Oz 20: The Hungry Tiger of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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" no ! no ! not that ! " coughed Ozma in a panic ." wait Atmos, something will turn up ! "

chapter 16

Reddy and_the Giants

while Carter and Betsy waited so impa-tiently outside the walls, the little prince of rash was having an amazing day with_the Giants . after a dizzy flight through_the air, the great pigeon, attracted by a bit of stale cake on_the ledge of a high window, had dropped him carelessly on_the sill .Fortunately for Reddy, the window was open and, squirming through, he lay panting and pale, waiting for_the bird to snap him up again . but the space was too narrow, and after a few angry pecks at_the pane, the pigeon flew away .

with a gulp of relief, the prince rolled over and sat up .a delicious smell of coffee, bacon and rolls came floating upward and, glancing over the edge of_the sill, Reddy saw that he_was in an enormous dining hall . far below the window stood the giant sideboard, covered with serving dishes the size of bath tubs, and seated at a huge table in_the center of_the room, two Giants were eating porridge with spoons as large as snow shovels . they had golden crowns upon their heads, and from_the richness of_their robes and_the elegance of_the whole apartment, Reddy guessed, and quite rightly, that he_was in_the castle of immense city itself .

Waiting upon their Majesties, were four monstrous footmen, and all of_the Giants wore huge white wigs, the curls of_which bounced and bobbed when_they walked in a truly comical fashion .Crouching in a corner of_the sill, and trusting that none_of_the Giants would notice him, the hungry little boy watched the king and queen toss off huge basins of coffee, devour biscuits as big as boulders and pan cakes broad enough to_cover an ordinary sized table . in_these immense surroundings, Reddy felt so little, lost and lonely that all thought of finding and rescuing the hungry tiger seemed hopeless . how was he even to reach the floor, without breaking himself to bits ? therefore he listened listlessly to_the booming voices of_the big Wigs, and fervently wished himself back with_the vegetable man and Betsy bobbin . but a cross remark of_the giant king suddenly caught his attention and made him prick up his ears .

" that kitten," growled the big wig in a fierce voice, frowning across the table at_the queen, " that kitten must go ! it kept me awake the entire night with its miserable meowing ."

" but what_will Elma do," murmured the queen gently ." our daughter dotes on_the little creature ."

" let her find something else to dote on, puffed his majesty indignantly ." my castle is no place for stray cats . if_it's here to- morrow," continued the giant, blowing his cheeks in and out threateningly, "I'll throw it in_the pond ! " Snatching up his paper, the king strode from_the room, every curl in_his wig expressing wrath and determination .

" stray kitten ! " gasped Reddy in relief, remembering the little giant girl's words ." why, that_must be the hungry tiger ! " the knowledge that his old friend was still safe and close at hand was so encouraging, the little prince cheered up at once, for after all Reddy was a prince and naturally brave and resourceful . if_the hungry tiger were still in_the castle, he_should certainly be_able to_find him, and together they_would devise some way of escape . the queen, still arguing about her daughter's kitten, had waddled after her husband, and while the big wig footmen cleared away the breakfast dishes, Reddy tried to_think of some plan to reach the floor in safety . he put his hands in_his pockets, stared nervously over the edge of_the sill, then gave an exclamation of glee . for_his fingers had closed over the rash rubies . the rubies ! why had he not thought of_them before ? if one_of_them had carried him safely down the furious fire- fall, why would it not help him now ?

without disturbing the dishes on_the side table, the footmen had gone to_the kitchen . so, closing both eyes and gritting his teeth, Reddy jumped boldly off the window ledge . he landed with a crash, splash and splutter and, opening his eyes, found himself looking through_the glass sides of_the giant's water pitcher . the water was over his head, but he_felt no discomfort, except a slight chill from_the ice, for in_his pocket was_the ruby protecting him from all danger by water .

