blue flowers. Tiny birds, multi-colored butterflies, fluttered in the air. Red-breasted and golden-green parrots sat on the branches of trees and screamed in strange voices. Men and women could be seen behind the fruit trees.
Task 1 PRINT SIGNS, MAKE NGN SCHEMES, IDENTIFY TYPES OF SUBDENTAL SENTENCES. 1) In the hut where they were alloweddinner was weedy and stuffy smelled of bread and shredded cabbage.
2) Fedka saw how the high bow of the steamer flew at them from the darkness with unstoppable force without noticing them, heading into the very middle of the ship.
3) Gerasimov looked at his feeder so much that he regretted asking the question.
4) The night was dark because the clouds covered the sky and did not let in the light of the stars.
5) As soon as the regiment left Ozerny, a cold rain began to fall.
6) From a distance one could see how bunches of mountain ash and hawthorn bloom under the sun.
7) Grinyuk, with his chin up, looked at the sky, where from time to time an almost regular disk of the moon slipped out from under tufts of clouds.
8) At that moment when Ivan entered the yard, there was just a pause.
9) The old ferry was pulled ashore and tied tightly to the ancient mighty willows so that it would not be carried away by the unstoppable spring flood.
10) Burying my chin in the snow, I struggled to figure out what to do.
Task 2 PRINT SIGNS, MAKE A NGN DIAGRAM WITH SEVERAL SUDDENDENTS, IDENTIFY THE TYPES OF SUBDENTAL SENTENCES AND THE TYPE OF SUBMISSION.
Only now did Frol see that it was completely dawn, that at the blue foot of the cliff above Svetlikha, white streaks of mist were swaying, that the stones on the shore had become bluish from the morning dew. SCHEME EXAMPLE [vb], (as...)
MAKE SCHEMES OF THE OFFER TO THE TEXTMAKE SCHEMES OF THE OFFER TO THE TEXT! 1) Finally
the sands moved away from the shore, giving way to a narrow strip of forest, horsetails,
ferns and palms. 2) The number of shoals in the sea increased and
even low-lying islands appeared, completely overgrown with small horsetail and
reeds. 3) the sands moved further and further and their reddish ridges were already
almost hidden behind the coastal forest 4) the number of islands is all
increased and the sea turned into a huge quiet river breaking into
sleeves 5) even the water became almost fresh
The history of coffee begins with the funny animals of an Ethiopian shepherd,
who began to "dance" when they ate the leaves and fruits of coffee
trees.
Smeikh - a hermit who healed so successfully with the help of
coffee that was declared holy.
The soldiers chewed raw grains, which were considered healthy,
because they gave them strength and vigor.
Only later did they guess to roast and grind coffee in order to
brew a drink from it, without which not a single business meeting can do now,
not a friendly conversation, not just a little rest. Make sentence schemes and indicate the method of subordination?
2. Ellie in the amazing land of munchkins. The Wizard of Oz. Volkov's story.
Ellie woke up because the dog licked her face with a hot wet tongue and whined. At first it seemed to her that she had a wonderful dream, and Ellie was about to tell her mother about it. But, seeing the overturned chairs, the stove lying on the floor, Ellie realized that everything was in reality.
The girl jumped out of bed. The house didn't move. The sun shone brightly through the window.
Ellie ran to the door, flung it open and screamed in surprise.
The hurricane brought the house into a country of extraordinary beauty: a green lawn spread around; along the edges of it grew trees with ripe, juicy fruits; in the clearings one could see flowerbeds of beautiful pink, white and blue flowers. Tiny birds fluttered through the air, glittering with their bright plumage. Golden-green and red-breasted parrots sat on the branches of trees and screamed in high strange voices. A clear stream gurgled in the distance, and silvery fish frolicked in the water.
While the girl stood hesitantly on the threshold, the most amusing and sweet little men imaginable appeared from behind the trees. The men, dressed in blue velvet coats and tight trousers, were no taller than Ellie; on their feet shone blue jackboots with cuffs. But most of all, Ellie liked the pointed hats: their tops were decorated with crystal balls, and under the wide brim little bells tinkled gently.
An old woman in a white robe stepped solemnly in front of the three men; tiny stars glittered on her pointed hat and on her mantle. The old woman's gray hair fell over her shoulders.
In the distance, behind the fruit trees, a whole crowd of small men and women could be seen; they stood whispering and looking at each other, but did not dare to come closer.
Approaching the girl, these timid little people smiled affably and somewhat fearfully at Ellie, but the old woman looked at Ellie with obvious bewilderment. The three men moved forward in unison and took off their hats at once. "Ding ding ding!" - the bells rang. Ellie noticed that the jaws of the little men were constantly moving, as if they were chewing something.
The old woman turned to Ellie:
Tell me, how did you end up in the land of the Munchkins, dear child?
I was brought here by a hurricane in this house, - Ellie answered timidly.
Strange, very strange! The old woman shook her head. Now you will understand my confusion. Here is how it was. I learned that the evil sorceress Gingema had lost her mind and wanted to destroy the human race and populate the earth with rats and snakes. And I had to use all my magical art ...
How, ma'am! Ellie exclaimed in fear. - Are you a magician? But how did my mother tell me that now there are no wizards?
Where does your mom live?
In Kansas.
Never heard such a name, - said the sorceress, pursing her lips. “But, no matter what your mother says, wizards and sages live in this country. There were four of us here. Two of us - the sorceress of the Yellow Country (it's me - Villina!) and the sorceress of the Pink Country Stella - are kind. And the sorceress of the Blue Country Gingema and the sorceress of the Purple Country Bastinda are very evil. Your house crushed Gingema, and now there is only one evil sorceress in our country.
Ellie was amazed. How could she destroy the evil sorceress, a little girl who had not even killed a sparrow in her life?!
Ellie said:
Of course, you are mistaken: I did not kill anyone.
I don’t blame you for this,” the sorceress Villina calmly objected. “After all, in order to save people from trouble, I deprived the hurricane of destructive power and allowed it to capture only one house in order to throw it on the head of the insidious Gingema, because I read in my magic book that it is always empty in a storm ...
Ellie shyly replied:
It is true, madam, during hurricanes we hide in the cellar, but I ran to the house for my dog ...
Such a reckless act my magic book could never have foreseen! - the sorceress Villina was upset. “So it’s all this little beast’s fault…”
Totoshka, av av, with your permission, ma'am! - the dog suddenly intervened in the conversation. - Yes, with sadness I confess, it's all my fault ...
How did you speak, Totoshka!? Ellie exclaimed in surprise.
I don’t know how it works, Ellie, but, aw aw, human words involuntarily fly out of my mouth ...
You see, Ellie, - explained Villina, - in this wonderful country, not only people talk, but all animals and even birds. Look around, do you like our country?
She's not bad, ma'am," answered Ellie, "but it's better at our house. You should have looked at our barnyard! You should look at our Pestrianka, ma'am! No, I want to return to my homeland, to my father and mother ...
It is hardly possible, - said the sorceress. - Our country is separated from the whole world by a desert and huge mountains through which not a single person has passed. I'm afraid, my baby, that you'll have to stay with us.
Ellie's eyes filled with tears. The good Munchkins were very upset and also wept, wiping their tears with blue handkerchiefs. The Munchkins took off their hats and put them on the ground so that the bells would not stop them from crying with their ringing.
Why won't you help me at all? Ellie asked sadly.
Oh, yes, - Villina remembered, - I completely forgot that my magic book was with me. You need to look into it: maybe I will subtract something useful for you ...
Villina took out from the folds of her clothes a tiny book the size of a thimble. The sorceress blew on it, and in front of the surprised and a little frightened Ellie, the book began to grow, grow and turned into a huge volume. It was so heavy that the old woman placed it on a large stone. Villina looked at the pages of the book, and they turned over under her gaze.
Found, found! - the sorceress suddenly exclaimed and began to read slowly: - “Bambara, chufara, skoriki, moriki, turabo, furabo, loriki, yoriki ... The great magician Goodwin will return home a little girl brought to his country by a hurricane if she helps three creatures achieve the fulfillment of their most cherished desires, pickup truck, trikapu, botalo, shook ... "
Pickup, trikapu, botalo, dangled ... - the Munchkins repeated in sacred horror.
Who is Goodwin? Ellie asked.
Oh, this is the greatest sage of our country, - the old woman whispered. - He is more powerful than all of us and lives in the Emerald City.
Is he evil or good?
Nobody knows. But don't be afraid, find three creatures, fulfill their cherished desires, and the wizard of the Emerald City will help you return to your country!
Where is the Emerald City? Ellie asked.
It is in the center of the country. The great sage and wizard Goodwin himself built it and manages it. But he surrounded himself with extraordinary secrecy, and no one saw him after the construction of the city, and it ended many, many years ago.
How will I get to the Emerald City?
The road is far. Not everywhere the country is good, like here. There are dark forests with terrible beasts, there are fast rivers - crossing them is dangerous...
Won't you come with me? - asked the girl.
No, my child, - answered Villina. - I can't leave the Yellow Country for long. You must go alone. The road to the Emerald City is paved with yellow brick, and you won't get lost. When you come to Goodwin, ask him for help...
How long will I have to live here, ma'am? Ellie asked, lowering her head.
I don't know, - answered Villina. “There is nothing about this in my magic book. Go, search, fight! I will look into the magic book from time to time to know how you are doing ... Farewell, my dear!
Villina leaned over a huge book, and it immediately shrank to the size of a thimble and disappeared into the folds of the mantle. A whirlwind swooped in, it became dark, and when the darkness dissipated, Villina was no longer there: the sorceress had disappeared. Ellie and the Munchkins trembled with fear, and the bells on the little people's hats jingled of their own accord.
When everyone calmed down a little, the most courageous of the Munchkins, their foreman, turned to Ellie:
Powerful fairy! Welcome to Blue Country! You killed the evil Gingem and freed the Munchkins!
Ellie said:
You are very kind, but there is a mistake: I am not a fairy. And after all, you heard that my house fell on Gingham on the orders of the sorceress Villina ...
We do not believe this, - the foreman Zhevunov stubbornly objected. - We heard your conversation with a good sorceress, botalo, shook, but we think that you are a powerful fairy. After all, only fairies can ride through the air in their houses, and only a fairy could free us from Gingema, the evil sorceress of the Blue Country. Gingema ruled over us for many years and made us work day and night...
She made us work day and night! - the Munchkins said in unison.
She ordered us to catch spiders and bats, collect frogs and leeches from the ditches. These were her favorite foods...
And we, - the Munchkins cried, - we are very afraid of spiders and leeches!
What are you crying about? Ellie asked. - It's all gone!
True true! The Munchkins laughed together, and the bells on their hats tinkled merrily.
Mighty Mistress Ellie! the foreman spoke. - Do you want to become our mistress instead of Gingema? We are sure that you are very kind and will not punish us too often! ..
No, - Ellie objected, - I'm just a little girl and I'm not fit to be the ruler of the country. If you want to help me, give me the opportunity to fulfill your most cherished desires!
We had the only desire to get rid of the evil Gingema, pickup, pickup! But your house - Krak! crack! - crushed her, and we no longer have desires! .. - said the foreman.
Then I have nothing to do here. I will go looking for those who have desires. Only now my shoes are already very old and torn, they will not withstand a long journey. Really, Toto? Ellie turned to the dog.
Of course they won't, - Totoshka agreed. - But do not worry, Ellie, I saw something nearby and I will help you!
You? - the girl was surprised.
Yes I! Toto answered proudly and disappeared behind the trees. A minute later he returned with a beautiful silver slipper in his teeth and laid it solemnly at Ellie's feet. A gold buckle gleamed on the shoe.
Where did you get it from? Ellie wondered.
Now I'll tell you! - answered the out of breath dog, disappeared and returned again with another shoe.
How lovely! said Ellie admiringly, and tried on the shoes: they just fit her leg, as if they were sewn on her.
When I ran to reconnoiter, - Totoshka began importantly, - I saw a large black hole in the mountain behind the trees ...
Ah ah ah! the Munchkins screamed in horror. - After all, this is the entrance to the cave of the evil sorceress Gingema! And you dared to enter there? ..
And what's so terrible? After all, Gingema is dead! - objected Totoshka.
You must be a magician too! - the foreman said with fear; all the other Munchkins nodded their heads in agreement, and the bells under their hats jingled in unison.
It was there that, entering this, as you call it, cave, I saw many funny and strange things, but most of all I liked the shoes standing at the entrance. Some big birds with terrible yellow eyes tried to prevent me from taking my shoes, but is Toto afraid of anything when he wants to serve his Ellie?
Oh, my dear daredevil! - Ellie exclaimed and gently pressed the dog to her chest. - In these shoes I will walk tirelessly as much as I like ...
It's very good that you got the shoes of the evil Gingema, - the elder Munchkin interrupted her. - They seem to have magical powers, because Gingema wore them only on the most important occasions. But what kind of power it is, we do not know ... And you are still leaving us, gracious Mrs. Ellie? - with a sigh asked the foreman. “Then we’ll bring you something to eat on the road…”
The Munchkins left and Ellie was left alone. She found a piece of bread in the house and ate it on the bank of the stream, washing it down with clear cold water. Then she began to get ready for a long journey, and Totoshka ran under a tree and tried to grab a noisy motley parrot sitting on the lower branch, which teased him all the time.
Ellie got out of the van, carefully closed the door, and wrote on it with chalk: "I'm not at home."
Meanwhile, the Munchkins returned. They brought in enough food for Ellie to last for several years. There were sheep, roast geese and ducks, fruit baskets...
Ellie said with a laugh:
Well, where do I get so much, my friends?
She put some bread and fruit in the basket, said goodbye to the Munchkins and boldly set off on a long journey with the cheerful Toto.
Not far from the house there was a crossroads: several roads diverged here. Ellie chose the yellow brick road and walked briskly along it. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the little girl, abandoned in an amazing foreign land, felt quite well.
The road was fenced on both sides with beautiful blue hedges, beyond which the cultivated fields began. There were round houses here and there. Their roofs were like the pointed hats of the Munchkins. Crystal balls glittered on the roofs. The houses were painted blue.
