超8 · Lesson 6

1第 7 页

On this particular day, Uncle Henry sat on the doorstep, his gaze fixed anxiously upon the unusually gray sky. Aunt Em was busy washing the dishes. Suddenly, Uncle Henry stood up and called out to his wife, "Em, there's a cyclone coming! I'll go check on the livestock." With that, he hurried toward the sheds where the cows and horses were kept.

2第 7 页

Aunt Em stopped her work and rushed to the door. A single glance showed there was danger. "Quick, Dorothy!" she screamed. "Run to the cellar!" Dorothy managed to grab Toto and followed her aunt. However, halfway across the room, a fierce gust of wind roared, causing the house to tremble violently. Losing her balance, Dorothy tumbled to the floor.

3第 8 页

Some very strange people that she had never seen before were coming toward her. Three were men, and one was a woman, all dressed in peculiar attire. They wore hats with bells on them that made a sweet tinkling sound when they moved. The men wore blue outfits that matched their hats, and their shiny boots had a deep blue cuff. The woman had a white hat and a long dress with pleats flowing from her shoulders. Sparkling stars were sprinkled over her gown, shimmering like diamonds in the sunlight. While the bearded men appeared to be about Uncle Henry's age, the woman was undoubtedly much older: her face

4第 9 页

Dorothy hesitated before answering, "You are very kind, but I think there must be some mistake. I haven't killed anyone."

5第 9 页

"Your house certainly did," replied the woman, chuckling. "And that's exactly the same thing. Look!" she added, pointing to the corner of the house. "You can still see her two feet under a wood beam."

6第 10 页

"I'm the Witch of the North," replied the woman. "But I'm a kind-hearted witch, beloved by the people. If I had the same power as the wicked witch who once ruled here, I would have freed the Munchkins myself."

7第 10 页

"But I thought all witches and wizards were wicked," remarked Dorothy.

8第 10 页

"Oh no," the woman explained. "In the Land of Oz, we only had four witches. Two are nice, living in the north and the south. I'm one of the nice ones. The other two witches from the east and the west were mean. But you defeated the mean one from the east, so now we only have one mean witch left, in the west. And we also have a great wizard named Oz. He's a good wizard, the strongest of all, and lives in the Emerald City."

9第 11 页

With Toto following closely, she began her journey. It did not take her long to find the road paved with yellow bricks. Within a short time, she was walking briskly toward the Emerald City. By evening, Dorothy arrived at the home of one of the richest Munchkins in the land, whose name was Boq. Boq led her into the house, where he gave her a room with a pretty bed in it. Toto curled up on the blue rug beside her.

10第 12 页

"My name is Dorothy," said the girl, "and I'm going to the Emerald City to ask the Great Oz to send me back to Kansas."

11第 12 页

"Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?"

12第 12 页

"I cannot tell," she returned, "but you may come with me if you like. If Oz will not give you any brains, you will be no worse off than you are now."

13第 13 页

"I am the Tin Woodman," answered the tin man. "How did you happen to be here?"

14第 13 页

"We are on our way to the Emerald City to see the Great Oz," she answered.

15第 13 页

"Why do you wish to see Oz?" he asked.

16第 13 页

"I want him to send me back to Kansas, and the Scarecrow wants him to put a few brains into his head," she replied.

17第 13 页

The Tin Woodman appeared to think deeply for a moment. Then he said, "Do you think if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me a heart?"

18第 14 页

Dorothy cried out, "Don't you dare to bite Toto! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little dog! You are nothing but a big coward."

19第 14 页

"I know it," said the Lion, hanging his head in shame. "I've always known it. It is my great sorrow and makes my life very unhappy. I don't mean to harm you. But where are you going?"

20第 15 页

"Do you think," the Cowardly Lion asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me courage?"

21第 15 页

They soon heard strange noises in the depths of the forest, and the Lion whispered to them that the Kalidahs lived there.

22第 15 页

"What are the Kalidahs?" asked the girl, Dorothy.

23第 15 页

"They are huge 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 as easily as I could kill Toto. I'm terribly afraid of the Kalidahs."

24第 16 页

"Wait a minute!" called the Scarecrow. He had been thinking about what was best to be done, and now he asked the Woodman to chop away the end of the tree that rested on their side of the ditch. The Tin Woodman began to use his axe at once, and just as the two Kalidahs were nearly across, the tree fell with a crash into the gulf. The falling branch carried the ugly, snarling brutes with it. Both were dashed to pieces on the sharp rocks at the bottom. It was not long before they reached the road of yellow bricks and turned again toward the Emerald City, where the Great Oz lived.

