c an b e K in g o ve r me ."
" He i sn 't a c ow ar d, Y ou r M aj es ty ," a ss er te d t he l it tl e g ir l, " He 's just cowardly, that's all."
Gu gu l oo ke d a t he r. A ll t he o th er be as ts w er e l ook ing a t h er , t oo .
" Wh o a re y ou ?" a sk ed t he K in g.
" Me ? O h, I 'm j us t D or ot hy ," s he a ns we re d.
" Ho w d ar e y ou c om e h er e? " d em an de d t he K in g.
" Why , I 'm no t a fr ai d t o go an yw he re, i f t he C ow ar dl y L ion i s wi thme, " s he s ai d. " I k now hi m pr et ty w ell , and s o I c an t rus t him. He'sa lw ay s a fr ai d, w he n w e g et i nt o t ro ub le , a nd t ha t' s w hy h e' s c ow ar dl y;bu t he' s a t er ri bl e f ig ht er , an d t ha t' s w hy h e i sn' t a c ow ar d. H ed oe sn 't l ik e t o f ig ht , y ou k no w, b ut w hen h e H AS t o, t he re i sn' t a nyb ea s t l i vi ng t ha t c an c on qu er h im ."
G ug u t he K in g l oo ke d a t t he b ig , p ow er fu l f or m o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n,a nd k new s he s pok e t he t ru th . A ls o t he ot he r Li on s o f t he f or es t n owc am e f or wa rd a nd b ow ed l ow b ef or e t he s tr an ge L io n.
" We w el co me Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d o ne . " W e h ave k no wn y ou m an y y ea rsag o, be for e y ou w ent t o l ive at t he E mer al d C it y, an d w e ha ve s een y ouf ig ht t he t er ri bl e K al id ah s a nd c on qu er t he m, s o w e k no w y ou a re t heK in g o f a ll B ea st s. "
" It i s t rue ," r ep li ed t he C ow ar dl y Li on ; " bu t I d id no t c ome h er e t or ul e t he be as ts of t hi s f or es t. Gu gu i s K ing h er e, a nd I b el ie ve heis a good King and j us t and wi se. I c ome, w it h my f ri ends , to be t heg ue st o f G ug u, a nd I h op e w e a re w el co me ."
T ha t p le as ed t he g re at L eo pa rd , w ho s ai d ve r y q u ic k ly :
" Ye s; y ou, a t l ea st , a re w el co me t o m y f or es t. B ut w ho a re t he ses t r an g er s w i t h y o u? "
" Do ro th y h as i nt r od uc ed h er se lf ," r ep li ed t he L io n, " an d y ou a res ur e t o l ik e he r w he n y ou k now he r b et te r. Th is ma n i s t he W iz ar d o f Oz , a f ri en d of mi ne w ho c an do w ond er ful t ri ck s o f ma gi c. A nd h er ei s m y t rue and t ri ed f ri en d, t he H ung ry T iger , w ho l ives w it h m e i nt h e E me r al d C i ty . "
" Is h e A LW AY S h un gr y? " a sk ed L oo t he U ni co rn .
" I a m, " r ep li ed t he T ig er , a ns we ri ng t he q ue st io n h im se lf . " I a m
a lw ay s h un gr y f or f at b ab ie s. "
" Ca n' t y ou f in d a ny f at b ab ie s i n O z t o e at ?" i nq ui re d L oo , t he U ni co rn .
" Th er e a re p le nt y o f t he m, o f c ou rs e, " s ai d t he T ig er , " bu tu nf or tu na tel y I h ave s uc h a t en de r c on sc ie nc e t ha t i t w on 't a ll ow m et o eat ba bi es . S o I 'm al wa ys hu ngr y f or 'e m an d n eve r c an e at ' em ,b ec au se m y c on sc ie nc e w on 't l et m e. "
N ow o f al l t he s ur pr is ed be as ts i n t ha t c le ar in g, n ot o ne w as s o
m uc h s ur pr is ed a t t he s ud de n a pp ea ra nc e o f t he se f ou r s tr an ge rs a sR ug ge do t he N om e. H e w as f ri gh te ne d, t oo , f or h e r ec og ni ze d t he m a sh is m os t p ow er fu l e ne mi es ; b ut h e a ls o r ea li ze d t ha t t he y c ou ld n otk no w h e w as t he f or me r K in g o f t he N om es , b ec au se o f t he b ea st 's f or mh e w or e, w hi ch d is gu is ed h im s o e ff ec tu al ly . S o h e t oo k c ou ra ge a ndr es ol ve d t ha t t he W iz ar d a nd D or o th y s ho ul d n ot d ef ea t h is p la ns .
I t w as h ar d t o t el l, j us t y et , w ha t t he va st a ss em bl ag e o f be as tst ho ug ht o f t he n ew a rr iva ls . S om e g la re d a ng ri ly a t t he m, b ut m or e o f t he m s ee me d t o b e c ur i ou s a nd w on de ri ng . A ll w er e i nt er es te d,howeve r, a nd t he y k ep t ve ry q ui et a nd l is te ne d c ar ef ul ly t o a ll t ha tw as s a id .
K ik i A ru , w ho h ad r em ai ne d u nn ot ic ed i n t he s ha do w o f t he r oc k, w asa t f ir st m or e a la rm ed b y t he c om in g o f t he s tr an ge rs t ha n e ven Rug gedow as , a nd t he b oy t ol d h im se lf t ha t u nl es s h e a ct ed q ui ck ly a nd w it ho utw ai ti ng t o a sk t he a dvi ce o f t he o ld N om e, t he ir c on sp ir ac y w as l ik el yt o b e d is co ve re d a nd a ll t he ir p la ns t o c on qu er a nd r ul e O z b ed ef ea te d. K ik i d id n' t l ik e t he w ay R ug ge do a ct ed e it he r, f or t hef or me r K in g o f t he N om es w an te d t o d o e ve ry th in g h is o wn w ay , a nd m ad et he b oy , w ho a lo ne p os s es se d t he p ow er o f t r an sf or ma ti on s, o be y h isor der s as i f he w er e a s lave .
Another thing that disturbed Kiki Aru was the fact that a realW iz ar d h ad a rr ive d, w ho w as s ai d t o p os se ss m an y m ag ic al p ow er s, a nd
t hi s W iz ar d c ar ri ed h is t oo ls i n a bl ac k b ag, a nd w as t he f ri en d o f t he O z p eo pl e, a nd s o w ou ld p ro ba bl y t ry t o p re ve nt w ar b et we en t hebe as ts of t he f or es t an d t he peo pl e of Oz .
All these things passed through the mind of the Hyup boy while theC ow ar dl y L io n a nd G ug u t he K in g w er e t al ki ng t og et he r, a nd t ha t w asw hy h e n ow b eg an t o d o s eve ra l s tr an ge t hi ng s.
H e h ad f ou nd a p la ce , n ea r t o t he p oi nt w he re h e s to od , w he re t he rewas a deep hollow i n the r oc k, so he put his face i nt o this hol low andw hi sp er ed s of tl y, s o h e w ou ld n ot b e h ea rd :
" I w an t t he W iz ar d o f O z t o b ec om e a f ox -- Py rz qx gl !"
T he W iz ar d, w ho h ad s t oo d s mi l in gl y b es id e h is f r ie nd s, s ud de nl yf elt his f or m change t o that of a f ox , and his bl ac k bag fell t o thegr ound . K ik i r ea che d ou t a n ar m an d s ei zed t he ba g, an d t he Fo x c ri edas loud as i t c ould:
" Tr ea so n! T he re 's a t ra it or h er e w it h m ag ic p ow er s! "
E ve ry on e w as s ta rt le d a t t hi s c ry , a nd D or ot hy , s ee in g h er o ldf r ie nd 's p li gh t, s c re am ed a nd e xc l ai me d: " Me rc y m e! "
B ut t he ne xt i ns ta nt t he l it tl e g ir l' s f or m ha d c han ged t o t ha t o f a
l am b w it h f le ec y w hi te w oo l, a nd D or ot hy w as t oo b ew il de re d t o d oa ny th in g b ut l oo k a ro un d h er i n w on de r.
T he C ow ar dl y L io n' s e ye s n ow f la sh ed f ir e; h e c ro uc he d l ow a ndl as he d t he g ro un d w it h h is t ai l a nd g az ed a ro un d t o d is co ve r w ho t het re ac he rou s m ag ic ia n mi gh t b e. B ut K ik i, w ho h ad k ept hi s f ac e i n t heh ol lo w r oc k, a ga in w hi sp er ed t he m ag ic w or d, a nd t he g re at l io nd is ap pe ar ed a nd i n h is p la ce s to od a l it tl e b oy d re ss ed i n M un ch ki nc os tu me . T he l it tl e M unc hk in b oy w as as an gr y a s t he l io n h ad b ee n,b ut h e w as s ma ll a nd h el pl es s.
R ug ge do t he N om e s aw w ha t w as h ap pe ni ng a nd w as a fr ai d K ik i w ou lds po il a ll h is p la ns , s o h e l ea ne d o ve r t he r oc k a nd s ho ut ed : " St op ,Kiki--stop!"
K ik i w ou ld n ot s t op , h ow eve r. I n st ea d, h e t ra ns fo rm ed t he N om e i nt oa g oo se , t o R ug ge do 's h or ro r a nd d is ma y. B ut t he H un gr y T ig er h adw it ne ss ed a ll t he se t r an sf or ma ti on s, a nd h e w as w at c hi ng t o s ee w hi cho f t ho se p re se nt w as t o b la me f or t he m. Wh en R ug ge do s po ke t o K ik i,t he H un gr y Ti ge r k new t hat h e w as t he mag ic ian, s o h e ma de a s ud dens pr in g a nd h ur le d h is g re at b od y f ul l u po n t he f or m o f t he L i- Mo n- Ea gc ro uc hi ng a ga in st t he r oc k. K ik i d id n' t s ee t he T ig er c om in g b ec au seh is f ac e w as s ti ll i n t he h ol lo w, a nd t he h ea vy bod y of t he t iger bo reh im t o t he e ar th j us t a s h e s ai d " Py rz qx gl !" f or t he f if th t im e.
S o now t he t iger w hi ch w as c rus hi ng h im c han ge d t o a r abb it , an dr el ie ve d o f i t s w ei gh t, K ik i s pr an g u p a nd , s pr ea di ng h is e ag le 'sw in gs , f le w i nt o t he b ra nc he s o f a t re e, w he re n o b ea st c ou ld e as il yr ea ch hi m. H e w as n ot a n i ns ta nt t oo qu ic k i n d oi ng t hi s, f or Gu gut he K ing ha d c rouc hed on t he r oc k' s ed ge and w as abo ut t o s pr in g ont he b oy .
F ro m h is t re e K ik i t ra ns fo rm ed G ug u i nt o a f at G il li ki n w om an , a ndl au gh ed a lo ud t o s ee h ow t he w om an p ra nc ed w it h r ag e, a nd h owa st on is he d a ll t he b ea st s w er e a t t he ir K in g' s n ew s ha pe .
T he b ea st s w er e f r ig ht en ed , t oo , f ea ri ng t he y w ou ld s ha re t he f at eo f G ug u, s o a s ta mp ed e b eg an w he n R an go t he Gr ay A pe s pr an g i nt o t hef or es t, a nd B ru t he B ea r a nd L oo t he U ni co rn f ol lo we d a s q ui ck ly a st he y c ou ld . T he e le ph an ts b ac ke d i nt o t he f or es t, a nd a ll t he o th er a ni ma ls , b ig a nd l it t le , r us he d a ft er t he m, s c at t er i ng t hr ou gh t he
jungles until the clearing was far behind. The monkeys scrambled intot he t re es a nd s wu ng t he ms el ve s f ro m l im b t o l im b, t o a vo id be in gt ra mp le d u po n b y t he b ig ge r b ea st s, a nd t he y w er e s o q ui ck t ha t t he yd is ta nc ed a ll t he r es t. A p an ic o f f ea r s ee me d t o h ave o ve rt ak en t hef or es t p eo pl e a nd t he y g ot a s f ar a wa y f ro m t he t er ri bl e M ag ic ia n a st h ey p os s ib l y c o ul d.
B ut t he t r an sf or me d o ne s s ta ye d i n t he c le ar i ng , b ei ng s o a st on is he da nd b ew il de re d b y t he ir n ew s ha pe s t ha t t he y c ou ld o nl y l oo k a t o nea no th er i n a d az ed a nd h el pl es s f as hi on , a lt ho ug h e ac h o ne w as g re at lya nn oy ed a t t he t ri ck t ha t ha d b ee n pl ay ed o n hi m.
" Wh o a re y ou ?" t he M un ch ki n b oy a sk ed t he R ab bi t; a nd " Wh o a re y ou ?"t he F ox a sk ed t he La mb; a nd " Who ar e y ou ?" t he R ab bi t as ke d t he f atGillikin woman.
" I 'm D or ot hy , " s ai d t he w oo ll y L am b.
" I' m t he W iz ar d, " s ai d t he F ox .
" I' m t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " s ai d t he M un ch ki n b oy .
" I' m t he H un gr y T ig er , " s ai d t he R ab bi t.
" I' m G ug u t he K in g, " s ai d t he f at W om an .
B ut w he n t he y a sk ed t he G oo se w ho h e w as , R ug ge do t he N om e w ou ld n ott e ll t h em .
" I' m j us t a G oo se ," h e r ep li ed , " an d w ha t I w as b ef or e, I c an no t r em em be r. "
13. The Loss of t he Black Bag
K ik i A ru , i n t he f or m o f t he L i- Mo n- Ea g, h ad s cr am bl ed i nt o t heh igh , t hi ck b ran ch es of t he t ree , s o n o on e c oul d s ee hi m, an d t he reh e o pe ne d t he W iz ar d' s b la ck b ag , w hi ch h e h ad c ar ri ed a wa y i n h isf li gh t. H e w as c ur io us t o s ee w ha t t he W iz ar d' s m ag ic t oo ls l oo ke dl ik e, an d h ope d h e c oul d us e s ome of t hem a nd s o s ec ur e m or e po wer ;bu t af ter he h ad t ak en t he a rt ic le s, o ne b y on e, f rom t he bag , he ha dt o a dm it t he y w er e p uz zl es t o h im . F or , u nl es s h e u nd er st oo d t he ir us es , t he y w er e of n o value w hat eve r. K ik i A ru, t he H yu p b oy , w as n ow iz ar d o r m ag ic ia n a t a ll , a nd c ou ld d o n ot hi ng u nu su al e xc ep t t o u set he Ma gi c W or d he ha d s to len f ro m h is f at he r on M oun t Mu nc h. S o hehu ng t he W iz ar d' s bl ac k ba g o n a br an ch of t he t ree an d t hen c li mbedd ow n t o t he l ow er l im bs t ha t h e m ig ht s ee w ha t t he vi c ti ms o f h istransformations were doing.
T he y w er e al l o n t op of t he f lat r oc k, t al ki ng t og et he r i n t one s s ol ow t hat K ik i c ou ld n ot h ea r w hat t he y s ai d.
" Th is i s c er ta in ly a m is fo rt un e, " r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d i n t he F ox 's
f or m, " bu t o ur t ra ns fo rm at io ns a re a s or t o f e nc ha nt me nt w hi ch i s ve ryeas y t o br eak -- when y ou k now how and ha ve t he t oo ls t o d o i t w it h.The tools ar e in my B lack Bag; but w her e i s the Bag?"
N o o ne k ne w t ha t, f or n on e ha d s een K ik i A ru f ly a wa y w it h i t.
" Let 's l ook a nd s ee i f w e c an f in d i t, " s ug ge st ed D or ot hy t he L amb .
S o t hey l ef t t he r oc k, an d al l o f t hem s ear ch ed t he c lea rn in g hi gha nd l ow w it ho ut f in di ng t he B ag o f M ag ic T oo ls . T he G oo se s ea rc he d a se ar nes tl y a s t he o the rs , f or i f h e c oul d di sc over i t, he me ant t o h id ei t w he re t he W iz ar d c ou ld n eve r f in d i t, b ec au se i f t he W iz ar d c ha ng ed
hi m b ac k t o hi s pr ope r f or m, al ong w it h t he o the rs , he w ou ld t he n b er ec og ni ze d a s R ug ge do t he N om e, a nd t he y w ou ld s en d h im o ut o f t heLa nd o f O z a nd s o r ui n al l hi s ho pe s o f c onq ue st .
R ug ge do w as n ot r ea ll y s or ry , n ow t ha t h e t ho ug ht a bo ut i t, t ha tK ik i h ad t ra ns fo rm ed a ll t he se O z f ol ks . T he f or es t b ea st s, i t w ast ru e, h ad b ee n s o f ri gh te ne d t ha t t he y w ou ld n ow n eve r c on se nt t o b et r an sf or me d i nt o m en , b ut K ik i c ou ld t r an sf or m t he m a ga in st t he ir w il l, a nd on ce t hey w er e al l i n hu ma n f or ms , i t w oul d no t bei mp os si bl e t o i nd uc e t he m t o c on qu er t he O z p eo pl e.
S o a ll w as no t l os t, t ho ug ht t he ol d N ome , a nd t he be st t hi ng f or hi m to do was to rejoin the Hyup boy who had t he secr et of t he
t r an sf or m at i on s. S o, h avi ng m ad e s ur e t he W iz ar d' s b la ck b ag w as n oti n t he c le ar in g, t he G oo se w an de re d a wa y t hr ou gh t he t re es w he n t heo th er s w er e n ot l oo ki ng , a nd w he n o ut o f t he ir h ea ri ng , h e b eg an
c al li ng , " Ki ki A ru ! K ik i A ru ! Q ua ck -- qu ac k! K ik i A ru !"
T he B oy an d t he W oma n, t he Fo x, t he L am b, an d t he R abb it , n ot be ing a bl et o f in d t he b ag , w en t b ac k t o t he r oc k, a ll f ee li ng e xc ee di ng ly s tr an ge .
" W he r e' s t he G oo s e? " a sk ed t he W i za r d.
" He m us t h ave r un a wa y, " r ep li ed D or ot hy . " I w on de r w ho h e w as ?"
" I t hi nk ," s ai d G ugu t he K in g, w ho w as t he f at W om an , " tha t t heG oo se w as t he s tr an ge r w ho p ro po se d t ha t w e m ak e w ar u po n t he O zp eo pl e. I f s o, h is t ra ns fo rm at io n w as m er el y a t ri ck t o d ec ei ve u s ,a nd h e h as n ow g on e t o j oi n h is c om ra de , t ha t w ic ke d L i- Mo n- Ea g w hoo be y ed a ll h is c om ma nd s. "
" Wha t s ha ll w e d o n ow ?" as ke d D or ot hy . " Sh al l w e go ba ck t o t heE me ral d C it y, as w e a re , an d t he n vi si t Gl in da t he Go od a nd as k he r t ob r ea k t h e e n ch a nt m en t s? "
" I t hi nk s o, " r epl ie d t he W iz ar d F ox . " An d w e c an t ak e G ug u t heK in g w it h us , a nd ha ve G li nd a r es to re h im t o h is na tur al s ha pe. B ut Iha te t o l ea ve m y B ag of Ma gi c T oo ls be hi nd me , f or w it hou t i t I s ha lllos e much of my pow er as a Wiz ard. Al so, if I go back t o the Emer aldCit y in t he shape of a Fox , t he Oz people will t hi nk I 'm a poor Wi zarda nd w il l l os e t he ir r es pe ct f or m e. "
" Le t u s m ak e s ti ll a no th er s ea rc h f or y ou r t oo ls ," s ug ge st ed t heC ow ar dl y L io n, " an d t he n, i f w e f ai l t o f in d t he B la ck B ag a ny wh er e i nt hi s f or es t, w e m us t g o ba ck ho me a s w e a re ."
" Wh y d id y ou c om e h er e, a ny wa y? " i nq ui r ed G ug u.
" We w an te d t o b or ro w a d oz en m on ke ys , t o u se o n O zm a' s b ir th da y, "e xp la in ed t he W iz ar d. " We w er e g oi ng t o m ak e t he m s ma ll , a nd t ra int he m t o d o t ri ck s, a nd p ut t he m i ns id e O zm a' s b ir th da y c ak e. "
" We ll ," s ai d t he F or es t K in g, " you w ou ld ha ve t o ge t t he c on se nt o f R an go t he G ray A pe , t o d o t hat . H e c omm and s a ll t he t ri bes o f m onk ey s. "
" I' m a fr ai d i t' s t oo l at e, n ow ," s ai d D or ot hy , r eg re tf ul ly . " It w asa s pl en di d p la n, b ut w e' ve g ot t ro ub le s o f o ur o wn , a nd I d on 't l ik eb ei ng a l am b a t a ll ."
" Yo u' r e n ic e a nd f uz z y, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n.
" T ha t 's n o th i ng , " d ec l ar e d D o ro t hy . " I 've n eve r b e en ' s pe c ia l lypr oud of my sel f, bu t I 'd r at her be t he w ay I wa s bor n t han any thi nge ls e i n t he w ho le w or ld ."
T he G la ss C at , a lt ho ug h i t h ad s om e d is ag re ea bl e w ay s a nd m an ne rs ,n eve rt he le ss r ea li ze d t ha t T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l w er e i ts f r ie nd s a nd s ow as qu it e d is tur bed at t he f ix i t ha d g ot ten t hem i nt o b y l ea di ng t he mt o t he I sl e o f t he M ag ic F lo wer . Th e r uby he ar t o f t he G las s C at w ascol d and har d, but st il l it w as a hear t, and to have a heart of anys o rt i s t o h a ve s om e c on si de ra ti on f or o th er s . B ut t he q ue er t ra ns pa re nt c re at ur e d id n' t w an t T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l t o k no w i t w as
s or ry f or t he m, a nd t he re fo re i t m ove d ve ry s lo wl y u nt il i t h adc ro ss ed t he r iver an d w as o ut of s igh t a mo ng t he t ree s o f t he f or es t.T he n i t h ea de d s tr ai gh t t ow ar d t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd t ro tt ed s o f as t
that it was like a crystal streak crossing the valleys and plains.B ei ng g las s, t he c at w as t ir el es s, a nd w it h no r ea so n t o d el ay i ts
journey, it reached Ozma's palace in wonderfully quick time.
" Wh er e' s t he W iz ar d? " i t a sk ed t he P in k K it te n, w hi ch w as c ur le d u pi n t he s un sh in e o n t he l ow es t s te p o f t he p al ac e e nt ra nc e.
" Do n' t b ot he r m e, " l az il y a ns we re d t he P in k K it te n, w ho se n am e w as E ur ek a.
" I m us t f in d t he W iz ar d a t o nc e! " s ai d t he Gl as s C at .
" Th en f in d h im ," a dvi se d E ur ek a, a nd w en t t o s le ep a ga in .
T he G la ss C at d ar te d u p t he s ta ir wa y a nd c am e u po n T ot o, D or ot hy 'sl it tl e b la ck d og .
