Волшебство страны Оз
12. Kiki Uses His Magic
Iamcalledthe’CowardlyLion,’andIamKingofallBeasts,theworldover."
Gugu’seyesflashedangrily.
"Yes,"saidhe,"Ihaveheardofyou.YouhavelongclaimedtobeKingofBeasts,butnobeastwhoisacowardcanbeKingoverme."
"Heisn’tacoward,YourMajesty,"assertedthelittlegirl,"He’sjustcowardly,that’sall."
Gugulookedather.Alltheotherbeastswerelookingather,too.
"Whoareyou?"askedtheKing.
"Me?Oh,I’mjustDorothy,"sheanswered.
"Howdareyoucomehere?"demandedtheKing.
"Why,I’mnotafraidtogoanywhere,iftheCowardlyLioniswithme,"shesaid."Iknowhimprettywell,andsoIcantrusthim.He’salwaysafraid,whenwegetintotrouble,andthat’swhyhe’scowardly;buthe’saterriblefighter,andthat’swhyheisn’tacoward.Hedoesn’tliketofight,youknow,butwhenheHASto,thereisn’tanybeastlivingthatcanconquerhim."
GugutheKinglookedatthebig,powerfulformoftheCowardlyLion,andknewshespokethetruth.AlsotheotherLionsoftheforestnowcameforwardandbowedlowbeforethestrangeLion.
"WewelcomeYourMajesty,"saidone."Wehaveknownyoumanyyearsago,beforeyouwenttoliveattheEmeraldCity,andwehaveseenyoufighttheterribleKalidahsandconquerthem,soweknowyouaretheKingofallBeasts."
"Itistrue,"repliedtheCowardlyLion;"butIdidnotcomeheretorulethebeastsofthisforest.GuguisKinghere,andIbelieveheisagoodKingandjustandwise.Icome,withmyfriends,tobetheguestofGugu,andIhopewearewelcome.