Little men and women worked in the fields; they took off their hats and bowed amiably to Ellie. After all, now every Munchkin knew that a girl in silver shoes had liberated their country from an evil sorceress, lowering her house - krak! crack! - right on her head. All the Munchkins that Ellie met on the way looked at Totoshka with fearful surprise and, hearing his barking, plugged their ears. When a cheerful dog ran up to one of the Munchkins, he ran away from him at the top of his lungs: there were no dogs at all in Goodwin's country.
Toward evening, when Ellie was hungry and wondering where to spend the night, she saw a large house by the road. Small men and women danced on the front lawn. The musicians diligently played small violins and flutes. Children frolic at once, so tiny that Ellie opened her eyes in amazement: they looked like dolls. The terrace was lined with long tables with vases full of fruits, nuts, sweets, delicious pies and large cakes.
Seeing Ellie, a handsome tall old man stepped out of the crowd of dancers (he was a whole finger taller than Ellie!) and said with a bow:
My friends and I are celebrating today the liberation of our country from the evil sorceress. Do I dare to ask the powerful Fairy of the Killing House to take part in our feast?
Why do you think I'm a fairy? Ellie asked.
You crushed the evil sorceress Gingem - krak! crack! - like an empty eggshell; you are wearing her magic shoes; with you is an amazing beast, the likes of which we have never seen, and, according to the stories of our friends, he is also gifted with magical powers ...
To this, Ellie was unable to protest anything and went after the old man, whose name was Prem Kokus. She was greeted like a queen, and the bells rang incessantly, and there were endless dances, and a great many cakes were eaten and countless drinks were drunk, and the whole evening passed so cheerfully and pleasantly that Ellie remembered papa and mama, only falling asleep in bed.
In the morning after a hearty breakfast, she asked Caucus:
How far is the Emerald City from here?
I don't know, the old man answered thoughtfully. - I've never been there. It's better to stay away from Great Goodwin, especially if you don't have important business with him. And the road to the Emerald City is long and difficult. You will have to cross dark forests and cross fast deep rivers.
Ellie was a little upset, but she knew that only the Great Goodwin would bring her back to Kansas, so she said goodbye to her friends and set off again along the yellow brick road.
Ellie woke up because the dog licked her face with a hot wet tongue and whined. At first it seemed to her that she had a wonderful dream, and Ellie was about to tell her mother about it. But, seeing the overturned chairs, the stove lying on the floor, Ellie realized that everything was in reality.
The girl jumped out of bed. The house didn't move. The sun shone brightly through the window.
Ellie ran to the door, flung it open and screamed in surprise.
The hurricane brought the house into a country of extraordinary beauty: a green lawn spread around; along the edges of it grew trees with ripe, juicy fruits; in the clearings one could see flowerbeds of beautiful pink, white and blue flowers. Tiny birds fluttered through the air, glittering with their bright plumage. Golden-green and red-breasted parrots sat on the branches of trees and screamed in high strange voices. A clear stream gurgled in the distance, and silvery fish frolicked in the water.
While the girl stood hesitantly on the threshold, the most amusing and sweet little men imaginable appeared from behind the trees. The men, dressed in blue velvet coats and tight trousers, were no taller than Ellie; on their feet shone blue jackboots with cuffs. But most of all, Ellie liked the pointed hats: their tops were decorated with crystal balls, and under the wide brim little bells tinkled gently.
An old woman in a white robe stepped solemnly in front of the three men; tiny stars glittered on her pointed hat and on her mantle. The old woman's gray hair fell over her shoulders.
In the distance, behind the fruit trees, a whole crowd of small men and women could be seen; they stood whispering and looking at each other, but did not dare to come closer.
Approaching the girl, these timid little people smiled affably and somewhat fearfully at Ellie, but the old woman looked at Ellie with obvious bewilderment. The three men moved forward in unison and took off their hats at once. "Ding-ding-ding!" - the bells rang. Ellie noticed that the jaws of the little men were constantly moving, as if they were chewing something.
The old woman turned to Ellie:
Tell me, how did you end up in the land of the Munchkins, dear child?
I was brought here by a hurricane in this house, - Ellie answered timidly.
Strange, very strange! The old woman shook her head. Now you will understand my confusion. Here is how it was. I learned that the evil sorceress Gingema had lost her mind and wanted to destroy the human race and populate the earth with rats and snakes. And I had to use all my magical art...
How, ma'am! Ellie exclaimed in fear. - Are you a magician? But how did my mother tell me that now there are no wizards?
Where does your mom live?
In Kansas.
Never heard such a name, - said the sorceress, pursing her lips. “But, no matter what your mother says, wizards and sages live in this country. There were four of us here. Two of us - the sorceress of the Yellow Country (it's me - Villina!) and the sorceress of the Pink Country Stella - are kind. And the sorceress of the Blue Country Gingema and the sorceress of the Purple Country Bastinda are very evil. Your house crushed Gingema, and now there is only one evil sorceress in our country.
Ellie was amazed. How could she destroy the evil sorceress, a little girl who had not even killed a sparrow in her life?!
Ellie said:
Of course, you are mistaken: I did not kill anyone.
I don’t blame you for this,” the sorceress Villina calmly objected. “After all, it was I who, in order to save people from trouble, deprived the hurricane of destructive power and allowed it to capture only one house in order to throw it on the head of the insidious Gingema, because I read in my magic book that it is always empty in a storm ...
Ellie shyly replied:
It is true, madam, during hurricanes we hide in the cellar, but I ran to the house for my dog ...
Such a reckless act my magic book could never have foreseen! - the sorceress Villina was upset. “So it’s all this little beast’s fault…”
Totoshka, av-av, with your permission, ma'am! - the dog suddenly intervened in the conversation. - Yes, I confess with sadness, it's all my fault ...
How did you speak, Totoshka!? Ellie exclaimed in surprise.
I don't know how it works, Ellie, but, ah-ah, human words involuntarily fly out of my mouth ...
You see, Ellie, - explained Villina, - in this wonderful country, not only people talk, but all animals and even birds. Look around, do you like our country?
She's not bad, ma'am," answered Ellie, "but it's better at our house. You should have looked at our barnyard! You should look at our Pestrianka, ma'am! No, I want to return to my homeland, to my father and mother ...
It is hardly possible, - said the sorceress. - Our country is separated from the whole world by a desert and huge mountains through which not a single person has passed. I'm afraid, my baby, that you'll have to stay with us.
Ellie's eyes filled with tears. The good Munchkins were very upset and also wept, wiping their tears with blue handkerchiefs. The Munchkins took off their hats and put them on the ground so that the bells would not stop them from crying with their ringing.
Why won't you help me at all? Ellie asked sadly.
Oh, yes, - Villina remembered, - I completely forgot that my magic book was with me. You need to look into it: maybe I will subtract something useful for you ...
Villina took out from the folds of her clothes a tiny book the size of a thimble. The sorceress blew on it, and in front of the surprised and a little frightened Ellie, the book began to grow, grow and turned into a huge volume. It was so heavy that the old woman placed it on a large stone. Villina looked at the pages of the book, and they turned over under her gaze.
Found, found! - the sorceress suddenly exclaimed and began to read slowly: - "Bambara, chufara, skoriki, moriki, turabo, furabo, loriki, yoriki ... The great magician Goodwin will return home a little girl brought to his country by a hurricane if she helps three creatures achieve fulfillment their most cherished desires, pickup truck, trikapu, botalo, shook ... "
Pickup, trikapu, botalo, dangled ... - the Munchkins repeated in sacred horror.
Who is Goodwin? Ellie asked.
Oh, this is the greatest sage of our country, - the old woman whispered. - He is more powerful than all of us and lives in the Emerald City.
Is he evil or good?
Nobody knows. But don't be afraid, find three creatures, fulfill their cherished desires, and the wizard of the Emerald City will help you return to your country!
Where is the Emerald City? Ellie asked.
It is in the center of the country. The great sage and wizard Goodwin himself built it and manages it. But he surrounded himself with extraordinary secrecy, and no one saw him after the construction of the city, and it ended many, many years ago.
How will I get to the Emerald City?
The road is far. Not everywhere the country is good, like here. There are dark forests with terrible beasts, there are fast rivers - crossing them is dangerous...
Won't you come with me? - asked the girl.
No, my child, - answered Villina. - I can't leave the Yellow Country for long. You must go alone. The road to the Emerald City is paved with yellow brick, and you won't get lost. When you come to Goodwin, ask him for help...
How long will I have to live here, ma'am? Ellie asked, lowering her head.
I don't know, - answered Villina. “There is nothing about this in my magic book. Go, search, fight! I will look into the magic book from time to time to see how you are doing... Farewell, my dear!
Villina leaned over a huge book, and it immediately shrank to the size of a thimble and disappeared into the folds of the mantle. A whirlwind swooped in, it became dark, and when the darkness dissipated, Villina was no longer there: the sorceress had disappeared. Ellie and the Munchkins trembled with fear, and the bells on the little people's hats jingled of their own accord.
When everyone calmed down a little, the most courageous of the Munchkins, their foreman, turned to Ellie:
Powerful fairy! Welcome to Blue Country! You killed the evil Gingem and freed the Munchkins!
Ellie said:
You are very kind, but there is a mistake: I am not a fairy. And after all, you heard that my house fell on Gingham on the orders of the sorceress Villina ...
We do not believe this, - the foreman Zhevunov stubbornly objected. - We heard your conversation with a good sorceress, botalo, shook, but we think that you are a powerful fairy. After all, only fairies can ride through the air in their houses, and only a fairy could free us from Gingema, the evil sorceress of the Blue Country. Gingema ruled over us for many years and made us work day and night...
She made us work day and night! - the Munchkins said in unison.
She ordered us to catch spiders and bats, collect frogs and leeches from the ditches. These were her favorite foods...
And we, - the Munchkins cried, - we are very afraid of spiders and leeches!
What are you crying about? Ellie asked. - It's all gone!
True true! The Munchkins laughed together, and the bells on their hats tinkled merrily.
Mighty Mistress Ellie! the foreman spoke. - Do you want to become our mistress instead of Gingema? We are sure that you are very kind and will not punish us too often! ..
No, - Ellie objected, - I'm just a little girl and I'm not fit to be the ruler of the country. If you want to help me, give me the opportunity to fulfill your most cherished desires!
We had the only desire to get rid of the evil Gingema, pickup, pickup! But your house - Krak! crack! - crushed her, and we no longer have desires! .. - said the foreman.
Then I have nothing to do here. I will go looking for those who have desires. Only now my shoes are already very old and torn, they will not withstand a long journey. Really, Toto? Ellie turned to the dog.
Of course they won't, - Totoshka agreed. - But do not worry, Ellie, I saw something nearby and I will help you!
You? - the girl was surprised.
Yes I! Toto answered proudly and disappeared behind the trees. A minute later he returned with a beautiful silver slipper in his teeth and laid it solemnly at Ellie's feet. A gold buckle gleamed on the shoe.
Where did you get it from? Ellie wondered.
Now I'll tell you! - answered the out of breath dog, disappeared and returned again with another shoe.
How lovely! said Ellie admiringly, and tried on the shoes: they just fit her leg, as if they were sewn on her.
When I ran to reconnoiter, - Totoshka began importantly, - I saw a large black hole in the mountain behind the trees ...
Ah ah ah! the Munchkins screamed in horror. - After all, this is the entrance to the cave of the evil sorceress Gingema! And you dared to enter there? ..
And what's so terrible? After all, Gingema is dead! - objected Totoshka.
You must be a magician too! - the foreman said with fear; all the other Munchkins nodded their heads in agreement, and the bells under their hats jingled in unison.
It was there that, entering this, as you call it, cave, I saw many funny and strange things, but most of all I liked the shoes standing at the entrance. Some big birds with terrible yellow eyes tried to prevent me from taking my shoes, but is Toto afraid of anything when he wants to serve his Ellie?
Oh, my dear daredevil! - Ellie exclaimed and gently pressed the dog to her chest. - In these shoes I will walk tirelessly as much as I like ...
It's very good that you got the shoes of the evil Gingema, - the elder Munchkin interrupted her. - They seem to have magical powers, because Gingema wore them only on the most important occasions. But what kind of power it is, we do not know ... And you are still leaving us, gracious Mrs. Ellie? - with a sigh asked the foreman. "Then we'll bring you something to eat on the road..."
The Munchkins left and Ellie was left alone. She found a piece of bread in the house and ate it on the bank of the stream, washing it down with clear cold water. Then she began to get ready for a long journey, and Totoshka ran under a tree and tried to grab a noisy motley parrot sitting on the lower branch, which teased him all the time.
Ellie got out of the van, carefully closed the door, and wrote on it with chalk: "I'm not at home."
Meanwhile, the Munchkins returned. They brought in enough food for Ellie to last for several years. There were rams, roast geese and ducks, fruit baskets...
Ellie said with a laugh:
Well, where do I get so much, my friends?
She put some bread and fruit in the basket, said goodbye to the Munchkins and boldly set off on a long journey with the cheerful Toto.
Not far from the house there was a crossroads: several roads diverged here. Ellie chose the yellow brick road and walked briskly along it. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the little girl, abandoned in an amazing foreign land, felt quite well.
The road was fenced on both sides with beautiful blue hedges, beyond which the cultivated fields began. There were round houses here and there. Their roofs were like the pointed hats of the Munchkins. Crystal balls glittered on the roofs. The houses were painted blue.
Little men and women worked in the fields; they took off their hats and bowed amiably to Ellie. After all, now every Munchkin knew that a girl in silver shoes had liberated their country from an evil sorceress, lowering her house - krak! crack! - right on her head. All the Munchkins that Ellie met on the way looked at Totoshka with fearful surprise and, hearing his barking, plugged their ears. When a cheerful dog ran up to one of the Munchkins, he ran away from him at the top of his lungs: there were no dogs at all in Goodwin's country.
Toward evening, when Ellie was hungry and wondering where to spend the night, she saw a large house by the road. Small men and women danced on the front lawn. The musicians diligently played small violins and flutes. Children frolic at once, so tiny that Ellie opened her eyes in amazement: they looked like dolls. The terrace was lined with long tables with vases full of fruits, nuts, sweets, delicious pies and large cakes.
Seeing Ellie, a handsome tall old man stepped out of the crowd of dancers (he was a whole finger taller than Ellie!) and said with a bow:
My friends and I are celebrating today the liberation of our country from the evil sorceress. Do I dare to ask the powerful Fairy of the Killing House to take part in our feast?
