The Magic of Oz

and beat them with sticks, until they work for us and become our willing

slaves.' And when the people heard Ozma of Oz say this, they were glad

and raised a great shout and said: 'We will do it! We will make the beasts

of the Forest of Gugu our slaves!'"

The wicked old Nome could say no more, just then, for such a fierce

roar of anger rose from the multitude of beasts that his voice was drowned

by the clamor. Finally the roar died away, like distant thunder, and

Ruggedo the Nome went on with his speech.

Having heard the Oz people plot against your liberty, we watched to

see what they would do, and saw them all begin making ropes--ropes long

and short--with which to snare our friends the beasts. You are angry, but

we also were angry, for when the Oz people became the enemies of the

beasts they also became our enemies; for we, too, are beasts, although we

live in the sky. And my comrade and I said: 'We will save our friends and

have revenge on the Oz people,' and so we came here to tell you of your

danger and of our plan to save you."

We can save ourselves," cried an old Elephant. "We can fight."

The Oz people are fairies, and you can't fight against magic unless

you also have magic," answered the Nome.

Tell us your plan!" shouted the huge Tiger, and the other beasts

echoed his words, crying: "Tell us your plan."

My plan is simple," replied Ruggedo. "By our magic we will

transform all you animals into men and women--like the Oz people--and

we will transform all the Oz people into beasts. You can then live in the

fine houses of the Land of Oz, and eat the fine food of the Oz people, and

wear their fine clothes, and sing and dance and be happy. And the Oz

people, having become beasts, will have to live here in the forest and hunt

and fight for food, and often go hungry, as you now do, and have no place

to sleep but a bed of leaves or a hole in the ground. Having become men

and women, you beasts will have all the comforts you desire, and having

become beasts, the Oz people will be very miserable. That is our plan, and

if you agree to it, we will all march at once into the Land of Oz and

quickly conquer our enemies."