" Wh er e' s t he W iz ar d? " a sk ed t he C at .
" Go ne o n a j ou rn ey w it h D or ot hy ," r ep li ed T ot o.
" Wh en d id t he y g o, a nd w he re h ave t he y g on e? " d em an de d t he C at .
" The y w ent y es ter day , and I h ea rd t hem s ay t he y w oul d g o t o t heG re at F or es t i n t he M un ch ki n C ou nt r y. "
" De ar m e, " s ai d t he G la ss C at ; " th at i s a l on g j ou rn ey ."
" Bu t t he y r od e o n t he H un gr y T ig er a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " e xp la in edT ot o, " an d t he W iz ar d c ar ri ed h is B la ck B ag o f M ag ic T oo ls ."
Th e Gl as s C at k new t he Gr eat Fo res t of Gugu w el l, f or i t ha dt ra ve le d t hr ou gh t hi s f or es t m an y t im es i n i ts j ou rn ey s t hr ou gh t he
La nd of Oz . An d i t r ef lec ted t hat t he F or es t of Gu gu w as ne ar er t ot he I sl e of t he M ag ic F lo we r t ha n t he E me ra ld C it y w as , an d s o, i f i tc ou ld m an ag e t o f in d t he W iz ar d, i t c ou ld l ea d h im a cr os s t he G il li ki nC ou nt ry t o w he re T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l w er e p ri so ne d. I t w as a w il dc ou nt ry a nd l it tl e t ra ve le d, b ut t he G la ss C at k ne w e ve ry p at h. S ove ry l it tl e t im e n ee d b e l os t, a ft er a ll .
W it ho ut s to pp in g t o a sk a ny m or e q ue st io ns t he C at d ar te d o ut o f t hep al ac e a nd a wa y f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y, t ak in g t he m os t d ir ec t r ou te t ot he F or es t o f G ug u. Ag ai n t he c r ea tu re f la sh ed t hr ou gh t he c ou nt r yl ik e a s tr eak o f l ig ht , an d i t w ou ld s ur pr is e y ou t o k no w h ow q ui ck lyi t r ea ch ed t he e dg e o f t he G re at F or es t.
T he re w er e n o m on ke y g ua rd s a mo ng t he t re es t o c ry o ut a w ar ni ng ,a nd t hi s w as s o u nu sua l t ha t i t a st on is he d t he Gl as s C at . G oi ngf ar th er i nt o t he f or es t i t p re se nt ly c am e u po n a w ol f, w hi ch a t f ir stb ou nde d a wa y i n t er ro r. B ut t he n, s eei ng i t w as o nl y a Gl as s C at , t heW ol f s top pe d, an d t he C at c oul d s ee i t w as t re mbl ing , as i f f rom aterrible fright.
" Wh at 's t he m at te r? " a sk ed t he C at .
" A d re ad fu l M ag ic ia n h as c om e a mo ng u s! " e xc la im ed t he W ol f, " an dh e' s c ha ng in g t he f or ms o f a ll t he b ea st s- -q ui ck a s a w in k- -a nd m ak in gt he m a ll h is s la ve s. "
" Wh y, t ha t' s o nl y t he W iz ar d o f O z. H e m ay b e h avi ng s om e f un w it hy ou f or es t p eo pl e, b ut t he W iz ar d w ou ld n' t h ur t a b ea st f or a ny th in g. "
" I d on 't m ea n t he W iz ar d, " e xp la in ed t he W ol f. "A nd i f t he W iz ar dof Oz i s t ha t f un ny l it tl e man w ho r od e a g re at T ige r i nt o t hec le ar in g, h e' s b ee n t r an sf or me d h im se lf b y t he t er r ib le M ag ic ia n. "
" Th e W iz ar d t r an sf or m ed ? W hy , t ha t' s i mp os s ib le ," d ec l ar ed t h eG l as s C a t.
"N o; it i sn't. I s aw hi m wit h my own ey es , changed int o t he for m of a F ox , a nd t he g ir l w ho w as w it h h im w as c han ge d t o a w ool ly La mb ."
T he G la ss C at w as i nd ee d s ur pr is ed .
" Wh en d id t ha t h ap pe n? " i t a sk ed .
" Ju st a l it tl e w hi le a go i n t he c le ar in g. A ll t he a ni mal s h ad m ett he re , b ut t he y r an a wa y w he n t he M ag ic ia n b eg an h is t r an sf or ma ti on s,a nd I 'm t ha nk fu l I e sc ap ed w it h m y n at ur al s ha pe . Bu t I 'm s ti lla fr ai d, a nd I 'm g oi ng s om ew he re t o h id e. "
W it h t hi s t he W ol f r an on , a nd t he Gl as s C at , w hi ch k new w he re t heb ig c le ar in g w as , w en t t ow ar d i t. B ut n ow i t w al ke d m or e s lo wl y, a ndi ts p in k b ra in s r ol le d a nd t um bl ed a ro un d a t a g re at r at e b ec au se i tw as t hi nk in g o ve r t he a ma zi ng n ew s t he W ol f h ad t ol d i t.
W hen t he G la ss C at r ea ch ed t he c lea ri ng , i t s aw a F ox , a L am b, aR ab bi t, a M un ch ki n b oy a nd a f at G il li ki n w om an , a ll w an de ri ng a ro un di n a n a im les s s or t o f w ay , f or t hey w er e a ga in s ea rc hi ng f or t he B la ckB ag o f M ag ic T oo ls .
T he C at w at ch ed t hem a mo me nt an d t hen i t w al ked s lo wl y i nt o t heo pe n s pa ce . A t o nc e t he L am b r an t ow ar d i t, c ry in g:
" Oh , W iz ar d, h er e' s t he G la ss C at !"
" W he r e, D or ot h y? " a sk ed t he F ox .
"Here!"
Th e B oy a nd t he W oma n an d t he R abb it no w j oi ned t he Fox and t heL am b, a nd t he y a ll s to od b ef or e t he G la ss C at a nd s pe ak in g t og et he r,a lm os t l ik e a c ho ru s, a sk ed : " Ha ve y ou s ee n t he B la ck B ag ?"
" Of te n, " r ep li ed t he G la ss C at , " bu t n ot l at el y. "
" It 's l os t, " s ai d t he F ox , " an d w e m us t f in d i t. "
" Ar e y ou t he W iz ar d?" a sk ed t he C at .
" Y e s . "
" An d w ho a re t he se o th er s ?"
" I 'm D or ot hy , " s ai d t he L am b.
" I' m t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " s ai d t he M un ch ki n b oy .
" I' m t he H un gr y T ig er , " s ai d t he R ab bi t.
" I' m G ug u, K in g o f t he F or es t, " s ai d t he f at W om an .
The Gl as s Cat sat on i ts hind legs and began t o l augh. " My , what af un ny l ot !" e xc la im ed t he C re at ur e. " Wh o p la ye d t hi s j ok e o n y ou ?"
" It 's n o j ok e a t a ll ," d ec la re d t he W iz ar d. " It w as a c ru el , w ic ke d
t ra ns fo rm at io n, a nd t he M ag ic ia n t ha t d id i t h as t he h ea d o f a l io n,t he bo dy of a m onk ey , t he w ing s of an e agl e and a r oun d b al l on t hee nd o f h is t ai l. "
T he G la ss C at l au gh ed a ga in . " Th at M ag ic ia n m us t l oo k f un ni er t ha ny ou do, " it s aid. " Wher e is he now?"
" So me wh er e i n t he f or es t, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " He j us t j um pe di nt o t ha t t al l m apl e t ree o ve r t he re , f or he c an c li mb l ik e a mo nk eya nd f ly l ik e a n e ag le , a nd t he n h e d is ap pe ar ed i n t he f or es t. "
" An d t he re w as a no th er M ag ic ia n, j us t l ik e h im , w ho w as h is f ri en d, "a dd ed D or ot hy , " bu t t he y p ro ba bl y q ua rr el ed , f or t he w ic ke de st o nec ha ng ed h is f ri en d i nt o t he f or m o f a G oo se ."
" Wh at b ec am e o f t he G oo se ?" a sk ed t he C at , l oo ki ng a ro un d.
" He m us t h ave g on e a wa y t o f in d h is f ri en d, " a ns we re d G ug u t he K in g." But a G oo se c an 't t ra ve l ve ry f as t, s o w e c oul d e as il y f in d hi m i f w ew a nt e d t o ."
" The w or st t hin g of all ," s aid th e Wi zar d, " is t hat my B lac k Bag i sl os t. I t d is ap pe ar ed w he n I w as t ra ns fo rm ed . I f I c ou ld f in d i t Ic ou ld e as il y b re ak t he se e nc ha nt me nt s b y m ea ns o f m y m ag ic , a nd w ew ou ld r es um e o ur o wn f or ms a ga in . W il l y ou h el p u s s ea rc h f or t he
B la c k B ag , F r ie nd C at ?"
" Of c ou rs e, " r ep li ed t he G la ss C at . "B ut I e xp ec t t he s tr an geM ag ic ia n c ar ri ed i t a wa y w it h h im . I f he 's a m agi ci an, h e k now s y oun ee d t ha t B ag , a nd p er ha ps h e' s a fr ai d o f y ou r m ag ic . S o h e' sp ro ba bl y t ak en t he B ag w it h hi m, a nd y ou w on' t s ee i t a ga in u nl es s y ouf i nd t h e M a gi c i an . "
" Th at s ou nd s r ea so na bl e, " r em ar ke d t he L am b, w hi ch w as D or ot hy ." Th os e p in k b ra in s o f y ou rs s ee m t o b e w or ki ng p re tt y w el l t o- da y. "
" If t he G la ss C at i s r ig ht ," s ai d t he W iz ar d i n a s ol em n voi ce ,
" th er e' s m or e t r ou bl e a he ad o f u s. T ha t M ag ic ia n i s d an ge ro us , a nd i f w e g o n ear hi m he ma y t ra ns for m u s i nt o s hap es no t a s ni ce a s t he se ."
" I do n't s ee how w e c ou ld be an y WOR SE o ff ," gr owl ed Gugu, wh o w asi nd ig na nt b ec au se h e w as f or ce d t o a pp ea r i n t he f or m o f a f at w om an .
" An yw ay ," s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " ou r b es t p la n i s t o f in d t heM agi ci an a nd t ry t o g et t he B la ck B ag f ro m hi m. W e m ay m an ag e t os te al i t, o r p er ha ps w e c an a rg ue h im i nt o g ivi ng i t to u s. "
" Wh y n ot f in d t he G oo se , f ir st ?" a sk ed D or ot hy . " T he G oo se w il l b ea ng ry a t t he Ma gi ci an , an d h e m ay b e ab le t o h el p u s. "
" Th at i sn 't a b ad i de a, " r et ur ne d t he W iz ar d. " Co me o n, F ri en ds ;l et 's f in d t ha t G oo se . W e w il l s ep ar at e a nd s ea rc h i n d if fe re ntd ir ec ti on s, a nd t he f ir st t o f in d t he G oo se m us t b ri ng h im h er e, w he re
" Fi rs t g ive m e b ac k t he s ha pe o f t he L i- Mo n- Ea g, a nd t he n w e c ant a lk t o ge t he r m o re c o nve n ie n tl y , " s u gg e st e d t h e N o me .
" Wa it a m om en t, t he n, " s ai d K ik i, a nd c li mb ed h ig he r u p t he t re e.T he re h e w hi sp er ed t he M ag ic W or d a nd t he G oo se b ec am e a L i- Mo n- Ea g,
a s h e h ad b ee n b ef or e.
" Go od !" s ai d t he N om e, w el l p le as ed , a s K ik i j oi ne d h im b y d ro pp in gdo wn f ro m t he t re e. " No w l et us f in d a qu iet pl ac e w her e w e c an t al kw it ho ut b ei ng o ve rh ea rd b y t he b ea st s ."
S o t he t wo s ta rt ed a wa y a nd c ro ss ed t he f or es t u nt il t hey c ame t o apl ac e w her e t he t re es w er e no t s o t al l n or s o c los e t oge th er , an da mo ng t he se s ca tt er ed t re es w as a no th er c le ar in g, n ot s o l ar ge a s t hef ir st o ne , w he re t he m ee ti ng o f t he b ea st s h ad b ee n h el d. S ta nd in g o nt he e dge of t hi s c le ar in g a nd l ook in g a cr os s i t, t he y s aw t he t ree s o nt he f ar th er s id e f ul l o f m on ke ys , w ho w er e c ha tt er in g t og et he r a t ag re at r at e o f t he s ig ht s t he y h ad w it ne ss ed a t t he m ee ti ng .
T he o ld N om e w hi sp er ed t o K ik i n ot t o e nt er t he c le ar in g o r a ll owt he m on ke ys t o s ee t he m.
" Wh y n ot ?" a sk ed t he b oy , d ra wi ng b ac k.
" Be ca us e t ho se m on ke ys a re t o b e o ur a rm y- -t he a rm y w hi ch w il lc on que r O z, " s ai d t he N ome . " Si t d ow n h er e w it h m e, K ik i, an d k eepq ui et , an d I w il l e xp lai n t o y ou m y p la n. "
N ow , n ei the r K ik i A ru n or R ugg edo h ad no ti ced t hat a s ly Fo x h adf ol lo we d t he m a ll t he w ay f ro m t he t re e w he re t he G oo se h ad b ee n
t r an sf or me d t o t he L i- Mo n- Ea g. I n d ee d, t hi s F ox , w ho w as n on e o th er t ha n t he W iz ar d o f O z, h ad w it ne ss ed t he t ra ns fo rm at io n o f t he G oo sea nd n ow d ec id ed h e w ou ld k ee p w at ch o n t he c on sp ir at or s a nd s ee w ha tt he y w ou ld d o n ex t.
A Fox can move through a forest very softly, without making anyn oi se , a nd s o t he W iz ar d' s e ne mi es d id n ot s us pe ct h is p re se nc e. B u tw hen t hey s at d ow n by t he e dge o f t he c lea ri ng, t o t al k, w it h t hei r b ac ks t ow ar d h im , t he W iz ar d d id n ot k no w w he th er t o r is k b ei ng s ee n,by c ree pi ng c los er t o he ar w ha t t he y s ai d, o r w het he r i t w oul d beb et te r f or h im t o h id e h im se lf u nt il t he y m ove d o n a ga in .
W hi le h e c on si de r ed t hi s q ue s ti on h e d is c ove re d n ea r h im a g re att ree w hi ch had a hol lo w t ru nk , and t her e w as a r oun d h ol e i n t hi st re e, a bo ut t hr ee f ee t a bo ve t he g ro un d. T he W iz ar d F ox d ec id ed i tw oul d be s af er f or hi m t o hi de i ns ide t he hol lo w t ree , s o he s pr angi nt o t he h ol e a nd c rou ch ed do wn i n t he ho ll ow , s o t ha t h is e ye s j us tc ame t o t he e dge of t he ho le by w hi ch he ha d ent er ed, a nd f ro m her e hew at ch ed t he f or ms o f t he t wo L i- Mo n- Ea gs .
" This i s my plan, " sai d t he Nome t o Ki ki , speak ing s o l ow t hat theW iz ar d c ou ld o nl y h ea r t he r um bl e o f h is vo ic e. "S in ce y ou c ant ra ns fo rm a ny th in g i nt o a ny f or m y ou w is h, w e w il l t ra ns fo rm t he sem on ke ys i nt o an a rmy , an d w it h t hat a rmy w e w il l c on qu er t he O z p eop le ."
" Th e m on ke ys w on 't m ak e m uc h o f a n a rm y, " o bj ec te d K ik i.
" We n ee d a g re at a rm y, b ut n ot a n um er ou s o ne ," r es po nd ed t he N om e.
Again the Wizard Fox heard the Magic Word, and just how it wasp ro no unc ed . B ut he s at s ti ll i n t he h ol low a nd w ai ted t o h ea r i t a gai n,s o i t w ou ld be i mpr es sed on h is m ind a nd he w oul d n ot f or get i t.
K ik i k ept r un ni ng t o t he ed ge o f t he f or es t an d ba ck t o t he ho ll owt re e a ga in u nt il h e h ad w hi sp er ed t he M agi c W or d s ix t ime s an d s ixm on ke ys h ad b ee n c ha ng ed t o s ix g re at G ia nt s. T he n t he W iz ar d d ec id ed
h e w ou ld m ak e a n e xp er im en t a nd u se t he M ag ic W or d h im se lf . S o , w hi leKi ki w as r unning bac k t o t he N ome, t he Fox s tuc k his head out of theh ol lo w a nd s ai d s of tl y: " I w an t t ha t c re at ur e w ho i s r un ni ng t o b ec om ea hickory-nut--Pyrzqxgl!"
I ns ta nt ly t he L i- Mo n- Ea g f or m o f K ik i A ru t he H yu p d is ap pe ar ed a nd as ma ll h ic ko ry -n ut r ol le d u po n t he g ro un d a m om en t a nd t he n l ay s ti ll .
T he W iz ar d w as d el ig ht ed , a nd l ea pe d f r om t he h ol lo w j us t a s R ug ge dol oo ked ar oun d t o s ee w ha t h ad b ec ome of K ik i. T he N ome s aw t he Foxbut no Kik i, s o he has til y r ose t o hi s f eet . The Wi zar d di d not knowh ow p ow er fu l t he q ue er b ea st m ig ht b e, s o h e r es ol ve d t o t ak e n o c ha nc es .
" I w an t t hi s c re at ur e t o b ec om e a w al nu t- -P yr zq xg l! " h e s ai d a lo ud .B ut h e di d n ot p ro no un ce t he Ma gi c W or d i n qu it e t he r igh t w ay , a ndR ug ge do 's f or m d id n ot c ha ng e. B ut t he N om e k ne w a t o nc e t ha t" Py rz qx gl !" w as t he M agi c W or d, s o h e r us he d a t t he F ox a nd c ri ed:
" I w an t y ou t o b ec om e a G oo se -- P yr z qx gl !"
B ut t he N om e d id n ot p ro no un ce t he w or d a ri gh t, e it he r, h avi ng n eve r he ar d i t s pok en but on ce be for e, an d t he n w it h a w ron g a cc en t. S o t heF ox w as no t t ran sf or med , but i t h ad t o r un a way t o e sc ape b ei ng c au gh tb y t he a ng ry N om e.
R ug ge do n ow b eg an p ro no un ci ng t he M ag ic W or d i n e ve ry w ay h e c ou ldt hi nk o f, h opi ng t o h it t he r igh t o ne , a nd t he F ox , h id in g i n a bu sh ,w as s om ew ha t t ro ub le d b y t he f ea r t ha t h e m ig ht s uc ce ed . H ow eve r, t heW iz ar d, w ho w as u se d t o m ag ic a rt s, r em ai ne d c al m a nd s oo n r em em be re de xa ct ly h ow K ik i A ru h ad p ro no un ce d t he w or d. S o h e r ep ea te d t he s en te nc eh e h ad b ef or e u tt er ed a nd R ug ge do t he N om e b ec am e a n o rd in ar y w al nu t.
Th e W iz ar d n ow c rept out f ro m t he b us h and s ai d: " I w ant m y ow n f or magain--Pyrzqxgl!"
I ns ta nt ly h e w as t he W iz ar d of O z, a nd af te r p ic ki ng up t heh ic ko ry -n ut a nd t he w al nu t, a nd c ar ef ul ly p la ci ng t he m i n h is p oc ke t,
h e r an ba ck t o t he bi g c lea ri ng .
D or ot hy t he L am b u tt er ed a b le at o f d el ig ht w he n s he s aw h er o ld f ri en dr es to re d t o h is n at ur al s ha pe . T he o th er s w er e a ll t he re , n ot h avi ngf ou nd t he G oo se . T he f at G il li ki n w om an , t he M un ch ki n b oy , t he R ab bi ta nd t he G la ss C at c ro wd ed a ro un d t he W iz ar d a nd a sk ed w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d.
B ef or e h e e xp la in ed a ny th in g o f h is a dve nt ur e, h e t ra ns fo rm ed t he ma ll -- e xc ep t, o f c ou rs e, t he G la ss C at - -i nt o t he ir n at ur al s ha pe s, a ndw he n t he ir j oy p er mi tt ed t he m t o q ui et s om ew ha t, h e t ol d h ow h e h ad b yc ha nc e s ur pr is ed t he M ag ic ia n' s s ec re t a nd b ee n a bl e t o c ha ng e t he t woL i- Mo n- Ea gs i nt o s ha pe s t ha t c ou ld n ot s pe ak , a nd t he re fo re w ou ld b eu na bl e t o h el p t he ms el ve s. A nd t he l it tl e W iz ar d s ho we d h is
a st on is he d f r ie nd s t he h ic k or y -n ut a nd t he w al nu t t o p ro ve t ha t h e h ads po ke n t h e t r ut h.
" Bu t- - se e h er e! " -- ex cl ai me d D or ot hy . " Wh at h as b ec om e o f t ho seG ia nt S ol di er s w ho u se d t o b e m on ke ys ?"
" I f or go t a ll a bo ut t he m! " a dm it te d t he W iz ar d; " bu t I s up po se t he ya re s ti ll s ta nd in g t he re i n t he f or es t. "
1 5. T he L on es om e D uc k
T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l s to od b ef or e t he M ag ic F lo we r, a ct ua ll y r oo te dto the spot.
" Ar en 't y ou h un gr y, C ap 'n ?" a sk ed t he l it tl e g ir l, w it h a l on g s ig h,f or s he h ad b ee n s ta nd in g t he re f or h ou rs a nd h ou rs .
" We ll ," r ep li ed t he s ai lo r- ma n, " I a in 't s ay in ' a s I c ou ld n' t E AT ,T ro t- -i f a d in ne r w as h an dy -- bu t I g ue ss o ld f ol ks d on 't g et a s h un gr ya s y ou ng f ol ks d o. "
" I' m n ot s ur e ' bo ut t ha t, C ap 'n B il l, " s he s ai d t ho ug ht fu ll y. " Ag eM IG HT m ak e a d if f' re nc e, b ut s ee ms t o m e S IZ E w ou ld m ak e a b ig ge r d if f' re nc e. S ee in g y ou 'r e t wi ce a s b ig a s m e, y ou o ug ht t o b e t wi cea s h u ng r y ."
"I hope I am, " he rej oined, "f or I can st and it a while longer . Ido h ope t he G las s C at w il l h ur ry , an d I h ope t he Wi zar d w on' t w as tet im e a -c om in ' t o u s. "
T ro t s ig he d a ga in a nd w at ch ed t he w on de rf ul M ag ic F lo we r, b ec au set he re w as n ot hi ng e ls e t o d o. Ju st n ow a l ove ly g ro up o f p in k p eo ni es
b ud de d a nd b lo om ed , b ut s oo n t he y f ad ed a wa y, a nd a m as s o f d ee p b lu el i li es t oo k t h ei r p la ce . T he n s om e y el lo w c hr y sa nt he mu ms b lo ss om ed o nt he p la nt , a nd w he n t he y h ad o pe ne d a ll t he ir p et al s a nd r ea ch edp er fe ct io n, t he y g ave w ay t o a l ot o f w hi te f lo ra l b al ls s po tt ed w it hc r im so n- - a f l ow e r T r ot h ad n eve r s ee n b ef or e .