Why do you think I'm a fairy? Ellie asked.
You crushed the evil sorceress Gingem - krak! crack! - like an empty eggshell; you are wearing her magic shoes; with you is an amazing beast, the likes of which we have never seen, and, according to the stories of our friends, he is also gifted with magical powers ...
To this, Ellie was unable to protest anything and went after the old man, whose name was Prem Kokus. She was greeted like a queen, and the bells rang incessantly, and there were endless dances, and a great many cakes were eaten and countless drinks were drunk, and the whole evening passed so cheerfully and pleasantly that Ellie remembered papa and mama, only falling asleep in bed.
In the morning after a hearty breakfast, she asked Caucus:
How far is the Emerald City from here?
I don't know, the old man answered thoughtfully. - I've never been there. It's better to stay away from Great Goodwin, especially if you don't have important business with him. And the road to the Emerald City is long and difficult. You will have to cross dark forests and cross fast deep rivers.
Ellie was a little upset, but she knew that only the Great Goodwin would bring her back to Kansas, so she said goodbye to her friends and set off again along the yellow brick road.
Scarecrow
Ellie had been walking for several hours and was tired. She sat down to rest by the blue hedge, beyond which lay a field of ripe wheat.
There was a long pole near the fence, a straw stuffed animal stuck out on it - to drive away birds. The scarecrow's head was made from a bag stuffed with straw, with eyes and a mouth painted on it, so that a funny human face was obtained. The scarecrow was dressed in a worn blue caftan; here and there straw stuck out of the holes in the caftan. On his head was an old, shabby hat, from which the bells were cut off, on his feet - old blue over the knee boots, which men in this country wore.
The scarecrow had a funny and at the same time good-natured look.
Ellie carefully examined the funny painted face of the stuffed animal and was surprised to see that it suddenly winked at her with its right eye. She thought she was imagining, because effigies never blink in Kansas. But the figure nodded its head in the most friendly manner.
Ellie was frightened, and the brave Toto, barking, attacked the fence, behind which there was a pole with a stuffed animal.
Goodnight! - said the scarecrow in a slightly hoarse voice.
You can speak? Ellie was surprised.
Not very good, the scarecrow admitted. - I still confuse some words, because they recently did it to me. How are you?
Thank you, OK! Tell me, do you have a cherished desire?
I have? Oh, I have a whole bunch of wishes! - And the scarecrow began to list quickly: - Firstly, I need silver bells for my hat, secondly, I need new boots, thirdly ...
Oh enough, enough! Ellie interrupted. - Which of them is the most cherished?
The very best? - Scarecrow thought. - To put me on a stake!
Yes, you are already sitting on a stake, - Ellie laughed.
But indeed, - the scarecrow agreed. - You see, what a traveler I am ... that is, no, a confused one. So I need to be removed. It is very boring to hang around here day and night and scare the nasty crows, who, by the way, are not afraid of me at all.
Ellie tilted the stake and, grabbing the stuffed animal with both hands, pulled it off.
Extremely conscious ... that is, grateful, - the scarecrow puffed, finding himself on the ground. - I feel like a new person. If only I could get silver bells for my hat and new boots!
The scarecrow carefully straightened his caftan, shook off the straws and, scraping his foot on the ground, introduced himself to the girl:
Scarecrow!
What are you saying? Ellie didn't understand.
I say scary. That's what they called me: because I have to frighten the crows. And what is your name?
Beautiful name! said the Scarecrow.
Ellie looked at him in surprise. She could not understand how, stuffed with straw and with a painted face, walks and talks.
But then Totoshka became indignant and exclaimed indignantly:
Why don't you greet me?
Ah, guilty, guilty, - the Scarecrow apologized and firmly shook the dog's paw. - I have the honor to introduce myself: Scarecrow!
Very nice! I'm Toto! But close friends are allowed to call me Totoshka!
Oh, Scarecrow, how glad I am that I fulfilled your most cherished desire! Ellie said.
Sorry, Ellie, - the Scarecrow shuffled his foot again, - but it turns out I was mistaken. My most cherished desire is to get brains!
Well, yes, brains. Very good ... sorry, it's unpleasant when your head is stuffed with straw ...
How are you not ashamed to lie? Ellie asked reproachfully.
What does it mean to deceive? I just got done yesterday and I don't know anything...
How did you know that you have straw in your head, and people have brains?
One crow told me this when I quarreled with her. It was like this, Ellie, you see. This morning a big ruffled crow was flying near me and not so much pecking at the wheat as knocking the grains out of it to the ground. Then she impudently sat on my shoulder and pecked me on the cheek. "Kaggi-carr!" the crow sneered mockingly.
You see, Ellie, I laughed terribly... I mean, got angry, and tried my best to speak. And what was my joy when I succeeded. But, of course, at first it didn’t work out very well for me.
"Sh...shh...gone away, you nasty one!" I shouted. I even managed to deftly throw the crow off my shoulder by grabbing its wing with my hand.
The crow, however, was not at all embarrassed and began to brazenly peck at the ears right in front of me.
“Eka, I was surprised!” she said. “I don’t know for sure that even a scarecrow will be able to speak in Goodwin’s country if he really wants to! But anyway, I’m not afraid of you! You won’t get off the pole!”
"Pshsh... pshsh... Psh! Oh, I'm unhappy," I almost burst out laughing... sorry, I sobbed. "Really, where am I fit? the ones you need."
With all its insolence, that crow was, apparently, a kind bird, continued the Scarecrow. - She felt sorry for me.
“Don’t be so sad!” she told me hoarsely. “If you had brains in your head, you would be like all people! Brains are the only worthwhile thing in a crow ... And in a man!”
That's how I learned that people have brains and I don't. I'm sad ... that is, cheerfully, I shouted: "Hey-gey-gey-go! Long live the brains! I will definitely get them for myself! .." But the crow is a very capricious bird, and it immediately cooled my joy.
"Kaggi-carr!... - she laughed. - If there are no brains, it will not be! Carr-carr! .." - And she flew away, and soon you and Totoshka came, - the Scarecrow finished his story. - Now, Ellie, tell me: can you give me brains?
No, what are you! Only Goodwin in the Emerald City can do this. I'm just going to him myself to ask him to return me to Kansas, to my father and mother.
And where is the Emerald City, and who is Goodwin?
Do not you know?
No, - the Scarecrow answered sadly. - I do not know anything. You see, I'm full of straw, and I have no brains at all.
Oh, how I pity you! the girl sighed.
Thanks! And if I go with you to the Emerald City, will Goodwin give me brains?
Do not know. But if the great Goodwin does not give you brains, it will not be worse than now.
That's right, said the Scarecrow. “You see,” he continued trustingly, “you can’t hurt me, because I’m stuffed with straw. You can pierce me with a needle and it won't hurt me. But I don't want people to call me stupid, but without brains can you learn anything?
Poor! Ellie said. - Go with us! I'll ask Goodwin to help you.
Hello! Oh thank you! the Scarecrow corrected himself and bowed again.
Indeed, for a scarecrow who lived in the world for only a day, he was surprisingly polite.
The girl helped the Scarecrow take the first two steps, and together they went to the Emerald City along the road paved with yellow bricks.
At first, Totoshka did not like the new companion. He ran around the scarecrow and sniffed it, believing that there was a mouse nest in the straw inside the caftan.
He barked unfriendly at the Scarecrow and pretended to want to bite him.
Don't be afraid of Toto, Ellie said. - He won't bite.
Yes, I'm not afraid! Is it possible to bite the straw? Let me carry your basket. It's not difficult for me - I can't get tired. I'll tell you a secret, - he whispered in the girl's ear in his hoarse voice, - there is only one thing in the world that I'm afraid of.
ABOUT! Ellie exclaimed. - What is it? Mouse?
Not! Burning match!
After a few hours the road became rough; The Scarecrow often stumbled. There were holes. Toto jumped over them, and Ellie walked around. But the Scarecrow walked straight, fell and stretched to its full length. He didn't get hurt. Ellie took his hand and lifted him up, and the Scarecrow walked on, laughing at his awkwardness.
Then Ellie picked up a thick branch from the side of the road and offered it to the Scarecrow instead of a cane. Then things went better, and the Scarecrow's gait became firmer.
Houses came across less and less, fruit trees completely disappeared. The country became deserted and gloomy.
The travelers sat down by the stream. Ellie took out some bread and offered a piece to the Scarecrow, who politely declined.
I never want to eat. And it's very convenient for me.
Ellie did not insist and gave the piece to Totoshka; the dog greedily swallowed it and stood on its hind legs, asking for more.
Tell me about yourself, Ellie, about your country, the Scarecrow asked.
Ellie talked for a long time about the wide Kansas steppe, where in the summer everything is so gray and dusty and everything is completely different from that wonderful country of Goodwin.
The Scarecrow listened attentively.
I don't understand why you want to go back to your dry and dusty Kansas.
That's why you don't understand that you have no brains, - the girl answered hotly. - Home is always better!
The Scarecrow smiled mischievously.
The straw with which I am stuffed grew in the field, the caftan was made by a tailor, the boots were sewn by a shoemaker. Where is my home? In the field, at the tailor's or at the shoemaker's?
Ellie was confused and did not know what to answer.
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
Maybe now you can tell me something? - asked the girl.
The Scarecrow looked at her reproachfully.
My life is so short that I don't know anything. After all, I was made only yesterday, and I have no idea what was before in the world. Fortunately, when the owner made me, he first of all drew my ears, and I could hear what was happening around. Another Munchkin was visiting the owner, and the first thing I heard was his words: "But the ears are big!"
"Nothing! Just right!" - answered the owner and drew my right eye.
And with curiosity I began to look at everything that is happening around, because - you understand - after all, for the first time I looked at the world.
"Suitable peephole!" - said the guest. - He did not regret the blue paint!"
"I think the other one came out a little bigger," the owner said when he finished drawing my other eye.
Then he made me a nose out of a patch and drew a mouth, but I still couldn’t speak, because I didn’t know why I had a mouth. The owner put on me his old suit and a hat from which the children cut bells. I was terribly proud. I felt like I looked like a real person.
"This guy will be wonderful at scaring crows," the farmer said.
"You know what? Call him Scarecrow!" - advised the guest, and the owner agreed.
The farmer's children shouted merrily: "Scarecrow! Scarecrow! Scare the crows!"
I was carried to the field, stabbed with a pole, and left alone. It was boring to hang, but I could not get off. Yesterday the birds were still afraid of me, but today they are used to it. Here I met a good crow who told me about brains. It would be nice if Goodwin gave them to me...
I think he will help you, - Ellie encouraged him.
Yes Yes! It's uncomfortable to feel like a fool when even the crows laugh at you.
Let's go! - said Ellie, got up and gave the Scarecrow a basket.
By evening, the travelers entered a large forest. Tree branches hung low and blocked the yellow brick road. The sun went down and it got quite dark.
If you see a house where you can spend the night, tell me, - Ellie asked in a sleepy voice. - It is very uncomfortable and scary to walk in the dark.
Soon the Scarecrow stopped.
I see a small hut on the right. Let's go there?
Yes Yes! Ellie replied. - I'm so tired!..
They turned off the road and soon reached the hut. Ellie found a bed of moss and dry grass in the corner and immediately fell asleep, hugging Toto. And the Scarecrow sat on the threshold, protecting the peace of the inhabitants of the hut.
It turned out that the Scarecrow was guarding not in vain. At night, some animal with white stripes on its back and on a black pig's muzzle tried to enter the hut. Most likely, he was attracted by the smell of food from Ellen's basket, but it seemed to the Scarecrow that Ellie was in great danger. He, hiding, let the enemy to the very door (this enemy was a young badger, which the Scarecrow, of course, did not know about). And when the badger had already stuck his curious nose through the door, sniffing at the seductive smell, the Scarecrow lashed him with a twig on his fat back. The badger howled, rushed into the thicket of the forest, and for a long time his offended squeal was heard from behind the trees ...
The rest of the night passed quietly: the forest animals realized that the hut had a reliable protector. And the Scarecrow, who never got tired and never wanted to sleep, sat on the threshold, staring into the darkness and patiently waiting for the morning.
Rescue the Tin Woodman
Ellie woke up. The Scarecrow was sitting on the threshold, and Totoshka was chasing squirrels in the forest.
We must look for water, - said the girl.
Why do you need water?
Wash and drink. The dry piece does not go down the throat.
Fu, how inconvenient to be made of meat and bones! said the Scarecrow thoughtfully. - You must sleep, eat, and drink. However, you have brains, and for them you can endure all this bunch of inconveniences.
They found a stream, and Ellie and Toto had breakfast. There was still some bread left in the basket. Ellie was about to go to the road, when she suddenly heard a groan in the forest.
What's this? she asked fearfully.
I have no idea, replied the Scarecrow. - Let's go see.
The groan sounded again. They began to make their way through the thicket. Soon they saw a figure among the trees. Ellie ran up and stopped with a cry of astonishment.
By the hewn tree, ax held high, stood a man made entirely of iron. His head, arms and legs were attached to the iron torso on hinges; instead of a hat, there was a copper funnel on his head, and an iron tie around his neck. The man stood motionless, eyes wide.
Toto, barking furiously, tried to bite the stranger on the leg and jumped away with a squeal: he almost broke his teeth.
What a disgrace, aw-aw-aw! he complained. - Is it possible to substitute iron legs for a decent dog? ..
Perhaps this is a forest scarecrow? - guessed the Scarecrow. - I do not understand only what it is guarding here?
Did you moan? Ellie asked.
Yes ... - answered the iron man. No one has come to help me for a whole year...
What needs to be done? Ellie asked, touched by the plaintive voice of the stranger.
My joints are rusted and I can't move. But if I get oiled, I'll be as good as new. You will find the butter dish in my hut on the shelf.
Ellie and Toto ran away, while the Scarecrow walked around the Tin Woodman and looked at him curiously.
Tell me, friend, - the Scarecrow asked, - is a year long?
Still would! A year is a long, long time! That's three hundred and sixty-five days!
Three hundred ... sixty ... five ... - repeated the Scarecrow. - Is it more than three?
What a fool you are! answered the woodcutter. You obviously can't count at all!
Wrong! said the Scarecrow proudly. - I'm very good at counting! - And he began to count, bending his fingers: - The owner made me - one! I quarreled with a crow - two! Ellie took me off the stake - three! And nothing else happened to me, so there’s no need to count further!
