Волшебство страны Оз

           Neverhadanybeastbeheldsuchacuriouscreaturebefore,andsotheverysightofthestranger,whowassaidtobeagreatmagician,filledallpresentwithaweandwonder.

           Kikistayeddownbelowand,halfhiddenbytheshelfofrock,wasscarcelynoticed.TheboyrealizedthattheoldNomewashelplesswithouthismagicpower,buthealsorealizedthatRuggedowasthebesttalker.SohewaswillingtheNomeshouldtakethelead.

           "BeastsoftheForestofGugu,"beganRuggedotheNome,"mycomradeandIareyourfriends.Wearemagicians,andfromourhomeintheskywecanlookdownintotheLandofOzandseeeverythingthatisgoingon.Alsowecanhearwhatthepeoplebelowusaresaying.ThatishowweheardOzma,whorulestheLandofOz,saytoherpeople:’ThebeastsintheForestofGuguarelazyandareofnousetous.Letusgototheirforestandmakethemallourprisoners.Letustiethemwithropes,andbeatthemwithsticks,untiltheyworkforusandbecomeourwillingslaves.’AndwhenthepeopleheardOzmaofOzsaythis,theyweregladandraisedagreatshoutandsaid:’Wewilldoit!WewillmakethebeastsoftheForestofGuguourslaves!’"

           ThewickedoldNomecouldsaynomore,justthen,forsuchafierceroarofangerrosefromthemultitudeofbeaststhathisvoicewasdrownedbytheclamor.Finallytheroardiedaway,likedistantthunder,andRuggedotheNomewentonwithhisspeech.

           "HavingheardtheOzpeopleplotagainstyourliberty,wewatchedtoseewhattheywoulddo,andsawthemallbeginmakingropes—ropeslongandshort—withwhichtosnareourfriendsthebeasts.