L Frank Baum Oz 05 The Road to Oz

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.""Why?" asked the shaggy man."Well, it stands up on its four feet and walks all around, and gets inthe way; and that spoils it for a rug.It can't speak, although it isalive; for, while its head might say words, it has no breath in a solidbody to push the words out of its mouth.It's a very slimpsy affairaltogether, that bear rug, and the old woman is sorry it came to life.Every day she has to scold it, and make it lie down flat on the parlorfloor to be walked upon; but sometimes when she goes to market therug will hump up its back skin, and stand on its four feet, and trotalong after her.""I should think Dyna would like that," said Dorothy.Page 123ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Well, she doesn't; because every one knows it isn't a real bear, butjust a hollow skin, and so of no actual use in the world except for arug," answered the Tin Woodman."Therefore I believe it is a goodthing that all the Magic Powder of Life is now used up, as it can notcause any more trouble.""Perhaps you're right," said the shaggy man, thoughtfully.At noon they stopped at a farmhouse, where it delighted the farmer andhis wife to be able to give them a good luncheon.The farm peopleknew Dorothy, having seen her when she was in the country before, andthey treated the little girl with as much respect as they did theEmperor, because she was a friend of the powerful Princess Ozma.They had not proceeded far after leaving this farm-house before comingto a high bridge over a broad river.This river, the Tin Woodmaninformed them, was the boundary between the Country of the Winkies andthe territory of the Emerald City.The city itself was still a longway off, but all around it was a green meadow as pretty as a well-keptlawn, and in this were neither houses nor farms to spoil the beauty ofthe scene.From the top of the high bridge they could see far away themagnificent spires and splendid domes of the superb city, sparklinglike brilliant jewels as they towered above the emerald walls.Theshaggy man drew a deep breath of awe and amazement, for never had hedreamed that such a grand and beautiful place could exist--even in thefairyland of Oz.Page 124ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlPolly was so pleased that her violet eyes sparkled like amethysts, andshe danced away from her companions across the bridge and into a groupof feathery trees lining both the roadsides.These trees she stoppedto look at with pleasure and surprise, for their leaves were shapedlike ostrich plumes, their feather edges beautifully curled; and allthe plumes were tinted in the same dainty rainbow hues that appearedin Polychrome's own pretty gauze gown."Father ought to see these trees," she murmured; "they are almost aslovely as his own rainbows."Then she gave a start of terror, for beneath the trees came stalkingtwo great beasts, either one big enough to crush the little Daughterof the Rainbow with one blow of his paws, or to eat her up with onesnap of his enormous jaws.One was a tawny lion, as tall as a horse,nearly; the other a striped tiger almost the same size.Polly was too frightened to scream or to stir; she stood still with awildly beating heart until Dorothy rushed past her and with a glad crythrew her arms around the huge lion's neck, hugging and kissing thebeast with evident joy."Oh, I'm SO glad to see you again!" cried the little Kansas girl."And the Hungry Tiger, too! How fine you're both looking.Are youwell and happy?""We certainly are, Dorothy," answered the Lion, in a deep voice thatsounded pleasant and kind; "and we are greatly pleased that you havecome to Ozma's party.It's going to be a grand affair, I promise you."Page 125ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"There will be lots of fat babies at the celebration, I hear,"remarked the Hungry Tiger, yawning so that his mouth opened dreadfullywide and showed all his big, sharp teeth; "but of course I can't eatany of 'em.""Is your Conscience still in good order?" asked Dorothy, anxiously."Yes; it rules me like a tyrant," answered the Tiger, sorrowfully."Ican imagine nothing more unpleasant than to own a Conscience," and hewinked slyly at his friend the Lion."You're fooling me!" said Dorothy, with a laugh."I don't b'lieveyou'd eat a baby if you lost your Conscience.Come here, Polly," shecalled, "and be introduced to my friends."Polly advanced rather shyly."You have some queer friends, Dorothy," she said."The queerness doesn't matter so long as they're friends," was theanswer."This is the Cowardly Lion, who isn't a coward at all, butjust thinks he is.The Wizard gave him some courage once, and he haspart of it left."The Lion bowed with great dignity to Polly."You are very lovely, my dear," said he."I hope we shall be friendswhen we are better acquainted.""And this is the Hungry Tiger," continued Dorothy."He says he longsPage 126ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlto eat fat babies; but the truth is he is never hungry at all, 'causehe gets plenty to eat; and I don't s'pose he'd hurt anybody even if heWAS hungry.""Hush, Dorothy," whispered the Tiger; "you'll ruin my reputation ifyou are not more discreet.It isn't what we are, but what folks thinkwe are, that counts in this world.And come to think of it MissPolly would make a fine variegated breakfast, I'm sure."18.The Emerald CityThe others now came up, and the Tin Woodman greeted the Lion and theTiger cordially.Button-Bright yelled with fear when Dorothy firsttook his hand and led him toward the great beasts; but the girlinsisted they were kind and good, and so the boy mustered up courageenough to pat their heads; after they had spoken to him gently and hehad looked into their intelligent eyes his fear vanished entirelyand he was so delighted with the animals that he wanted to keep closeto them and stroke their soft fur every minute.As for the shaggy man, he might have been afraid if he had met thebeasts alone, or in any other country, but so many were the marvels in;the Land of Oz that he was no longer easily surprised, and Dorothy'sfriendship for the Lion and Tiger was enough to assure him they weresafe companions.Toto barked at the Cowardly Lion in joyous greeting,for he knew the beast of old and loved him, and it was funny to seehow gently the Lion raised his huge paw to pat Toto's head.ThePage 127ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmllittle dog smelled of the Tiger's nose, and the Tiger politely shookpaws with him; so they were quite likely to become firm friends.Tik-tok and Billina knew the beasts well, so merely bade them good dayand asked after their healths and inquired about the Princess Ozma.Now it was seen that the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger weredrawing behind them a splendid golden chariot, to which they wereharnessed by golden cords.The body of the chariot was decorated onthe outside with designs in clusters of sparkling emeralds, whileinside it was lined with a green and gold satin, and the cushions ofthe seats were of green plush embroidered in gold with a crown,underneath which was a monogram."Why, it's Ozma's own royal chariot!" exclaimed Dorothy."Yes," said the Cowardly Lion; "Ozma sent us to meet you here, forshe feared you would be weary with your long walk and she wished youto enter the City in a style becoming your exalted rank.""What!" cried Polly, looking at Dorothy curiously."Do you belong tothe nobility?""Just in Oz I do," said the child, "'cause Ozma made me a Princess,you know [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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