"My body shone so brightly sun that very proud of it and it matter now axe slipped, cut me danger--that my joints would rust; but I kept an oil-can in my cottage and took care to oil myself whenever I needed it However, there came day when I forgot to , and, being caught in rainstorm, before danger my joints had rusted, and left to stand woods until you came to help me terrible thing to undergo, but I stood there I had time greatest loss I had known loss heart While in love I happiest man on earth; but no one can love who heart, and so resolved to ask Oz one If , go back Munchkin maiden and marry her "

Both Dorothy Scarecrow greatly interested story Tin Woodman, and now they knew why so anxious new heart

"All the same," said the Scarecrow, " ask for brains instead of heart; for fool know what with heart if he had one "

" heart," returned the Tin Woodman; "for brains make one happy, and happiness best thing "

Dorothy say anything, for she was puzzled which of her two friends was right, and she decided if only get back to Kansas and Aunt Em, it matter whether the Woodman had no brains Scarecrow no heart, or each got what

What worried her most the bread was nearly gone, and another meal for herself and Toto would empty the basket neither the Woodman nor the Scarecrow ever ate anything, but she was not made of tin nor straw, and live unless she was fed

6 The Cowardly Lion

All Dorothy and her companions walking thick woods The road was still paved with yellow brick, but these were much covered by dried branches and dead leaves trees, walking was not at all good

There were few birds part forest, for birds love the open country where plenty of sunshine But there came deep growl from some wild animal hidden trees These sounds made the little girl's heart beat fast, for she know what made them; but Toto knew, and he walked close to Dorothy's side, and even bark in return

"How long will it be," the child asked Tin Woodman, "before forest ? "

" tell," answer, "for never been Emerald City But my father went there once, when boy, and long journey through dangerous country, although nearer city where Oz dwells the country is beautiful But not afraid as my oil-can, and nothing can hurt the Scarecrow, while you bear upon your forehead the mark Good Witch's kiss, and protect you from harm "

"But Toto ! " said the girl anxiously " protect him ? "

" protect him ourselves if in danger," replied the Tin Woodman

Just as he spoke there came forest terrible roar, next moment great Lion bounded road With one blow paw he sent the Scarecrow spinning over and over edge road, and then he struck Tin Woodman sharp claws But, Lion's surprise, make no impression tin, although the Woodman fell over road and lay still

Little Toto, now that he had an enemy , ran barking toward the Lion, great beast had opened his mouth to bite the dog, when Dorothy, fearing Toto killed, and heedless of danger, rushed forward and slapped the Lion upon his nose as hard as , while she cried out:

"Don't you dare to bite Toto ! You ashamed of yourself, big beast like you, to bite poor little dog ! "

"I didn't bite him," said the Lion, as he rubbed his nose paw where Dorothy had hit it

"No, but you tried to," she retorted " nothing but big coward "

" it," said the Lion, hanging his head in shame "I've always known it But how can I help it ? "

"I don't know, I'm sure of your striking stuffed man, like the poor Scarecrow ! "

"Is he stuffed ? " asked the Lion in surprise, as he watched her pick up the Scarecrow and set him upon his feet, while she patted him into shape again

" he's stuffed," replied Dorothy, who was still angry

"That's why he went over so easily," remarked the Lion "It astonished me him whirl around so other one stuffed also ? "

"No," said Dorothy, "he's made of tin " And she helped the Woodman up again

"That's why he nearly blunted my claws," said the Lion " scratched against the tin it made cold shiver run down my back What little animal so tender of ? "

" my dog, Toto," answered Dorothy

"Is of tin, or stuffed ? " asked the Lion

"Neither He's a--a--a meat dog," said the girl

"Oh ! He's curious animal and seems remarkably small, now that I look at him No one would think of biting such little thing, except coward like me," continued the Lion sadly

"What makes you coward ? " asked Dorothy, looking great beast in wonder, for as big as small horse

"It's mystery," replied the Lion "I suppose born that way All the other animals forest naturally expect me brave, Lion is everywhere thought the King of Beasts I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was frightened and got out way Whenever I've met man I've been awfully scared; but I just roared at him, and he has always run away as fast as go elephants tigers bears had ever tried to fight me, run myself--I'm such coward; but just they hear me roar they all try away from me, and I let them go "

"But that isn't right The King of Beasts shouldn't be coward," said the Scarecrow

" it," returned the Lion, wiping tear eye tip tail " my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy But whenever danger, my heart begins to beat fast "

"Perhaps heart disease," said the Tin Woodman

"It ," said the Lion

" ," continued the Tin Woodman, "you glad, proves heart part, no heart; so heart disease "

"Perhaps," said the Lion thoughtfully, "if I had no heart I coward "

" brains ? " asked the Scarecrow

"I suppose so I've never looked ," replied the Lion

" going Great Oz to ask him some," remarked the Scarecrow, " head is stuffed with straw "

"And going to ask him heart," said the Woodman

"And going to ask him to send Toto and me back to Kansas," added Dorothy

" Oz could courage ? " asked the Cowardly Lion

"Just as easily as brains," said the Scarecrow

"Or heart," said the Tin Woodman

"Or send me back to Kansas," said Dorothy

"Then, don't mind, I'll go ," said the Lion, " life is simply unbearable without bit of courage "

" very welcome," answered Dorothy, "for help away the other wild beasts It seems more cowardly than allow you to scare them so easily "

"They really are," said the Lion, "but that doesn't make me any braver, and as long as myself coward unhappy "