" Bu t I g et a wf ul t ir ed w at ch in ' f lo we rs a n' f lo we rs a n' f lo we rs ,"s h e s a id i m pa t ie nt l y.
" T he y 'r e m i gh t p r et t y ," o b se r ve d C a p' n B i ll .
" I k now ; an d i f a p er son c oul d c ome an d l ook at t he Ma gi c Fl ow er
just when she felt like it, it would be a fine thing, but to HAVE TOs ta nd an d w at ch i t, w he th er y ou w ant t o or no t, i sn' t s o mu ch f un . I w is h,C ap 'n B il l, t he t hi ng w ou ld g ro w f ru it f or a w hi le i ns te ad o f f lo we rs ."
S ca rc el y h ad s he s po ke n w he n t he w hi te b al ls w it h c ri ms on s po tsf ad ed a wa y a nd a l ot o f b ea ut if ul r ip e p ea ch es t oo k t he ir p la ce . W i tha c ry o f m in gl ed s ur pr is e a nd d el ig ht T ro t r ea ch ed o ut a nd p lu ck ed ap ea ch f ro m t he b us h a nd b eg an t o e at i t, f in di ng i t d el ic io us . C a p' nB il l w as s om ew ha t d az ed a t t he g ir l' s w is h b ei ng g ra nt ed s o q ui ck ly ,s o b ef or e h e c ou ld p ic k a p ea ch t he y h ad f ad ed a wa y a nd b an an as t oo kt he ir p la ce . " Gr ab o ne , C ap 'n !" e xc la im ed T ro t, a nd e ve n w hi le e at in g t hepe ac h s he s ei zed a ban ana w it h h er ot he r ha nd and t or e i t f rom t he bus h.
Th e o ld s ai lor w as s ti ll b ew il de re d. H e p ut out a h an d i ndee d, b ut he w ast oo l at e, f or n ow t he b an an as d is ap pe ar ed a nd l em on s t oo k t he ir p la ce .
" Ps ha w! " c ri ed T ro t. " Yo u c an 't e at t ho se t hi ng s; b ut w at ch o ut ,C a p' n , f o r s o me t hi n g e l se . "
C oc oa nu ts n ex t a pp ea re d, b ut C ap 'n B il l s ho ok h is h ea d.
" Ca 'n 't c r ac k ' em ," h e r em ar ke d, " 'c au se w e h ave n' t a ny t hi ng h an dy t os ma s h ' em w i th ."
" W el l , t a ke o ne , a ny ho w, " a dvi s ed T ro t; b ut t he c oc oa nu ts w er e g on en ow , a nd a d ee p, p ur pl e, p ea r- sh ap ed f ru it w hi ch w as u nk no wn t o t he mt oo k t he ir p la ce . A ga in C ap 'n B il l h es it at ed , a nd T ro t s ai d t o h im :
" Yo u o ug ht t o h ave c ap tur ed a p eac h and a bana na, as I di d. I f y ou 'r e n ot c ar ef ul , C ap 'n , y ou 'l l m is s a ll y ou r c ha nc es . H er e, I 'l ld ivi de m y b an an a w i th y ou ."
E ve n a s s he s po ke , t he M ag ic P la nt w as c ove re d w it h b ig r ed a pp le s,g ro wi ng o n e ve ry b ra nc h, a nd C ap 'n B il l h es it at ed n o l on ge r. H eg ra bb ed w it h b ot h h an ds a nd p ic ke d t wo a pp le s, w hi le T ro t h ad o nl yt im e t o s ec ur e o ne b ef or e t he y w er e g on e.
" I t' s c ur i ou s, " r em ar k ed t he s ai l or , m un ch in g h is a pp le , " ho w t h es ef ru it s k ee p g oo d w he n y ou 've p ic ke d ' em , b ut d is 'p ea r i nt er t hi n a ir i f t he y' re l ef t o n t he b us h. "
" Th e w ho le t hi ng i s c ur io us ," d ec la re d t he g ir l, " an d i t c ou ld n' te xi st i n a ny c ou nt ry b ut t hi s, w he re m ag ic i s s o c om mon . T ho se a rel im es . D on 't p ic k ' em , f or t he y' d p uc ke r u p y ou r m ou th a nd -- Oo o! h er ec om e p lu ms !" a nd s he t uc ke d h er a pp le i n h er a pr on p oc ke t a nd c ap tu re dt hr ee p lu ms -- ea ch o ne a lm os t a s b ig a s a n e gg -- be fo re t he y d is ap pe ar ed .C ap 'n Bi ll g ot s ome t oo, b ut bo th w er e t oo hun gr y t o f as t an y l ong er ,s o t he y b eg an e at in g t he ir a pp le s a nd p lu ms a nd l et t he m ag ic b us h
b ea r a ll s or ts o f f ru it s, o ne a ft er a no th er . T he C ap 'n s to pp ed o nc et o p ic k a f in e c an ta lo up e, w hi ch h e h el d u nd er h is a rm , a nd T ro t,h avi ng f in is he d h er p lu ms , g ot a h an df ul o f c he rr ie s a nd a n o ra ng e;b ut w he n a lm os t e ve ry s or t o f f ru it h ad a pp ea re d o n t he b us h, t he c ro pc ea se d a nd o nl y f lo we rs , a s b ef or e, b lo om ed u po n i t.
" I w on de r w hy i t c ha ng ed b ac k, " m us ed T ro t, w ho w as n ot w or ri edb ec au se s he h ad e no ug h f r ui t t o s at is fy h er h un ge r.
" We ll , y ou on ly w is hed i t w oul d b ea r f rui t 'f or a w hi le ,' " s ai d t hes ai lo r, " an d i t d id . P 'r ap s i f y ou 'd s ai d ' fo re ve r, ' T ro t, i t w ou ldh ave a l wa y s b ee n f r ui t . "
" But w hy s hou ld MY w is h be ob ey ed ?" a sk ed t he gi rl . " I' m n ot af ai ry or a w iz ar d or a ny k ind of a ma gi c- ma ker ."
" I gu es s, " r ep li ed C ap 'n B il l, " th at t hi s l it tl e i sl an d i s a m ag ici sl and , a nd an y f ol ks on i t c an t el l t he b us h w hat t o p rod uc e, an 'i t 'l l p ro du c e i t ."
" Do y ou t hi nk I c ou ld w is h f or an yt hi ng el se, C ap' n an d ge t i t?" s heinquired anxiously.
" Wh at a re y ou t hi nk in ' o f, T ro t? "
" I' m t hi nk in g o f w is hi ng t ha t t he se r oo ts o n o ur f ee t w ou ldd is ap pe ar , a nd l et u s f r ee ."
S o s he t ri ed i t, a nd t he w is h h ad n o e ff ec t w ha te ve r.
" Tr y i t y ou rs el f, C ap 'n ," s he s ug ge st ed .
T he n C ap 'n B il l m ad e t he w is h t o b e f re e, w it h n o b et te r r es ul t.
" No ," s ai d h e, " it 's n o u se ; t he w is he s o nl y a ff ec t t he M ag ic P la nt ;but I 'm gl ad w e c an ma ke i t be ar f rui t, ' caus e now w e k no w we w on' ts ta rve b ef or e t he W iz ar d g et s t o u s. "
" Bu t I ' m g et t 'n ' t ir ed s t an di ng h er e s o l on g, " c om pl ai ne d t he g ir l." If I c ou ld o nl y l if t on e f oot , an d r es t i t, I 'd f ee l b et te r. "
" Sa me w it h me , Tr ot . I 've n ot ic ed t ha t i f y ou' ve g ot t o d o a t hi ng ,a nd c an 't h el p y ou rs el f, i t g et s t o b e a h ar ds hi p m ig ht y q ui ck ."
" Fo lk s t ha t c an r ai se t he ir f ee t d on 't a pp re ci at e w ha t a b le ss in g i ti s, " s ai d T ro t t ho ug ht fu ll y. "I n eve r k ne w b ef or e w ha t f un i t i s t or ai se o ne f oo t, an ' t he n a no th er , a ny t im e y ou f ee l l ik e i t. "
" Th er e' s l ot s o ' t hi ng s f ol ks d on 't ' pr ec ia te ," r ep li ed t hes ai lo r- ma n. " If s om et hi n' w ou ld ' mo st s to p y ou r b re at h, y ou 'd t hi nkb re at hi n' e as y w as t he f in es t t hi ng i n l if e. W he n a p er so n' s w el l, h ed on 't r ea li ze h ow j ol ly i t i s, b ut w he n h e g et s s ic k h e ' me mbe rs t het im e he w as w el l, a n' w is he s t ha t t ime w ou ld c ome b ac k. M os t f ol ksf or get t o t hank God f or gi vi n' ' em t wo g oo d l egs , t il l t hey l os e o ne o '' em, l ik e I di d; a nd t hen i t' s t oo l at e, ' ce pt t o p rai se Go d f or leavin' one."
" Yo ur w oo de n l eg a in 't s o b ad , C ap 'n ," s he r em ar ke d, l oo ki ng a t i t
c ri ti ca ll y. " An yh ow , i t d on 't t ak e r oo t o n a M ag ic I sl an d, l ik e o ur m ea t l eg s d o. "
" I a in 't c om pl ai ni n' , " s ai d C ap 'n B i ll . " Wh at 's t h at s w im mi n 't ow ar ds u s, T ro t? " h e a dd ed , l oo ki ng o ve r t he M ag ic F lo we r a nd a cr os st h e w a te r .
T he g ir l l oo ke d, t oo , a nd t he n s he r ep li ed .
" It 's a bi rd of s ome s or t. It 's li ke a duc k, onl y I never saw ad uc k h ave s o m an y c ol or s. "
T he b ir d s wa m s wi ft ly a nd g ra ce fu ll y t ow ar d t he M ag ic I sl e, a nd a si t d re w n ea re r i ts g or ge ou sl y c ol or ed p lu ma ge a st on is he d t he m. T hef ea th er s w er e o f m an y h ue s o f g li st en in g g re en s a nd b lu es a nd p ur pl es ,an d i t h ad a y el lo w he ad w it h a r ed pl ume , a nd pi nk , w hi te an d vi ol eti n i ts t ai l. W hen i t r eac he d t he I sl e, i t c am e a sh or e an d a pp roa ch edt he m, w ad dl in g s lo wl y a nd t ur ni ng i ts h ea d f ir st t o o ne s id e a nd t he nt o t he ot her , s o as to see the gi rl and t he sai lor bet ter .
" Yo u' re s tr an ge rs ," s ai d t he b ir d, c om in g t o a h al t n ea r t he m, " an dy ou 've b ee n c au gh t b y t he M ag ic I s le a nd m ad e p ri so ne rs . "
" Ye s, " r et ur ne d T ro t, w it h a s ig h; " we 'r e r oo te d. B ut I h op e w ewon't grow."
" Yo u' ll g ro w s ma ll , " s ai d t he B ir d . " Y ou 'l l k ee p g r ow i ng s ma ll er eve ry d ay , u nt il b ye a nd b ye t he re 'l l b e n ot hi ng l ef t o f y ou . T ha t' s
" Ho w d o y ou k no w a bo ut i t, a nd w ho a re y ou , a ny ho w? " a sk ed C ap 'n B il l.
" I 'm t he L on es om e D uc k ," r ep li ed t he b ir d. " I s up po se y ou 've h ea rdo f m e? "
" No ," s ai d T ro t, " I c an 't s ay I h ave . W ha t m ak es y ou l on es om e? "
" Wh y, I h ave n' t a ny f am il y o r a ny r el at io ns ," r et ur ne d t he D uc k.
" H ave n' t y o u a n y f r i en ds ? "
" No t a f ri en d. A nd I 've n ot hi ng t o d o. I 've l ive d a l on g t im e, a ndI've g ot t o l ive f or eve r, b ec au se I b el on g i n t he L an d o f O z, w he re n ol ivi ng t hi ng d ie s. T hi nk o f e xi st in g y ea r a ft er y ea r, w it h n of ri en ds , n o f am il y, a nd n ot hi ng t o d o! Ca n y ou w on de r I 'm l on es om e? "
" Wh y d on 't y ou m ak e a f ew f ri en ds , a nd f in d s om et hi ng t o d o? "i n qu i re d C a p' n B i ll .
" I c an 't m ak e f ri en ds b ec au se e ve ry on e I m ee t- -b ir d, b ea st , o r p er so n- -i s d is ag re ea bl e t o m e. I n a f ew m in ut es I s ha ll b e u na bl e t ob ea r y ou r s oc ie ty l on ge r, a nd t he n I 'l l g o a wa y a nd l ea ve y ou ," s ai dt he L on es om e D uc k. "A nd , a s f or d oi ng a ny th in g, t he re 's n o u se i n i t.
All I meet are doing something, so I have decided it's common andu ni n te r es t in g a nd I p r ef e r t o r e ma i n l o ne s om e. "
" Do n' t y ou h ave t o h un t f or y ou r f oo d? " a sk ed T ro t.
" No. I n m y d ia mon d p al ac e, a l it tl e w ay u p t he r iver , f ood i sm ag ic al ly s up pl ie d m e; b ut I s el do m e at , b ec au se i t i s s o c om mo n. "
" Yo u m us t b e a M ag ic ia n D uc k, " r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l.
"Why so?"
" We l l, o r di na r y d uc k s d on 't h ave d ia mo nd p al ac es a n' m ag ic f oo d,l ik e y ou d o. "
" Tr ue ; a nd t ha t' s a no th er r ea so n w hy I 'm l on es om e. Y ou m us tr eme mb er I 'm t he o nl y D uc k i n t he L and o f Oz , a nd I 'm no t l ik e a nyo th er d uc k i n t he o ut si de w or ld ."
" Se em s t o m e y ou L IK E b ei n' l on es om e, " o bs er ve d C ap 'n B il l.
"I can't say I like it, exactly," replied the Duck, "but since its eem s t o b e my f at e, I 'm r at he r p ro ud o f i t. "
" Ho w d o y ou s 'po se a s ing le, s ol it ar y D uc k h ap pen ed t o b e i n t heL an d o f O z? " a sk ed T ro t, w on de ri ng ly .
" I u se d t o k no w t he r ea so n, m an y y ea rs a go , b ut I 've q ui te f or go tt eni t, " d ec la re d t he D uc k. " Th e r ea so n f or a t hi ng i s n eve r s o i mp or ta nta s t he t hi ng i ts el f, s o t he re 's n o u se r em em be ri ng a ny th in g b ut t hef ac t t ha t I 'm l on es om e. "
" I g ue ss y ou 'd b e h ap pi er i f y ou t ri ed t o d o s om et hi ng ," a ss er te dT ro t. " If y ou c an 't d o a ny th in g f or y ou rs el f, y ou c an d o t hi ng s f or o th er s, a nd t he n y ou 'd g et l ot s o f f ri en ds a nd s to p b ei ng l on es om e. "
" No w y ou 'r e g et t in g d is ag re ea bl e, " s ai d t he L on es om e D uc k, " an d Is ha ll h ave t o g o a nd l ea ve y ou ."
" Ca n' t y ou h el p u s a ny ," p le ad ed t he g ir l. " If t he re 's a ny th in gm ag ic a bo ut y ou , y ou m ig ht g et u s o ut o f t hi s s cr ap e. "
" I h ave n' t a ny m ag ic s tr on g e no ug h t o g et y ou o ff t he M ag ic I sl e, "r ep li ed t he L on es om e D uc k. " Wh at m ag ic I p os se ss i s ve ry s im pl e, b utI f ind i t enou gh f or my ow n n eeds ."
" If w e c ou ld o nl y s it d ow n a w hi le, w e c ou ld s tan d i t be tt er ," s ai dTr ot , " bu t w e have n ot hi ng t o s it o n. "
" Th en y ou w il l h ave t o s ta nd i t, " s ai d t he L on es om e D uc k.
" P' ra ps y ou 've e no ug h m ag ic t o g ive u s a c ou pl e o f s to ol s, "s u gg e st e d C a p' n B i ll .
" A du ck i sn 't s up po se d t o k now w ha t s to ol s a re ," w as t he r ep ly .
" Bu t y ou 'r e d if f 'r en t f r om a ll o th er d uc ks . "
" Th at i s t ru e. " T he s tr an ge c re at ur e s ee me d t o r ef le ct f or am om en t, l oo ki ng a t t he m s ha rp ly f ro m i ts r ou nd b la ck e ye s. T h en i ts ai d: " So me ti me s, w he n t he s un i s h ot , I g row a t oa ds to ol t o s he lt er m e f ro m i ts r ay s. P er ha ps y ou c ou ld s it o n t oa ds to ol s. "
" We ll , i f t he y w er e s t ro ng e no ug h, t he y' d d o, " a ns we re d C ap 'n B il l.
" Th en , b ef or e I d o I 'l l g ive y ou a c ou pl e, " s ai d t he L on es om e D uc k,a nd b eg an w ad dl in g a bo ut i n a s ma ll c ir cl e. I t w en t a ro un d t he c ir cl e
t o t he r ig ht t hr ee t im es , an d t hen i t w en t ar ou nd t o t he l ef t t hr eet im es . Th en i t h op pe d b ac kw ar d t hr ee t im es a nd f or wa rd t hr ee t im es .
" Wh at a re y ou d oi ng ?" a sk ed T ro t.
" Do n' t i nt er r up t. T hi s i s a n i nc an ta ti on ," r ep li ed t he L on es om eD uc k, b ut n ow i t b eg an m ak in g a s uc ce ss io n o f s of t n oi se s t ha t s ou nd edl ik e q uac ks a nd s ee me d t o m ea n n ot hi ng a t a ll . A nd i t k ep t u p t he ses ou nd s s o l on g t h at T r ot f i na ll y e xc l ai me d:
" Ca n' t y ou h ur ry u p a nd f in is h t ha t ' ca nt at io n? If i t t ak es a lls um me r t o m ak e a c ou pl e o f t oa ds to ol s, y ou 'r e n ot m uc h o f a m ag ic ia n. "
" I t ol d y ou n ot t o i nt er ru pt ," s ai d t he L on es om e D uc k, s te rn ly ." If y ou g et T OO d is ag re ea bl e, y ou 'l l d ri ve m e a wa y b ef or e I f in is ht h i s i n c an t a ti o n ."
T ro t k ep t q ui et , a ft er t he r eb uk e, a nd t he D uc k r es um ed t he q ua ck ym ut te ri ng . C ap 'n B il l c hu ck le d a l it tl e t o h im se lf a nd r em ar ke d t oT ro t i n a w hi sp er : " Fo r a b ir d t hat ai n' t g ot a ny th in g t o do , t hi sL on es om e D uc k i s m ak in ' c on si de r' bl e f us s. A n' I a in 't s ur e, a ft er a ll , a s t oa ds to ol s w ou ld b e w or th s it ti n' o n. "
E ve n a s h e s po ke , t he s ai lo r- ma n f el t s om et hi ng t ou ch h im f ro mb eh in d a nd , t ur ni ng h is h ea d, h e f ou nd a b ig t oa ds to ol i n j us t t he
r igh t p lac e an d o f j us t t he r ig ht s iz e t o s it u po n. T he re w as o neb eh in d T ro t, t oo, a nd w it h a c ry o f pl ea su re t he l it tl e gi rl s an k ba cku po n i t a nd f ou nd i t a ve ry c om fo rt ab le s ea t- -s ol id , y et a lm os t l ik e a
c u sh i on . E ve n C ap 'n B il l' s w ei gh t d id n ot b re ak h is t oa ds to ol d ow n,a nd w he n b ot h w er e s ea te d, t he y f ou nd t ha t t he L on es om e D uc k h adw ad dl ed a wa y a nd w as n ow a t t he w at er 's e dg e.
" Th an k y ou , e ve r s o m uc h! " c ri ed T ro t, a nd t he s ai lo r c al le d o ut :"Much obliged!"
B ut t he L on es om e D uc k p ai d n o a tt en ti on . W it ho ut e ve n l oo ki ng i nt he ir d ir ec ti on a ga in , t he g au dy f ow l e nt er ed t he w at er a nd s wa mgracefully away.
1 6. T he Gl as s C at F in ds t he B la ck B ag
W he n t he s ix m on key s w er e t ran sf or me d b y K ik i A ru i nt o s ix g ia nts ol di er s f if ty f ee t t al l, t he ir h ea ds c am e a bo ve t he t op o f t het rees , which in t hi s part of t he for es t wer e not so high as i n someo th er p ar t s; a nd , a lt ho ug h t he t r ee s w er e s om ew ha t s ca tt er ed , t heb od ie s o f t he g ia nt s ol di er s w er e s o b ig t ha t t he y q ui te f il le d t hes pa ce s i n w hi ch t he y s to od a nd t he b ra nc he s p re ss ed t he m o n e ve ry s id e.
Of c our se, K ik i w as f ool is h t o ha ve ma de h is s ol di er s s o bi g, f or n ow t he y c oul d no t g et o ut of t he f or es t. I nde ed, t he y c ou ld n ot s ti r a s tep , b ut w er e i mpr is one d by t he t re es . E ve n h ad t hey been i n t hel it tl e c le ar ing t he y c ou ld n ot h ave m ad e t hei r w ay o ut o f i t, b ut t he yw er e a l it tl e b ey on d t he c le ar in g. A t f ir st , t he o th er m on ke ys w hoh ad n ot b ee n e nc ha nt ed w er e a fr ai d o f t he s ol di er s, a nd h as ti lyq ui tt ed t he p la ce ; b ut s oo n f in di ng t ha t t he g re at m en s to od s to cks t i ll , a l th o ug h g r un t in g i n di g na n tl y a t t h ei r t r a ns f or m at i on , t h e b a ndo f m on ke ys r et ur ne d t o t he s po t a nd l oo ke d a t t he m c ur io us ly , n ot
g ue ss i ng t ha t t he y w er e r ea ll y m on ke ys a nd t he ir o wn f r ie nd s.
T he s ol di er s c ou ld n' t s ee t he m, t he ir h ea ds b ei ng a bo ve t he t r ee s ;t he y c ou ld n ot e ve n r ai se t he ir a rm s o r d ra w t he ir s ha rp s wo rd s, s oc lo se ly w er e t he y h el d b y t he l ea fy b ra nc he s. S o t he m on ke ys , f in di ngt he g ia nt s h el pl es s , b eg an c li mb in g u p t he ir b od ie s, a nd p re se nt l y a llt he b an d w er e p er ch ed o n t he s ho ul de rs o f t he g ia nt s a nd p ee ri ng i nt ot h ei r f a ce s .
