2. The Hawk

           EvenahawkhastoflyhighinordertocrosstheDeadlyDesert,fromwhichpoisonousfumesareconstantlyrising.KikiArufeltsickandfaintbythetimehereachedgoodlandagain,forhecouldnotquiteescapetheeffectsofthepoisons.Butthefreshairsoonrestoredhimandhealightedinabroadtable-landwhichiscalledHiland.JustbeyonditisavalleyknownasLoland,andthesetwocountriesareruledbytheGingerbreadMan,JohnDough,withChicktheCherubashisPrimeMinister.Thehawkmerelystoppedherelongenoughtorest,andthenheflewnorthandpassedoverafinecountrycalledMerryland,whichisruledbyalovelyWaxDoll.Then,followingthecurveoftheDesert,heturnednorthandsettledonatree-topintheKingdomofNoland.

           Kikiwastiredbythistime,andthesunwasnowsetting,sohedecidedtoremainheretillmorning.Fromhistree-tophecouldseeahousenearby,whichlookedverycomfortable.Amanwasmilkingacowintheyardandapleasant-facedwomancametothedoorandcalledhimtosupper.

           ThatmadeKikiwonderwhatsortoffoodhawksate.Hefelthungry,butdidn’tknowwhattoeatorwheretogetit.Alsohethoughtabedwouldbemorecomfortablethanatree-topforsleeping,sohehoppedtothegroundandsaid:"IwanttobecomeKikiAruagain—Pyrzqxgl!"

           Instantlyhehadresumedhisnaturalshape,andgoingtothehouse,heknockeduponthedoorandaskedforsomesupper.

           "Whoareyou?"askedthemanofthehouse.

           "AstrangerfromtheLandofOz,"repliedKikiAru.

           "Thenyouarewelcome,"saidtheman.