The Magic of Oz

CHAPTER 2. The Hawk

Even a hawk has to fly high in order to cross the Deadly Desert, from

which poisonous fumes are constantly rising. Kiki Aru felt sick and faint

by the time he reached good land again, for he could not quite escape the

effects of the poisons. But the fresh air soon restored him and he alighted

in a broad table-land which is called Hiland. Just beyond it is a valley

known as Loland, and these two countries are ruled by the Gingerbread

Man, John Dough, with Chick the Cherub as his Prime Minister. The hawk

merely stopped here long enough to rest, and then he flew north and

passed over a fine country called Merryland, which is ruled by a lovely

Wax Doll. Then, following the curve of the Desert, he turned north and

settled on a tree-top in the Kingdom of Noland.

Kiki was tired by this time, and the sun was now setting, so he decided

to remain here till morning. From his tree-top he could see a house near by,

which looked very comfortable. A man was milking a cow in the yard and

a pleasant-faced woman came to the door and called him to supper.

That made Kiki wonder what sort of food hawks ate. He felt hungry,

but didn't know what to eat or where to get it. Also he thought a bed would

be more comfortable than a tree-top for sleeping, so he hopped to the

ground and said: "I want to become Kiki Aru again--Pyrzqxgl!"

Instantly he had resumed his natural shape, and going to the house, he

knocked upon the door and asked for some supper.

Who are you?" asked the man of the house.

A stranger from the Land of Oz," replied Kiki Aru.

Then you are welcome," said the man.

Kiki was given a good supper and a good bed, and he behaved very

well, although he refused to answer all the questions the good people of

Noland asked him. Having escaped from his home and found a way to see

the world, the young man was no longer unhappy, and so he was no longer

cross and disagreeable. The people thought him a very respectable person

and gave him breakfast next morning, after which he started on his way