The Tin Woodman was so surprised that he could not even protest. At this time, Ellie brought a butter dish.
Where to lube? she asked.
First the neck, - answered the Tin Woodman.
And Ellie greased her neck, but it became so rusty that the Scarecrow had to turn the Woodcutter's head right and left for a long time until the neck stopped creaking ...
Now, please, hands!
And Ellie began to lubricate the joints of her hands, and the Scarecrow carefully raised and lowered the Woodcutter's hands until they were really as good as new. Then the Tin Woodman took a deep breath and threw down his axe.
Wow, how good! - he said. “I picked up the ax before it rusted, and I am very glad that I can get rid of it. Well, now give me an oil can, I'll grease my feet, and everything will be all right.
Lubricating his legs so that he could move them freely, the Tin Woodman thanked Ellie many times because he was very polite.
I would stand here until I turned to iron dust. You saved my life. Who you are?
I'm Ellie and these are my friends...
Scarecrow! I'm full of straw!
It is not difficult to guess from your conversations, - the Tin Woodman noticed. - But how did you get here?
We go to the Emerald City to the Great Wizard Goodwin and spent the night in your hut.
Why are you going to Goodwin?
I want Goodwin to take me back to Kansas, to my mom and dad,” Ellie said.
And I want to ask him for a little bit of brains for my straw head, - said the Scarecrow.
And I'm going simply because I love Ellie, and because it's my duty to protect her from her enemies! Toto said.
The Tin Woodman thought deeply.
Do you think Goodwin can give me a heart?
I think so, said Ellie. - It's no more difficult for him than giving the Scarecrow brains.
So, if you accept me in the company, I will go with you to the Emerald City and ask the Great Goodwin to give me a heart. After all, having a heart is my most cherished desire!
Ellie happily exclaimed:
Ah, my friends, how glad I am! Now there are two of you, and you have two cherished desires!
Let's swim ... that is, come with us, - the Scarecrow agreed good-naturedly ...
The Tin Woodman asked Ellie to fill the butter dish to the top with oil and put it in the bottom of the basket.
I can get caught in the rain and rust," he said, "and without an oiler I'll have a hard time...
Then he picked up the ax and they went through the woods to the road paved with yellow bricks.
It was a great happiness for Ellie and the Scarecrow to find such a companion as the Tin Woodman, strong and dexterous.
When the Woodcutter noticed that the Scarecrow was leaning on a gnarled, gnarled club, he immediately cut a straight branch from the tree and made a comfortable strong cane for his comrade.
Soon the travelers came to a place where the road was overgrown with bushes and became impassable. But the Tin Woodman worked with his huge ax and quickly cleared the way.
Ellie walked thoughtfully and did not notice how the Scarecrow fell into the pit. He had to call his friends for help.
Why didn't you go around? asked the Tin Woodman.
Do not know! answered the Scarecrow frankly. - You see, I have a head full of straw, and I'm going to Goodwin to ask for some brains.
So! said the Woodcutter. - In any case, brains are not the best thing in the world.
Here's another! - the Scarecrow was surprised. - Why do you think so?
I used to have brains,” the Tin Woodman explained. “But now that I have to choose between brains and heart, I prefer the heart.
And why? asked the Scarecrow.
Listen to my story, and then you will understand everything.
And as they walked, the Tin Woodman told them his story:
I am a lumberjack. As an adult, I decided to get married. I fell in love with a pretty girl with all my heart, and then I was still made of meat and bones, like all people. But the evil aunt, with whom the girl lived, did not want to part with her, because the girl worked for her. The aunt went to the sorceress Gingem and promised her to pick up a whole basket of the fattest leeches if she upset the wedding ...
Evil Gingema is dead! interrupted the Scarecrow.
Ellie! She flew in on the Killing House and - crack! crack! - sat down on the sorceress's head.
Too bad it didn't happen sooner! sighed the Tin Woodman, and went on: “Gingema bewitched my axe, and it bounced off the tree and cut off my left leg. I was very sad: because without a leg I could not be a woodcutter. I went to the blacksmith and he made me a beautiful iron leg. Gingema again bewitched my axe, and it cut off my right leg. I again went to the blacksmith. The girl loved me as before and did not refuse to marry me. "We'll save a lot on boots and trousers!" she told me. However, the evil sorceress did not calm down: after all, she really wanted to get a whole basket of leeches. I lost my hands, and the blacksmith made iron ones for me. When the ax cut off my head, I thought I was finished. But the blacksmith found out about this and made me an excellent iron head. I continued to work, and the girl and I still loved each other ...
You, then, were made in pieces, ”the Scarecrow remarked thoughtfully. - And my master made me at once ...
The worst is yet to come,” the Woodcutter went on sadly. - The insidious Gingema, seeing that nothing comes out of her, decided to finally finish me off. She enchanted the ax again, and it cut my torso in half. But, fortunately, the blacksmith found out about this again, made an iron body and attached my head, arms and legs to it on hinges. But - alas! - I no longer had a heart: the blacksmith could not insert it. And I thought that I, a man without a heart, have no right to love a girl. I returned my fiancee to her word and declared that she was free from her promise. For some reason, the strange girl was not at all happy about this, she said that she loved me, as before, and would wait until I changed my mind. What's the matter with her now, I don't know, because I haven't seen her for more than a year...
The Tin Woodman sighed and tears rolled from his eyes.
Be careful! cried the Scarecrow in fright, and wiped his tears with a blue handkerchief. - After all, you will rust from tears!
Thank you my friend! - said the Woodcutter, - I forgot that I can not cry. Water is harmful to me in all forms... So, I was proud of my new, iron body and was no longer afraid of the enchanted axe. I was only afraid of rust, but I always carried an oil can with me. Only once I forgot it, got caught in a downpour and got so rusty I couldn't move until you rescued me. I am sure that this downpour was brought down on me by the insidious Gingema ... Oh, how terrible it is to stand in the forest for a whole year and think that you have no heart!
Only sticking out on a stake in the middle of a wheat field can be compared with this, - the Scarecrow interrupted him. - But, it’s true, people walked past me, and it was possible to talk with crows ...
When I was loved, I was the happiest person,” continued the Tin Woodman, sighing. “If Goodwin gives me a heart, I will return to the country of the Munchkins and marry the girl. Maybe she's still waiting for me...
But I, - said the Scarecrow stubbornly, - still prefer brains: after all, when there are no brains, then the heart is useless.
Well, I need a heart! said the Tin Woodman. - Brains do not make a person happy, and happiness is the best thing on earth.
Ellie was silent, because she did not know which of her new friends was right.
Ellie captured by the Ogre
The forest was getting darker. The branches of the trees, intertwined at the top, did not let the sun's rays through. The road, paved with yellow bricks, was in semi-darkness.
We went until late in the evening. Ellie was very tired, and the Tin Woodman took her in his arms. The Scarecrow trailed behind him, bending under the weight of the axe.
Finally we stopped for the night. The Tin Woodman made a cozy hut out of branches for Ellie. He and the Scarecrow sat all night at the entrance to the hut, listening to the girl's breathing and guarding her sleep.
New friends quietly talked. The conversation was to the benefit of the Scarecrow. Although he did not yet have brains, he turned out to be very capable, memorized new words well and made fewer and fewer mistakes in conversation every hour.
In the morning we were on our way again. The road became more cheerful: the trees again receded to the sides, and the sun brightly illuminated the yellow bricks.
Apparently, someone looked after the road here: branches and branches knocked down by the wind were collected and neatly stacked along the edges of the road.
The area looked so peaceful and welcoming, the yellow bricks so warm in the sun that Ellie wanted to walk on them barefoot. The girl took off her silver slippers, brushed them off the road dust and put them in her bag, carefully wrapping them in a large burdock leaf.
Ellie walked cheerfully over the warm bricks and looked ahead. Suddenly she noticed a tall pole on the edge of the road and on it a board with the inscription:
Traveler, hurry up!
Around the corner of the road will be fulfilled
all your wishes!
Ellie read the inscription and was surprised:
What's this? Am I going straight to Kansas from here to mom and dad?
And I, - picked up Totoshka, - I will beat the neighbor's Hector, this braggart who assures that he is stronger than me!
Ellie was delighted, forgot about everything in the world and rushed forward. Totoshka ran after her with a cheerful bark.
The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow, carried away by the same interesting argument about what is better - the heart or the brain, did not notice that Ellie had run away, and peacefully walked along the road. Suddenly they heard the cry of a girl and the angry barking of Totoshka. Friends rushed to the scene and managed to notice how something shaggy and dark flashed among the trees and disappeared into the thicket of the forest. In the middle of the road, Ellen's bag was lying forlornly, and in it were silver shoes, so imprudently taken off by the girl. Near the tree lay unconscious Totoshka, trickles of blood flowed from his nostrils.
What happened? asked the Scarecrow ruefully. - Ellie must have been carried away by a beast of prey.
The Tin Woodman didn't say anything: he was looking ahead vigilantly and brandishing a huge ax menacingly.
Quirr ... quirr ... - suddenly came the mocking clatter of Squirrel from the top of a tall tree. - What happened? .. Two big, strong men released the little girl, and the Ogre carried her away!
Cannibal? asked the Tin Woodman. - I have not heard that the Ogre lives in this forest.
Quirr... quirr... every ant in the forest knows about him. Eh, you! Couldn't look after the little girl! Only a little black animal boldly stood up for her and bit the Cannibal, but he grabbed him with his huge leg so much that he would probably die ...
Squirrel showered friends with such ridicule that they felt ashamed.
We gotta save Ellie! cried the Scarecrow.
Yes Yes! said the Tin Woodman hotly. - Ellie saved us, and we must recapture her from the Cannibal. Otherwise, I will die of grief ... - and tears rolled down the cheeks of the Tin Woodman.
What are you doing! cried the Scarecrow in fright, wiping his tears with a handkerchief. - You will rust! Ellie's butter dish!
If you want to help out a little girl, I'll show you where the Ogre lives, although I'm very afraid, - said Squirrel.
The Tin Woodman laid Toto on the soft moss next to Ella's bag and said:
If we manage to return, we will take care of him... - And he turned to Belka: - Lead us!
The squirrel jumped up the trees, friends hurried after her. As they entered the depths of the forest, a gray wall appeared.
The Ogre's castle stood on a hill. It was surrounded by a high wall that even a cat could not climb. In front of the wall was a moat filled with water. Having dragged Ellie away, the Cannibal lifted the drawbridge and locked the cast-iron gate with two bolts.
The ogre lived alone. Formerly he had rams, cows and horses, and kept many servants. In those days, travelers often passed by the castle to the Emerald City, the Ogre attacked them and ate them. Then the Munchkins found out about the Ogre, and traffic on the road stopped.
The ogre began to devastate the castle: first he ate sheep, cows and horses, then he got to the servants and ate them all, one by one. In recent years, the Cannibal hid in the forest, caught a careless rabbit or hare and ate it with skin and bones.
The ogre was terribly happy to have caught Ellie, and decided to arrange a real feast for himself. He dragged the girl to the castle, tied it up and laid it on the kitchen table, while he began to sharpen a large knife.
"Clink... clink..." the knife clanged.
And the Cannibal said:
Ba-ha-ra! Notable loot! Now I'll eat plenty, ba-ga-ra!
The ogre was so pleased that he even talked to Ellie:
Ba-ha-ra! And cleverly I came up with the idea to hang a board with an inscription! Do you think I will really grant your wishes? No matter how! I did this on purpose, to lure simpletons like you! Ba-gar-ra!
Ellie cried and asked the Ogre for mercy, but he did not listen to her and continued to sharpen the knife.
"Clink... clink... clink..."
And then the Cannibal brought a knife over the girl. She closed her eyes in horror. However, the Ogre lowered his hand and yawned.
Ba-ha-ra! I'm tired of sharpening this big knife! I'll go and rest for an hour or two. After sleep and food is more pleasant.
The ogre went into the bedroom, and soon his snoring was heard throughout the castle and was even heard in the forest.
The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow stood in perplexity in front of a moat filled with water.
I would swim across the water, - said the Scarecrow, - but the water will wash away my eyes, ears and mouth and I will become blind, deaf and dumb.
And I will drown, - said the Tin Woodman. - Because I'm very heavy. Even if I get out of the water, I’ll rust right away, but there’s no oil can.
So they stood, thinking, and suddenly they heard the snoring of the Ogre.
Ellie must be rescued while he sleeps,” said the Tin Woodman. - Wait, I figured it out! We will now cross the moat.
He cut down a tall tree with a fork at the top, and it fell on the castle wall and lay firmly on it.
Get in! he said to the Scarecrow. - You're lighter than me.
The Scarecrow approached the bridge, but got frightened and backed away. The squirrel could not stand it and in one fell swoop ran up the tree to the wall.
Quirr... quirr... Oh, you coward! she called to the Scarecrow. - Look how easy it is to do! - But, looking out the window of the castle, she even gasped with excitement. - The girl is lying tied up on the kitchen table... There is a large knife near her... the girl is crying... I see tears rolling down from her eyes...
Hearing such news, the Scarecrow forgot the danger and flew up the wall almost faster than Squirrel.
Oh! - only he could say, seeing Ellie's pale face through the kitchen window, and fell into the yard like a bag.
Before he could get up, Squirrel jumped onto his back, ran across the yard, darted through the bars of the window, and began to gnaw on the rope Ellie was tied with.
The Scarecrow opened the heavy bolts of the gate, lowered the drawbridge, and the Tin Woodman entered the yard, rolling his eyes ferociously and belligerently swinging his huge axe.
He did all this to frighten the Cannibal if he wakes up and goes out into the yard.
Here! Here! - Squirrel squeaked from the kitchen, and friends rushed to her call.
The Tin Woodman put the tip of the ax into the gap between the door and the jamb, pressed it, and - bang! - The door flew off its hinges. Ellie jumped off the table, and all four - the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, Ellie and Squirrel - ran into the forest.
The Tin Woodman stomped his feet on the stone slabs of the yard in such a hurry that he woke up the Ogre. The cannibal jumped out of the bedroom, saw that the girl was gone, and set off in pursuit.
