Смарагдове місто країни Оз
26. How Ozma Refused to Fight for Her Kingdom
ButthepeoplerememberedhowwickedtheirKinghadbeen,andwerestillafraidofhim.Therefore,hemadethemalldrinkoftheWaterofOblivionandforgeteverythingtheyhadknown,sothattheybecameassimpleandinnocentastheirKing.Afterthat,theyallgrewwisetogether,andtheirwisdomwasgood,sothatpeaceandhappinessreignedintheland.Butforfearsomeonemightdrinkofthewateragain,andinaninstantforgetallhehadlearned,theKingputthatsignuponthefountain,whereithasremainedformanycenturiesuptothisveryday."
TheyhadalllistenedintentlytoOzma’sstory,andwhenshefinishedspeakingtherewasalongperiodofsilencewhileallthoughtuponthecuriousmagicalpoweroftheWaterofOblivion.
FinallytheScarecrow’spaintedfacetookonabroadsmilethatstretchedtheclothasfarasitwouldgo.
"HowthankfulIam,"hesaid,"thatIhavesuchanexcellentassortmentofbrains!"
"IgaveyouthebestbrainsIevermixed,"declaredtheWizard,withanairofpride.
"Youdid,indeed!"agreedtheScarecrow,"andtheyworksosplendidlythattheyhavefoundawaytosaveOz--tosaveusall!"
"I’mgladtohearthat,"saidtheWizard."Weneverneededsavingmorethanwedojustnow."
"DoyoumeantosayyoucansaveusfromthoseawfulPhanfasms,andGrowleywogsandWhimsies?"askedDorothyeagerly.
"I’msureofit,mydear,"assertedtheScarecrow,stillsmilinggenially.
"Tellushow!"criedtheTinWoodman.
"Notnow,"saidtheScarecrow
