Baum, L Frank - Oz 02 by Baum L Frank

Author:Baum, L Frank
Language: eng
Format: epub

201 In the Jackdaw's Nest

"This," said the Gump, in a squeaky voice not at all proportioned to the

size of its great body, "is the most novel experience I ever heard of.

The

last thing I remember distinctly is walking through the forest and hearing a

loud noise. Something probably killed me then, and it certainly ought to

have been the end of me. Yet here I am, alive again, with four monstrous

wings and a body which I venture to say would make any respectable animal or

fowl weep with shame to own. What does it all mean? Am I a Gump, or am I a

juggernaut?" The creature, as it spoke, wiggled its chin whiskers in a very

comical manner.

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"You're just a Thing," answered Tip, "with a Gump's head on it. And we have

made you and brought you to life so that you may carry us through the air

wherever we wish to go."

202

"Very good!" said the Thing. "As I am not a Gump, I cannot have a Gump's

pride or independent spirit. So I may as well become your servant as anything else. My only satisfaction is that I do not seem to have a very strong constitution, and am not likely to live long in a state of slavery."

"Don't say that, I beg of you!" cried the Tin Woodman, whose excellent heart

was strongly affected by this sad speech." Are you not feeling well today?"

"Oh, as for that," returned the Gump, "it is my first day of existence; so I

cannot Judge whether I am feeling well or ill." And it waved its broom tail

to and fro in a pensive manner.

"Come, come!" said the Scarecrow, kindly. "do try, to be more cheerful and

take life as you find it. We shall be kind masters, and will strive to render your existence as pleasant as possible. Are you willing to carry us

through the air wherever we wish to go?"

"Certainly," answered the Gump. "I greatly prefer to navigate the air.

For

should I travel on the earth and meet with one of my own species, my embarrassment would be something awful!"

"I can appreciate that," said the Tin Woodman, sympathetically.

"And yet," continued the Thing, "when I carefully

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203

look you over, my masters, none of you seems to be constructed much more

artistically than I am."

"Appearances are deceitful," said the Woggle-Bug, earnestly. "I am both

Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated."

"Indeed!" murmured the Gump, indifferently.

"And my brains are considered remarkably rare specimens," added the

Scarecrow, proudly.

"How strange!" remarked the Gump.

"Although I am of tin," said the Woodman, "I own a heart altogether the

warmest and most admirable in the whole world."

"I'm delighted to hear it," replied the Gump, with a slight cough.

"My smile," said Jack Pumpkinhead, "is worthy your best attention. It is

always the same."

"Semper idem," explained the Woggle-Bug, pompously; and the Gump turned to

stare at him.

"And I," declared the Saw-Horse, filling in an awkward pause, "am only

remarkable because I can't help it."

"I am proud, indeed, to meet with such exceptional masters," said the Gump,

in a careless tone.

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