" I' m E bu , y ou r f at he r, " c ri ed o ne s ol di er t o a m on ke y w ho h adp er ch ed u po n h is l ef t e ar , " bu t s om e c ru el p er so n h as e nc ha nt ed m e. "
" I 'm y ou r U nc le P ee ke r, " s ai d a no th er s ol di er t o a no th er m on ke y.
S o, ve ry s oo n a ll t he m on ke ys k ne w t he t ru th a nd w er e s or ry f or t he ir f ri en ds a nd r el at io ns a nd a ng ry a t t he p er so n- -w ho eve r i tw as -- wh o h ad t ra ns fo rm ed t he m. T he re w as a g re at c ha tt er in g a mo ng t het re e- to ps , a nd t he n oi se a tt ra ct ed o th er m on ke ys , s o t ha t t he c le ar in ga nd a ll t he t re es a ro un d w er e f ul l o f t he m.
R ang o t he G ray Ap e, w ho w as t he C hi ef of al l t he mo nk ey t ri bes o f t he f or es t, hea rd t he u pr oar and c ame t o s ee w ha t w as w rong w it h hi sp eo pl e. A nd R an go , b ei ng w is er a nd m or e e xp er i en ce d, a t o nc e k ne wt ha t t he s tr an ge m ag ic ia n w ho l oo ke d l ik e a m ix ed -u p b ea st w asr es po ns ib le f or t he t r an sf or ma ti on s. H e r ea li ze d t ha t t he s ix g ia nt
s ol di er s w er e h el pl es s p ri s on er s , b ec au se o f t he ir s iz e, a nd k ne w h ew as p ow er le ss t o r el ea se t he m. S o, a lt ho ug h h e f ea re d t o m ee t t het er ri bl e m ag ic ia n, h e h ur ri ed a wa y t o t he G re at C le ar in g t o t el l G ug u
t he K in g w hat h ad ha ppe ned a nd t o t ry t o f ind t he W iz ar d of Oz a ndg et h im t o s ave h is s ix e nc ha nt ed s ub je ct s.
R an go d ar te d i nt o t he G re at C le ar in g j us t a s t he W iz ar d h ad r es to re da ll t he e nc ha nt ed o ne s a ro un d h im t o t he ir p ro pe r s ha pe s, a nd t he G ra y
Ape was glad to hear that the wicked magician-beast had been conquered.
" But now, O mi ght y W iz ar d, you mus t c ome wi th me t o w her e s ix of myp eo pl e a re t ra ns fo rm ed i nt o s ix g re at g ia nt m en ," h e s ai d, " fo r i f t he y a re a ll ow ed t o r em ai n t he re , t he ir h ap pi ne ss a nd t he ir f ut ur el i ve s w il l b e r ui ne d. "
T he W iz ar d d id no t r epl y a t onc e, f or he w as t hi nk ing t hi s a go odo pp or tu ni ty t o w in R an go 's c on se nt t o h is t ak in g s om e m on ke ys t o t heE me ra ld C it y f or O zm a' s b ir t hd ay c ak e.
"I t i s a gr eat thing you ask of me, O Rango t he Gr ay A pe, " said he," fo r t he b ig ge r t he g ia nt s a re t he m or e p ow er fu l t he ir e nc ha nt me nt ,an d t he mo re di ff ic ul t i t w il l be t o r es to re t he m t o t he ir n at ur alf or ms . H ow eve r, I w il l t hi nk i t o ve r. "
Th en t he Wi za rd w ent t o a not her par t of t he c lea ri ng and s at on al og a nd a pp ea re d t o b e i n d ee p t ho ug ht .
T he G la ss C at h ad b ee n g re at ly i nt er es te d i n t he G ra y A pe 's s to ry a ndw as c ur io us t o s ee w ha t t he g ia nt s ol di er s l oo ke d l ik e. H ea ri ng t ha tt he ir h ea ds e xt en de d a bo ve t he t r ee - to ps , t h e G la ss C at d ec id ed t ha ti f i t c li mb ed t he t al l a voc ad o t re e t ha t s to od at t he s id e o f t hec le ar in g, i t m ig ht b e a bl e t o s ee t he g ia nt s' h ea ds . S o, w it ho utm en ti on in g h er e rr an d, t he c ry st al c re at ur e w en t t o t he t re e a nd , b ys ti ck in g h er s har p g las s c la ws i n t he b ar k, e as il y c li mb ed t he t ree t oi t s ve ry t op a nd , l oo ki ng o ve r t he f or es t, s aw t he s ix g ia nt h ea ds ,
a lt ho ug h t he y w er e n ow a l on g w ay o ff . I t w as , i nd ee d, a r em ar ka bl es ig ht , f or t he h ug e h ea ds h ad i mm en se s ol di er c ap s o n t he m, w it h r eda nd y el lo w p lu me s a nd l oo ke d ve ry f ie rc e a nd t er r ib le , a lt ho ug h t hem on ke y h ea rt s o f t he g ia nt s w er e a t t ha t m om en t f il le d w it h f ea r.
Havi ng s at is fi ed h er c ur io si ty , t he G la ss C at b eg an t o c li mb d ow nf ro m t he t re e m or e s lo wl y. S ud de nl y s he d is ce rn ed t he W iz ar d' s b la ckba g ha ngi ng f rom a l imb of t he t ree. S he gr as ped t he bl ac k bag i n he r g la ss t ee th , a nd a lt ho ug h i t w as r at he r h ea vy f or s o s ma ll a n a ni ma l,ma na ged t o g et i t f re e an d t o c ar ry i t s af el y d ow n t o t he g ro un d.T he n s he l oo ke d a ro un d f or t he W iz ar d a nd s ee in g h im s ea te d u po n t hes tu mp s he h id t he b la ck b ag a mo ng s om e l ea ve s a nd t he n w en t o ve r t o
w he re t he W iz ar d s at .
" I f or go t t o t el l y ou, " s ai d t he G la ss C at , " th at Tr ot an d C ap 'nBill ar e in tr ouble, and I c ame here to hunt you up and get you to goa nd r es c ue t he m. "
" Go od g ra ci ou s, C at ! W hy d id n' t y ou t el l m e b ef or e? " e xc la im ed t he W iz ar d.
" Fo r t he r ea so n t ha t I f ou nd s o m uc h e xc it em en t h er e t ha t I f or go tT ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l. "
" Wh at 's w ro ng w it h t he m? " a sk ed t he W iz ar d.
T hen t he Gl as s C at e xpl ai ned ho w t hey had go ne t o get t he M ag icF lo we r f or O zm a' s b ir th da y g if t a nd h ad b ee n t ra pp ed b y t he m ag ic o f t he q ue er i sl an d. T he W iz ar d w as r ea ll y a la rm ed , b ut h e s ho ok h is
" I' m a fr ai d I c an 't h el p m y d ea r f ri en ds , b ec au se I 've l o s t m y b l ac k b a g. "
" If I f in d i t, w il l y ou g o t o t he m? " as ke d t he c rea tur e.
" Of c our se ," r ep li ed t he W iz ar d. " Bu t I d o n ot t hi nk t hat a G la ss
C at w it h no th in g bu t pi nk br ai ns c an s uc cee d w hen a ll t he r es t o f ushave failed."
" Do n' t y ou a dm ir e m y p in k b ra in s? " d em an de d t he C at .
" Th ey 'r e p re tt y, " a dm it t ed t he W iz ar d, " bu t t he y' r e n ot r eg ul ar b ra in s, y ou k no w, a nd s o w e d on' t e xpe ct t he m t o am oun t t o m uc h. "
" But i f I f in d y our bl ac k b ag- -a nd f ind i t i ns id e o f f ivem in ut es -- wi ll y ou a dm it m y p in k b ra in s a re b et te r t ha n y ou r c om mo nhuman brains?"
" We ll , I 'l l a dm it t he y' re b et t er H UN TE RS , " s ai d t he W i za rd ,r e lu c ta nt l y, " b ut y o u c a n' t d o i t . W e' ve s ea rc he d e ve ry wh er e, a nd t heb la ck b ag i sn 't t o b e f ou nd ."
" Th at s ho ws h ow m uc h y ou k no w! " r et or te d t he G la ss C at , s co rn fu ll y." Wa tc h m y b ra in s a m in ut e, a nd s ee t he m w hi rl a ro un d. "
T he W iz ar d w at ch ed , f or h e w as a nx io us t o r eg ai n h is b la ck b ag , a ndt he p in k b ra in s r ea ll y d id w hi r l a ro un d i n a r em ar ka bl e m an ne r.
" No w, c om e w it h m e, " c om ma nd ed t he G la ss C at , a nd l ed t he W iz ar ds tr ai gh t t o t he s po t w he re i t h ad c ove re d t he b ag w it h l ea ve s." Ac co rd in g t o m y b ra in s, " s ai d t he c re at ur e, " yo ur b la ck b ag o ug ht t o
b e h er e ."
T he n i t s cr at ch ed a t t he l ea ve s a nd u nc ove re d t he b ag , w hi ch t heW iz ar d p rom pt ly s ei ze d w it h a c ry o f d el ig ht . N ow t ha t h e ha dr eg ai ne d h is M ag ic T oo ls , h e f el t c on fi de nt h e c ou ld r es cu e T ro t a ndC a p' n B i ll .
R an go t he G ra y A pe w as g et ti ng i mp at ie nt . H e n ow a pp ro ac he d t heW iz a rd a nd s ai d:
" We ll , w ha t d o y ou i nt en d t o d o a bo ut t ho se p oo r e nc ha nt ed m on ke ys ?"
" I' ll m ak e a b ar ga in w it h y ou , R an go ," r ep li ed t he l it tl e m an . " If y ou w il l l et m e t ak e a d oz en o f y ou r m on ke ys t o t he E me ral d C it y, a ndk ee p t he m u nt i l a ft er O zm a' s b ir t hd ay , I 'l l b re ak t he e nc ha nt me nt o f t he s ix G ia nt S ol di er s a nd r et ur n t he m t o t he ir n at ur al f or ms ."
B ut t he Gr ay A pe s ho ok h is h ead .
" I c an 't d o i t, " h e d ec la re d. " Th e m on ke ys w ou ld b e ve ry l on es om ea nd u nh ap py i n t he E me ra ld C it y a nd y ou r p eo pl e w ou ld t ea se t he m a ndt hr ow s to ne s a t t he m, w hi ch w ou ld c au se t he m t o f ig ht a nd b it e. "
" Th e p eo pl e w on 't s ee t he m t i ll O zm a' s b ir th da y d in ne r, " p ro mi se dt h e W iz a rd . " I 'l l m ak e t h em ve ry s ma ll -- ab ou t f ou r i nc he s h ig h, a nd
I'll keep t hem in a prett y c age in my own room, wher e t hey will bes af e f rom ha rm . I 'l l f eed t hem t he ni ce st k in d o f f oo d, t rai n t hem t od o s om e c le ve r t ri ck s, a nd o n O zm a' s b ir th da y I 'l l h id e t he t we lve
l it tl e m on ke ys i ns id e a c ak e. W he n O zm a c ut s t he c ak e t he m on ke yswi ll jump out on t o t he table and do t hei r t ri ck s. The nex t day Iw il l br in g t he m b ac k t o t he f or es t a nd m ak e t he m b ig a s ever , andt he y' ll h ave s om e e xc it in g s to ri es t o t el l t he ir f ri en ds . W ha t d o y ous a y, R a ng o ?"
" I s ay n o! " a ns we re d t he G ra y A pe . " I w on 't h ave m y m on ke ys
e nc ha nt ed a nd m ad e t o d o t ri ck s f or t he O z p eo pl e. "
" Ve ry w el l, " s ai d t he W iz ar d c al ml y; " th en I 'l l g o. C om e, D or ot hy ,"h e c al le d t o t he l it tl e gi rl , " le t' s s ta rt o n o ur j ou rn ey ."
" Ar en 't y ou g oi ng t o s ave t ho se s ix m on ke ys w ho a re g ia nt s ol di er s? "a s ke d R a ng o , a n xi o us l y.
" Wh y s ho ul d I ?" r et ur ne d t he W iz ar d. " If y ou w il l n ot do m e t hefavo r I a sk , y ou c ann ot e xp ec t m e t o f avo r y ou. "
" Wa it a m in ut e, " s ai d t he G ra y A pe . " I' ve c han ge d m y mi nd. I f y ouw il l t re at t he t we lve m on ke ys n ic el y a nd b ri ng t he m s af el y b ac k t o t hef or es t, I 'l l l et y ou t ak e t he m. "
" Th an k y ou ," r ep li ed t he W iz ar d, c he er fu ll y. " We 'l l g o a t o nc e a nds a ve t ho se g ia nt s o ld ie r s. "
S o a ll t he p ar ty l ef t t he c le ar in g a nd p ro ce ed ed t o t he p la ce w he ret he g ia nt s s ti ll s to od a mo ng t he t re es . H un dr ed s o f m on ke ys , a pe s,b ab oo ns a nd o r an go ut a ng s h ad g at h er e d r o un d, a nd t he i r w i ld c ha t te r c oul d be he ar d a mi le a way . B ut t he Gr ay A pe s oon hu she d t he ba bel of s ou nd s, a nd t he W iz ar d l os t n o t im e i n b re ak in g t he e nc ha nt me nt s.F ir st o ne a nd t he n a no th er g ia nt s ol di er d is ap pe ar ed a nd b ec am e a no rd in ar y m on ke y a ga in , a nd t he s ix w er e s ho rt ly r et ur ne d t o t he ir
f ri en ds i n t he ir p ro pe r f or ms .
T hi s a ct io n m ad e t he W iz ar d ve ry p op ul ar w it h t he g re at a rm y o f m on ke ys , a nd w he n t he G ra y A pe a nn ou nc ed t ha t t he W iz ar d w an te d t obo rr ow t wel ve m on ke ys t o t ak e t o t he E me ra ld C it y f or a c ou pl e o f w ee ks , a nd a sk ed f or vo lu nt ee rs , n ea rl y a h un dr ed o ff er ed t o g o,s o g re at w as t he ir c on fi de nc e i n t he l it tl e m an w ho h ad s avedtheir comrades.
T he W iz ar d s el ec te d a d oz en t ha t s ee me d i nt el li ge nt a ndg oo d- te mp er ed , a nd t he n h e o pe ne d h is b la ck b ag a nd t oo k o ut a q ue er lys ha pe d d is h t ha t w as s il ve r o n t he o ut si de a nd g ol d o n t he i ns id e.
Int o this dish he poured a pow der and s et f ir e to i t. It made a t hi cks mo ke t ha t q ui te e nve lo pe d t he t we lve m on ke ys , a s w el l a s t he f or m o f t he W iz ar d, b ut w he n t he s mo ke c le ar ed a wa y t he d is h h ad b ee n c ha ng edt o a g ol de n c ag e w it h s il ve r b ar s, a nd t he t we lve m on ke ys h ad b ec om ea bo ut t hr ee i nc he s h ig h a nd w er e a ll s ea te d c om fo rt ab ly i ns id e t he c ag e.
T he t ho us an ds o f h ai ry a ni ma ls w ho h ad w it ne ss ed t hi s a ct o f m ag icw er e m uc h a st on is he d a nd a pp la ud ed t he W iz ar d b y b ar ki ng a lo ud a nds ha ki ng t he l im bs o f t he t re es i n w hi ch t hey s at . D or ot hy s ai d: " Th atw as a f in e t ri ck , W iz ar d! " a nd t he G ra y A pe r em ar ke d: " Yo u a rec er ta in ly t he m os t w on de rf ul m ag ic ia n i n a ll t he L an d o f O z! "
" Oh , n o, " m od es tl y r ep li ed t he l it tl e m an . " Gl in da 's m ag ic i s
b et te r t ha n m in e, b ut m in e s ee ms g oo d e no ug h t o u se o n o rd in ar yo cc as io ns . A nd n ow , R an go , w e w il l s ay g oo d- by e, a nd I p ro mi se t or et ur n y ou r m on ke ys a s h ap py a nd s af e a s t he y a re n ow ."
T he W iz ar d r od e o n t he b ac k o f t he H un gr y T ig er a nd c ar ri ed t he c ag eo f m on ke ys ve ry c ar ef ul ly , s o a s n ot t o j og gl e t he m. D or ot hy r od e o nt he b ac k o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a nd t he G la ss C at t ro tt ed , a s b ef or e,t o s ho w t he m t he w ay .
Gug u t he Ki ng c rouc hed upo n a l og and w at ch ed t he m g o, b ut a s he
b ad e t h em f a re w el l , t h e e no r mo us L eo pa r d s a id :
" I k no w n ow t hat y ou a re t he f ri end s o f b ea st s and t hat t he f or es tp eo pl e m ay t ru st y ou . W he ne ve r t he W iz ar d o f O z a nd P ri nc es s D or ot hye nt er t he F or es t o f G ug u h ea ra ft er , t he y w il l b e a s w el co me a nd a ss af e w it h us as e ver t he y a re i n t he E me ral d C it y. "
1 7. A R e ma r ka bl e J o ur n ey
" Yo u s ee ," e xp la in ed t he G la ss C at , " th at M ag ic I sl e w he re T ro t a ndC ap 'n B il l a re s tu ck i s a ls o i n t hi s G il li ki n C ou nt ry -- ove r a t t heea st s ide o f i t, a nd i t' s n o f ar the r t o g o a cr os s- lo ts f ro m he re t ha ni t i s f ro m h er e t o t he E me ral d C it y. S o w e' ll s ave t im e b y c ut ti nga c r os s t h e m o un t ai n s ."
" Ar e y ou s ur e y ou k no w t he w ay ?" a sk ed D or ot hy .
" I k no w a ll t he L an d o f O z b et te r t ha n a ny o th er l ivi ng c re at ur ek no ws i t, " a ss er te d t he G la ss C at .
" Go a he ad , t he n, a nd g ui de u s, " s ai d t he W iz ar d. " We 've l ef t o ur p oo r f r ie nd s h el pl es s t oo l on g a lr ea dy , a nd t he s oo ne r w e r es cu e t he m
t he h ap pi er t he y' ll b e. "
" Ar e y ou s ur e y ou c an g et ' em o ut of t hei r f ix ?" t he l it tl e g ir l i nq ui re d.
"I've n o d ou bt o f i t, " t he W iz ar d a ss ur ed h er . " Bu t I c an 't t el lw ha t s or t o f ma gi c I mu st u se un ti l I g et t o t he p la ce a nd d is co ver
just how they are enchanted."
" I' ve h ea rd o f t ha t M ag ic I sl e w he re t he W on de rf ul F lo we r g ro ws ,"r em ar ke d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " Lo ng a go , w he n I u se d t o l ive i n t hef or es ts , t he b ea st s t ol d s to ri es a bo ut t he I sl e a nd h ow t he M ag icF lo we r w as p la ce d t he re t o e nt ra p s tr an ge rs - -m en o r b ea st s ."
" I s t h e F l ow e r r e al l y w o nd er f ul ? " q ue s ti o ne d D or o th y .
" I h ave h ea rd i t i s t he m os t b ea ut if ul p la nt i n t he w or ld ," a ns we re dt he L io n. " I h ave n eve r s ee n i t m ys el f, b ut f ri en dl y b ea st s h ave t ol dm e t ha t t hey h ave s to od on t he s ho re of t he r iver a nd l oo ked a cr os s a tt he p la nt i n t he g ol d f lo we r- po t a nd s ee n h un dr ed s o f f lo we rs , o f a llsorts and sizes, blossom upon it in quick succession. It is said thati f on e pi ck s t he f lo wer s w hi le t he y a re i n b lo om t hey w il l r em ai np er fe ct f or a l on g t ime , bu t i f t he y ar e no t p ic ke d t he y s oo nd is ap pe ar a nd a re r ep la ce d b y o th er f lo we rs . Th at , i n m y o pi ni on ,m ak e t he M ag ic P la nt t he m os t w on de rf ul i n e xi st en ce ."
" Bu t t he se a re o nl y s to ri es ," s ai d t he g ir l. " Has a ny o f y ou r f ri en ds e ve r p ic ke d a f lo we r f ro m t he w on de rf ul p la nt ?"
" No ," a dm it t ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " fo r i f a ny l ivi ng t hi ng ve nt ur esu po n t he M ag ic I sl e, w he re t he g ol de n f lo we r- po t s ta nd s, t ha t m an o r b ea st t ak es r oot i n t he s oi l an d c an no t g et a wa y a gai n. "
" Wh at h ap pe ns t o t he m, t h en ?" a sk ed D or ot h y.
" Th ey g ro w s ma ll er , h ou r b y h ou r a nd d ay b y d ay , a nd f in al ly
disappear entirely."
" Th en ," s ai d t he g ir l a nx io us ly , " we m us t h ur ry u p, o r C ap 'n B il la n' T ro t w il l g et t oo s ma ll t o b e c om f' ta bl e. "
T he y w er e p ro ce ed in g a t a r ap id p ac e d ur in g t hi s c on ve rs at io n, f or t he H un gr y T ig er a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n w er e o bl ig ed t o m ove s wi ft ly i no rd er t o k ee p p ac e w it h t he G la ss C at . A ft er l ea vi ng t he F or es t o f G ug ut he y c ro ss ed a m ou nt ai n r an ge , a nd t he n a b ro ad p la in , a ft er w hi cht he y r ea ch ed a no th er f or es t, m uc h s ma ll er t ha n t ha t w he re G ug u r ul ed .
" Th e M ag ic I sl e i s i n t hi s f or es t, " s ai d t he G la ss C at , " bu t t her ive r i s a t t he ot he r s ide of t he f or es t. T he re i s no pa th t hr ought he t re es , b ut i f w e k eep g oi ng e as t, w e w il l f in d t he r iver , a nd t heni t w il l be easy t o f ind t he Magic I sl e. "
" Ha ve y ou e ve r t ra ve le d t hi s w ay b ef or e? " i nq ui re d t he W iz ar d.
" No t e xac tl y, " a dm it te d t he C at , " bu t I k now w e s ha ll r ea ch t her ive r i f w e g o e as t t hr ou gh t he f or es t. "
" Le ad o n, t he n, " s ai d t he W iz ar d.
T he Gl as s C at s ta rt ed a wa y, a nd at f ir st i t w as ea sy t o p as s b et we ent he t r ee s; b ut b ef or e l on g t he u nd er br us h a nd vi ne s b ec am e t hi c k a nd
t an gl ed , a nd a ft er p us hi ng t he ir w ay t hr ou gh t he se o bs ta cl es f or at im e, o ur t ra ve le rs c am e t o a p la ce w he re e ve n t he G la ss C at c ou ld n otpush through.
" We 'd b et te r g o b ac k a nd f in d a p at h, " s ug ge st ed t he H un gr y T ig er .
" I' m s 'p ri se d a t y ou ," s ai d D or ot hy , e ye in g t he G la ss C at s eve re ly .