disturbed because he had_not looked more carefully before he jumped, but elated over the way the rubies were working, the little prince rose to_the top of_the pitcher . luckily for him the water reached almost to_the brim, and seizing the pitcher's edge he pulled himself up and dropped easily over the side . this_time he landed beside a flat plate of sizzling hot cakes and bacon, and we_cannot blame him for stopping long enough to hack off a few slices of each with_his sword . this, with several crumbs from_the giant biscuits, made an excellent breakfast, and stuffing a large piece of pan cake in_his pocket for lunch, the little boy jumped gaily off the sideboard . thanks to_the other ruby, he floated lightly as a feather down to_the floor and then began his long walk to_the kitchen .

his clothes were still wet and dripping from_the unexpected bath, but his spirits were high and he_was beginning to enjoy his strange experiences and to look forward with lively anticipation to_his meeting with_the hungry tiger .a brisk fifteen- minute walk brought him to_the kitchen door and, slipping through, he_saw the big wig servants seated at a large table . their loud voices made his head thump, and to bring their faces into view he had to lean so_far over backwards, he soon had a severe pain in_his neck . but he_was sure he_would learn from_them the whereabouts of little Elma and once he_knew that, finding the hungry tiger would_be almost easy . compared with_the Giants, Reddy was about_the size of a small doll and none_of_the chattering big Wigs noticed the little boy crouched behind the coal bucket . after listening to a great deal of conversation that did_not interest him at all, Reddy was finally rewarded with_the information he_was seeking .

" where's little Elma's tray ? " wheezed a big wig maid, suddenly pushing back her chair .

" that girl grows lazier every day ! "

" there ! " grunted the cook, pointing a pudgy finger toward the dresser ." and it's high time you took it up_to her, you ill-natured clod ."

after exchanging a few more rude remarks, the maid picked up the tray and started toward a back stairway .Frantically, Reddy began to run after her, risking discovery by_the others in_his anxiety to_keep her in view . but it_was a hopeless race, and he had just given up in despair when_the giantess came hurrying back for_the salt, which she had forgotten . almost treading on_the breathless little boy, she snatched a salt shaker form the dresser and started off again, but this_time, Reddy went with her .

the strings of_the maid's apron reached almost to_the floor, and with a mighty spring the little prince seized one_of_the fluttering ends and hung on for dear life . unconscious of her passenger, the Giantess briskly mounted the stair, Reddy swinging round and round at each step and hoping heartily that_the apron string would_not come untied . after a very bumpy journey, the little boy found himself at_the top of_the stair and next instant in_the presence of_the little giant princess herself .

she was seated in a chair in_the largest play room you_could ever imagine, and looked extremely comical in her great white wig .Letting go the maid's apron string, Reddy dropped to_the floor and creeping behind a toy block, peered around in amazement .Dolls as big as himself were strewn about_the floor .Noah's Arks, toy barns, doll houses and castles as large as our own dwellings were ranged along one side of_the wall and here and there were stuffed and wooden animals of just the right size for Reddy to ride . there_was a toy train he longed to start and a wooden circus that made his heart thump with excitement .

" i_wish Betsy were here," thought the little prince ."Couldn't we_have fun ? i_wish she_could see these dolls ! " scarcely hearing the clatter of dishes on_the tray, as_the princess greedily ate her breakfast, Reddy's eyes roved enviously over the vast collection of toys .a sudden thump, as_the little Giantess jumped out of her chair, recalled him to_the serious purpose of_his visit . princess Elma, with a saucer of cream in her hands, was pattering toward him calling at_the top of her voice:

" here Kitty ! Kitty ! Kitty ! where are_you Kitty dear ? "

the thought of_the hungry tiger as a little girl's kitten was so ridiculous that Reddy chuckled in_spite of himself, and when little Elma, after several unsuccessful attempts, dragged the tiger from beneath a low sofa and began dipping his nose in_the cream, Reddy laughed outright .

the hungry tiger was growling and snarling so ferociously and Elma filling the air with_such boisterous terms of endearment that neither of_them heard . after a futile struggle with_the Giantess, the tiger settled himself on_the floor and began to lap up the cream, with an expression of unhappy and hopeless resignation .Squatting on_the floor beside him, the princess continued to shower him with vigorous caresses .

