The Magic of Oz

be King over me."

"He isn't a coward, Your Majesty," asserted the little girl, "He's just

cowardly, that's all."

Gugu looked at her. All the other beasts were looking at her, too.

Who are you?" asked the King.

Me? Oh, I'm just Dorothy," she answered.

How dare you come here?" demanded the King.

Why, I'm not afraid to go anywhere, if the Cowardly Lion is with

me," she said. "I know him pretty well, and so I can trust him. He's always

afraid, when we get into trouble, and that's why he's cowardly; but he's a

terrible fighter, and that's why he isn't a coward. He doesn't like to fight,

you know, but when he HAS to, there isn't any beast living that can

conquer him."

Gugu the King looked at the big, powerful form of the Cowardly Lion,

and knew she spoke the truth. Also the other Lions of the forest now came

forward and bowed low before the strange Lion.

We welcome Your Majesty," said one. "We have known you many

years ago, before you went to live at the Emerald City, and we have seen

you fight the terrible Kalidahs and conquer them, so we know you are the

King of all Beasts."

It is true," replied the Cowardly Lion; "but I did not come here to rule

the beasts of this forest. Gugu is King here, and I believe he is a good

King and just and wise. I come, with my friends, to be the guest of Gugu,

and I hope we are welcome."

That pleased the great Leopard, who said very quickly:

Yes; you, at least, are welcome to my forest. But who are these

strangers with you?"

Dorothy has introduced herself," replied the Lion, "and you are sure

to like her when you know her better. This man is the Wizard of Oz, a

friend of mine who can do wonderful tricks of magic. And here is my true

and tried friend, the Hungry Tiger, who lives with me in the Emerald

City."

Is he ALWAYS hungry?" asked Loo the Unicorn.