" I' m s ur pr is ed , m ys el f, " r ep li ed t he C at . " Bu t i t' s a l on g w aya ro un d t he f or es t t o w he re t he r ive r e nt er s i t, a nd I t ho ug ht w e c ou lds a ve t i me b y g oi ng s t ra ig ht t hr o ug h. "
" No o ne c an b la me y ou ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " an d I t hi nk , i ns tea d o f t ur ni ng b ac k, I c an m ak e a p at h t hat w il l al lo w us t o p roc ee d. "
H e o pe ne d h is b la ck b ag a nd a ft er s ea rc hi ng a mo ng h is m ag ic t oo lsd re w o ut a s ma ll a xe , m ad e o f s om e m et al s o hi gh ly po li sh ed t ha t i tg li tt er ed b ri gh tl y e ve n i n t he d ar k f or es t. T he W iz ar d l ai d t hel it tl e a xe o n t he g ro un d a nd s ai d i n a c om ma nd in g vo ic e:
" Ch op , L it tl e A xe , c ho p c le an a nd t ru e; A path for our feet you must quickly hew.C ho p t il l t hi s t an gl e o f j un gl e i s p as se d;C ho p t o t he e as t, L it tl e A xe -- ch op f as t! "
T he n t he l it tl e a xe b eg an t o m ove a nd f la sh ed i ts b ri gh t b la de r ig ht
a nd l ef t, c le ar in g a w ay t hr ou gh vi ne a nd b ru sh a nd s ca tt er in g t het an gl ed b ar ri er s o q ui ck ly t ha t t he L io n a nd t he T ig er , c ar ry in gD or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d a nd t he c ag e o f m on ke ys o n t he ir b ac ks , w er eab le t o s tr ide t hr oug h t he f or es t a t a f as t w al k. Th e br us h s ee me d t om el t a wa y b ef or e t he m a nd t he l it tl e a xe c ho pp ed s o f as t t ha t t he ir e ye s o nl y s aw a t wi nk li ng o f t he b la de . T he n, s ud de nl y, t he f or es tw as o pe n a ga in , a nd t he l it tl e a xe , h avi ng o be ye d i ts o rd er s, l ay
s t il l u po n t he g ro un d.
T he W iz ar d p ic ke d u p t he m ag ic a xe a nd a ft er c ar ef ul ly w ip in g i tw it h hi s s il k h an dk er ch ie f p ut i t aw ay i n h is b lac k b ag . T hen t he yw en t on an d i n a s hor t t ime r eac hed t he r iver .
" Le t m e s ee, " s ai d t he Gl as s C at , l oo ki ng u p a nd d ow n t he s tr eam , " It hi nk w e a re b el ow t he M agi c I sl e; s o w e m us t g o u p t he s tr ea m u nt ilw e c ome t o i t. "
S o u p t he s t re am t he y t r ave le d, w al ki ng c om fo rt ab ly o n t he r i ve r b an k, a nd a ft er a w hi le t he w at er b ro ad en ed a nd a s ha rp b en d a pp ea re di n t he r ive r, h id in g a ll b el ow f ro m t he ir vi ew . T he y w al ke d b ri sk lya lo ng , h ow eve r, a nd h ad n ea rl y r ea ch ed t he b en d w he n a vo ic e c r ie dw a rn i ng l y: " L oo k o u t! "
T he t ra ve le r s h al t ed a br up tl y a nd t he W iz ar d s ai d: " Lo ok o ut f or w ha t? "
" Yo u a lm os t s te pp ed o n m y D ia mo nd P al ac e, " r ep li ed t he vo ic e, a nd ad u ck w i th g o rg e ou s ly c o lo r ed f e at h er s a p pe a re d b e fo r e t h em . " B ea s tsa nd m en a re t er ri bl y c lu ms y, " c on ti nu ed t he D uc k i n a n i rr it at ed t on e," an d y ou 've n o b us in es s o n t hi s s id e o f t he R ive r, a ny wa y. W h at a rey o u d oi n g h er e ?"
" We' ve c ome t o r es cu e s ome f ri en ds o f ou rs w ho ar e s tuc k f as t o n t he
M ag i c I s le i n t h is r i ve r, " e xp la in ed D or ot hy .
" I k no w ' em ," s ai d t he D uc k. " I' ve bee n t o s ee 'e m, a nd t hey 'r est uck fast , al l ri ght . You may as well go back home, for no pow er cans a ve t h e m. "
" Th is i s t he W on de rf ul W iz ar d o f O z, " s ai d D or ot hy , p oi nt in g t o t hel i tt l e m an .
" We ll , I 'm t he L on es om e D uc k, " w as t he r ep ly , a s t he f ow l s tr ut te du p a nd d ow n t o s ho w i ts f ea th er s t o b es t a dva nt ag e. " I' m t he g re atF or es t M ag ic ia n, a s an y b ea st c an t el l y ou , b ut e ven I have no power
t o d es tr oy t he d re ad fu l c ha rm o f t he M ag ic I sl e. "
" Ar e y ou l on es om e b ec au se y ou 'r e a m ag ic ia n? " i nq ui re d D or ot hy .
" No ; I 'm l on es om e b ec au se I h ave n o f am il y a nd n o f ri en ds . B ut Il ik e t o be l on es ome , s o pl eas e d on 't o ff er t o be f ri end ly w it h me . Goa wa y, an d t ry n ot t o s tep o n m y D ia mo nd P al ac e. "
" Wh er e i s i t? " a sk ed t he g ir l.
" B eh in d t h is b us h ."
D or ot hy h op pe d o ff t he l io n' s b ac k a nd r an a ro un d t he b us h t o s ee
t he D ia mo nd P al ac e o f t he L on es om e D uc k, a lt ho ug h t he g au dy f ow lp ro te st ed i n a s er ie s o f l ow q ua ck s. T h e g ir l f ou nd , i nd ee d, ag l is t en i ng d o me f o rm e d o f c l ea r es t d i am o nd s , n e at l y c e me nt e d t o ge t he r ,
w it h a do or way a t t he s id e j us t b ig e no ugh t o a dmi t t he d uc k.
" Wh er e d id y ou f in d s o m an y d ia mo nd s? " a sk ed D or ot hy , w on de ri ng ly .
" I k no w a p lac e i n t he mo unt ai ns w he re t hey a re t hi ck a s pe bbl es ,"s ai d t he Lo ne som e D uc k, " an d I br ou gh t t he m he re i n m y bi ll , o ne b y o nea nd p ut t he m i n t he r iver a nd l et t he w at er r un over t he m u nt il t hey
w er e b ri gh tl y p ol is he d. Th en I b ui lt t hi s p al ac e, a nd I 'm p os it i vei t' s t he o nl y D ia mo nd P al ac e i n a ll t he w or ld ."
" It 's t he onl y one I know of ," said t he l it tle gi rl; "but i f y oul ive i n i t al l a lo ne , I d on 't s ee w hy i t's a ny b et te r t han a w ood enp al ac e, o r o ne o f b ri c ks o r c ob bl e- s to ne s. "
" Yo u' r e n ot s up po se d t o u nd er st an d t ha t, " r et or t ed t he L on es om eDuc k. "But I mi ght tel l y ou, as a mat ter of educat ion, t hat a home of an y s or t s hou ld be b ea ut if ul t o t hos e w ho l ive i n i t, a nd s ho ul d n otb e i nt en de d t o p le as e s tr an ge rs . T he D ia mo nd P al ac e i s m y h om e, a nd Ili ke i t. So I don' t c are a quac k whet her YOU l ik e i t or not. "
" Oh , b ut I d o! " e xc la im ed D or ot hy . " It 's l ove ly o n t he o ut si de ,b ut - -" T he n s he s to pp ed s pe ak in g, f or t he L on es om e D uc k h ad e nt er edh is p al ac e t hr ou gh t he l it t le d oo r w it ho ut e ve n s ay i ng g oo d- by e. S oD or ot hy r et ur ne d t o h er f r ie nd s a nd t he y r es um ed t he ir j ou rn ey .
" Do y ou t hi nk , W iz ar d, t he D uc k w as r ig ht i n s ay in g n o m agi c c anr es cu e T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l? " a sk ed t he g ir l i n a w or ri ed t on e o f vo ic e.
" No, I d on 't t hi nk t he L one so me D uc k w as r igh t i n s ay in g t ha t, "answered the Wizard, gravely, "but it is possible that their e nc ha nt me nt w il l b e h ar de r t o o ve rc om e t ha n I e xp ec te d. I 'l l d o m yb es t, o f c our se, a nd no o ne c an d o mo re t ha n hi s be st ."
T ha t d id n' t e nt ir el y r el ie ve D or ot hy 's a nx ie ty , b ut s he s ai d n ot hi ngmo re, an d s oon, on t ur ni ng t he b end i n t he r ive r, t he y c ame i n s ig hto f t he M ag ic I sl e.
" T he r e t h ey a r e! " e x cl a im ed D o ro t hy e ag er l y .
" Ye s, I s ee t he m, " r ep li ed t he W iz ar d, n od di ng . " Th ey a re s it ti ngo n t w o b i g t oa ds t oo ls . "
" Th at 's q ue er ," r em ar ke d t he G la ss C at . " Th er e w er e n o t oa ds to ol st he re w he n I l ef t t he m. "
" Wh at a l ove ly f lo we r! " c ri ed D or ot hy i n r ap tu re , a s h er g az e f el lo n t he M ag ic P la nt .
" Neve r m in d t he F lo we r, j us t n ow ," a dvi se d t he W iz ar d. " Th e m os ti mp or ta nt t hi ng i s t o r es cu e o ur f ri en ds ."
B y t hi s t im e t he y h ad a rr ive d at a p lac e j us t o pp os it e t he Ma gi cI sl e, a nd n ow b ot h T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l s aw t he a rr iva l o f t he ir f ri en ds a nd c al le d t o t he m f or h el p.
" Ho w a re y ou ?" s ho ut ed t he W iz ar d, p ut ti ng h is h an ds t o h is m ou ths o t he y c ou ld h ea r h im b et te r a cr os s t he w at er .
" We 'r e i n h ar d l uc k, " s ho ut ed C ap 'n B il l, i n r ep ly . " We 'r e a nc ho re dher e and c an' t mo ve t il l y ou f in d a w ay t o c ut t he h aw se r. "
" Wh at d oe s h e m ea n b y t ha t? " a sk ed D or ot hy .
" We c an' t m ove ou r f ee t a bi t! " c al led T rot , s pea ki ng as l ou d as s he c oul d.
" Wh y n ot ?" i nq ui r ed D or ot hy .
" Th ey 've g ot r oo ts o n ' em ," e xp la in ed T r ot .
I t w as har d to t al k f rom s o gr eat a di st anc e, s o t he W iz ar d sai d t ot he G la ss C at :
" Go t o t he i sl and a nd t el l o ur f ri ends t o b e p at ien t, f or w e h avec ome t o save t hem. I t may t ak e a li tt le t ime t o r eleas e t hem, f or t heM ag ic of t he I sl e i s n ew t o me a nd I s ha ll ha ve t o e xp er im en t. B utt ell t hem I 'l l hur ry as f ast as I c an."
S o t he Gl as s C at w al ke d a cr os s t he r iver under t he wa ter t o t el l Tr otan d C ap' n B il l no t t o w or ry , a nd t he W iz ar d at on ce o pe ne d hi s b lac kb ag a nd b eg an t o m ak e h is p re pa ra ti on s.
18 . T he Ma gi c of t he W iz ar d
H e f ir st s et u p a s ma ll s il ver t ri po d a nd pl ac ed a g ol d bas in a t t het op of i t. I n to t hi s ba si n he p ut t wo po wde rs -- a p ink on e and as ky -b lu e o ne -- an d p ou re d o ve r t he m a y el lo w l iq ui d f r om a c r ys t alvi al . T he n h e m um bl ed s om e m ag ic w or ds , a nd t he p ow de rs b eg an t os iz zl e a nd b ur n a nd s en d o ut a c lo ud o f vi ol et s mo ke t ha t f lo at eda cr o ss t h e r i ve r a nd c om pl et el y e nve lo pe d b ot h T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l, a s
w el l a s t he t oa ds to ol s o n w hi ch t he y s at , a nd even t he Ma gi c P la nt i nt he g ol d f lo we r- po t. T he n, a ft er t he s mo ke h ad d is ap pe ar ed i nt o a ir ,t he W iz ar d c al le d o ut t o t he p ri so ne rs :
" Ar e y ou f re e? "
B ot h T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l t ri ed t o m ove t he ir f ee t a nd f ai le d.
" No !" t he y s ho ut ed i n a ns we r.
T he W iz ar d r ub be d h is b al d h ea d t ho ug ht fu ll y a nd t he n t oo k s om eo th er m ag ic t oo ls f ro m t he b ag .
F ir st h e p la ce d a l it tl e b la ck b al l i n a s il ve r p is to l a nd s ho t i tt ow ar d t he M ag ic I sl e. T he b al l e xp lo de d j us t o ver t he he ad o f T ro ta nd s ca tt er ed a t ho us an d s pa rk s o ve r t he l it tl e g ir l.
" Oh !" s ai d t he W iz ar d, " I gu es s t ha t w il l s et h er f ree ."
B ut T ro t' s f ee t w er e s ti ll r oo te d i n t he g ro un d o f t he M ag ic I sl e,a nd t he d is ap po in te d W iz ar d h ad t o t ry s om et hi ng e ls e.
F or a lm os t a n h ou r h e w or ke d h ar d, u si ng a lm os t e ve ry m ag ic t oo l i nh is b la ck b ag , a nd s ti ll C ap 'n B il l a nd T ro t w er e n ot r es cu ed .
" De ar m e! " e xc la im ed D or ot hy , " I' m ' fr ai d w e' ll h ave t o g o t oG li nd a, a ft er a ll ."
T hat m ad e t he l it tl e W iz ar d bl us h, f or i t s ha me d h im t o t hi nk t ha th is m ag ic w as n ot e qua l t o t hat o f t he Ma gi c I sl e.
" I w on' t gi ve u p y et , D or ot hy ," h e s ai d, " fo r I k no w a l ot o f w iz ar dr y t ha t I h ave n' t y et t ri ed . I d on 't k no w w ha t m ag ic ia ne nc ha nt ed t hi s l it tl e i sl an d, o r w ha t h is p ow er s w er e, b ut I D O k no wt ha t I c an b re ak a ny e nc ha nt me nt k no wn t o t he o rd in ar y w it ch es a nd
m ag ic ia ns t ha t u sed t o i nha bi t t he L an d o f Oz . I t' s l ik e u nl oc ki ng ad oo r; a ll y ou n ee d i s t o f in d t he r ig ht k ey ."
" Bu t ' sp os e y ou h ave n' t t he r ig ht k ey w it h y ou ." s ug ge st ed D or ot hy ;" w ha t t h en ? "
" Th en w e' ll h ave t o m ak e t he k ey ," h e a ns we re d.
T he G las s C at n ow c ame b ac k t o t hei r s id e of t he r iver , w al ki ngu nd er t he w at er , a nd s ai d t o t he W iz ar d: " Th ey 'r e g et ti ng f ri gh te ne do ve r t he re o n t he i sl an d b ec au se t he y' re b ot h g ro wi ng s ma ll er e ve rym in ut e. J us t n ow , w he n I l ef t t he m, b ot h T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l w er eo nl y a bo ut h al f t he ir n at u ra l s i ze s. "
" I t hi nk ," s ai d t he W iz ar d r ef le ct ive ly , " th at I 'd b et te r g o t o t hes hor e of t he i sl and , w he re I c an t al k t o t hem a nd w or k t o b et te r adva nt ag e. H ow d id T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l g et t o t he i sl an d? "
" On a r af t, " a ns we re d t he G la ss C at . " It 's o ve r t he re n ow o n t he b ea ch ."
" I s up po se y ou 'r e n ot s tr on g e no ug h t o b ri ng t he r af t t o t hi s s id e,a r e y o u? "
" No ; I c ou ldn 't mo ve i t a n i nc h, " s ai d t he C at .
" I' ll t ry t o g et i t f or y ou ," vo lu nt ee re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " I' md re ad fu ll y s ca re d f or f ea r t he M ag ic I sl e w il l c ap tu re m e, t oo ; b utI 'll t ry t o get t he r aft and bri ng i t t o t his s ide f or y ou. "
" Th an k y ou , m y f ri en d, " s ai d t he W iz ar d.
S o t he L io n p lu ng ed i nt o t he r ive r a nd s wa m w it h p ow er fu l s tr ok esa cr os s t o w he re t he r af t w as b ea ch ed u po n t he i sl an d. P la ci ng o ne p awo n t he r af t, he t ur ne d an d s tr uc k ou t w it h hi s o th er t hr ee l eg s an d s os tr ong w as t he g reat bea st t ha t he mana ged t o dr ag t he r af t f rom o ff t heb ea ch a nd p ro pe l i t s lo wl y t o w he re t he W iz ar d s to od o n t he r ive r b an k.
" Go od !" e xc l ai me d t he l it t le m an , w el l p le as ed .
" Ma y I g o a cr os s w it h y ou ?" a sk ed D or ot hy .
T h e W i za r d h es i t at e d.
" If y ou 'l l t ak e c ar e n ot t o l eave t he r af t o r s te p f oo t o n t hei sl an d, y ou 'l l b e q ui te s af e, " h e d ec id ed . S o t he W iz ar d t ol d t heH un gr y T ig er a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n t o g ua rd t he c ag e o f m on ke ys u nt ilh e r et ur ne d, a nd t he n h e a nd D or ot hy g ot u po n t he r af t. T he p ad dl ew hi ch C ap 'n B il l h ad m ad e w as s ti ll t he re , s o t he l it tl e W iz ar d p ad dl edt he c lu ms y r af t ac ro ss t he w at er a nd r an i t u po n t he be ac h of t heMa gi c I sl e a s c lo se t o t he pl ac e w he re C ap' n Bi ll and T rot w er e
r oo te d a s h e c ou ld .
D or ot hy w as s ho ck ed t o s ee h ow s ma ll t he p ri so ne rs h ad b ec om e, a nd
T ro t s ai d t o h er f ri en ds : " If y ou c an 't s ave u s s oo n, t he re 'l l b en ot hi ng l ef t o f u s. "
" Be p at ie nt , m y d ea r, " c ou ns el ed t he W iz ar d, a nd t oo k t he l it tl e a xef ro m h is b la ck b ag .
" Wh at a re y ou go in g t o d o w it h t hat ?" as ke d C ap' n B il l.
" It 's a m ag ic a xe ," r ep li ed t he W iz ar d, " an d w he n I t el l i t t o c ho p,i t w il l c hop t ho se r oo ts f rom y ou r f eet an d y ou c an r un t o t he r af tb ef o re t he y g r ow a ga i n. "
" Do n' t! " s ho ut ed t he s ai lo r i n a la rm . " Do n' t d o i t! T ho se r oo tsa re a ll f le sh r oo ts , a nd o ur b od ie s a re f ee di ng ' em w hi le t he y' reg r ow i ng i n to t h e g r ou nd . "
" To c ut o ff t he r oot s, " s ai d Tr ot , " wou ld be l ik e c ut ti ng of f o ur f in ge rs a nd t oe s. "
The Wi zar d put t he l it tl e ax e back i n t he blac k bag and t ook out ap ai r o f s il ve r p in ce rs .
" Gr ow -- gr ow -- gr ow !" h e s ai d t o t he p in ce rs , a nd a t o nc e t he y g re wa nd e xt en de d u nt il t he y r ea ch ed f ro m t he r af t t o t he p ri so ne rs .
" Wh at a re y ou g oi ng t o d o n ow ?" d em an de d C ap 'n B il l, f ea rf ul lye ye in g t he p in ce r s.
" Th is m ag ic t oo l w il l p ul l y ou u p, r oo ts a nd a ll , an d l an d y ou ont hi s r a ft , " d ec l ar e d t h e W i za r d.
" Do n' t d o i t! " p le ad ed t he s ai lo r, w it h a s hu dd er . " It w ou ld h ur t
u s a w fu l l y. "
" It woul d be jus t l ik e pul li ng t eet h t o pul l us up by t he r oot s, "explained Trot.
" Gr ow s ma ll !" s ai d t he W iz ar d t o t he p in cer s, a nd a t o nc e t he yb ec am e s ma ll a nd h e t hr ew t he m i nt o t he b la ck b ag .
" I g ue ss , f ri en ds , i t' s a ll u p w it h u s, t hi s t ime ," r em ar ke d C ap 'n B il l,w it h a d is ma l s ig h.
" Pl ea se t el l O zm a, D or ot hy ," s ai d T ro t, " th at w e g ot i nt o t ro ub le
t r yi ng t o g et h er a n ic e b ir t hd ay p re se nt . T h en s he 'l l f or gi ve u s .T he M ag ic F lo we r i s l ove ly a nd w on de rf ul , b ut i t' s j us t a l ur e t oc at ch f ol ks o n t hi s d re ad fu l i sl an d a nd t he n d es tr oy t he m. Y ou 'l lhave a n ic e b ir th da y p ar ty , w it ho ut u s, I 'm s ur e; a nd I h op e, D or ot hy ,t ha t n on e o f y ou i n t he E me ra ld C it y w il l f or ge t m e- -o r d ea r o l'C a p' n B i ll . "
1 9. D or ot hy a nd t he B um bl e B ee s
D or ot hy w as g re at ly d is tr es se d a nd h ad h ar d w or k t o k ee p t he t ea rs
f ro m h er e ye s.
" Is t ha t a ll y ou c an d o, W iz ar d? " s he a sk ed t he l it tl e m an .
" It 's a ll I c an t hi nk o f j us t n ow ," h e r ep li ed s ad ly . " Bu t I i nt en dt o k ee p o n t hi nk in g a s l on g- -a s l on g- -w el l, a s l on g a s t hi nk in g w il ld o a ny g oo d. "
T he y w er e a ll s il en t f or a t im e, D or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d s it ti ngt ho ug ht fu ll y o n t he r af t , a nd T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l s it t in g t ho ug ht fu ll y
o n t he t oa ds to ol s a nd g ro wi ng g ra du al ly s ma ll er a nd s ma ll er i n s iz e.
S u dd e nl y D o ro t hy s a id : " W i za r d, I ' ve t h ou gh t o f s o me t hi n g! "
" Wh at h ave y ou t ho ug ht o f? " h e a sk ed , l oo ki ng a t t he l it tl e g ir lw i t h i n t er e s t.
" Ca n y ou r em em be r t he M ag ic W or d t ha t t ra ns f or ms p eo pl e? " s he a sk ed .
" Of c ou rs e, " s ai d h e.
" Th en y ou c an t ra ns fo rm T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l i nt o b ir ds o r b um bl eb ee s,a nd t he y c an f ly a wa y t o t he o th er s hor e. W hen t he y' re t he re , y ou c ant r an s fo r m ' em i n to t h ei r r e g' l ar s h ap es a g ai n! "
" Ca n y ou d o t ha t, W iz ar d? " a sk ed C ap 'n B il l, e ag er ly .
