Дороти и Волшебник в стране Оз

           AndthisistheHungryTiger,theterrorofthejungle,wholongstodevourfatbabiesbutispreventedbyhisconsciencefromdoingso.TheseroyalbeastsarebothwarmfriendsoflittleDorothyandhavecometotheEmeraldCitythismorningtowelcomehertoourfairyland."

           HearingthesewordsJimresolvedtoconquerhisalarm.Hebowedhisheadwithasmuchdignityashecouldmustertowardthesavagelookingbeasts,whoinreturnnoddedinafriendlyway.

           "IsnottheRealHorseabeautifulanimal?"askedtheSawhorseadmiringly.

           "Thatisdoubtlessamatteroftaste,"returnedtheLion."Intheforesthewouldbethoughtungainly,becausehisfaceisstretchedoutandhisneckisuselesslylong.Hisjoints,Inotice,areswollenandovergrown,andhelacksfleshandisoldinyears."

           "Anddreadfullytough,"addedtheHungryTiger,inasadvoice."MyconsciencewouldneverpermitmetoeatsotoughamorselastheRealHorse."

           "I’mgladofthat,"saidJim;"forI,also,haveaconscience,andittellsmenottocrushinyourskullwithablowofmypowerfulhoof."

           Ifhethoughttofrightenthestripedbeastbysuchlanguagehewasmistaken.TheTigerseemedtosmile,andwinkedoneeyeslowly.

           "Youhaveagoodconscience,friendHorse,"itsaid,"andifyouattendtoitsteachingsitwilldomuchtoprotectyoufromharm.SomedayIwillletyoutrytocrushinmyskull,andafterwardyouwillknowmoreabouttigersthanyoudonow."

           "AnyfriendofDorothy,"remarkedtheCowardlyLion,"mustbeourfriend,aswell.Soletusceasethistalkofskullcrushingandconverseuponmorepleasantsubjects.