The Magic of Oz

about to do, and told them to keep quiet unless danger threatened. So the

two powerful guardians of the Ruler of Oz crouched beside the fountain

and waited.

Dorothy returned and set the cup on the edge of the fountain. Then the

Wizard placed the hickory-nut beside the fountain and said in a solemn

voice:

I want you to resume your natural form, and to be very thirsty--

Pyrzqxgl!"

In an instant there appeared, in the place of the hickory-nut, the form

of Kiki Aru, the Hyup boy. He seemed bewildered, at first, as if trying to

remember what had happened to him and why he was in this strange place.

But he was facing the fountain, and the bubbling water reminded him that

he was thirsty. Without noticing Ozma, the Wizard and Dorothy, who were

behind him, he picked up the cup, filled it with the Water of Oblivion, and

drank it to the last drop.

He was now no longer thirsty, but he felt more bewildered than ever,

for now he could remember nothing at all--not even his name or where he

came from. He looked around the beautiful garden with a pleased

expression, and then, turning, he beheld Ozma and the Wizard and

Dorothy regarding him curiously and the two great beasts crouching

behind them.

Kiki Aru did not know who they were, but he thought Ozma very

lovely and Dorothy very pleasant. So he smiled at them--the same

innocent, happy smile that a baby might have indulged in, and that pleased

Dorothy, who seized his hand and led him to a seat beside her on the

bench.

Why, I thought you were a dreadful magician," she exclaimed, "and

you're only a boy!"

What is a magician?" he asked, "and what is a boy?"

Don't you know?" inquired the girl.

Kiki shook his head. Then he laughed.

I do not seem to know anything," he replied.

It's very curious," remarked the Wizard. "He wears the dress of the

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