The ogre was short, but very fat. His head was like a cauldron, and his body was like a barrel. He had long arms like a gorilla, and his feet were shod in high boots with thick soles. He wore a shaggy cloak made of animal skins. On his head, instead of a helmet, the Ogre put on a large copper pan, with the handle back, and armed himself with a huge club with a bump on the end, studded with sharp nails.
He growled with anger, and his boots rumbled: "Top-top-top ..." And sharp teeth chattered: "Clunk-clack-clack..."
Ba-gar-ra! Don't leave, scammers!
The cannibal quickly caught up with the fugitives. Seeing that there was no escape from the chase, the Tin Woodman leaned the frightened Ellie against a tree and prepared for battle. The Scarecrow lagged behind: his legs clung to the roots, and with his chest he touched the branches of trees. The cannibal caught up with the Scarecrow, and he suddenly threw himself at his feet. The Ogre, who did not expect this, tumbled over the Scarecrow.
Ba-gar-ra! What is this stuffed animal?
The Ogre did not have time to come to his senses, as the Tin Woodman jumped up behind him, picked up a huge sharp ax and cut the Ogre in half along with the pan.
Quirr... quirr... Nicely done! Belka admired and galloped through the trees, telling the whole forest about the death of the ferocious Cannibal.
Very witty! - the Tin Woodman praised the Scarecrow. "You couldn't have taken down the Ogre better if you had brains!"
My dear friends, thank you for your dedication! Ellie exclaimed with tears in her eyes.
Sa-mo-from-rejection-femininity ... - the Scarecrow repeated with admiration in warehouses. - Wow, what a good, long word, I have never heard of such. Isn't that the same thing that goes on in the brain?
No, there is intelligence in the brain, - the girl explained.
So, I still have no mind, but only self-denial-femininity. It's a pity! - the Scarecrow was upset.
Don't worry, said the Woodcutter. - Selflessness is also good, this is when a person does not spare himself for others. Does your wound hurt?
Yes, it's just beautiful! That is, I wanted to say nonsense. Can straw hurt? But I'm afraid that my contents will come out of me.
Ellie took out a needle and thread and began sewing up the holes. At this time, a low screech was heard from the forest. The brave little dog came to his senses from insensibility, but did not want to leave the bag of his little mistress and called for help. The Tin Woodman brought a dog and a bag of shoes.
Putting on her shoes, Ellie said:
This is a good lesson for me. I didn't have to take off my shoes. After all, the Munchkins told me that some kind of magical power was contained in them. But now I can even sleep in them! - the girl decided.
Ellie took the exhausted Totoshka in her arms, and the travelers went through the forest. They soon made their way to the yellow-brick road and briskly moved toward the Emerald City.
Encounter with the Cowardly Lion
That night Ellie slept in a hollow, on a soft bed of moss and leaves. Her sleep was disturbing: it seemed to her that she was bound and that the Ogre raised his hand with a huge knife over her. The girl screamed and woke up.
In the morning we set off. The forest was dark. From behind the trees came the roar of animals. Ellie trembled with fear, and Toto, with his tail between his legs, clung to the legs of the Tin Woodman: he had become very respectful of him after defeating the Ogre.
The travelers walked, quietly talking about yesterday's events, and rejoiced at the rescue of Ellie. The woodcutter did not stop praising the Scarecrow's resourcefulness.
How cleverly you threw yourself at the feet of the Cannibal, friend of the Scarecrow! he said. - Have you got brains in your head?
No, straw ... - answered the Scarecrow, feeling his head.
This peaceful conversation was interrupted by a thunderous growl, and a huge lion jumped out onto the road. With one blow he threw the Scarecrow into the air; he went head over heels and fell on the edge of the road, flattened like a rag.
The lion hit the Tin Woodman with his paw, but the claws creaked against the iron, and the Woodman sat down from the push, and the funnel flew off his head.
Tiny Totoshka boldly rushed at the enemy.
The huge beast opened its mouth to swallow the dog, but Ellie boldly ran forward and blocked Toto with her body.
Stop! Don't you dare touch Toto! she shouted angrily.
The lion froze in surprise.
Sorry, he excused himself. But I didn't eat it...
However, you tried. Shame on you for offending the weak! You are just a coward!
Ah... how did you know I was a coward? asked the stunned Lion. - Has anyone told you?
I can see it in your actions!
Surprisingly ... - Lev said embarrassed. - No matter how hard I try to hide my cowardice, the case still comes out. I've always been a coward, but I can't help it.
Just think: you hit the poor Scarecrow stuffed with straw!
Is it stuffed with straw? asked the Lion, looking in surprise at the Scarecrow.
Of course, - answered Ellie, still angry with the Lion.
I understand now why he is so soft and so light, - said Lev. - And that one, the second one, is also stuffed?
No, it's iron.
Aha! No wonder I almost broke my claws on him. And what is this little animal that you love so much?
This is my dog Totoshka.
Is it made of iron or stuffed with straw?
Neither one nor the other. This is a real dog, made of meat and bones!
Tell me how small, but brave! Lev was surprised.
All dogs in Kansas are like that! Toto said proudly.
Funny animal! Lev said. - Only a coward like me could attack such a baby...
Why are you a coward? - Ellie asked, looking with surprise at the huge Lion.
This is how he was born. Of course, everyone considers me brave: after all, the Lion is the king of animals! When I roar - and I roar very loudly, you heard - animals and people run out of my way. But if a tiger attacked me, I would be scared, I swear! It's good that no one knows what a coward I am, - said the Lion, wiping his tears with the fluffy tip of his tail. - I'm very ashamed, but I can't change myself.
Maybe you have heart disease? asked the Woodcutter.
Possibly, agreed the Cowardly Lion.
Happy! And I can’t have a heart disease either: I don’t have a heart.
If I didn't have a heart, said Lev thoughtfully, maybe I wouldn't be a coward.
Please tell me, do you ever fight with other Lions? Toto asked.
Where can I ... I'm running from them like the plague, ”Leo admitted.
Ugh! - mockingly snorted the dog. - Where are you good after that!
Do you have brains? asked the Scarecrow the Lion.
There are probably. I have never seen them.
My head is stuffed with straw, and I'm going to Great Goodwin to ask for a little brain, - said the Scarecrow.
And I'm going to him for a heart, - said the Tin Woodman.
And I go to him to ask him to return Totoshka and me to Kansas...
Where I will settle scores with the neighbor's puppy, the braggart Hector, - added the dog.
Is Goodwin so powerful? Lev was surprised.
It doesn't cost him anything," Ellie replied.
In that case, won't he give me courage?
It's as easy for him as giving me brains, - assured the Scarecrow.
Or my heart,” added the Tin Woodman.
Or take me back to Kansas,” Ellie finished.
Then take me into the company, - said the Cowardly Lion. “Ah, if only I could get a little courage… After all, this is my cherished wish!”
I'm very happy! Ellie said. - This is the third wish, and if all three are fulfilled, Goodwin will return me to my homeland. Come with us...
And be a good comrade to us,” said the Woodcutter. - You will drive other animals away from Ellie. They must be even more cowardly than you to run from your roar alone.
They are cowards,” the Lion grumbled. - Yes, I something from this does not become braver.
The travelers moved on along the road, and the Lion walked with a stately step next to Ellie. Totoshka did not like this companion at first either. He remembered how the Lion wanted to swallow him. But soon he got used to Leo, and they became great friends.
Saber-toothed tigers
That evening they walked for a long time and stopped to spend the night under a branchy tree. The Tin Woodman chopped wood and lit a large fire, around which Ellie felt very comfortable. She invited her friends to share this pleasure, but the Scarecrow resolutely refused, walked away from the fire and carefully watched so that not a single spark fell on his costume.
My straw and fire are things that cannot be neighbors,” he explained.
The Cowardly Lion also did not wish to approach the fire.
We wild animals don't really like fire," said the Lion. - Now that I'm in your company, Ellie, I may get used to it, but now he still scares me too much ...
Only Totoshka, who was not afraid of fire, was lying on Ellie's knees, screwing up his small shining eyes at the fire and enjoying its warmth. Ellie fraternally shared the last piece of bread with Totoshka.
What will I eat now? she asked, carefully picking up the crumbs.
Do you want me to catch a doe in the forest? Lev asked. "It's true that you people have bad taste and prefer roasted meat to raw meat, but you can roast it over charcoal."
Oh, just don't kill anyone! pleaded the Tin Woodman. - I will cry so much for the poor doe that no oil will be enough to lubricate my face ...
As you like, - Leo muttered and went into the forest.
He did not return from there soon, lay down with a full purr at a distance from the fire and fixed his yellow eyes with narrow slits of pupils at the flame.
Why Leo went to the forest thicket, no one knew. He himself was silent, and the others did not ask.
The Scarecrow also went into the forest, and he was lucky to find a tree on which nuts grew. He tore at them with his soft, unruly fingers. Nuts slipped out of his hands and he had to pick them up in the grass. It was dark in the forest, as in a cellar, and only the Scarecrow, who saw at night as during the day, did not cause any inconvenience. But when he picked up a full handful of nuts, they suddenly fell out of his hands, and everything had to be started all over again. Still, the Scarecrow enjoyed collecting nuts, being afraid to approach the fire. Only when he saw that the fire was beginning to die down did he approach Ellie with a basket full of nuts, and the girl thanked him for his efforts.
In the morning Ellie ate nuts for breakfast. She also offered nuts to Totoshka, but the dog turned his nose away from them with contempt: getting up early in the morning, he caught a fat mouse in the forest (fortunately, the Woodcutter did not see this).
Travelers again moved to the Emerald City. This day brought them many adventures. After walking about an hour, they stopped in front of a ravine, which stretched right and left through the forest, as far as the eye could see.
The ravine was wide and deep. When Ellie crawled to its edge and looked down, her head began to spin, and she involuntarily recoiled back. Sharp stones lay at the bottom of the abyss, and an invisible stream gurgled between them.
The walls of the ravine were sheer. The travelers stood sad, it seemed to them that the journey to Goodwin was over and they would have to go back. The Scarecrow shook his head in bewilderment, the Tin Woodman clutched his chest, and the Lion lowered his muzzle in distress.
What to do? Ellie asked in despair.
I have no idea, - the Tin Woodman replied in a sad tone, and the Lion scratched his nose in bewilderment.
Scarecrow said:
Wow, what a big hole! We will not jump over it. Here we sit!
I would probably jump over, - said Lev, measuring the distance with his eyes.
So you will carry us? - guessed the Scarecrow.
I'll try, said Leo. Who dares first?
I'll have to, said the Scarecrow. - If you fall, Ellie will break to death, and the Tin Woodman will feel bad. And I won’t hurt myself, be calm! ..
Yes, I'm afraid to fall or not? - the Lion angrily interrupted the Scarecrow who had blabbed. - Well, since there is nothing left, I jump. Get in!
The Scarecrow climbed onto his back, and the Lion crouched on the edge of the crevice, preparing to jump.
Why don't you run away? Ellie asked.
It's not in our lion habits. We jump from place.
He made a huge jump and jumped safely to the other side. Everyone was delighted, and the Lion, having put the Scarecrow down, immediately jumped back.
The next village is Elli. Holding Totoshka in one hand, with the other she clung to the stiff mane of the Lion. Ellie flew into the air, and it seemed to her that she was rising again on the Killing House, but before she had time to be frightened, she was already on solid ground.
The Tin Woodman was the last to cross, nearly losing his funnel-hat in the course of his jump.
When Leo had rested, the travelers moved on along the road paved with yellow bricks. Ellie guessed that the ravine appeared, probably from an earthquake, after they had already led the way to the Emerald City. Ellie heard that earthquakes can cause cracks in the ground. True, her father did not tell her about such huge cracks, but Goodwin's country was very special, and everything in it was not like in the rest of the world.
Behind the ravine, on both sides of the road, an even more gloomy forest stretched out, and it became dark. From the thicket came a dull sniffing and a drawn-out roar. The travelers became terrified, and Totoshka was completely entangled at the feet of the Lion, now believing that the Lion was stronger than the Tin Woodman. The Cowardly Lion told his companions that saber-toothed tigers live in this forest.
What are these animals? inquired the Tin Woodman.
These are terrible monsters, - Leo whispered timidly. - They are much larger than ordinary tigers living in other parts of the country. They have fangs protruding from their upper jaws like sabers. With fangs like these, these tigers can pierce me like a kitten... I'm terribly afraid of saber-toothed tigers...
Everyone immediately fell silent and began to step more carefully on the yellow bricks. Ellie said in a whisper:
I read in a book that we had saber-toothed tigers in Kansas in ancient times, but then they all died out, but here, apparently, they still live ...
Yes, they live, unfortunately, - said the Cowardly Lion. - I saw one from afar, so for three days I was sick with fear ...
Behind these conversations, the travelers unexpectedly approached a new ravine, which turned out to be wider and deeper than the first. Looking at him, Lev refused to jump: this task was beyond his power. Everyone stood in silence, not knowing what to do. Suddenly the Scarecrow said:
There is a big tree on the edge. Let the Woodcutter cut it so that it falls across the abyss, and we will have a bridge.
Cleverly thought out! Lev admired. - You might think that you still have brains in your head.
No, - the Scarecrow answered modestly, touching his head just in case, - I just remembered that the Tin Woodman did this when we saved Ellie from the Ogre.
With several powerful blows of the ax, the Tin Woodman chopped down the tree, then all the travelers, not excluding Totoshka, rested against the trunk, some with their hands, some with their paws and foreheads. The tree rattled and fell head over heels on the other side of the moat.
Hooray! they all shouted at once.
But as soon as the travelers walked along the trunk, holding onto the branches, a prolonged howl was heard in the forest, and two ferocious beasts ran up to the ravine with fangs sticking out of their mouths like sparkling white sabers.
Saber-toothed tigers ... - whispered the Lion, trembling like a leaf.
Calm! shouted the Scarecrow. - Move on!
The lion at the rear turned to the tigers and let out such a magnificent growl that Ellie almost fell into the abyss with fright. Even the monsters stopped and looked at the Lion, not understanding how such a small animal could roar so loudly.
This delay made it possible for the travelers to cross the ravine, and Leo overtook them in three leaps. The saber-toothed tigers, seeing that the prey was escaping, stepped onto the bridge. They walked along the tree, stopping now and then, growling quietly, but menacingly and shining with white fangs. Their sight was so terrible that the Lion said to Ellie:
We are dead! Run, I'll try to stop these beasts. It is a pity that I did not have time to get a little courage from Goodwin! However, I will fight until I die.
