4. How The Nome King Planned Revenge

           Thereasonmostpeoplearebadisbecausetheydonottrytobegood.Now,theNomeKinghadnevertriedtobegood,sohewasverybadindeed.HavingdecidedtoconquertheLandofOzandtodestroytheEmeraldCityandenslaveallitspeople,KingRoquattheRedkeptplanningwaystodothisdreadfulthing,andthemoreheplannedthemorehebelievedhewouldbeabletoaccomplishit.

           AboutthetimeDorothywenttoOzmatheNomeKingcalledhisChiefStewardtohimandsaid:

           "Kaliko,IthinkIshallmakeyoutheGeneralofmyarmies."

           "Ithinkyouwon’t,"repliedKaliko,positively.

           "Whynot?"inquiredtheKing,reachingforhisscepterwiththebigsapphire.

           "BecauseI’myourChiefStewardandknownothingofwarfare,"saidKaliko,preparingtododgeifanythingwerethrownathim."Imanagealltheaffairsofyourkingdombetterthanyoucouldyourself,andyou’llneverfindanotherStewardasgoodasIam.ButthereareahundredNomesbetterfittedtocommandyourarmy,andyourGeneralsgetthrownawaysooftenthatIhavenodesiretobeoneofthem."

           "Ah,thereissometruthinyourremarks,Kaliko,"remarkedtheKing,decidingnottothrowthescepter."SummonmyarmytoassembleintheGreatCavern."

           Kalikobowedandretired,andinafewminutesreturnedtosaythatthearmywasassembled.SotheKingwentoutuponabalconythatoverlookedtheGreatCavern,wherefiftythousandNomes,allarmedwithswordsandpikes,stoodmarshaledinmilitaryarray.