Волшебство страны Оз

           Helookedaroundthebeautifulgardenwithapleasedexpression,andthen,turning,hebeheldOzmaandtheWizardandDorothyregardinghimcuriouslyandthetwogreatbeastscrouchingbehindthem.

           KikiArudidnotknowwhotheywere,buthethoughtOzmaverylovelyandDorothyverypleasant.Sohesmiledatthem—thesameinnocent,happysmilethatababymighthaveindulgedin,andthatpleasedDorothy,whoseizedhishandandledhimtoaseatbesideheronthebench.

           "Why,Ithoughtyouwereadreadfulmagician,"sheexclaimed,"andyou’reonlyaboy!"

           "Whatisamagician?"heasked,"andwhatisaboy?"

           "Don’tyouknow?"inquiredthegirl.

           Kikishookhishead.Thenhelaughed.

           "Idonotseemtoknowanything,"hereplied.

           "It’sverycurious,"remarkedtheWizard."HewearsthedressoftheMunchkins,sohemusthavelivedatonetimeintheMunchkinCountry.Ofcoursetheboycantellusnothingofhishistoryorhisfamily,forhehasforgottenallthatheeverknew."

           "Heseemsaniceboy,nowthatallthewickednesshasgonefromhim,"saidOzma."Sowewillkeephimherewithusandteachhimourways—tobetrueandconsiderateofothers."

           "Why,inthatcase,it’sluckyforhimhedranktheWaterofOblivion,"saidDorothy.

           "Itisindeed,"agreedtheWizard."Buttheremarkablething,tome,ishowsuchayoungboyeverlearnedthesecretoftheMagicWordofTransformation.Perhapshiscompanion,whoisatpresentthiswalnut,wastherealmagician,althoughIseemtorememberthatitwasthisboyinthebeast’sformwhowhisperedtheMagicWordintothehollowtree,whereIoverheardit.