Brilliant thoughts came into the straw head of the Scarecrow that day. Pushing the Woodcutter, he shouted:
Chop the tree!
The Tin Woodman did not take long to ask. He dealt such desperate blows with his huge ax that in two or three strokes he cut the tops of the tree, and the trunk fell with a roar into the abyss. Huge beasts flew with him and crashed against the sharp stones at the bottom of the ravine.
Ffu! - said the Lion with a deep sigh of relief and solemnly gave the Scarecrow a paw. - Thanks! Let's live some more, otherwise I was completely saying goodbye to life. Not a very pleasant thing - to get on the teeth of such monsters! Can you hear my heart beating?
Oh! The Tin Woodman sighed sadly. I wish my heart was beating like that!
Friends were in a hurry to leave the gloomy forest, from which other saber-toothed tigers could jump out. But Ellie was so tired and frightened that she could not walk. The lion put her and Totoshka on his back, and the travelers quickly went forward. How glad they were to see soon that the trees were getting thinner and thinner! The sun lit up the road with cheerful rays, and soon the travelers came to the bank of a wide and fast river.
Now you don’t have to worry, ”Lev said happily. - Tigers never leave their forest: for some reason these beasts are afraid of open space...
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but now they had a new concern.
How will we get across? - said Ellie, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto, and they all looked at the Scarecrow at once, - everyone was already convinced that his mind and abilities are developing by leaps and bounds.
Flattered by the general attention, the Scarecrow put on an important air and put his finger to his forehead. He didn't think for very long.
After all, a river is not land, and land is not a river! - he said importantly. You can't walk along the river, so...
Means? Ellie asked.
So the Tin Woodman should build a raft and we'll swim across the river!
You're so smart! Everyone exclaimed in admiration.
No, I'm not smart yet, but only self-denying, - objected the Scarecrow. - That's when I get brains from Goodwin, then I will cease to be self-denying, and become smart.
The woodcutter began to cut trees, and a strong lion dragged them to the river. Ellie lay down on the grass to rest. The scarecrow, as usual, did not sit still. He walked along the river bank and found trees with ripe fruits. The travelers decided to spend the night here. Ellie, having dined with delicious fruits, fell asleep under the protection of her faithful friends and in a dream she saw the amazing Emerald City and the Great Wizard Goodwin.
River crossing
The night passed quietly. In the morning the Tin Woodman finished the raft, cut down the poles for himself and the Scarecrow, and invited the travelers to board. Ellie, with Toto in her arms, settled herself in the middle of the raft. The Cowardly Lion stepped on the edge, the raft tilted, and Ellie screamed in fear. But the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow hastened to jump to the other side, and the balance was restored.
The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow drove the raft across the river, beyond which began a wonderful plain, in some places covered with wonderful groves and all illuminated by the sun.
Everything was going fine until the raft approached the middle of the river.
Here the fast current picked him up and carried him along the river, and the poles did not reach the bottom. The travelers looked at each other in confusion.
Very bad! exclaimed the Tin Woodman. - The river will take us to the Purple Country and we will fall into slavery to the evil sorceress.
And then I won't get brains! said the Scarecrow.
I am courage! Lev said.
And we'll never go back to Kansas! shouted Ellie and Toto.
No, we have to get to the Emerald City! cried the Scarecrow, and furiously leaned on the pole.
Unfortunately, this place turned out to be a mudflat, and the pole stuck deep into it. The Scarecrow did not have time to let go of the pole from his hands, and the raft was carried along by the current, and in a moment the Scarecrow was already hanging on the pole in the middle of the river, without support under his feet.
Hello! - only managed to shout the Scarecrow to his friends, but the raft was already far away.
The Scarecrow's position was desperate. “It’s worse for me here than before I met Ellie,” thought the poor fellow.
Meanwhile, the raft was moving downstream. The unfortunate Scarecrow remained far behind and disappeared around a bend in the river.
I'll have to climb into the water, - said the Cowardly Lion, trembling all over. - Oh, how I'm afraid of water! Now, if I got the courage from Goodwin, I would not care about the water ... But there's nothing to be done, you have to get to the shore. I'll swim, and you hold on to my tail!
The lion swam, panting with exertion, and the Tin Woodman held tightly to the tip of his tail. It was hard work to pull the raft, but still Leo slowly moved to the other side. Soon Ellie was convinced that the pole was reaching the bottom, and began to help the Lion. After great effort, the completely exhausted travelers finally reached the shore - far, far from the place where they began the crossing.
The lion immediately stretched out on the grass with his paws up to dry his wet belly.
Where shall we go? he asked, squinting into the sun.
Back to where our friend stayed, - Ellie answered. - After all, we can not leave here without helping out our dear Scarecrow.
The travelers went along the bank against the current of the river. They wandered for a long time, hanging their heads and tangled their feet in the thick grass, and sadly thought about the comrade who had remained in the middle of the river. Suddenly the Tin Woodman shouted with all his might:
Look!
And they saw the Scarecrow, courageously hanging on a pole in the middle of a wide and swift river. From afar, the Scarecrow looked so lonely, small and sad that the travelers had tears in their eyes. The Tin Woodman was the most excited. He ran aimlessly along the shore, risked for some reason to poke his head into the water, but immediately ran back.
Then he pulled off the funnel, put it to his mouth like a mouthpiece, and yelled deafeningly:
Scarecrow! Dear friend! Hold on! Do me a favor, don't fall into the water!
The Tin Woodman knew how to ask very politely.
The answer was faintly heard by the travelers:
Zhus!... when... e... flock...
It meant: "Hold on! Never get tired!"
Remembering that the Scarecrow really never got tired, the friends were very emboldened, and the Tin Woodman again yelled into his funnel-mouthpiece:
Do not lose hope! We're not leaving here until we rescue you!
And the wind brought the answer:
Doo!... e... snuggle... ah... nya...
And it meant: "I'm waiting! Don't worry about me!"
The Tin Woodman suggested weaving a long rope out of tree bark. Then he, the Woodcutter, will climb into the water and take down the Scarecrow, and the Lion will pull them out by the rope. But Leo shook his head mockingly.
You swim no better than an ax!
The Tin Woodman paused in embarrassment.
I must have to swim again, - said Lev. - Only it will be difficult to calculate in such a way that the current will bring me straight to the Scarecrow ...
And I will sit on your back and guide you! Toto suggested.
While the travelers were judging and rowing, a long-legged, important Stork looked at them with curiosity from afar. Then he slowly approached and stood at a safe distance, tucking his right leg and screwing up his left eye.
What kind of audience are you? - he asked.
I'm Ellie and these are my friends the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto. We're going to the Emerald City.
The road to the Emerald City is not here, - said the Stork.
We know her. But the river carried us away, and we lost a comrade.
And where he?
There he is, you see, - Ellie showed, - hanging on a pole.
Why did he get there?
The stork was a detailed bird and wanted to know everything down to the smallest detail. Ellie told how the Scarecrow ended up in the middle of the river.
Ah, if only you had saved him! Ellie cried out and clasped her hands imploringly. How grateful we would be to you!
I'll think about it, - Stork said importantly and closed his right eye, because storks, when they think, always close their right eyes. But he closed his left eye even earlier.
And so he stood with his eyes closed on his left leg and swayed, and the Scarecrow hung on a pole in the middle of the river and also swayed from the wind. The travelers got tired of waiting, and the Tin Woodman said:
I will listen to what he thinks, - and slowly approached the Stork.
But he heard the even, whistling breath of the Stork, and the Woodcutter shouted in surprise:
Yes, he sleeps!
The stork actually fell asleep while he was thinking.
The lion was terribly angry and barked:
I'll eat it!
The stork slept lightly and instantly opened his eyes:
Do you think I'm dreaming? he cheated. - No, I was just thinking. Such a difficult task... But, perhaps, I would carry your comrade to the shore, if he were not so big and heavy.
Is he heavy? Ellie screamed. - Why, the Scarecrow is stuffed with straw and light as a feather! Even I pick it up!
In that case, I'll try! - said Aist. "But look, if it's too heavy, I'll throw it into the water." It would be nice to first weigh your friend on the scales, but since this is impossible, then I'm flying!
As you can see, the Stork was a cautious and thorough bird.
The stork flapped its broad wings and flew towards the Scarecrow. He grabbed his shoulders with strong claws, easily lifted him and carried him to the shore, where Ellie and her friends were sitting.
When the Scarecrow again found himself on the shore, he warmly embraced his friends and then turned to the Stork:
I thought I would always have to stand on a pole in the middle of the river and scare the fish! Now I can't thank you properly because I have straw in my head. But after visiting Goodwin, I will look for you, and you will know what gratitude a man with brains is.
I am very glad, - the Stork answered solidly. - I like to help others in misfortune, especially when it does not cost me much work ... However, I chatted with you. My wife and children are waiting for me. I wish you to reach the Emerald City safely and get what you are after!
And he politely gave each traveler his red wrinkled paw, and each traveler shook it in a friendly way, and the Scarecrow was shaking so much that he almost tore it off. The stork flew away, and the travelers went along the shore. The Scarecrow walked and sang:
Hey hey hey hey! I'm back with Ellie!
Then, after three steps:
Hey hey hey hey! I'm back with the Tin Woodman!
And so he went through everyone, not excluding Totoshka, and then again began his clumsy, but cheerful and good-natured song.
Insidious poppy field
The travelers merrily walked through the meadow, dotted with magnificent white and blue flowers. Often came across red poppies of unprecedented size with a very strong aroma. Everyone had fun: the Scarecrow was saved, neither the Ogre, nor the ravines, nor the saber-toothed tigers, nor the fast river stopped the friends on the way to the Emerald City, and they assumed that all the dangers were left behind.
What wonderful flowers! Ellie exclaimed.
They are good! said the Scarecrow. “Of course, if I had brains, I would admire flowers more than I do now.
And I would love them if I had a heart, - sighed the Tin Woodman.
I have always been friends with flowers, said the Cowardly Lion. - They are sweet and harmless creatures and never jump out at you from around the corner, like those terrible saber-toothed tigers. But in my forest there were no such large and bright flowers.
The further the travelers went, the more poppies grew in the field. All other flowers have vanished, drowned out by the poppies. And soon the travelers found themselves among the boundless poppy field. The smell of poppies puts you to sleep, but Ellie did not know this and continued to walk, nonchalantly inhaling the sweetish soporific aroma and admiring the huge red flowers. Her eyelids were heavy, and she was terribly sleepy. However, the Tin Woodman did not allow her to lie down.
We must hurry to get to the road paved with yellow bricks by night, ”he said, and the Scarecrow supported him.
They walked a few more steps, but Ellie could no longer fight sleep - staggering, she sank down among the poppies, closed her eyes with a sigh and fell asleep soundly.
What to do with her? asked the Woodcutter in bewilderment.
If Ellie stays here, she will sleep until she dies,” said the Lion, yawning widely. - The scent of these flowers is deadly. My eyes are also sticking together, and the dog is already sleeping.
Totoshka really lay on a carpet of poppies near his little mistress. Only the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman were not affected by the deadly smell of flowers, and they were as cheerful as ever.
Run! said the Scarecrow to the Cowardly Lion. - Get out of this dangerous place. We'll carry the girl, and if you fall asleep, we can't handle you. Because you are too heavy!
The lion jumped forward and disappeared from sight in an instant. The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow crossed their arms and put Ellie on them. They thrust Toto into the hands of a sleepy girl, who unconsciously clung to his soft fur. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman walked through the field of poppies along the wide, flattened trail left by the Lion, and it seemed to them that the field would never end.
But trees and green grass appeared in the distance. Friends breathed a sigh of relief: they were afraid that a long stay in the poisoned air would kill Ellie. At the edge of the poppy field, they saw a lion. The fragrance of the flowers defeated the mighty beast, and he slept with his paws spread wide in his last effort to reach the saving meadow.
We can't help him! said the Tin Woodman sadly. - He's too heavy for us. Now he has fallen asleep forever, and perhaps he is dreaming that he finally got the courage ...
Very, very sorry! said the Scarecrow. - Despite his cowardice, Lev was a good comrade, and it is bitter for me to leave him here, among the damned poppies. But let's go, we need to save Ellie.
They carried the sleeping girl to a green lawn by the river, away from the deadly poppy field, laid her on the grass and sat down next to her, waiting for the fresh air to wake Ellie.
While the friends were sitting and looking around, the grass swayed not far away, and a yellow wild cat jumped out onto the lawn. Baring his sharp teeth and pressing his ears to his head, he chased prey. The Tin Woodman jumped up and saw a gray field mouse running. The cat raised its clawed paw over it, and the mouse, squeaking desperately, closed its eyes, but the Tin Woodman took pity on the defenseless creature and cut off the wild cat's head. The mouse opened its eyes and saw that the enemy was dead. She said to the Tin Woodman:
Thank you! You saved my life.
Oh, come on, don't talk about it, - objected the Tin Woodman, who, in truth, was unpleasant because he had to kill the cat. - You know, I have no heart, but I always try to help the weak in trouble, even if it's a simple mouse!
Simple mouse? - the mouse squeaked indignantly. What do you mean by that, sir? Do you know that I am Ramina, queen of field mice?
Oh really? cried the startled Woodcutter. - A thousand apologies, Your Majesty!
In any case, by saving my life, you have done your duty,” said the queen, softening.
At that moment, several mice, out of breath, jumped out into the clearing and rushed with all their might to the queen.
O your majesty! they squealed. - We thought you were dead, and prepared to mourn you! But who killed the evil cat? - And they bowed so low to the little queen that they stood on their heads, and their hind legs dangled in the air.
He was cut down by this strange iron man. You must serve him and fulfill his desires,” Ramina said importantly.
Let him order! the mice shouted in unison.
But at that moment, they, led by the queen herself, scattered. The fact is that Totoshka, opening his eyes and seeing mice around him, uttered a delighted cry and rushed into the middle of the pack. Back in Kansas, he was famous as a great mouse hunter, and not a single cat could compare with him in dexterity. But the Tin Woodman grabbed the dog and shouted to the mice:
Here! Here! Back! I keep it!
The mouse queen stuck her head out of the thick grass and asked timidly:
Are you sure he won't eat me and my courtiers?
Calm down, your majesty! I won't let him out!