" finish your breakfast, sweet," she cooed in a voice like a ferry- boat whistle, " then mother'll take you for a nice little ride in_the doll coach ! "

Reddy hoped to_have a few words with_the hungry tiger, and began to creep cautiously toward the strange pair . but just as he_came within hailing distance the hungry tiger finished the cream, and Elma lifted him joyfully into_the air .Torn between mirth and sympathy, Reddy watched the Giantess dress the indignant and struggling tiger in a doll coat and cap, tuck him unceremoniously into a doll coach and wheel him out_of_the nursery .

"I'll have to wait till they_come back," sighed Reddy, as_the doll coach went bumping down the entry and_the shrill protests of_the hungry tiger grew fainter and fainter ." and while I wait I_might as_well look around ."

this proved so interesting that he_was surprised to hear the great clock on_the mantle strike twelve . as_there_was still no sign of_the hungry tiger, he sensibly decided to eat his lunch .Choosing the coziest of_the doll houses, he walked boldly up the front steps and into_the dining room . the chairs and table were exactly the right size, and with a little chuckle of enjoyment Reddy set the table, drew up a chair and ate his piece of pancake in peace and comfort .

the doll house was complete in every detail, and in_the kitchen cupboard the little boy found canisters of tea, coffee and sugar . there_was a small gas stove that really worked, so Reddy made himself a cup of coffee and finished his lunch with a box of stale cakes he_found on_the dresser . then, feeling a little sleepy, he curled up on_the doll lounge in_the living room and had a fine nap . after_this he amused himself trying on_the doll hats and coats he_found in_the entry closet and sliding down the curved banister .

by_this_time it_was four o'clock, and growing a little anxious about_the hungry tiger, Reddy ran out_of_the doll house to_see if_the princess had returned . but the nursery was still deserted and after trying in vain to wind up the toy engine, and taking a perilous ride on a mechanical donkey, which he_did manage to start, the little boy decided to look for_his friend in some_of_the other rooms of_the palace . the toy donkey had carried him to a door leading from_the play room into princess Elma's bedroom, and slipping through, Reddy tip- toed around, examining the tall furniture and fittings with deep interest . in_the center of_the room, he stopped short and gave a sharp cry of astonishment . what do_you_think ? there, looking like a toy, in_these huge surroundings, stood a bed no larger than Reddy's own .

" now what," gasped the little prince of rash in extreme perplexity, " is_that great girl doing with a little bed like this ? " there seemed no answer to_the question, but a sudden clump, clump in_the hall made him dash for cover . princess Elma was coming back, and just as Reddy dove headlong into one of her slippers, she ran in, the hungry tiger in her arms .

" now stay here pet ! " bellowed Elma tenderly, and dropping the tiger on_the floor she skipped noisily out_of_the room .

for a moment the hungry tiger lay motion- less where he had fallen . the doll cap was down over his eyes, the doll coat in ribbons and Reddy could_see that he had had a hard day . when he_did attempt to rise and try to run, the doll coat threw him down at every step, and_the little prince, with a cry of sympathy and relief, ran out to help him .

"Reddy ! " roared the hungry tiger hoarsely, " how did you get here . run boy, run, before_that dreadful girl gets you, too . look ! look at me ! " he groaned forlornly ." how shall I ever hold up my head again ? run away, Reddy, I beg of you ! run, before_it_is too late ! "

"Sh-h ! " whispered Reddy warningly ." we'll run together ." Cutting the cap strings with_his sword and tearing off the offensive doll coat, the little boy threw both arms round the tired old tiger and gave him a tremendous hug .

" to_think that I, the hungry tiger of Oz, should_have come to_this ! " moaned the tiger, two tears running down his nose ."Oh, Oh, Oh ! I_shall never be the same .

"Sh-h ! " begged Reddy

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