"I think so."
" Ro ot s a n' a ll ?" i nq ui r ed T ro t.
" Why , t he r oot s ar e no w a par t o f y ou, a nd i f y ou w er e t ra ns fo rm edt o a b um bl eb ee t he w ho le o f y ou w ou ld b e t ra ns fo rm ed , o f c ou rs e, a ndy ou 'd b e f re e o f t hi s a wf ul i sl an d. "
" Al l r ig ht ; d o i t! " c ri ed t he s ai lo r- ma n.
S o t he W iz ar d s ai d s lo wl y a nd d is ti nc tl y:
" I w an t T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l t o b ec om e b um bl eb ee s- -P yr zq xg l! "
F or tu na te ly , h e p ro no un ce d t he M ag ic W or d i n t he r ig ht w ay , a ndi ns ta nt l y T r ot a nd C ap 'n B il l va ni sh ed f ro m vi ew , a nd u p f ro m t hep la ce s w he re t he y h ad b ee n f le w t wo b um bl eb ee s.
" H oo r ay ! " s h ou t ed D o ro t hy i n d e li g ht ; " t he y 'r e s a ve d! "
" I g ue ss t he y a r e, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d, e qu al l y d el ig ht ed .
T he b ee s ho ver ed o ve r t he r af t a n i ns ta nt a nd t he n f le w a cr os s t her ive r t o w he re t he L io n a nd t he T ig er w ai te d. T he W iz ar d p ic ke d u pt he p ad dl e an d p ad dl ed t he r af t a cr os s as f as t as h e c oul d. W he n i tr ea ch ed t he r ive r b an k, b ot h D or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d l ea pe d a sh or e a ndt he l it tl e m an a sk ed e xc it ed ly :
" Wh er e a re t he b ee s? "
" Th e b ee s? " i nq ui re d t he L io n, w ho w as h al f a sl ee p a nd d id n ot k no ww ha t h ad h ap pe ne d o n t he M ag ic I sl e.
" Ye s; t he re w er e t wo o f t he m. "
" Tw o b ee s? " s ai d t he H un gr y T ig er , y aw ni ng . "W hy , I a te o ne o f t he m
a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n a te t he o th er ."
" G oo dn e ss g r ac i ou s !" c r ie d D o ro t hy h or r i fi e d.
" It w as l it tl e e no ug h f or o ur l un ch ," r em ar ke d t he T ig er , " bu t t heb ee s w er e t he o nl y t hi ng s w e c ou ld f in d. "
" H ow d r ea df ul ! " w ai l ed D o ro t hy , w r in gi n g h er h an ds i n d es p ai r ." Yo u' ve e at en T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l. "
B ut j us t t he n s he h ea rd a b uz zi ng o ve rhe ad a nd t wo b ee s a li gh te d o nher shoulder.
" He re w e a re ," s ai d a s ma ll vo ic e i n h er e ar . " I' m T ro t, D or ot hy ."
" An d I 'm C ap 'n B il l, " s ai d t he o th er b ee .
D or ot hy a lm os t f ai nt ed , w it h r el ie f, a nd t he W iz ar d, w ho w as c lo se b ya nd h ad h ea rd t he t in y vo ic es , g ave a l au gh a nd s ai d:
" You a re n ot t he on ly t wo b ees i n t he f or es t, i t s ee ms , b ut I a dvi sey ou t o k eep a wa y f ro m t he Li on and t he Ti ge r un ti l y ou r ega in y ou r proper forms."
" Do i t n ow , W iz ar d! " a dvi se d D or ot hy . " Th ey 'r e s o s ma ll t ha t y ouneve r c an t el l w ha t m ig ht h ap pe n t o ' em ."
S o t he W iz ar d g ave t he c om ma nd a nd p ro no un ce d t he M ag ic W or d, a nd i nt he i ns ta nt T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l s to od b es id e t he m a s n at ur al a s b ef or et he y h ad m et t he ir f ea rf ul a dve nt ur e. F or t he y w er e n o l on ge r s ma lli n s iz e, b ec au se t he W iz ar d h ad t r an sf or me d t he m f ro m b um bl eb ee s i nt ot he s ha pe s a nd s iz es t ha t n at ur e h ad f or me rl y g ive n t he m. T he u gl y
r oo ts o n t he ir f ee t h ad d is ap pe ar ed w it h t he t ra ns fo rm at io n.
W hi le D or ot hy w as h ug gi ng T ro t, a nd T ro t w as s of tl y c r yi ng b ec au ses he w as s o ha pp y, t he W iz ar d s ho ok h an ds w it h C ap' n B il l a ndc on gr at ul at ed h im o n h is e sc ap e. Th e o ld s ai lo r- ma n w as s o p le as edt hat h e a ls o s hoo k t he L ion' s p aw an d t ook of f hi s hat an d bo wedp ol it el y t o t he c ag e o f m on ke ys .
T hen C ap 'n B il l d id a c ur iou s t hi ng . H e w en t t o a bi g t ree an d,t ak in g ou t h is k ni fe , c ut aw ay a bi g, b roa d p ie ce o f t hi ck b ar k. T he nhe s at d ow n on t he gr ound and af te r t ak ing a r ol l o f s to ut c or d f romh is p oc ke t- -w hi ch s ee me d t o b e f ul l o f a ll s or ts o f t hi ng s- -h e
pr oc eede d t o b ind t he f lat pi ec e o f ba rk t o t he bo tt om o f h is g oodf oo t, o ve r t he l ea th er s ol e.
" Wh at 's t ha t f or ?" i nq ui r ed t he W i za rd .
" I h at e t o b e s tu mp ed ," r ep li ed t he s ai lo r- ma n; " so I 'm g oi n' b ac kt o t ha t i sl an d. "
" A nd g e t e n ch a nt e d a g ai n ?" e x cl a im ed T r ot , w i t h e vi d en t d i sa pp r ova l .
" No; t hi s t ime I 'l l d od ge t he ma gi c o f t he i sl an d. I no ti ced t ha tm y w oo de n l eg di dn' t g et s tu ck , o r t ak e r oo t, a n' n ei the r d id t heg la ss f ee t o f t he Gl as s C at . I t' s on ly a t hi ng t hat 's m ad e o f
m ea t- -l ik e m an a n' b ea st s- -t ha t t he m ag ic c an h ol d a n' r oo t t o t heg ro un d. O ur s ho es a re l ea th er , a n' l ea th er c om es f ro m a b ea st 's h id e.O ur s to ck in 's a re w oo l, a n' w oo l c om es f ro m a s he ep 's b ac k. S o, w he n
w e w al ked o n t he Mag ic I sl e, our f eet t oo k r oot t her e a n' he ld u sf as t. B ut no t my w oo de n l eg . So no w I 'l l pu t a w ood en b ot to m on myo th er f oo t a n' t he m ag ic c an 't s to p m e. "
" Bu t w hy do y ou w is h t o g o b ac k t o t he i sl an d? " a sk ed D or ot hy .
" Di dn 't y ou s ee t he M ag ic F lo we r i n t he g ol d f lo we r- po t? " r et ur ne d
C a p' n B i ll .
" Of c ou rs e I s aw i t, a nd i t' s l ove ly a nd w on de rf ul ."
"Well , Tr ot an' I s et out t o get the magic plant for a pr esent toOzma on her bir thday , and I mean to get it an' take it back wit h us t ot h e E me r al d C i ty . "
" Th at w ou ld b e f in e, " c ri ed T ro t e ag er ly , " if y ou t hi nk y ou c an d oit , and i t would be s afe to tr y!"
" I' m pr et ty s ur e i t i s s af e, t he w ay I 've f ix ed m y f oo t, " s ai d t hes ai lo r, " an ' i f I S HO UL D h ap pe n t o g et c au gh t, I s 'p os e t he W iz ar dc ou ld s a ve m e a ga in ."
" I s up po se I c oul d, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d. " An yho w, i f y ou w is h t o t ryi t, C ap 'n B il l, g o a he ad a nd w e' ll s ta nd b y a nd w at ch w ha t h ap pe ns ."
S o t he s ai lo r- ma n g ot u po n t he r af t a ga in a nd p ad dl ed o ve r t o t heM ag ic I sl e, l an di ng a s c lo se t o t he g ol de n f lo we r- po t a s h e c ou ld .T he y w at ch ed h im w al k a cr os s t he l an d, p ut b ot h a rm s a ro un d t hef low er -p ot a nd l if t i t e as il y f rom i ts pl ac e. T he n he c ar ri ed i t t ot he r af t an d s et i t do wn ver y gen tl y. Th e r emo va l d id no t s ee m t oa ff ec t t he M ag ic F lo we r i n a ny w ay , f or i t w as g ro wi ng d af fo di ls w he nCap'n Bil l pic ked it up and on t he w ay to t he raft i t gr ew t uli ps and
g la di ol i. D ur in g t he t im e t he s ai lo r w as p ad dl in g a cr os s t he r ive r t ow h er e h i s f r ie n ds a w ai t ed h i m, s e ve n d if f er en t va r ie t ie s o f f l ow e rsb lo om ed i n s uc ce ss io n o n t he p la nt .
" I g ues s t he Ma gi ci an w ho p ut i t on t he i sl an d n ever t ho ug ht t hat a nyo ne w ou ld c ar ry i t o ff ," s ai d D or ot hy .
" He f ig ur ed t ha t o nl y m en w ou ld w an t t he p la nt , a nd a ny m an w ho w en tu po n t he i sl an d t o g et i t w ou ld b e c au gh t b y t he e nc ha nt me nt ," a dd edt h e W iz a rd .
" Af te r t hi s, " r ema rk ed T ro t, " no on e w il l c ar e t o g o on t he i sl an d,
so it won't be a tr ap any mor e. "
" Th er e, " e xc la im ed C ap 'n B il l, s et ti ng d ow n t he M ag ic P la nt i nt ri um ph u po n t he r ive r b an k, " if O zm a g et s a b et te r b ir th da y p re se ntt han t hat , I'd lik e t o know w hat it can be! "
" I t' ll s 'p ri s e h er , a ll r i gh t, " d ec la re d D or ot hy , s t an di ng i n a we dw on de r b ef or e t he g or ge ou s b lo ss om s a nd w at ch in g t he m c ha ng e f ro my el l ow r o se s t o vi o le t s.
" I t' l l s ' pr i se e v' ry bo dy i n t he E m' ra ld C i ty , " T ro t a ss er t ed i n g le e," an d i t' ll b e O zm a' s p re se nt f ro m C ap 'n B il l a nd m e. "
" I t hi nk I o ug ht t o h ave a l it tl e c re di t, " o bj ec te d t he G la ss C at ." I d is co ve re d t he t hi ng , a nd l ed y ou t o i t, a nd b ro ug ht t he W iz ar dh er e t o s ave y ou w he n y ou g ot c au gh t. "
" Th at 's t ru e, " a dm it te d T ro t, " an d I 'l l t el l O zm a t he w ho le s to ry ,s o s he 'l l k no w h ow g oo d y ou 've b ee n. "
2 0 . T h e M o nk e ys H a ve T ro ub le
" Now ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " we m us t s ta rt f or h ome . B ut h ow a re w eg oi ng t o c ar ry t ha t b ig g ol d f lo we r- po t? C ap 'n B il l c an 't l ug i t a llt h e w ay , t h at ' s c er t ai n ."
" No ," a ck no wl ed ge d t he s ai lo r -m an ; " it ' s p r et t y h ea vy . I c ou l d c a rr yi t f or a l it tl e w hi le , bu t I 'd h ave t o s to p t o r es t e ver y f ew m in ut es ."
" Co ul dn 't w e p ut i t o n y ou r b ac k? " D or ot hy a sk ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n,w i th a g oo d- n at u re d y aw n .
" I do n' t ob je ct t o c ar ry ing i t, i f y ou c an f as te n i t on ," an sw er edt he L io n.
" If i t f al ls of f, " s ai d T rot , " it mi gh t ge t s mas he d a n' be r ui ned ."
" I' ll f ix i t, " p rom is ed C ap' n B il l. " I'l l m ak e a f lat b oar d ou t o f on e of t he se t ree t ru nk s, a n' t ie t he bo ar d on t he l io n' s ba ck , an 'set t he fl ow er -pot on t he board. " He set to work at once t o do t hi s,but as he only had his bi g knife f or a tool his progress was slow.
So t he Wi zar d t ook f rom hi s blac k bag a t iny saw t hat shone l ik es il ve r a nd s ai d t o i t:
" Sa w, L it tl e S aw , c om e s ho w y ou r p ow er ;M ak e u s a b oa rd f or t he M ag ic F lo we r. "
And at once the Little Saw began to move and it sawed the log sof as t t ha t t ho se w ho w at ch ed i t w or k w er e a st on is he d. I t s ee me d t oun der st and, t oo, j us t w hat t he b oar d w as t o be us ed f or , f or w hen i tw as c om pl et ed i t w as f la t o n t op a nd h ol lo we d b en ea th i n s uc h a m an ne r t ha t i t e xa ct ly f it te d t he L io n' s b ac k.
" Th at b ea t s w hi t tl i n' !" e xc la im ed C ap 'n B il l , a dm ir i ng ly . " Yo u
d on 't h ap pe n t o h ave T WO o ' t he m s aw s; d o y ou , W iz ar d? "
" No ," r ep li ed t he W iz ar d, w ip in g t he M ag ic S aw c ar ef ul ly w it h h iss il k h an dk er ch ie f a nd p ut ti ng i t b ac k i n t he bl ac k b ag . " It 's t heonl y saw of it s kind i n t he w or ld; and if there were mor e li ke i t, itw ou l dn 't b e s o w o nd er f ul . "
Th ey no w t ied t he b oar d on t he Li on' s ba ck , f lat s ide u p, an d C ap 'nB il l c ar ef ul ly p la ce d t he M ag ic F lo we r o n t he b oa rd .
" Fo r f ea r o ' a cc id en ts ," h e s ai d, " I' ll w al k b es id e t he L io n a ndh ol d o nt o t h e f l ow er - po t ."
T ro t a nd D or ot hy c ou ld b ot h r id e o n t he b ac k o f t he H un gr y T ig er ,a nd b et we en t he m t he y c ar ri ed t he c ag e o f m on ke ys . B ut t hi sa rr an ge me nt l ef t t he W iz ar d, a s w el l a s t he s ai lo r, t o ma ke t he
journey on foot, and so the procession moved slowly and the Glass Catg ru mbl ed b ec aus e i t w ou ld t ak e s o l on g t o ge t t o t he E mer al d C it y.
T he C at w as s ou r- te mp er ed a nd g ru mp y, a t f ir st , b ut b ef or e t he y h ad journeyed far, the crystal creature had discovered a fine amusement.
T he l on g t ai ls o f t he m on ke ys w er e c on st an tl y s ti ck in g t hr ou gh t heb ar s o f t he ir c age , a nd w he n t he y di d, t he G la ss C at w ou ld s ly ly s ei ze
t he t ai ls i n h er pa ws a nd pu ll t he m. T ha t ma de t he m onk ey s s cr ea m,a nd t he ir s cr ea ms p le as ed t he G la ss C at i mm en se ly . T ro t a nd D or ot hyt ri ed t o s to p t hi s n au gh ty a mu se me nt , b ut w he n t he y w er e n ot l oo ki ngt he C at w oul d pu ll t he t ai ls a gai n, a nd t he c rea tu re w as s o s ly a ndq ui ck t ha t t he m on ke ys c ou ld s el do m e sc ap e. T he y s co ld ed t he C ata ng ri ly an d s ho ok t he b ar s o f t hei r c age , b ut t he y c oul d no t g et o uta nd t he C at o nl y l au gh ed a t t he m.
After the party had left the forest and were on the plains of theM un ch ki n C ou nt ry , i t g re w d ar k, a nd t he y w er e o bl ig ed t o m ak e c am p f or t he n ig ht , c hoo si ng a pr et ty p la ce b es id e a b roo k. B y m ea ns o f h ism ag ic t he W iz ar d c re at ed t hr ee t en ts , p it ch ed i n a r ow o n t he g ras sa nd n ic el y f it te d w it h a ll t ha t w as n ee df ul f or t he c om fo rt o f h isc om ra de s. T he m id dl e t en t w as f or D or ot hy a nd T ro t, a nd h ad i n i t t woc os y w hi te b ed s a nd t wo c ha ir s. A no th er t en t, a ls o w it h b ed s a ndc hai rs , w as f or t he W iz ar d a nd C ap' n B il l, w hi le t he t hi rd t en t w asf or t he H un gr y T ig er , t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t he c ag e o f M on ke ys a nd t heG la ss C at . O ut si de t he t en ts t he W iz ar d m ad e a f ir e a nd p la ce d o ver i t a ma gi c k et tl e f ro m w hi ch h e p res en tl y d re w a ll s or ts o f n ic et hi ng s f or t he ir s up pe r, s mo ki ng h ot .
After they had eaten and talked together for a while under thet wi nk li ng s ta rs , t he y a ll w en t t o b ed a nd t he p eo pl e w er e s oo na sl ee p. T he L io n a nd t he T ig er h ad a lm os t f al le n a sl ee p, t oo , w he nt he y w er e r ous ed by t he s cr eam s of t he mo nk ey s, f or t he G la ss C at w as
p ul li ng t he ir t ai ls a ga in . A nn oy ed b y t he u pr oa r, t he H un gr y T ig er c ri ed: " St op t ha t r ac ke t! " a nd g et ti ng s ig ht o f t he G la ss C at , h er ai se d h is b ig p aw an d s tr uc k a t t he c rea tur e. T he c at w as q ui cke no ug h t o d od ge t he b lo w, b ut t he c la ws o f t he H un gr y T ig er s cr ap edt he mo nk ey 's c age a nd be nt t wo o f t he b ar s.
T he n t he T ig er l ay d ow n a ga in t o s le ep , b ut t he m on ke ys s oo nd is co ve re d t ha t t he b en di ng o f t he b ar s w ou ld a ll ow t he m t o s qu ee zet hr ou gh . T he y d id n ot l ea ve t he c ag e, h ow eve r, b ut a ft er w hi sp er in gt og et he r t he y l et t he ir t ai ls s ti ck o ut a nd a ll r em ai ne d q ui et .P res ent ly t he Gl as s C at s to le n ea r t he c age a ga in a nd g ave a y an k t oo ne o f t he t ai ls . I ns ta nt ly t he m on ke ys l ea pe d t hr ou gh t he b ar s, o ne
a ft er a no th er , a nd a lt ho ug h t he y w er e s o s ma ll t he e nt ir e d oz en o f t he m s ur ro un de d t he G la ss C at a nd c lu ng t o h er c la ws a nd t ai l a nd e ar sand m ade her a pr is oner . The n t hey f or ce d her o ut of t he t ent andd ow n t o t he b an ks o f t he s tr ea m. T he m on ke ys h ad n ot ic ed t ha t t he seb an ks w er e c ove re d w it h t hi ck , s li my m ud o f a d ar k b lu e c ol or , a ndw he n t he y h ad t ak en t he C at t o t he s tr ea m, t he y s mea re d t hi s mu d a llove r t he g la ss b od y o f t he c at , f il li ng t he c re at ur e' s e ar s a nd e ye sw it h i t, s o t ha t s he c ou ld n ei th er s ee n or he ar . S he w as n o l ong er t ran spa re nt a nd s o t hi ck w as t he m ud u po n h er t ha t n o on e c oul d s eeh er p in k b ra in s o r h er r ub y h ea rt .
I n t hi s c on di ti on t he y l ed t he p us sy b ac k t o t he t en t a nd t hen g oti ns i de t he ir c ag e a ga in .
By mor ning the mud had dr ied har d on the Glass Cat and it was a dullb lu e c ol or t hr ou gh ou t. D or ot hy a nd T ro t w er e h or r if ie d, b ut t he
W iz ar d s ho ok h is h ea d a nd s ai d i t s er ve d t he G las s C at r igh t f or t e as i ng t h e m on k ey s .
C ap 'n B il l, w it h h is s tr on g h an ds , s oo n b en t t he g ol de n w ir es o f t hem on ke ys ' c ag e i nt o t he p ro pe r p os it io n a nd t he n h e a sk ed t he W iz ar d i f he s hou ld w as h t he Gl as s C at i n t he w at er o f t he b ro ok .
" No t j us t y et ," a ns we re d t he W iz ar d. " Th e C at d es er ve s t o b ep un is he d, s o I t hi nk I 'l l l ea ve t ha t b lu e m ud -- wh ic h i s a s b ad a sp ai nt -- up on h er b od y u nt il s he g et s t o t he E me ra ld C it y. T he s il lyc re at ur e i s s o va in t ha t s he w il l b e g re at ly s ha me d w he n t he O z p eo pl es ee h er i n t hi s c on di ti on , a nd p er ha ps s he 'l l t ak e t he l es so n t o h ea rta nd l ea ve t h e m on k ey s a l on e h e re a ft e r. "
Howeve r, t he G la ss C at c ou ld n ot s ee o r h ea r, a nd t o a vo id c ar ry in ghe r on t he j ou rn ey t he W iz ar d p ic ke d t he m ud ou t of he r ey es a nd ea rsa nd D or ot hy d am pe ne d h er h an dk er ch ie f a nd w as he d b ot h t he e ye s a nde a rs c l ea n .
As soon as she could speak the Glass Cat asked indignantly: "Aren'ty ou g oi ng t o p un is h t hos e m on key s f or p la yi ng s uc h a t ri ck o n m e? "
" No ," a ns we re d t he W iz ar d. "Y ou p la ye d a t ri ck o n t he m b y p ul li ngt hei r t ai ls , s o t hi s i s o nl y t it -f or -t at , a nd I 'm g la d t he mo nk ey s h adtheir revenge."
H e wo ul dn' t a ll ow t he G las s C at t o g o n ear t he w at er , t o w as hh er se lf , b ut m ad e h er f ol lo w t he m w he n t he y r es um ed t he ir j ou rn eyt ow ar d t he E me ra ld C it y .
" Th is i s o nl y p ar t o f y ou r p un is hm en t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, s eve re ly ." Oz ma w il l l aug h a t y ou, w hen w e ge t t o h er pa la ce, a nd s o w il l t he
S ca re cr ow , a nd t he T in W oo dm an , a nd T ik - To k, a nd t he S ha gg y M an , a ndB ut t on -B ri gh t, a nd t he P at c hw or k G ir l , a nd -- "
" A nd t he P i nk K it t en , " a dd ed D or ot h y.
T ha t s ug ge st io n h ur t t he G la ss C at m or e t ha n a ny th in g e ls e. T heP in k K it te n a lw ay s q ua rr el ed w it h t he G la ss C at a nd i ns is te d t ha tf les h w as s upe ri or t o g las s, w hi le t he G las s C at w oul d j eer a t t heP ink K it ten , b ec au se i t ha d no p in k b rai ns . B ut t he p ink br ai ns w er ea ll da ub ed w it h bl ue m ud, j us t n ow , an d i f t he P ink K it ten s ho ul d s eet he G la ss C at i n s uc h a c on di ti on , i t w ou ld b e d re ad fu ll y h um il ia ti ng .
