The Magic of Oz

some too, but both were too hungry to fast any longer, so they began

eating their apples and plums and let the magic bush bear all sorts of fruits,

one after another. The Cap'n stopped once to pick a fine cantaloupe, which

he held under his arm, and Trot, having finished her plums, got a handful

of cherries and an orange; but when almost every sort of fruit had

appeared on the bush, the crop ceased and only flowers, as before,

bloomed upon it.

I wonder why it changed back," mused Trot, who was not worried

because she had enough fruit to satisfy her hunger.

Well, you only wished it would bear fruit 'for a while,'" said the sailor,

and it did. P'raps if you'd said 'forever,' Trot, it would have always been

fruit."

But why should MY wish be obeyed?" asked the girl. "I'm not a fairy

or a wizard or any kind of a magic-maker."

I guess," replied Cap'n Bill, "that this little island is a magic island,

and any folks on it can tell the bush what to produce, an' it'll produce it."

Do you think I could wish for anything else, Cap'n and get it?" she

inquired anxiously.

What are you thinkin' of, Trot?"

I'm thinking of wishing that these roots on our feet would disappear,

and let us free."

Try it, Trot."

So she tried it, and the wish had no effect whatever.

Try it yourself, Cap'n," she suggested.

Then Cap'n Bill made the wish to be free, with no better result.

No," said he, "it's no use; the wishes only affect the Magic Plant; but

I'm glad we can make it bear fruit, 'cause now we know we won't starve

before the Wizard gets to us."

But I'm gett'n' tired standing here so long," complained the girl. "If I

could only lift one foot, and rest it, I'd feel better."

Same with me, Trot. I've noticed that if you've got to do a thing, and

can't help yourself, it gets to be a hardship mighty quick."

Folks that can raise their feet don't appreciate what a blessing it is,"