The Magic of Oz

CHAPTER 9. The Isle of the Magic

Flower

The Glass Cat was a good guide and led Trot and Cap'n Bill by

straight and easy paths through all the settled part of the Munchkin

Country, and then into the north section where there were few houses, and

finally through a wild country where there were no houses or paths at all.

But the walking was not difficult and at last they came to the edge of a

forest and stopped there to make camp and sleep until morning.

From branches of trees Cap'n Bill made a tiny house that was just big

enough for the little girl to crawl into and lie down. But first they ate some

of the food Trot had carried in the basket.

Don't you want some, too?" she asked the Glass Cat.

No," answered the creature.

I suppose you'll hunt around an' catch a mouse," remarked Cap'n Bill.

Me? Catch a mouse! Why should I do that?" inquired the Glass Cat.

Why, then you could eat it," said the sailor-man.

I beg to inform you," returned the crystal tabby, "that I do not eat

mice. Being transparent, so anyone can see through me, I'd look nice,

wouldn't I, with a common mouse inside me? But the fact is that I haven't

any stomach or other machinery that would permit me to eat things. The

careless magician who made me didn't think I'd need to eat, I suppose."

Don't you ever get hungry or thirsty?" asked Trot.

Never. I don't complain, you know, at the way I'm made, for I've

never yet seen any living thing as beautiful as I am. I have the handsomest

brains in the world. They're pink, and you can see 'em work."

I wonder," said Trot thoughtfully, as she ate her bread and jam, "if

MY brains whirl around in the same way yours do."

No; not the same way, surely," returned the Glass Cat; "for, in that

case, they'd be as good as MY brains, except that they're hidden under a

thick, boney skull."