Волшебство страны Оз

           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.