The Forest Monster of Oz

handed Ozma a small perfume bottle that, when opened, would release a perfume that could be smelled only by a Sniffer, and would reach the distance from the forest in only a matter of

d Elephant, who was still carry

h territory to get to the Light Bulbs. But I'm sure our pachyderm is up to it, if anyone is. A

f them. The elephant walked on for a few miles without incident, but then came

d to be miles of reeds surrounding patches of dirty looking water with steam risi

on on his face. "Who knows what's laying in wait under that water? And

aid. "It could be two feet or twenty; maybe eve

source of the twittering. The heads were square; powdery white; and with round eyes like you might see on a stuffed toy-except the expression on the square faces was anything b

s if it were coming out of the bottom of a barrel. "I sup

y," answer

for a picnic," responded the creature with a sneer

ndreds of the creatures who threw fishing nets o

the cages, the leader stepped

low us to coexist with them in these waters. The substance of our bodies is a sweet marshmallow material and we would be prey to all kinds of creatures if we had to depart these lands. We were made of the same material you are at one time, but we made the mistake of crossing swords with a

otsey and Ozma and Lisa all looked at

ody will keep those crocodiles fed for weeks. While Tweaty here, and Hootsey and Lisa, a

es could get quite annoyed with us for feeding them such tiny morsels. Okay. We'll let t

. "I am not a delicacy.

ething? Yeah, right! And I suppose that next you're going to tell me that mort

ued Elephant. "Ozma

the Queen of Oz was a little girl. But you must understand that Ozma is of Fairy desce

Elephant and

acy for the crocodiles to eat! That is all!" He looked at Ozma and laughed. "Fairy descent? This is not a Fairy! I know about these things! Fa

s been known to cling to what they thought to be truth, even when it was a foolish belief that they were clinging to. Indeed, mortals in America had placed a great deal of faith in a substance called radium. A highly radioactive and dangerous substance, radium was being treated as a miracle medicine t

e that some Fairy groups can be described as you have just suggested. However, it is also true that there are different kinds of Fairies, just as there are different kinds of marshmallows. The Fairy Queen Lu

ent. Then: "Chicanery in Chittenango!" he exclaimed. "You

ould have me appear. Because I am a Fairy, I can make myself look any way I please. But u

be?" shuddered t

's hair changed color. "Why, if I had a mind to, I could even make it green!" Again, her hair color changed. "You know, I think I might want to try being a brunette once in a while. Just for a change, you know. And if ever I must meet with dignitaries from anothe

he said. "You really are a Fairy! I most humbly apologize for my mistake. But

o you really imagine that it is ever proper to feed any se

ot want the crocodiles to eat us, but we know that they must eat. I doubt that they would be satisfied with tofu or falafel burge

t blame the crocodiles for their metabolisms. B

hat I know who she is, I have no intention

ment. "But you do have a legitimate problem. You are citizens of Oz, and therefore my sub

ill not be able to sur

ually die anywhere i

dictates they should," said Lisa. "I, for one, would rather die than hav

go hungry is a terrible fate.

the crocodiles to eat you,"

will be the recipient of her benevolence. It will have to be a choice between the

rvants who meet all of their needs. And they are allowed to go to bed any time they like, or eat chocolate ice cream for breakfast if they wish. But now I begin to understand why their liv

nd thieves to feed to the cr

his way," said Ozma. "Even a thief deserves

e do?" asked the

ers have seed pods or alarm clocks or other such normal things that one always expects to find growing on trees. But I think there are also a couple of ham and sa

d trees as those, but I'm sure the crocodiles will be thrilled to learn

king or struggling, they might need some other form of exercise to keep from growing fat or sluggish. I think w

ange a similar thing for us elep

d be a little too scar

in their marsh," said Ozma. She turned to the marshmal

ow that the crocodiles will never be hungry for them again. But ... er, just out of cur

all l