The Forest Monster of Oz

stomed to being larger than any spider he had ever heard of. This spider, he felt certain, was some sort of a freak

the creature. "I have you now. Ther

Tiger, "I am not a lion. I am a s

in mind," replied the spider. "However, you are fe

who beheaded you

erhaps you're Lion to me. In any event, you are at the very least a distant cousin to that

d the tiger. "It isn't often that news from the Lun

gave me the powers I possess. When they asked me to devour their bald-headed little enemy, I was only too happy to comply. He had too much magic in him, however. I was sent away from my beloved Creators." Tiger thought that the monster was about to cry, but he went on. "I made the best of it, though. I became the leader of a lot of wild animals in an untamed wood. Oh, they never actually called me that. But they feared me.

o argument with you. Please let me fre

arled the spider. "I ha

er pl

sufficient for my needs. I am told that you have a powe

don't unders

My power comes from the negative uses of the senses. But I plan to make use of their immense knowledge. Oh, yes! And then, my dear little Tiger, THEN! I shall reach out to my definitive prize in all the Lunechien Forest. That big wrinkly fellow I saw not too long ago. He had a nose like a garden hose, but my little bug has unwittingly told me that he is the one to whom the forest beasts turn when they have problems. He likes to solve problems, and has a phenomenal knack for it. He is

ger. "Elephant is too big and strong to be b

rtly, Shorty," replied th