Удивительный волшебник из Страны Оз / The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

But the Scarecrow said, “We cannot fly, that is certain. Neither can we climb down into this great ditch. Therefore, if we cannot jump over it, we must stop where we are.”

“I think I could jump over it,” said the Cowardly Lion.

“Then we are all right,” answered the Scarecrow, “for you can carry us all over on your back, one at a time.”

“Well, I’ll try it,” said the Lion. “Who will go first?”

“I will,” said the Scarecrow, “for, if I fall, I won’t be hurt.

“I am terribly afraid of falling, myself,” said the Cowardly Lion, “but I suppose there is nothing to do but try it. So get on my back.”

The Scarecrow sat upon the Lion’s back, and the big beast walked to the edge of the gulf and crouched down.

“Why don’t you run and jump?” asked the Scarecrow.

“Because that isn’t the way we Lions do these things,” he replied.

Then giving a great spring, he shot through the air and landed safely on the other side.

Dorothy thought she would go next; so she took Toto in her arms and climbed on the Lion’s back. The next moment it seemed as if she were flying through the air; and then, before she had time to think about it, she was safe on the other side. The Lion went back a third time and got the Tin Woodman, and then they all sat down for a few moments to give the beast a chance to rest.

The forest was very thick here, and it looked dark and gloomy. After the Lion had rested they started along the road of yellow brick.

Soon heard strange noises in the depths of the forest, and the Lion whispered to them that it was in this part of the country that the Kalidahs lived.

“What are the Kalidahs?” asked the girl.

“They are monstrous beasts with bodies like bears and heads like tigers,” replied the Lion, “and with claws so long and sharp that they could tear me in two.

“I’m not surprised that you are,” returned Dorothy. “They must be scary beasts.”

The Lion was about to reply when suddenly they came to another ditch across the road. But this one was too broad for the Lion to jumps across.

So they started thinking about what they could do. The Scarecrow said:

“There is a big tree here.