L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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there is enough powder left to bring all of it to life. But I'll make it
go as far as possible."
"Put most on the wings," said Nick Chopper; "for they must be made as
strong as possible."
"And don't forget the head!" exclaimed the Woggle-Bug.
"Or the tail!" added Jack Pumpkinhead.
"Do be quiet," said Tip, nervously; "you must give me a chance to
work the magic charm in the proper manner."
Very carefully he began sprinkling the Thing with the precious
powder. Each of the four wings was first lightly covered with a layer.
then the sofas were sprinkled, and the broom given a slight coating.
"The head! The head! Don't, I beg of you, forget the head!" cried the
Woggle-Bug, excitedly.
"There's only a little of the powder left," announced Tip, looking
within the box." And it seems to me it is more important to bring the legs
of the sofas to life than the head."
"Not so," decided the Scarecrow. "Every thing must have a head to
direct it; and since this creature is to fly, and not walk, it is really
unimportant whether its legs are alive or not."
So Tip abided by this decision and sprinkled the Gump's head with the
remainder of the powder.
"Now" said he, "keep silence while I work the, charm!"
Having heard old Mombi pronounce the magic words, and having also
succeeded in bringing the Saw-Horse to life, Tip did not hesitate an
instant in speaking the three cabalistic words, each accompanied by the
peculiar gesture of the hands.
It was a grave and impressive ceremony.
As he finished the incantation the Thing shuddered throughout its
huge bulk, the Gump gave the screeching cry that is familiar to those
animals, and then the four wings began flopping furiously.
Tip managed to grasp a chimney, else he would have been blown off the