Волшебство страны Оз

           Ifthey’rebeasts,theywouldnotdrinkfromacupbutmightattackusatonceanddrinkafterward.SoitmightbesaferforustohavetheCowardlyLionandtheHungryTigerheretoprotectusifnecessary."

           Ozmadrewoutasilverwhistlewhichwasattachedtoaslendergoldchainandblewuponthewhistletwoshrillblasts.Thesound,thoughnotharsh,wasverypenetrating,andassoonasitreachedtheearsoftheCowardlyLionandtheHungryTiger,thetwohugebeastsquicklycameboundingtowardthem.OzmaexplainedtothemwhattheWizardwasabouttodo,andtoldthemtokeepquietunlessdangerthreatened.SothetwopowerfulguardiansoftheRulerofOzcrouchedbesidethefountainandwaited.

           Dorothyreturnedandsetthecupontheedgeofthefountain.ThentheWizardplacedthehickory-nutbesidethefountainandsaidinasolemnvoice:

           "Iwantyoutoresumeyournaturalform,andtobeverythirsty—Pyrzqxgl!"

           Inaninstantthereappeared,intheplaceofthehickory-nut,theformofKikiAru,theHyupboy.Heseemedbewildered,atfirst,asiftryingtorememberwhathadhappenedtohimandwhyhewasinthisstrangeplace.Buthewasfacingthefountain,andthebubblingwaterremindedhimthathewasthirsty.WithoutnoticingOzma,theWizardandDorothy,whowerebehindhim,hepickedupthecup,filleditwiththeWaterofOblivion,anddrankittothelastdrop.

           Hewasnownolongerthirsty,buthefeltmorebewilderedthanever,fornowhecouldremembernothingatall—notevenhisnameorwherehecamefrom.