The mice gathered again, and Toto, after futile attempts to escape from the Woodcutter's iron hands, calmed down. So that the doggie would no longer frighten the mice, he had to be tied to a peg driven into the ground.
The chief lady-in-waiting mouse spoke:
Magnanimous stranger! How would you like to thank you for saving the queen?
I really am at a loss, - began the Tin Woodman, but the resourceful Scarecrow quickly interrupted him:
Save our friend Leo! He is in the poppy field.
A lion! cried the queen. He will eat us all!
Oh no! replied the Scarecrow. - This is the Cowardly Lion, he is very humble, yes, besides, he is sleeping.
Well, let's try. How to do it?
Are there many mice in your kingdom?
Oh, thousands!
Tell them to gather them all, and let each one bring a long thread with her.
Queen Ramina gave the order to the courtiers, and they rushed in all directions with such zeal that only their paws flashed.
And you, friend, - the Scarecrow turned to the Tin Woodman, - make a solid cart - take the Lion out of the poppies.
The Tin Woodman set to work and worked with such zeal that when the first mice appeared with long threads in their teeth, a strong cart with wheels made of solid wooden stumps was ready.
Mice ran from everywhere; there were many thousands of them, of all sizes and ages: small mice, medium mice, and large old mice gathered here. One decrepit old mouse trudged into the clearing with great difficulty and, bowing to the queen, immediately fell down with her paws up. Two granddaughters laid the grandmother on a burdock leaf and diligently waved blades of grass over her so that the breeze would bring her to her senses.
It was difficult to harness so many mice to the cart: thousands of threads had to be tied to the front axle. Moreover, the Woodcutter and the Scarecrow were in a hurry, fearing that the Lion would die in the poppy field, and the threads were tangled in their hands. Moreover, some young playful mice ran from place to place and tangled the team. Finally, each thread was tied at one end to the cart, the other to the mouse's tail, and order was established.
At this time, Ellie woke up and looked with surprise at a strange picture. The Scarecrow, in a few words, told her what had happened, and turned to the Mouse Queen:
Your Majesty! Let me introduce Ellie, the fairy of the Killing House.
The two tall persons bowed politely and struck up a friendly conversation...
The preparations are over.
It was not easy for two friends to load the heavy Lion onto the cart. But they picked it up anyway, and the mice, with the help of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, quickly dragged the wagon out of the poppy field.
The lion was brought to the clearing, where Ellie was sitting under the protection of Totoshka. The girl sincerely thanked the mice for saving her faithful friend, whom she managed to fall in love with very much.
The mice gnawed through the threads tied to their tails and hurried to their homes. The Queen Mouse gave the girl a tiny silver whistle.
If you need me again,” she said, “blow three times on this whistle, and I am at your service. Goodbye!
Goodbye! Ellie replied.
But at that moment Totoshka broke loose from his leash, and Ramina had to save herself in the thick grass with haste, completely indecent for a queen.
The travelers patiently waited for the Cowardly Lion to wake up; he breathed the poisoned air of the poppy field too long. But Leo was strong and strong, and the insidious poppies could not kill him. He opened his eyes, yawned several times, and tried to stretch, but the crossbars of the cart prevented him.
Where I am? Am I still alive?
Seeing his friends, the Lion was terribly delighted and rolled off the cart.
Tell me what happened? I ran with all my might across the poppy field, but with each step my paws became heavier, fatigue fell on me, and then I don’t remember anything.
The Scarecrow told how the mice took the Lion out of the poppy field.
The lion shook his head.
How amazing! I have always considered myself very big and strong. And then the flowers, so insignificant compared to me, almost killed me, and the miserable, little creatures, mice, which I always looked at with contempt, saved me! And all this because there are many of them, they act together and become stronger than me, the Lion, the king of beasts! But what shall we do, my friends?
Let's continue our way to the Emerald City, - Ellie answered. - Three cherished desires must be fulfilled, and this will open the way for me to my homeland!
When Leo recovered, the company set off merrily. Through the soft green grass they came to a road paved with yellow bricks and rejoiced at her as if they were a dear old friend.
Soon there were beautiful hedges along the sides of the road, with farmhouses behind them, and men and women working in the fields. The hedges and houses were painted a beautiful bright green, and people wore green clothes.
This means that the Emerald Country has begun, - said the Tin Woodman.
Why? asked the Scarecrow.
Don't you know that an emerald is green?
I don’t know anything,” the Scarecrow retorted proudly. - That's when I have brains, then I'll know everything!
The inhabitants of the Emerald Country were no taller than the Munchkins. On their heads they wore the same wide-brimmed hats with a sharp top, but without silver bells. It seemed that they were unfriendly: no one approached Ellie and even from a distance did not address her with questions. In fact, they were simply afraid of the big formidable Lion and little Totoshka.
I think that we will have to spend the night in the field, - said the Scarecrow.
And I want to eat, - said the girl. - Fruits are good here, but still they bother me so much that I can’t see them and would exchange them all for a crust of bread! And Totoshka was completely emaciated... What are you eating, poor thing?
Yes, so that it is necessary, - the dog answered evasively.
He did not want to admit at all that every night he accompanied the Lion to hunt and ate the remnants of his prey.
Seeing the house, on the porch of which stood the hostess, who seemed more friendly than other residents of the village, Ellie decided to ask for a lodging for the night. Leaving her friends behind the fence, she boldly walked up to the porch. The woman asked:
What do you need, child?
Let us, please, spend the night!
But Leo is with you!
Do not be afraid of him: he is tame, and, besides, a coward!
If so, come in, the woman replied, you will get supper and bed.
The company entered the house, surprising and frightening the children and the owner of the house. When the general fright had passed, the owner asked:
Who are you and where are you going?
We're going to the Emerald City," Ellie replied. - And we want to see the Great Goodwin!
Oh really! Are you sure Goodwin will want to see you?
Why not?
You see, he does not accept anyone. I have visited the Emerald City many times, it is an amazing and beautiful place, but I have never been able to see the Great Goodwin, and I know that no one has ever seen him ...
Isn't he coming out?
No. And day and night he sits in the great throne room of his palace, and even those who serve him do not see his face.
Who does he look like?
It's hard to say, - the owner answered thoughtfully. - The fact is that Goodwin is a great sage and can take on any form. Sometimes he appears in the form of a bird or a leopard, otherwise he suddenly turns into a mole. Others saw him in the form of a fish or a fly, and in any other form that he pleases to take. But what its real appearance is, no one knows.
It’s amazing and scary,” Ellie said. “But we will try to see him, otherwise our journey will be in vain.
Why do you want to see Goodwin the Terrible? - asked the owner.
I want to ask for a little brain for my straw head, answered the Scarecrow.
Oh, for him it is mere trifles! He has more brains than he needs. They are all laid out in bags, and in each bag there is a special variety.
And I want him to give me a heart,” said the Woodcutter.
And this is not difficult for him, - answered the owner, winking slyly. - He has a whole collection of hearts of various shapes and sizes drying on a string.
And I would like to get courage from Goodwin, - said the Lion.
Goodwin has a big pot of courage in his throne room,” the host announced. - It is covered with a golden lid, and Goodwin is watching that courage does not boil over. Of course, he will gladly give you a portion.
All three friends, having heard the detailed explanations of the owner, beamed and looked at each other with satisfied smiles.
And I want, - said Ellie, - Goodwin to bring me and Toto back to Kansas.
Where is Kansas? - asked the surprised owner.
I don't know, - Ellie answered sadly. - But this is my homeland, and it exists somewhere.
Well, I'm sure Goodwin can find Kansas for you. But you must first see him yourself, and this is not an easy task. Goodwin does not like to show himself, and, obviously, he has his own thoughts on this matter, - the owner added in a whisper and looked around, as if afraid that Goodwin was about to jump out from under the bed or out of the closet.
Everyone was a little creepy, and Leo almost went outside: he believed that it was safer there.
Dinner was served and everyone sat down at the table. Ellie ate delicious buckwheat porridge and scrambled eggs and brown bread; she was very pleased with these dishes, which reminded her of her distant homeland. The lion was also given porridge, but he ate it in disgust and said that this was food for rabbits, and not for Lions. The Scarecrow and the Woodcutter did not eat anything. Toto ate his portion and asked for more.
The woman put Ellie to bed, and Toto settled down next to his little mistress. The lion stretched out at the threshold of the room and guarded that no one should enter. The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow stood all night in a corner, occasionally talking in whispers.
Ellie woke up because the dog licked her face with a hot wet tongue and whined. At first it seemed to her that she had a wonderful dream, and Ellie was about to tell her mother about it. But, seeing the overturned chairs, the stove lying on the floor, Ellie realized that everything was in reality.
The girl jumped out of bed. The house didn't move. The sun shone brightly through the window.
Ellie ran to the door, flung it open and screamed in surprise.
The hurricane brought the house into a country of extraordinary beauty: a green lawn spread around; along the edges of it grew trees with ripe, juicy fruits; in the clearings one could see flowerbeds of beautiful pink, white and blue flowers. Tiny birds fluttered through the air, glittering with their bright plumage. Golden-green and red-breasted parrots sat on the branches of trees and screamed in high strange voices. A clear stream gurgled in the distance, and silvery fish frolicked in the water.
While the girl stood hesitantly on the threshold, the most amusing and sweet little men imaginable appeared from behind the trees. The men, dressed in blue velvet coats and tight trousers, were no taller than Ellie; on their feet shone blue jackboots with cuffs. But most of all, Ellie liked the pointed hats: their tops were decorated with crystal balls, and under the wide brim little bells tinkled gently.
An old woman in a white robe stepped solemnly in front of the three men; tiny stars glittered on her pointed hat and on her mantle. The old woman's gray hair fell over her shoulders.
In the distance, behind the fruit trees, a whole crowd of small men and women could be seen; they stood whispering and looking at each other, but did not dare to come closer.
Approaching the girl, these timid little people smiled affably and somewhat fearfully at Ellie, but the old woman looked at Ellie with obvious bewilderment. The three men moved forward in unison and took off their hats at once. "Ding ding ding!" - the bells rang. Ellie noticed that the jaws of the little men were constantly moving, as if they were chewing something.
The old woman turned to Ellie:
Tell me, how did you end up in the land of the Munchkins, dear child?
I was brought here by a hurricane in this house, - Ellie answered timidly.
Strange, very strange! The old woman shook her head. Now you will understand my confusion. Here is how it was. I learned that the evil sorceress Gingema had lost her mind and wanted to destroy the human race and populate the earth with rats and snakes. And I had to use all my magical art ...
How, ma'am! Ellie exclaimed in fear. - Are you a magician? But how did my mother tell me that now there are no wizards?
Where does your mom live?
In Kansas.
Never heard such a name, - said the sorceress, pursing her lips. “But, no matter what your mother says, wizards and sages live in this country. There were four of us here. Two of us - the sorceress of the Yellow Country (it's me - Villina!) and the sorceress of the Pink Country Stella - are kind. And the sorceress of the Blue Country Gingema and the sorceress of the Purple Country Bastinda are very evil. Your house crushed Gingema, and now there is only one evil sorceress in our country.
Ellie was amazed. How could she destroy the evil sorceress, a little girl who had not even killed a sparrow in her life?!
Ellie said:
Of course, you are mistaken: I did not kill anyone.
I don’t blame you for this,” the sorceress Villina calmly objected. “After all, in order to save people from trouble, I deprived the hurricane of destructive power and allowed it to capture only one house in order to throw it on the head of the insidious Gingema, because I read in my magic book that it is always empty in a storm ...
Ellie shyly replied:
It is true, madam, during hurricanes we hide in the cellar, but I ran to the house for my dog ...
Such a reckless act my magic book could never have foreseen! - the sorceress Villina was upset. “So it’s all this little beast’s fault…”
Totoshka, av av, with your permission, ma'am! - the dog suddenly intervened in the conversation. - Yes, with sadness I confess, it's all my fault ...
How did you speak, Totoshka!? Ellie exclaimed in surprise.
I don’t know how it works, Ellie, but, aw aw, human words involuntarily fly out of my mouth ...
You see, Ellie, - explained Villina, - in this wonderful country, not only people talk, but all animals and even birds. Look around, do you like our country?
She's not bad, ma'am," answered Ellie, "but it's better at our house. You should have looked at our barnyard! You should look at our Pestrianka, ma'am! No, I want to return to my homeland, to my father and mother ...
It is hardly possible, - said the sorceress. - Our country is separated from the whole world by a desert and huge mountains through which not a single person has passed. I'm afraid, my baby, that you'll have to stay with us.
Ellie's eyes filled with tears. The good Munchkins were very upset and also wept, wiping their tears with blue handkerchiefs. The Munchkins took off their hats and put them on the ground so that the bells would not stop them from crying with their ringing.
Why won't you help me at all? Ellie asked sadly.
Oh, yes, - Villina remembered, - I completely forgot that my magic book was with me. You need to look into it: maybe I will subtract something useful for you ...
Villina took out from the folds of her clothes a tiny book the size of a thimble. The sorceress blew on it, and in front of the surprised and a little frightened Ellie, the book began to grow, grow and turned into a huge volume. It was so heavy that the old woman placed it on a large stone. Villina looked at the pages of the book, and they turned over under her gaze.
Found, found! - the sorceress suddenly exclaimed and began to read slowly: - “Bambara, chufara, skoriki, moriki, turabo, furabo, loriki, yoriki ... The great magician Goodwin will return home a little girl brought to his country by a hurricane if she helps three creatures achieve the fulfillment of their most cherished desires, pickup truck, trikapu, botalo, shook ... "
Pickup, trikapu, botalo, dangled ... - the Munchkins repeated in sacred horror.
Who is Goodwin? Ellie asked.
Oh, this is the greatest sage of our country, - the old woman whispered. - He is more powerful than all of us and lives in the Emerald City.
Is he evil or good?
Nobody knows. But don't be afraid, find three creatures, fulfill their cherished desires, and the wizard of the Emerald City will help you return to your country!
Where is the Emerald City? Ellie asked.
It is in the center of the country. The great sage and wizard Goodwin himself built it and manages it. But he surrounded himself with extraordinary secrecy, and no one saw him after the construction of the city, and it ended many, many years ago.
How will I get to the Emerald City?
The road is far. Not everywhere the country is good, like here. There are dark forests with terrible beasts, there are fast rivers - crossing them is dangerous...
