Смарагдове місто країни Оз
24. How the Tin Woodman Told the Sad News
ButIshallplantthetinseedsandraiseanotherbedoftinhollyhocks."
InonecornerofthegardensNickChopperhadestablishedafish-pondinwhichtheysawswimminganddisportingthemselvesmanyprettytinfishes.
"Wouldtheybiteonhooks?"askedAuntEm,curiously.
TheTinWoodmanseemedhurtatthisquestion.
"Madam,"saidhe,"doyousupposeIwouldallowanyonetocatchmybeautifulfishes,eveniftheywerefoolishenoughtobiteonhooks?No,indeed!Everycreatedthingissafefromharminmydomain,andIwouldassoonthinkofkillingmylittlefriendDorothyaskillingoneofmytinfishes."
"TheEmperorisverykind-hearted,ma’am,"explainedtheWizard."Ifaflyhappenstolightuponhistinbodyhedoesn’trudelybrushitoff,assomepeoplemightdo;heasksitpolitelytofindsomeotherrestingplace."
"Whatdoestheflydothen?"enquiredAuntEm.
"Usuallyitbegshispardonandgoesaway,"saidtheWizard,gravely."Fliesliketobetreatedpolitelyaswellasothercreatures,andhereinOztheyunderstandwhatwesaytothem,andbehaveverynicely."
"Well,"saidAuntEm,"thefliesinKansas,whereIcamefrom,don’tunderstandanythingbutaswat.Youhavetosmash’emtomake’embehave;andit’sthesamewaywith’skeeters.Doyouhave’skeetersinOz?"
"Wehavesomeverylargemosquitoeshere,whichsingasbeautifullyassongbirds,"repliedtheTinWoodman."Buttheyneverbiteorannoyourpeople,becausetheyarewellfedandtakencareof.
