Дороті та Чарівник у країні Оз
16. Jim, the Cab-Horse
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.