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"
It does and it doesn't," murmured the Scarecrow. "There is something about
you that reminds me of a pudding, and you tapped the drum, didn't you? I
believe I shall call you Tappy Oko, if you don't mind!"
The Scarecrow seated himself on a silver bench and motioned for the
Imperial Punster to sit down beside him. Tappy Oko sat down fearfully, first
making sure that he was not observed.
"Saving your Imperial Presence, this is not permitted," said Tappy uneasily.
"Never mind about my Imperial Presence," chuckled the Scarecrow. "Tell me
about my Imperial Past."
"Ah!" said Tappy Oko, rolling up his eyes, "You were one of the most
magnificent and magnanimous of monarchs."
"
"
Was I?" asked the Scarecrow in a pleased voice.
You distributed rice among the poor, and advice among the rich, and fought
many glorious battles," continued the little man. "I composed a little song
about you. Perhaps you would like to hear it?"
The Scarecrow nodded, and Tappy, throwing back his head, chanted with a
will:
Chang Wang Woe did draw the bow--
thousand foe!
And twist the queues of a
"In Oz," murmured the Scarecrow reflectively as Tappy finished, "I twisted
the necks of a flock of wild crows--that was before I had my excellent brains,
too. Oh, I'm a fighting man, there's no doubt about it. But tell me, Tappy,
where did I meet my wife?"
"In the water!" chuckled Tappy Oko, screwing up his eyes.
"Never!" The Scarecrow looked out over the harbor and then down at his
lumpy figure.
"Your Majesty forgets you were then a man like me--er--not stuffed with
straw, I mean," exclaimed Happy, looking embarrassed. "She was fishing,"
continued the little Punster, "when a huge silver fish became entangled in
her line. She stood up, the fish gave a mighty leap and pulled her out of the
boat. Your Majesty, having seen the whole affair from the bank, plunged
bravely into the water and, swimming out, rescued her, freed the fish, and
in due time made her your bride. I've made a song about that, also."
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