The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

"Neither. He's a--a--a meat dog," said the girl.

"They really are," said the Lion, "but that doesn't make me any braver, and as long as I know myself to be a coward I shall be unhappy."

The Tin Woodman knew very well he had no heart, and therefore he took great care never to be cruel or unkind to anything.

"That is a first-rate idea," said the Lion. "One would almost suspect you had brains in your head, instead of straw."

"I see we are going to live a little while longer, and I am glad of it, for it must be a very uncomfortable thing not to be alive.

he felt so gay.

"Because if you did not wear spectacles the brightness and glory of the Emerald City would blind you. Even those who live in the City must wear spectacles night and day. They are all locked on, for Oz so ordered it when the City was first built, and I have the only key that will unlock them."

Of course this politeness was wasted on the Scarecrow; for when he found himself alone in his room he stood stupidly in one spot, just within the doorway, to wait till morning.

The King Crow flew at the Scarecrow, who caught it by the head and twisted its neck until it died.

"I am Oz, the Great and Terrible," said the little man, in a trembling voice. "But don't strike me--please don't--and I'll do anything you want me to."

"Just to amuse myself, and keep the good people busy, I ordered them to build this City, and my Palace; and they did it all willingly and well. Then I thought, as the country was so green and beautiful, I would call it the Emerald City; and to make the name fit better I put green spectacles on all the people, so that everything they saw was green."

"Oh, no, my dear; I'm really a very good man, but I'm a very bad Wizard, I must admit."

There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty."

"I think you are wrong to want a heart. It makes most people unhappy. If you only knew it, you are in luck not to have a heart."

"I feel wise indeed," he answered earnestly. "When I get used to my brains I shall know everything."

The Scarecrow told them there were wonderful thoughts in his head; but he would not say what they were because he knew no one could understand them but himself.

"For my part, I am content in knowing I am as brave as any beast that ever lived, if not braver," said the Lion modestly.