Won't you come with me? - asked the girl.
No, my child, - answered Villina. - I can't leave the Yellow Country for long. You must go alone. The road to the Emerald City is paved with yellow brick, and you won't get lost. When you come to Goodwin, ask him for help...
How long will I have to live here, ma'am? Ellie asked, lowering her head.
I don't know, - answered Villina. “There is nothing about this in my magic book. Go, search, fight! I will look into the magic book from time to time to know how you are doing ... Farewell, my dear!
Villina leaned over a huge book, and it immediately shrank to the size of a thimble and disappeared into the folds of the mantle. A whirlwind swooped in, it became dark, and when the darkness dissipated, Villina was no longer there: the sorceress had disappeared. Ellie and the Munchkins trembled with fear, and the bells on the little people's hats jingled of their own accord.
When everyone calmed down a little, the most courageous of the Munchkins, their foreman, turned to Ellie:
Powerful fairy! Welcome to Blue Country! You killed the evil Gingem and freed the Munchkins!
Ellie said:
You are very kind, but there is a mistake: I am not a fairy. And after all, you heard that my house fell on Gingham on the orders of the sorceress Villina ...
We do not believe this, - the foreman Zhevunov stubbornly objected. - We heard your conversation with a good sorceress, botalo, shook, but we think that you are a powerful fairy. After all, only fairies can ride through the air in their houses, and only a fairy could free us from Gingema, the evil sorceress of the Blue Country. Gingema ruled over us for many years and made us work day and night...
She made us work day and night! - the Munchkins said in unison.
She ordered us to catch spiders and bats, collect frogs and leeches from the ditches. These were her favorite foods...
And we, - the Munchkins cried, - we are very afraid of spiders and leeches!
What are you crying about? Ellie asked. - It's all gone!
True true! The Munchkins laughed together, and the bells on their hats tinkled merrily.
Mighty Mistress Ellie! the foreman spoke. - Do you want to become our mistress instead of Gingema? We are sure that you are very kind and will not punish us too often! ..
No, - Ellie objected, - I'm just a little girl and I'm not fit to be the ruler of the country. If you want to help me, give me the opportunity to fulfill your most cherished desires!
We had the only desire to get rid of the evil Gingema, pickup, pickup! But your house - Krak! crack! - crushed her, and we no longer have desires! .. - said the foreman.
Then I have nothing to do here. I will go looking for those who have desires. Only now my shoes are already very old and torn, they will not withstand a long journey. Really, Toto? Ellie turned to the dog. oskakkah.ru - site
Of course they won't, - Totoshka agreed. - But do not worry, Ellie, I saw something nearby and I will help you!
You? - the girl was surprised.
Yes I! Toto answered proudly and disappeared behind the trees. A minute later he returned with a beautiful silver slipper in his teeth and laid it solemnly at Ellie's feet. A gold buckle gleamed on the shoe.
Where did you get it from? Ellie wondered.
Now I'll tell you! - answered the out of breath dog, disappeared and returned again with another shoe.
How lovely! said Ellie admiringly, and tried on the shoes: they just fit her leg, as if they were sewn on her.
When I ran to reconnoiter, - Totoshka began importantly, - I saw a large black hole in the mountain behind the trees ...
Ah ah ah! the Munchkins screamed in horror. - After all, this is the entrance to the cave of the evil sorceress Gingema! And you dared to enter there? ..
And what's so terrible? After all, Gingema is dead! - objected Totoshka.
You must be a magician too! - the foreman said with fear; all the other Munchkins nodded their heads in agreement, and the bells under their hats jingled in unison.
It was there that, entering this, as you call it, cave, I saw many funny and strange things, but most of all I liked the shoes standing at the entrance. Some big birds with terrible yellow eyes tried to prevent me from taking my shoes, but is Toto afraid of anything when he wants to serve his Ellie?
Oh, my dear daredevil! - Ellie exclaimed and gently pressed the dog to her chest. - In these shoes I will walk tirelessly as much as I like ...
It's very good that you got the shoes of the evil Gingema, - the elder Munchkin interrupted her. - They seem to have magical powers, because Gingema wore them only on the most important occasions. But what kind of power it is, we do not know ... And you are still leaving us, gracious Mrs. Ellie? - with a sigh asked the foreman. “Then we’ll bring you something to eat on the road…”
The Munchkins left and Ellie was left alone. She found a piece of bread in the house and ate it on the bank of the stream, washing it down with clear cold water. Then she began to get ready for a long journey, and Totoshka ran under a tree and tried to grab a noisy motley parrot sitting on the lower branch, which teased him all the time.
Ellie got out of the van, carefully closed the door, and wrote on it with chalk: "I'm not at home."
Meanwhile, the Munchkins returned. They brought in enough food for Ellie to last for several years. There were sheep, roast geese and ducks, fruit baskets...
Ellie said with a laugh:
Well, where do I get so much, my friends?
She put some bread and fruit in the basket, said goodbye to the Munchkins and boldly set off on a long journey with the cheerful Toto.
Not far from the house there was a crossroads: several roads diverged here. Ellie chose the yellow brick road and walked briskly along it. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the little girl, abandoned in an amazing foreign land, felt quite well.
The road was fenced on both sides with beautiful blue hedges, beyond which the cultivated fields began. There were round houses here and there. Their roofs were like the pointed hats of the Munchkins. Crystal balls glittered on the roofs. The houses were painted blue.
Little men and women worked in the fields; they took off their hats and bowed amiably to Ellie. After all, now every Munchkin knew that a girl in silver shoes had liberated their country from an evil sorceress, lowering her house - krak! crack! - right on her head. All the Munchkins that Ellie met on the way looked at Totoshka with fearful surprise and, hearing his barking, plugged their ears. When a cheerful dog ran up to one of the Munchkins, he ran away from him at the top of his lungs: there were no dogs at all in Goodwin's country.
Toward evening, when Ellie was hungry and wondering where to spend the night, she saw a large house by the road. Small men and women danced on the front lawn. The musicians diligently played small violins and flutes. Children frolic at once, so tiny that Ellie opened her eyes in amazement: they looked like dolls. The terrace was lined with long tables with vases full of fruits, nuts, sweets, delicious pies and large cakes.
Seeing Ellie, a handsome tall old man stepped out of the crowd of dancers (he was a whole finger taller than Ellie!) and said with a bow:
My friends and I are celebrating today the liberation of our country from the evil sorceress. Do I dare to ask the powerful Fairy of the Killing House to take part in our feast?
Why do you think I'm a fairy? Ellie asked.
You crushed the evil sorceress Gingem - krak! crack! - like an empty eggshell; you are wearing her magic shoes; with you is an amazing beast, the likes of which we have never seen, and, according to the stories of our friends, he is also gifted with magical powers ...
To this, Ellie was unable to protest anything and went after the old man, whose name was Prem Kokus. She was greeted like a queen, and the bells rang incessantly, and there were endless dances, and a great many cakes were eaten and countless drinks were drunk, and the whole evening passed so cheerfully and pleasantly that Ellie remembered papa and mama, only falling asleep in bed.
In the morning after a hearty breakfast, she asked Caucus:
How far is the Emerald City from here?
I don't know, the old man answered thoughtfully. - I've never been there. It's better to stay away from Great Goodwin, especially if you don't have important business with him. And the road to the Emerald City is long and difficult. You will have to cross dark forests and cross fast deep rivers.
Ellie was a little upset, but she knew that only the Great Goodwin would bring her back to Kansas, so she said goodbye to her friends and set off again along the yellow brick road.
The hurricane kept raging, and the house, swaying, rushed through the air. Totoshka, shocked by what was going on around him, ran around the dark room barking in fright. Ellie, confused, sat on the floor, clutching her head in her hands. She felt very lonely. The wind was blowing so that it deafened her. It seemed to her that the house was about to fall and break. But time passed, and the house was still flying. Ellie climbed onto the bed and lay down, hugging Toto. Under the rumble of the wind gently rocking the house, Ellie fell asleep soundly.
Part one
yellow brick road
Ellie in the amazing land of munchkins
Ellie woke up to the dog licking her face with a hot wet tongue and whining. At first it seemed to her that she had a wonderful dream, and Ellie was about to tell her mother about it. But, seeing the overturned chairs, the stove lying on the floor, Ellie realized that everything was in reality.
The girl jumped out of bed. The house didn't move. The sun shone brightly through the window. Ellie ran to the door, flung it open, and screamed in surprise.
The hurricane brought the house to a land of extraordinary beauty. Around it stretched a green lawn, along its edges grew trees with ripe juicy fruits; in the clearings one could see flowerbeds of beautiful pink, white and blue flowers. Tiny birds fluttered through the air, glittering with bright plumage. Golden-green and red-breasted parrots sat on the branches of trees and screamed in high, strange voices. A clear stream gurgled in the distance, and silvery fish frolicked in the water.
While the girl stood hesitantly on the threshold, the most amusing and sweet little men imaginable appeared from behind the trees. The men, dressed in blue velvet coats and tight trousers, were no taller than Ellie; on their feet shone blue jackboots with cuffs. But most of all, Ellie liked the pointed hats: their tops were decorated with crystal balls, and under the wide brim little bells tinkled gently.
An old woman in a white robe stepped importantly ahead of the three men; tiny stars glittered on her pointed hat and on her mantle. The old woman's gray hair fell over her shoulders.
In the distance, behind the fruit trees, a whole crowd of small men and women could be seen; they stood, whispering and looking at each other, but did not dare to come closer.
Approaching the girl, these timid little people smiled affably and somewhat fearfully at Ellie, but the old woman looked at her with obvious bewilderment. The three men moved forward in unison and took off their hats at once. "Ding-ding-ding!" - the bells rang. Ellie noticed that the jaws of the little men were constantly moving, as if they were chewing something.
The old woman turned to Ellie:
“Tell me, how did you end up in the land of the Munchkins, dear child?”
“I was brought here by a hurricane in this house,” Ellie answered timidly.
“Strange, very strange! The old woman shook her head. Now you will understand my confusion. Here is how it was. I learned that the evil sorceress Gingema had lost her mind and wanted to destroy the human race and populate the earth with rats and snakes. And I had to use all my magical art ...
- How, madame! Ellie exclaimed in fear. - Are you a magician? But how did my mother tell me that now there are no wizards?
- Where does your mom live?
- In Kansas.
“I have never heard such a name,” said the sorceress, pursing her lips. “But no matter what your mother says, wizards and sages live in this country. There were four of us here. Two of us - the sorceress of the Yellow Country (it's me, Villina!) and the sorceress of the Pink Country Stella - are kind. And the sorceress of the Blue Country Gingema and the sorceress of the Purple Country Bastinda are very evil. Your house crushed Gingema, and now there is only one evil sorceress in our country.
Ellie was amazed. How could she destroy the evil sorceress, a little girl who had not even killed a sparrow in her life?
Ellie said:
“Of course, you are mistaken: I didn’t kill anyone.
“I don’t blame you for this,” the sorceress Villina calmly objected. “After all, it was I who, in order to save people from trouble, deprived the hurricane of destructive power and allowed it to capture only one house in order to throw it on the head of the insidious Gingema, because I read in my magic book that it is always empty in a storm ...
Ellie shyly replied:
“It is true, madam, during hurricanes we hide in the cellar, but I ran to the house for my dog ...
“Such a reckless act could not have been foreseen by my magic book!” – the sorceress Villina was upset. “So this little beast is to blame…”
- Totoshka, av-av, with your permission, madam! - the dog suddenly intervened in the conversation. - Yes, I sadly admit that it's all my fault ...
- How did you speak, Totoshka? Ellie exclaimed in surprise.
“I don’t know how it works, Ellie, but, ah-ah, human words involuntarily fly out of my mouth ...
“You see, Ellie,” explained Villina, “not only people talk in this wonderful country, but all animals and even birds. Look around, do you like our country?
“She is not bad, madam,” answered Ellie, “but it is better at our house. You should have looked at our barnyard! You should look at our Pestrianka, ma'am! No, I want to return to my homeland, to my mother and father ...
“It is hardly possible,” said the sorceress. “Our country is separated from the whole world by a desert and huge mountains, through which not a single person has crossed. I'm afraid, my baby, that you'll have to stay with us.
Ellie's eyes filled with tears. The good Munchkins were very upset and also wept, wiping their tears with blue handkerchiefs. The Munchkins took off their hats and put them on the ground so that the bells would not stop them from crying with their ringing.
"Aren't you going to help me at all?" Ellie asked sadly.
“Ah, yes,” Villina realized, “I completely forgot that my magic book was with me. You need to look into it: maybe I will subtract something useful for you ...
Villina took out a tiny book the size of a thimble from the folds of her clothes. The sorceress blew on it, and in front of the surprised and a little frightened Ellie, the book began to grow and grow and turned into a huge volume. It was so heavy that the old woman laid it on a large stone.
Villina looked at the pages of the book, and they themselves turned over under her gaze.
- I found it, I found it! the sorceress suddenly exclaimed and began to read slowly: “Bambara, chufara, skoriki, moriki, turabo, furabo, loriki, eriki ... The great magician Goodwin will return home a little girl brought to his country by a hurricane if she helps three creatures achieve the fulfillment of their most cherished desires, pickup truck, trikapu, botalo, shook ... "
“Pickup, trikapu, botalo, dangling…” the Munchkins repeated in holy horror.
Who is Goodwin? Ellie asked.
“Oh, this is the Greatest Sage of our country,” the old woman whispered. “He is more powerful than all of us and lives in the Emerald City.
Is he evil or good?
“No one knows. But do not be afraid, find three creatures, fulfill their cherished desires, and the Wizard of the Emerald City will help you return to your country!
Where is the Emerald City? Ellie asked.
- It's in the middle of the country. The Great Sage and Wizard Goodwin himself built it and manages it. But he surrounded himself with extraordinary secrecy, and no one saw him after the construction of the city, and it ended many, many years ago.
How will I get to the Emerald City?
- The road is long. Not everywhere the country is good, like here. There are dark forests with terrible beasts, there are fast rivers - crossing them is dangerous...
- Won't you come with me? the girl asked.
“No, my child,” answered Villina. “I cannot leave the Yellow Country for long. You must go alone. The road to the Emerald City is paved with yellow bricks and you won't get lost. When you come to Goodwin, ask him for help...
