Волшебник страны Оз
The Deadly Poppy Field
Finallyoneofthebiggestmicespoke.
"Isthereanythingwecando,"itasked,"torepayyouforsavingthelifeofourQueen?"
"NothingthatIknowof,"answeredtheWoodman; buttheScarecrow,whohadbeentryingtothink,butcouldnotbecausehisheadwasstuffedwithstraw,said,quickly, "Oh,yes;youcansaveourfriend,theCowardlyLion,whoisasleepinthepoppybed."
"ALion!"criedthelittleQueen. "Why,hewouldeatusallup."
"Oh,no,"declaredtheScarecrow;"thisLionisacoward."
"Really?"askedtheMouse.
"Hesayssohimself,"answeredtheScarecrow,"andhewouldneverhurtanyonewhoisourfriend. IfyouwillhelpustosavehimIpromisethatheshalltreatyouallwithkindness."
"Verywell,"saidtheQueen,"wetrustyou. Butwhatshallwedo?"
"AretheremanyofthesemicewhichcallyouQueenandarewillingtoobeyyou?"
"Oh,yes;therearethousands,"shereplied.
"Thensendforthemalltocomehereassoonaspossible,andleteachonebringalongpieceofstring."
TheQueenturnedtothemicethatattendedherandtoldthemtogoatonceandgetallherpeople. Assoonastheyheardherorderstheyranawayineverydirectionasfastaspossible.