25第 17–18 页

After a while, Dorothy and her friends started for the Throne Room of the Great Oz. They opened a little door, and what interested Dorothy most was the big throne of green marble that stood in the middle of the room. It was shaped like a chair. In the center of the chair was an enormous head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs whatsoever. There was no hair upon this head, but it had eyes and a nose and a mouth, and was much bigger than the head of the biggest giant.

26第 18 页

Then the mouth moved. "I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me?"

27第 18 页

"Well," said the Head, "I will give you my answer. You have no right to expect me to do anything for you unless you do something for me in return. In this country, everyone must pay for everything he gets. If you wish me to use my magic power to help you, then you must do something for me first. Help me, and I will help you."

28第 18 页

"Kill the Wicked Witch of the West," answered Oz.

29第 19 页

In her cupboard, the Wicked Witch kept a golden cap adorned with diamonds and rubies. This cap possessed a special charm. By wearing it, the owner could summon the Winged Monkeys and give them three commands. However, the cap's power could only be used three times in total. The Wicked Witch had already used it twice, so she hesitated to use it again until she had used all her other means.

30第 20 页

Hiding her true intentions, the witch secretly placed an iron bar on the kitchen floor, unseen by anyone. As Dorothy crossed the floor, she stumbled over the hidden bar and lost one of her silver shoes. The Wicked Witch was pleased with her successful trick, now that she had one of the shoes in her possession.

31第 20 页

Dorothy was very upset about losing her shoe and asked for it back. The witch, refusing to give it back, claimed it as her own. Dorothy's anger grew, and she grabbed a nearby bucket of water, soaking the witch from head to foot. To Dorothy's astonishment, the wicked woman let out a cry of fear and began to shrink and dissolve. In a short time, she had melted away completely.

32第 21 页

Dorothy asked about his magic, and Oz explained that he was just a common man. The Scarecrow asked for brains, but Oz replied that he didn't need them as he was constantly learning and getting smarter. The Lion said he needed courage, but Oz told him he was already brave, just needed to believe in himself. The Tin Woodman wanted a heart, but Oz said having a heart could make him sad sometimes, and the Woodman was lucky.

33第 21 页

Dorothy then asked how she could return to Kansas. Oz said that he had no idea and suggested she call the Winged Monkeys to carry her across the desert.

34第 22 页

The Tin Woodman suggested calling the Winged Monkeys, reminding Dorothy that she still had the right to command them once more. Dorothy agreed, and she put on the golden cap and recited the magic words. The Winged Monkeys promptly appeared before her, awaiting her orders.

35第 22–23 页

When they asked what she wanted, Dorothy simply told the Winged Monkeys to carry them over the hill to the country of the Quadlings. The Monkeys promptly lifted Dorothy, her companions, and Toto in their arms and flew them safely over the hill, setting them down in the beautiful country of the Quadlings. The Monkey King then informed Dorothy that this would be their last time being summoned and bid them farewell, wishing them luck.

36第 23 页

Glinda assured Dorothy that she could help her go back home, but in return, Dorothy needed to give her the golden cap. Dorothy happily agreed since she had no use for the cap anymore.

37第 24 页

Glinda then turned to the Scarecrow and asked about his plans once Dorothy had left. The Scarecrow revealed his intention to return to the Emerald City, where he was well-liked by the people. His only concern was how to cross the hill.

38第 24 页

Next, Glinda asked the Tin Woodman what he planned to do after Dorothy left. The Tin Woodman said he wanted to go back to the Winkies' country, where they liked him and wanted him to be their ruler. Glinda promised to ask the Winged Monkeys to take him safely to the land of the Winkies.

39第 24 页

Then, Glinda asked the Lion what he would do when Dorothy went home. The Lion said he wanted to go back to the big forest, where the animals there treated him like a king. Glinda promised to ask the Winged Monkeys to take him back to his favorite forest.

40第 25 页

Aunt Em had just stepped out of the house to tend to the cabbages when she glanced up and saw Dorothy rushing toward her. Overwhelmed with joy, she hugged the little girl tightly, showering her with kisses. "My dear child! Where on earth did you come from?" she exclaimed.

41第 25 页

Dorothy, with a serious expression, replied, "I've come from the Land of Oz, Aunt Em. And look, Toto is here too! Oh, Aunt Em, I'm so glad to be home!"