F or s eve ra l h ou rs t he G la ss C at w al ke d a lo ng ve ry m ee kl y, b ut t ow ar dn oo n i t s ei ze d a n o pp or tu ni ty w he n n o o ne w as l oo ki ng a nd d ar te d a wa yt hr ou gh t he l on g g ra ss . It r em em be re d t ha t t he re w as a t in y l ak e o f pur e water near by, and t o t his lak e t he Cat sped as f as t as it coul d go.
T he o th er s ne ve r m is se d h er u nt il t he y s to pp ed f or l un ch , a nd t he nit w as t oo l at e t o hunt for her .
" I s 'p ec t s he 's g on e s om ew he re t o c l ea n h er s el f, " s ai d D or ot hy .
" Ne ve r m in d, " r e pl ie d t he W i za r d. " P e rh ap s t h is g la ss c r ea tu r e h asb ee n p un is he d e no ug h, a nd w e m us t n ot f or ge t s he s ave d b ot h T rot a ndC a p' n B i ll . "
" Af te r f i rs t l ea di ng ' em o nt o a n e nc ha nt ed i sl an d, " a dd ed D or ot hy ." But I t hi nk , a s y ou do , t ha t t he G la ss C at i s p uni sh ed e no ug h, a nd
p 'r ap s s he w on 't t ry t o p ul l t he m on ke ys ' t ai ls a ga in ."
T he Gl as s C at di d n ot r ej oi n t he p ar ty o f t rave le rs . S he w as s ti llr es en tf ul , a nd t he y m ove d t oo s lo wl y t o s ui t h er , b es id es . W he n t he yar rived at t he R oy al P al ac e, o ne of t he f ir st t hi ng s t he y s aw w as t heGl as s C at c ur led up on a ben ch as br ight an d c lea n a nd t ran spar en t a seve r. B ut s he p re te nd ed n ot t o n ot ic e t he m, a nd t he y p as se d h er b y
without remark.
2 1. T he C ol le ge o f A th le ti c A rt s
D or ot hy a nd h er f ri en ds a rr ive d a t t he R oy al P al ac e a t a n o pp or t un et im e, f or O zm a w as h ol di ng h ig h c ou rt i n h er T hr on e R oo m, w he reP ro fe ss or H . M . W og gl eb ug , T .E ., w as a pp ea li ng t o h er t o p un is h s om e o f t he s tu de nt s o f t he R oy al A th le ti c C ol le ge , o f w hi ch h e w as t he P ri nc ip al .
T hi s C ol le ge i s l oc at ed i n t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry , b ut n ot f ar f ro mt he E me ra ld C it y. T o e na bl e t he s tu de nt s t o d evo te t he ir e nt ir e t im et o a th le ti c e xe rc is es , s uc h a s b oa ti ng , f oo t- ba ll , a nd t he l ik e,P r of e ss o r W og gl e bu g h ad i n ve nt e d a n a s so r tm en t o f T a bl e ts o f L ea r ni n g.O ne o f t he se t ab le ts , e at en b y a s ch ol ar a ft er b re ak fa st , w ou ldi ns t an tl y e na bl e h im t o u nd er st an d a ri th me ti c o r a lg eb ra o r a ny o th er b ra nc h o f m at he ma ti cs . A no th er t ab le t e at en a ft er l un ch g ave as tu de nt a c om pl et e k no wl ed ge o f g eo gr ap hy . A no th er t ab le t m ad e i tp os si bl e f or t he e at er t o s pe ll t he m os t d if fi cu lt w or ds , a nd s ti lla no th er e na bl ed h im t o w ri te a b ea ut if ul h an d. T h er e w er e t ab le ts f or h is t or y , m ec ha ni c s, h om e c oo k in g a nd a gr i cu lt ur e, a nd i t m at t er e d n otw he th er a b oy or a gi rl w as s tu pi d o r br igh t, f or t he t ab let s t au gh tt he m e ve ry th in g i n t he t wi nk li ng o f a n e ye .
T hi s m et ho d, w hi ch i s p at en te d i n t he L an d o f O z b y P ro fe ss or W og gl eb ug , s ave s p ap er a nd b oo ks , a s w el l a s t he t ed io us h ou rs d evo te dt o s tu dy i n s om e o f o ur l es s f avo red s cho ol s, a nd i t a ls o a ll ow s t hes tu de nt s t o d evo te a ll t he ir t im e t o r ac in g, b as e- ba ll , t en ni s a ndo th er m an ly a nd w om an ly s po rt s , w hi c h a re g re at l y i nt er f er ed w it h b ys tu dy i n t ho se T em pl es o f L ea rn in g w he re T ab le ts o f L ea rn in g a re u nk no wn .
B ut i t s o h ap pe ne d t ha t P ro fe ss or W og gl eb ug ( wh o h ad i nve nt ed s om uc h t ha t h e h ad a cq ui r ed t he h ab it ) c ar el es sl y i nve nt ed a S qu ar e- Me alT ab le t, w hi ch w as n o b ig ge r t ha n y ou r l it t le f in ge r- na il b utc on ta in ed , i n c on de ns ed f or m, t he e qu al o f a b ow l o f s ou p, a p or ti on
of f ri ed f is h, a r oas t, a s al ad a nd a de ss er t, al l of w hi ch ga ve t hes am e n ou ri s hm en t a s a s qu ar e m ea l.
T he P ro fe ss or w as s o p ro ud o f t he se S qu ar e- Me al T ab le ts t ha t h eb eg an t o f ee d t he m t o t he s tu de nt s a t h is c ol le ge , i ns te ad o f o th er f oo d, b ut t he b oy s a nd g ir ls o bj ec te d b ec au se t he y w an te d f oo d t ha tt hey c ould enj oy t he t as te of. I t was no f un at all t o s wallow at ab le t, w it h a g la ss o f w at er , an d c al l i t a d in ner ; s o t he y r ef us edt o e at t he S qu ar e- Me al T ab le ts . P r of es so r W og gl eb ug i ns is t ed , a nd t her es ul t w as t ha t t he S en io r C la ss s ei ze d t he l ea rn ed P ro fe ss or o ne d aya nd t hr ew h im i nt o t he r ive r- -c lo th es a nd a ll . E ve ry on e k no ws t ha t aw og gl eb ug c an no t s wi m, a nd s o t he i nve nt or o f t he w on de rf ulS qu ar e- Me al T ab le ts l ay h el pl es s o n t he b ot t om o f t he r ive r f or t hr ee
d ay s b ef or e a f is he rm an c au gh t o ne o f h is l eg s o n a f is hh oo k a ndd ra gg ed h im o ut u po n t he b an k.
T he l ea rn ed P ro fe ss or w as n at ur al ly i nd ig na nt a t s uc h t r ea tm en t, a nds o h e b ro ug ht t he e nt ir e S en io r C la ss t o t he E me ra ld C it y a nd a pp ea le dt o O zma o f O z t o pun is h t he m f or t he ir r ebe ll io n.
I d o n ot s up po se t he g ir l R ul er w as ve ry s eve re w it h t he r eb el li ou sb oy s a nd g ir l s, b ec au se s he h ad h er s el f r ef us ed t o e at t he S qu ar e- Me alT ab let s i n p lac e o f f oo d, b ut w hi le s he w as l is ten ing t o t he
i nt er es ti ng c as e i n h er T hr on e R oo m, C ap 'n B il l m an ag ed t o c ar ry t heg ol de n f lo we r- po t c on ta in in g t he M ag ic F lo we r u p t o T ro t' s r oo mw it ho ut i t b ei ng s ee n b y a ny on e e xc ep t J el li a J am b, O zm a' s c hi ef M ai do f H on or , a nd J el li a p ro mi se d n ot t o t el l.
Also the Wizard was able to carry the cage of monkeys up to one of t he t op t ow er s of t he pal ac e, w he re he had a r oom of hi s o wn , t o w hi chn o o ne c am e u nl es s i nvi te d. S o T ro t a nd D or ot hy a nd C ap 'n B il l a ndt he W iz ar d w er e a ll d el ig ht ed a t t he s uc ce ss fu l e nd o f t he ir a dve nt ur e. T he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd t he H un gr y T ig er w en t t o t he m ar bl es ta bl es b eh in d t he R oy al P al ac e, w he re t he y l ive d w hi le a t h om e, a ndt he y t oo k ep t t he s ec re t, e ve n r ef us in g t o t el l t he W oo de n S aw ho rs e,an d H an k t he M ul e, a nd t he Y el low H en , a nd t he P ink K it ten w her e t he yhad been.
T ro t w at er ed t he M ag ic F lo we r e ve ry d ay a nd a ll ow ed n o o ne i n h er r oo m t o s ee t he b ea ut if ul b lo ss om s e xc ep t h er f ri en ds , B et sy B ob bi na nd D or ot hy . T he w on de rf ul p la nt d id n ot s ee m t o l os e a ny o f i tsm ag ic b y b ei ng r em ove d f ro m i ts i sl an d, a nd T ro t w as s ur e t ha t O zm aw ou ld p ri ze i t a s o ne o f h er m os t d el ig ht fu l t re as ur es .
U p i n hi s t ow er t he l it tl e W iz ar d o f Oz b eg an t ra ini ng h is t we lvet in y m on ke ys , a nd t he l it tl e c re at ur es w er e s o i nt el li ge nt t ha t t he yl ear ne d eve ry t ri ck t he W iz ar d t ri ed t o t ea ch t he m. T he W iz ar dt r ea te d t he m w it h g re at k in dn es s a nd g en tl en es s a nd g ave t he m t he f oo d
t ha t m on ke ys l ove b es t, s o t hey p ro mi se d t o d o t hei r b es t on t he g re ato cc as io n o f O zm a' s b ir t hd ay .
2 2. O z ma ' s B i rt h da y P ar t y
I t s ee ms o dd t ha t a f ai ry s ho ul d h ave a b ir th da y, f or f ai ri es , t he ys ay , w er e b or n a t t he b eg in ni ng o f t im e a nd l ive f or eve r. Y e t, o n t heot her han d, i t w oul d be a s hame t o d epr ive a f ai ry , w ho ha s s o m an yot he r g oo d t hi ngs , of t he del ight s o f a b ir thda y. S o w e n ee d n ot
w on de r t ha t t he f ai ri es k ee p t he ir b ir th da ys j us t a s o th er f ol ks d o,a nd c on si de r t he m o cc as io ns f or f ea st i ng a nd r ej oi c in g.
O zm a, t he b ea ut if ul g ir l R ul er o f t he F ai ry la nd o f O z, w as a r ea lf ai ry , and s o s we et and gen tl e i n c ar ing f or h er peo pl e t hat s he w asg re at ly b el ove d b y t he m a ll . S he l ive d i n t he m os t m ag ni fi ce nt p al ac ei n t he mo st m agn if ic en t c it y i n t he w or ld , b ut t hat di d n ot p re venth er f ro m b ei ng t he f ri en d o f t he m os t h um bl e p er so n i n h er d om in io ns .S he w ou ld m ou nt h er W oo de n S aw ho rs e, a nd r id e o ut t o a f ar m h ou se a nds it i n t he k it ch en t o t al k w it h t he go od w if e o f t he f ar me r w hi le s hed id h er f am il y b ak in g; o r s he w ou ld p la y w it h t he c hi ld re n a nd g ivet hem r ides on h er f am ous w oode n s te ed; or s he wo ul d s top i n a f or es tt o s peak t o a c har co al b ur ner a nd as k i f h e w as h ap py o r des ir ed
a ny th in g t o m ak e h im m or e c on te nt ; o r s he w ou ld t ea ch y ou ng g ir ls h owt o s ew a nd p la n p re tt y d re ss es , o r e nt er t he s ho ps w he re t he j ew el er sa nd c ra ft sm en w er e b us y a nd w at ch t he m a t t he ir w or k, g ivi ng t o e ac h
a nd a ll a c he er in g w or d o r s un ny s mi le .
And then Ozma would sit in her jeweled throne, with her chosenc ou rt i er s a ll a bo ut h er , a nd l is t en p at i en tl y t o a ny c om pl ai nt b r ou gh tt o h er b y h er s ub je ct s, s tr ivi ng t o a cc or d eq ua l j us ti ce t o a ll .K no wi ng s he w as f ai r i n h er d ec is io ns , t he O z p eo pl e n eve r m ur mur ed a th er j ud gm en ts , b ut a gr ee d, i f O zm a d ec id ed a ga in st t he m, s he w as r ig ht
a nd t he y w ro ng .
W he n D or ot hy a nd T ro t a nd B et sy B ob bi n a nd O zm a w er e t og et he r, o new oul d t hi nk t hey w er e al l abo ut of an ag e, an d t he f ai ry Ru ler noo ld er a nd n o m or e " gr ow n u p" t ha n t he o th er t hr ee . S he w ou ld l au gha nd r om p w it h t he m i n r eg ul ar g ir li sh f as hi on , y et t he re w as a n a ir o f q ui et d ig ni ty a bo ut O zm a, e ve n i n h er m er ri es t m oo ds , t ha t, i n am an ne r, d is ti ng ui sh ed h er f r om t he o th er s. T he t hr ee g ir l s l ove d h er devo te dl y, b ut t he y w er e n eve r a bl e t o q ui te f or ge t t ha t O zm a w as t heR oy al R ul er o f t he w on de rf ul F ai ry la nd o f O z, a nd b y b ir th b el on ge d t oa p ow er f ul r ac e .
O zm a' s p al ac e s to od i n t he c en te r o f a d el ig ht fu l a nd e xt en si veg ar de n, w he re s pl en di d t re es a nd f lo we ri ng s hr ub s a nd s ta tu ar y a ndf ou nt ai ns a bo un de d. O ne c ou ld w al k f or h ou rs i n t hi s f as ci na ti ng p ar ka nd s ee s om et hi ng i nt er es ti ng a t e ve ry s te p. I n o ne p la ce w as a na qu ar iu m, w he re s tr an ge a nd b ea ut if ul f is h s wa m; a t a no th er s po t a llt he bi rds of t he a ir ga th er ed da il y t o a g re at f eas t w hi ch Oz ma' ss er va nt s p ro vi de d f or t he m, a nd w er e s o f ea rl es s o f h ar m t ha t t he yw ou ld a li gh t u po n o ne 's s ho ul de rs a nd e at f ro m o ne 's h an d. T he re w asa ls o t he F ou nt ai n o f t he W at er o f O bl ivi on , b ut i t w as d an ge ro us t od ri nk o f t hi s w at er , b ec au se i t m ad e o ne f or ge t e ve ry th in g h e h ad e ver b ef or e k now n, eve n t o h is o wn n am e, a nd t he re fo re O zm a h ad p la ce d as ig n o f w ar ni ng u po n t he f ou nt ai n. B ut t he re w er e a ls o f ou nt ai ns t ha tw e re d el i gh t fu l ly p er f um ed , a n d f o un t ai n s o f d el i ci o us n e ct a r, c o ol
a nd r i ch ly f l avo re d, w he re a ll w er e w el co me t o r ef re sh t he ms el ve s .
Around the palace grounds was a great wall, thickly encrusted withg li tt er in g e me ra ld s, b ut t he g at es s to od o pe n a nd n o o ne w as f or bi dd ene nt ra nc e. O n h ol id ay s t he p eo pl e o f t he E me ra ld C it y o ft en t oo k t he ir c hi ld re n t o s ee t he w on de rs o f O zm a' s g ar de ns , a nd e ve n e nt er ed t heR oy al P al ac e, i f t he y f el t s o i nc li ne d, f or t hey k ne w t ha t t hey a ndt he ir R ul er w er e f r ie nd s, a nd t ha t O zm a d el ig ht ed t o g ive t he m p le as ur e.
W he n a ll t hi s i s c ons id er ed , y ou w il l no t be s ur pr is ed t ha t t hep eo pl e t hr ou gh ou t t he L an d o f O z, a s w el l a s O zm a' s m os t i nt im at ef ri en ds a nd h er r oy al c ou rt ie rs , w er e e ag er t o c el eb ra te h er b ir th da y,
a nd m ad e p re pa ra ti on s f or t he f es ti va l w ee ks i n a dva nc e . A l l t h eb ra ss b an ds p ra ct ic ed t he ir n ic es t t un es , f or t he y w er e t o m ar ch i nt he n um er ou s p ro ce ss io ns t o b e m ad e i n t he W in ki e C ou nt ry , t heG il l ik in C ou nt r y, t he M un ch ki n C ou nt r y a nd t he Q ua dl i ng C ou nt r y, a sw el l a s i n t he E me ra ld C it y. Not a ll t he p eo pl e c oul d g o t oc on gr at ul at e t he ir R ul er , b ut a ll c ou ld c el eb ra te h er b ir th da y, i n o new ay o r a no th er , h ow eve r f ar d is ta nt f ro m h er p al ac e t he y m ig ht b e.E ve ry h om e a nd b ui ld in g t hr ou gh ou t t he L an d o f O z w as t o b e d ec or at edw it h b an ne rs a nd b un ti ng , a nd t he re w er e t o b e g am es , a nd p la ys , a nd ag en er al g oo d t im e f or e ve ry o ne .
I t w as Oz ma 's c us to m o n h er bi rt hda y t o g ive a gr and f ea st a t t hep al ac e, t o w hi ch a ll h er c lo se st f ri en ds w er e i nvi te d. I t w as a
q ue er ly a ss or te d c om pa ny , i nd ee d, f or t he re a re m or e q ua in t a nd u nu su alc har ac te rs i n Oz t ha n i n al l t he r es t o f t he w or ld , an d Oz ma w as mo rei nt er es te d i n u nu su al p eo pl e t ha n i n o rd in ar y o ne s- -j us t a s y ou a nd I a re .
O n t hi s e sp ec ia l b ir th da y o f t he l ove ly g ir l R ul er , a l on g t ab le w ass et i n t he r oy al B an qu et H al l o f t he p al ac e, a t w hi ch w er e p la ce -c ar dsf or t he i nvi te d g ue st s, a nd at on e en d o f t he g re at r oom w as a s ma ll er t ab le , n ot s o h ig h, f or O zm a' s a ni ma l f r ie nd s, w ho m s he n eve r f or go t,an d a t t he ot her end w as a b ig t abl e w he re al l o f t he bi rt hda y g if tsw er e t o b e a rr an ge d.
W he n t he g ue st s a rr ive d, t he y p la ce d t he ir g if ts o n t hi s t ab le a ndt he n f ou nd t he ir p la ce s a t t he b an qu et t ab le . A nd , a ft er t he g ue st sw er e a ll p la ce d, t he a ni ma ls e nt er ed i n a s ol em n p ro ce ss io n a nd w er ep la ce d a t t he ir t ab le b y J el li a J am b. T he n, w hi le a n o rc he st ra h id de nb y a b an k o f r os es a nd f er ns p la ye d a m ar ch c om po se d f or t he o cc as io n,t he R oy al O zm a e nt er ed t he B an qu et H al l, a tt en de d b y h er M ai ds o f H on or , a nd t ook h er s eat at t he h ead o f t he t ab le.
S he w as g re et ed b y a c he er f ro m a ll t he a ss em bl ed c om pa ny , t hea ni ma ls a dd in g t he ir r oa rs a nd g ro wl s a nd b ar ks a nd m ew in g a ndc ac kl in g t o s we ll t he g la d t um ul t, a nd t he n a ll s ea te d t he ms el ve s a tt h ei r t a bl e s .
At Ozma's right sat the famous Scarecrow of Oz, whose straw-stuffedb od y w as n ot b ea ut if ul , b ut w ho se h ap py n at ur e a nd s hr ew d w it h ad m ad eh im a g en er al f avo ri te . O n t he l ef t o f t he R ul er w as p la ce d t he T inW oo dm an , w ho se m et al b od y h ad b ee n b ri gh tl y p ol is he d f or t hi s e ve nt .T he T in W oo dm an w as t he E mp er or o f t he W in ki e C ou nt ry a nd o ne o f t hem os t i mp or ta nt p er so ns i n O z.
N ex t t o t he S ca re cr ow , D or ot hy w as s ea te d, a nd ne xt t o he r w asT ik -T ok , t he C lo ck wo rk M an , w ho h ad b ee n w ou nd u p a s t ig ht ly a s h isc lo ck wo rk w ou ld p er mi t, s o h e w ou ld n' t i nt er r up t t he f es ti vi t ie s b yr un ni ng d ow n. Th en c am e A un t E m a nd U nc le H en ry , D or ot hy 's o wn
r el at io ns , t wo k in dl y o ld p eo pl e w ho h ad a c oz y h om e i n t he E me ra ldC it y a nd w er e ve ry h ap py a nd c on te nt ed t he re . T he n B et sy B ob bi n w ass ea te d, a nd n ex t t o h er t he d ro ll a nd d el ig ht fu l S ha gg y M an , w ho w as afavorite wherever he went.
O n t he o th er s id e o f t he t ab le , o pp os it e t he T in W oo dm an w asp la ce d T ro t, a nd n ex t t o h er , C ap 'n B il l. T he n w as s ea te dB ut to n- Br ig ht a nd O jo t he L uc ky , a nd D r. P ip t a nd h is g oo d w if eM ar ga lo t, a nd t he a st on is hi ng F ro gm an , w ho h ad c om e f r om t he Y ipc ou nt ry t o b e p re se nt a t O zm a' s b ir th da y f ea st .
At the foot of the table, facing Ozma, was seated the queenly
Gl ind a, t he g oo d S or ce re ss of Oz , f or t hi s w as r ea ll y t he pl ac e o f ho nor n ex t t o t he h ead of t he t abl e w he re Oz ma h er sel f s at . OnGl ind a' s r ig ht w as t he L it tl e W iz ar d of O z, w ho o wed t o G li nd a al l of t he m ag ic al a rt s h e k ne w. T he n c am e J in ju r, a p re tt y g ir l f ar me r o f w ho m O zm a a nd D or ot hy w er e q ui te f on d. Th e a dj oi ni ng s ea t w aso cc upi ed b y t he T in S ol di er , a nd ne xt t o h im w as P ro fes sor H . M .W og gl eb ug , T .E . , o f t he R oy al A t hl et i c C ol l eg e.
