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We would like some supper and the privilege of sleeping in your house until

morning," continued the Frogman. "At daybreak, we would like some

breakfast, and then we would like to have you row us across the river."

The ferryman neither moved nor spoke. He sat in his doorway and looked

straight ahead. "I think he must be deaf and dumb," Cayke whispered to her

companion. Then she stood directly in front of the ferryman, and putting her

mouth close to his ear, she yelled as loudly as she could, "Good evening!"

The ferryman scowled.

Why do you yell at me, woman?" he asked.

Can you hear what I say?" asked in her ordinary tone of voice.

Of course," replied the man.

Then why didn't you answer the Frogman?"

Because," said the ferryman, "I don't understand the frog language."

He speaks the same words that I do and in the same way," declared Cayke.

Perhaps," replied the ferryman, "but to me his voice sounded like a frog's

croak. I know that in the Land of Oz animals can speak our language, and so

can the birds and bugs and fishes; but in MY ears, they sound merely like

growls and chirps and croaks."

Why is that?" asked the Cookie Cook in surprise.

Once, many years ago, I cut the tail off a fox which had taunted me, and I

stole some birds' eggs from a nest to make an omelet with, and also I pulled a

fish from the river and left it lying on the bank to gasp for lack of water until it

died. I don't know why I did those wicked things, but I did them. So the

Emperor of the Winkies--who is the Tin Woodman and has a very tender tin

heart--punished me by denying me any communication with beasts, birds or

fishes. I cannot understand them when they speak to me, although I know

that other people can do so, nor can the creatures understand a word I say to

them. Every time I meet one of them, I am reminded of my former cruelty,

and it makes me very unhappy."

Really," said Cayke, "I'm sorry for you, although the Tin Woodman is not to

blame for punishing you."

What is he mumbling about?" asked the Frogman.

The Lost Princess of Oz