O n G li nd a' s l ef t w as p la ce d t he j ol ly P at ch wo rk G ir l, w ho w as al it tl e a fr ai d o f t he S or ce re ss a nd s o w as l ik el y t o b eh ave he rs el f p re tt y w el l. T he S ha gg y M an 's b ro th er w as b es id e t he P at c hw or k G ir l ,a nd t he n c am e t ha t i nt er es t in g p er s on ag e, J ac k P um pk in he ad , w ho h adg ro wn a s pl en di d b ig p um pk in f or a n ew h ea d t o b e w or n o n O zm a' s
b ir th da y, a nd h ad c ar ve d a f ac e o n i t t ha t w as e ve n j ol li er i ne xp re ss io n t ha n t he o ne h e h ad l as t w or n. N ew h ea ds w er e n ot u nu su alw it h J ac k, f or t he pu mp ki ns di d no t k ee p l ong , a nd w he n t he
s ee ds - -w hi ch s er ve d h im a s b ra in s- - be ga n t o g et s of t a nd m us hy , h er ea li ze d h is h ea d w ou ld s oo n s po il , a nd s o h e p ro cu re d a n ew o ne f ro m h isg re at f ie ld o f p um pk in s- -g ro wn b y h im s o t ha t h e n ee d n eve r l ac k a h ea d.
Y ou w il l h ave n ot ic ed t ha t t he c om pa ny a t O zm a' s b an qu et t ab le w ass om ew ha t m ix ed , b ut e ve ry o ne i nvi te d w as a t ri ed a nd t ru st ed f ri en d o f t he g ir l R ul er , a nd t he ir p re se nc e m ad e h er q ui te h ap py .
N o s oo ne r h ad O zm a s ea te d h er se lf , w it h h er b ac k t o t he b ir th da yt ab le , t ha n s he n ot ic ed t ha t a ll p re se nt w er e e ye in g w it h c ur io si tya nd p le as ur e s om et hi ng b eh in d h er , f or t he g or ge ou s M ag ic F lo we r w asb lo om in g g lo ri ou sl y a nd t he m am mo th b lo ss om s t h at q ui ck l y s uc c ee de do ne a no th er o n t he p la nt w er e b ea ut if ul t o vi ew a nd f il le d t he e nt ir er oo m w it h t he ir d el ic at e f ra gr an ce . O zm a w an te d t o l oo k, t oo , t o s eew ha t a ll w er e s ta ri ng a t, b ut s he c on tr ol le d h er c ur io si ty b ec au se i tw as n ot p ro pe r t ha t s he s ho ul d y et vi ew h er b ir th da y g if ts .
S o t he s we et a nd l ove ly R ul er d evo te d h er s el f t o h er g ue st s , s eve ra lo f w ho m, s uc h a s t he S ca re cr ow , t he T in W oo dm an , t he P at ch wo rk G ir l,T ik -T ok , J ac k P um pk in he ad a nd t he T in S ol di er , n eve r a te a ny t hi ng b uts at ve ry p ol it el y i n t he ir p la ce s a nd t ri ed t o e nt er ta in t ho se o f t heg ue st s w ho d id e at .
And, at the animal table, there was another interesting group,c o ns i st i ng o f t h e C o wa r dl y L i on , t h e H u ng r y T i ge r , T ot o -- D or o th y 'sl it tl e s ha gg y b la ck d og -- Ha nk t he M ul e, t he P in k K it te n, t he W oo de nS aw ho rs e, t he Y el lo w H en , a nd t he G la ss C at . A ll o f t he se h ad g oo da pp et it es e xc ep t t he S aw ho rs e a nd t he G la ss C at , a nd e ac h w as g ive n ap le nt if ul s up pl y o f t he f oo d i t l ik ed b es t.
F in al ly , w he n t he b an qu et w as n ea rl y o ve r a nd t he i ce -c re am w as t o b es er ve d, f ou r s er va nt s e nt er ed b ea ri ng a h ug e c ak e, a ll f ro st ed a nd
d ec or at ed w it h c an dy f lo we rs . Ar ou nd t he e dg e o f t he c ak e w as a r ow o f l ig ht ed c an dl es , a nd i n t he c en te r w er e r ai se d c an dy l et te rs t ha ts p el l ed t h e w o rd s :
OZMA'SB i r t hd a y C a k e
fromD or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d
" Oh , h ow b ea ut if ul !" c ri ed O zm a, g re at l y d el ig ht ed , a nd D or ot hy s ai d
eager ly : " Now y ou must c ut t he c ak e, Ozma, and each of us w ill eat ap ie ce w i th o ur i c e- c re am ."
J el li a J am b b ro ug ht a l ar ge g ol de n k ni fe w it h a j ew el ed h an dl e, a ndOzma st ood up in her plac e and at tempt ed to cut t he cak e. But as soona s t he f ro st in g i n t he c en te r b ro ke u nd er t he p re ss ur e o f t he k ni fet her e l ea pe d f ro m t he c ak e a t iny mo nk ey t hr ee i nc he s h ig h, an d he w asf ol lo we d b y a no th er a nd a no th er , u nt il t we lve m on ke y s s t oo d o n t het ab le cl ot h a nd b ow ed l ow t o O zm a.
" Co ng ra tu la ti on s t o o ur g ra ci ou s R ul er ! " t he y e xc la im ed i n a c ho ru s,a nd t he n t he y b eg an a d an ce , s o d ro ll a nd a mu si ng t ha t a ll t he c om pa nyr oa re d w it h l au gh te r a nd e ve n O zm a j oi ne d i n t he m er r im en t. B ut a ft er
t he d an ce t he m on ke ys p er f or me d s om e w on de rf ul a cr ob at ic f ea ts , a ndt hen t he y r an t o t he hol low of t he c ak e an d t ook ou t s om e ba ndi n st r um e nt s o f b u rn i sh ed g o ld - -c o rn et s , h o rn s , d r um s , a n d t h e
l ik e- - an d f or mi ng i nt o a p ro ce ss io n t he m on ke ys m ar ch ed u p a nd d ow nt he t ab le p la yi ng a j ol ly t un e w it h t he e as e o f s ki ll ed m us ic ia ns .
D or ot hy w as d el ig ht ed w it h t he s uc ce ss o f h er " Su rp ri se C ak e, " a nda ft er t he m on ke ys h ad f i ni sh ed t he ir p er f or ma nc e, t he b an qu et c am e t oa n e nd .
N ow w as t he t ime f or Oz ma t o s ee he r ot he r pr es ent s, s o Gl ind a t heGo od r os e a nd, t ak ing t he g ir l R ul er b y he r han d, l ed he r t o t he t ab lew he re a ll h er g if ts w er e p la ce d i n m ag ni fi ce nt a rr ay . T he M ag icF lo we r o f c ou rs e a tt ra ct ed h er a tt en ti on f ir st , a nd T ro t h ad t o t el lh er t he w ho le s to ry o f t he ir a dve nt ur es i n g et ti ng i t. T he l it tl egi rl d id no t f or get t o g ive du e c re di t t o t he G la ss C at an d t he l it tl eW iz ar d, b ut i t w as r ea ll y C ap 'n B il l w ho h ad b ra ve ly c ar ri ed t heg ol de n f l ow er - po t a wa y f r om t h e e nc h an t ed I s le .
O zm a t ha nk ed t he m a ll , a nd s ai d s he w ou ld p la ce t he M ag ic F lo we r i nh er b ou do ir w he re s he m ig ht e nj oy i ts b ea ut y a nd f ra gr an ce c on ti nu al ly .B ut n ow s he d i sc ove re d t he m ar ve lo us g ow n w ove n b y G li nd a a nd h er m ai de ns f ro m s tr an ds d ra wn f ro m p ur e e me ra ld s, a nd b ei ng a g ir l w hol ove d p re tt y c lo th es , O zm a' s e cs ta sy a t b ei ng p re se nt ed w it h t hi se xq ui si te g ow n m ay w el l b e i ma gi ne d. S he c ou ld h ar dl y w ai t t o p ut i ton , bu t t he t abl e w as l oa de d w it h ot he r pr et ty gi ft s a nd t he n igh t w asf ar s pe nt b ef or e t he h ap py g ir l R ul er h ad e xa mi ne d a ll h er p re se nt sa nd t ha nk ed t ho se w ho h ad l ovi ng ly d on at ed t he m.
2 3. T he F o un t ai n o f O bl i vi on
T he m or ni ng a ft er t he b ir th da y f et e, a s t he W iz ar d a nd D or ot hy w er e w al ki ng
i n t he g ro un ds o f t he p al ac e, O zm a c am e o ut a nd j oi ne d t he m, s ay in g:
" I w an t t o h ea r m or e o f y ou r a dve nt ur es i n t he F or es t o f G ug u, a ndh ow y ou w er e a bl e t o g et t ho se d ea r l it tl e m on ke ys t o u se i n D or ot hy 'sSurprise Cake."
S o t hey s at do wn o n a ma rb le b enc h n ear t o t he F ou nt ai n of t he W at er o f O bl ivi on , a nd b et we en t he m D or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d r el at ed t he ir a dve nt ur es .
" I w as d re ad fu ll y f us sy w hi le I w as a w oo ll y l am b, " s ai d D or ot hy ," for i t di dn 't f ee l go od , a bi t. A nd I w as n' t qu it e s ur e, y ou k no w,t hat I 'd e ve r ge t t o b e a gi rl a ga in. "
" Yo u m ig ht h ave b ee n a w oo ll y l am b y et , i f I h ad n' t h ap pe ne d t o h aved i s co ve r ed t h at M a gi c T r an s fo r ma t io n W o rd , " d e cl a re d t h e W i za r d.
" Bu t w ha t b ec am e o f t he w al nu t a nd t he h ic ko ry -n ut i nt o w hi ch y out r an s fo r me d t h os e d r ea df u l b ea s t m ag i ci a ns ? " i n qu i re d O z ma .
" Wh y, I 'd a lm os t f or go tt en t he m, " w as t he r ep ly ; " bu t I b el ie ve t he ya re s ti ll h er e i n m y p oc ke t. "
T he n h e s ea rc he d i n h is p oc ke ts a nd b ro ug ht o ut t he t wo n ut s a nds ho we d t he m t o h er .
O z ma r e ga r de d t h em t h ou gh t fu l ly .
" It i sn 't r ig ht t o l ea ve a ny l ivi ng c re at ur es i n s uc h h el pl es s
f or ms ," s ai d s he . " I t hi nk , W iz ar d, y ou o ug ht t o t ra ns fo rm t he m i nt ot h ei r n a tu r al s h ap e s a g ai n ."
" Bu t I d on 't k no w w ha t t he ir n at ur al s ha pe s a re ," h e o bj ec te d, " fo r o f c ou rs e t he f or ms o f m ix ed a ni ma ls w hi ch t he y h ad a ss um ed w er e n otn at ur al t o t he m. A nd y ou m us t n ot f or ge t, O zm a, t ha t t he ir n at ur esw er e c ru el an d mi sc hi evo us , s o i f I b ri ng t he m b ac k t o l if e t he y m ig ht
c au se u s a g re at d ea l o f t ro ub le ."
" Neve rt he le ss ," s ai d t he R ul er o f O z, " we m us t f re e t he m f ro m t he ir p re se nt e nc ha nt me nt s. Wh en y ou r es t or e t he m t o t he ir n at ur al f or ms w ew il l d is co ve r w ho t he y r ea ll y a re , a nd s ur el y w e n ee d n ot f ea r a ny t wop eo pl e, e ve n t ho ug h t he y p ro ve t o b e m ag ic i an s a nd o ur e ne mi es . "
" I a m n ot s o s ur e o f t hat ," p rot es te d t he W iz ar d, w it h a s ha ke of h is b al d h ea d. "T he o ne b it o f m ag ic I r ob be d t he m o f- -w hi ch w as t heW or d o f T ra ns f or ma ti on -- i s s o s im pl e, y et s o p ow er fu l, t ha t n ei th er Gl inda nor I can equal i t. I t is n't all in the w or d, you k now , it 'st he w ay t he w or d i s p ro no un ce d. S o i f t he t wo s tr an ge m ag ic ia ns h aveo th er m ag ic o f t he s am e s or t, t he y m ig ht p ro ve ve ry d an ge ro us t o u s,i f w e l ib er at ed t he m. "
" I' ve a n i de a! " e xc la im ed D or ot hy . " I' m n o w iz ar d, a nd n o f ai r y,but if you do as I say, we needn't f ear thes e people at all."
" Wh at i s y ou r t ho ug ht , m y d ea r? " a sk ed O zm a.
" Wel l, " r ep li ed t he gi rl , " he re i s t hi s F ou nt ai n of t he W at er o f O bl ivi on , a nd t ha t' s w ha t p ut t he n ot io n i nt o m y h ea d. W he n t heW iz ar d s pe ak s t ha t t er 'b le w or d t ha t w il l c ha ng e ' em b ac k t o t he ir r eal f or ms , he c an ma ke ' em dr eadf ul t hi rs ty , t oo, a nd w e'l l p ut a c upr ig ht h er e b y t he f ou nt ai n, s o i t' ll b e h an dy . T he n t he y' ll d ri nk t he
w at er a nd f or ge t a ll t he m ag ic t he y e ve r k ne w- -a nd e ve r yt h in g e ls e , t o o. "
" Th at 's n ot a b ad i de a, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, l oo ki ng a t D or o th y a pp ro vi n gl y .
" It 's a ve ry G OO D i de a, " d ec la re d O zm a. " Ru n f or a c up , D or ot hy ."
S o D or ot hy r an t o g et a c up , an d w hi le s he w as go ne t he W iz ar d s ai d:
" I d on 't k no w w he th er t he r ea l f or ms o f t he se m ag ic ia ns a re t ho se o f m en o r be as ts . I f t hey 'r e b ea st s, t hey w ou ld no t d ri nk f rom a c up b utm igh t at ta ck u s a t o nc e a nd dr in k a ft er wa rd. S o i t mi gh t be s af er f or u s t o h ave t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd t he H un gr y T ig er h er e t o p ro te ct u s
i f n e c es s a ry . "
O zm a d re w o ut a s il ve r w hi st le w hi ch w as a tt ac he d t o a s le nd er g ol dc ha in a nd b le w u po n t he w hi st le t wo s hr il l b la st s. T he s ou nd , t ho ug hn ot h ar sh , w as ve ry p en et ra ti ng , a nd a s s oo n a s i t r ea ch ed t he e ar s o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd t he H un gr y T ig er , t he t wo h ug e b ea st s q ui ck lyc am e b ou nd in g t ow ar d t he m. O zm a e xp la in ed t o t he m w ha t t he W iz ar d w asa bo ut t o d o, a nd t ol d t he m t o k ee p q ui et u nl es s d an ge r t hr ea te ne d. S ot he t wo p ow er fu l g ua rd ia ns o f t he R ul er o f O z c ro uc he d b es id e t hef o un ta i n a nd w a it e d.
D or ot hy r et ur ne d a nd s et t he c up o n t he e dg e o f t he f ou nt ai n. T he nt he W iz ar d p la ce d t he h ic ko ry -n ut b es id e t he f ou nt ai n a nd s ai d i n a
solemn voice:
" I w an t y ou t o r es ume y our na tur al f or m, an d t o be ver y
I n a n i ns ta nt t he re a pp ea re d, i n t he p la ce o f t he h ic ko ry -n ut , t hef or m of K ik i A ru , t he H yu p bo y. H e s eem ed be wi ld er ed, a t f ir st , as i f t ry ing t o r eme mbe r w hat h ad hap pen ed t o h im an d w hy he w as i n t hi ss tr an ge p la ce . B ut h e w as f ac in g t he f ou nt ai n, a nd t he b ub bl in g w at er r em in de d h im t ha t h e w as t hi rs ty . W it ho ut n ot ic in g O zm a, t he W iz ar d
an d D or ot hy , w ho w er e b ehi nd hi m, h e p ic ke d u p t he c up, f il le d i t w it ht he W at er of Ob li vi on, a nd dr an k i t t o t he l as t dr op .
H e w as n ow n o l on ge r t hi rs ty , b ut h e f el t m or e b ew il de re d t ha n e ver , f or n ow h e c ou ld r em em be r n ot hi ng a t a ll -- no t e ve n h is n am e o r w he re h ec am e f ro m. H e l oo ke d a ro un d t he b ea ut if ul g ar de n w it h a p le as ede xp re ss io n, a nd t he n, t ur ni ng , h e b eh el d O zm a a nd t he W iz ar d a ndD or ot hy r eg ar di ng h im c ur i ou sl y a nd t he t w o g re at b ea st s c ro uc hi ngbehind them.
K ik i A ru d id no t k now w ho t he y w er e, b ut h e t ho ug ht O zm a ve ry l ove lya nd D or ot hy ve r y p le as an t. So h e s m il ed a t t he m- - th e s am e i nn oc en t ,h ap py s mi le t ha t a b ab y m ig ht h ave i nd ul ge d i n, a nd t ha t p le as ed D or ot hy ,w ho s ei ze d hi s h an d a nd l ed hi m t o a s ea t b es ide h er o n t he b en ch.
" Wh y, I t ho ug ht y ou w er e a d re ad fu l m ag ic i an ," s he e xc la im ed ," an d y ou 'r e o nl y a b oy !"
" Wh at i s a m ag ic ia n? " he a sk ed , " an d w ha t i s a b oy ?"
" Do n' t y ou k no w? " i nq ui re d t he g ir l.
K ik i s ho ok h is h ea d. T he n h e l au gh ed .
" I d o n ot s ee m t o k no w a ny th in g, " h e r ep li ed .
" It 's ve ry c ur io us ," r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d. " He w ea rs t he d re ss o f t he M un ch ki ns , s o h e m us t h ave l ive d a t on e t im e i n t he M unc hk inC ou nt ry . O f c ou rs e t he bo y c an t el l us no thi ng o f h is h is to ry o r h isf am il y, f or h e h as f or go tt en a ll t ha t h e e ve r k ne w. "
" He s eem s a n ic e b oy , n ow t ha t a ll t he w ic ke dn es s h as g on e f ro mh im ," s ai d O zm a. " So w e w il l k eep hi m h er e w it h u s a nd t ea ch h im o ur w ay s- - to b e t r ue a nd c on si de ra te o f o th er s. "
" Why , in t hat c ase, i t's luc ky f or hi m he dr ank t he Wat er of O bl i vi o n, " s a id D o ro t hy .
" It i s i nd ee d, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d. " Bu t t he r em ar ka bl e t hi ng , t om e, i s h ow s uc h a y oun g bo y e ve r l ear ne d t he s ec ret of t he Mag ic W or do f T ra ns fo rm at io n. P er ha ps h is c om pa ni on , w ho i s a t p re se nt t hi sw al nu t, w as t he r ea l m ag ic ia n, a lt ho ug h I s ee m t o r em em be r t ha t i t w ast hi s bo y i n t he be as t' s f or m w ho w hi spe re d t he Ma gi c W or d i nt o t heh ol lo w t re e, w he re I o ve rh ea rd i t. "
" Wel l, w e w il l s oo n k no w w ho t he ot he r i s, " s ug ge st ed O zm a. " He m ayp rove t o b e a no th er M un ch ki n b oy ."
T he W iz ar d p la ce d t he w al nu t n ea r t he f ou nt ai n a nd s ai d, a s s lo wl ya nd s ol em nl y a s b ef or e:
" I w an t y ou t o r es ume y our na tur al f or m, an d t o be ver ythirsty--Pyrzqxgl!"
T he n t he w al nu t d is ap pe ar ed a nd R ug ge do t he N om e s to od i n i ts p la ce .H e a ls o w as f ac in g t he f ou nt ai n, a nd h e r ea ch ed f or t he c up , f il le di t, a nd w as a bo ut t o d ri nk w he n D or ot hy e xc la im ed :
" Wh y, i t' s t he o ld N om e K in g! "
R ug ge do s wu ng a ro un d a nd f ac ed t he m, t he c up s ti ll i n h is h an d.
" Ye s, " h e s ai d i n a n a ng ry voi ce, " it 's t he ol d N ome K ing , a nd I 'mgoi ng t o c onq uer al l Oz an d be r even ged on y ou f or k ic ki ng m e o ut of m y t hr on e. " H e l oo ke d a ro un d a m om en t, a nd t he n c on ti nu ed : " Th er ei sn 't an eg g i n s ight , a nd I 'm s tr ong er t han al l of y ou pe op le p utt oge ther ! I don' t k no w h ow I c ame h er e, b ut I 'm goi ng t o f ight t hef ig ht o f m y l if e- - an d I 'l l w in !"
H is l on g w hi te h ai r a nd b ea rd w ave d i n t he b re ez e; h is e ye s f la sh edh at e a nd ve ng ea nc e, a nd s o a st on is he d a nd s ho ck ed w er e t he y b y t hes ud de n a pp ea ra nc e o f t hi s o ld e ne my o f t he O z p eo pl e t ha t t he y c ou ldo nl y s ta re a t hi m i n s il enc e a nd s hr in k a way f rom h is w il d g la re .
R ug ge do l au gh ed . H e d ra nk t he w at er , t hr ew t he c up o n t he g ro un da nd s ai d f ie rc el y :
"And now--and now--and--"
H i s vo ic e g re w g en tl e. H e r ub be d h is f or eh ea d w it h a p uz zl ed a ir a nd s t ro ke d h is l on g b ea rd .
" Wh at w as I g oi ng t o s ay ?" h e a sk ed , p le ad in gl y.
" Do n' t y ou r em em be r? " s ai d t he W iz ar d.
"No; I've forgotten."
" Wh o A RE y ou ?" a sk ed D or ot hy .
H e t ri ed t o t hi nk . " I- -I 'm s ur e I d on 't k no w, " h e s ta mm er ed .
" Do n' t y ou k no w w ho W E a re , e it he r? " q ue st io ne d t he g ir l.
" I h ave n' t t he s li gh te st i de a, " s ai d t he N om e.
" Te ll u s w ho t hi s M un ch ki n b oy i s, " s ug ge st ed O zm a.
R ug ge do l oo ke d a t t he b oy a nd s ho ok h is h ea d.
" He 's a s tr an ge r t o m e. Y ou a re a ll s tr an ge rs . I -- I' m a s tr an ge r t o m ys el f, " h e s ai d.
T he n h e p at te d t he L io n' s h ea d a nd m ur mu re d, " Go od d og gi e! " a nd t heLion growled indignantly.
" Wh at s ha ll w e d o w it h h im ?" a sk ed t he W iz ar d, p er pl ex ed .
" On ce b ef or e t he w ic ke d o ld N om e c am e h er e t o c on qu er u s, a nd t he n,a s n ow , h e d ra nk o f t he W at er o f O bl ivi on a nd b ec am e h ar ml es s. B ut w e
s en t h im b ac k t o t he N om e K in gd om , w he re h e s oo n l ea rn ed t he o ld e vi lw a ys a g ai n .
" Fo r t hat r ea so n, " s ai d Oz ma , " we m us t f in d a p la ce f or h im i n t heLan d of Oz , and k eep hi m h er e. For her e he c an l ear n n o evi l an d w il la lw ay s b e a s i nn oc en t o f g ui le a s o ur o wn p eo pl e. "
And so the wandering ex-King of the Nomes found a new home, ap ea ce fu l a nd h ap py h om e, w he re h e w as q ui te c on te nt a nd p as se d h isd ay s i n i nn oc en t e nj oy me nt .
Th is i s t he end of t he P ro jec t Gut enb er g E di ti on o f T he Mag ic of Oz
