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It was not so high as the first , however , and by standing upon the Lion’s back they all managed to scramble to the top . Then the Lion gathered his legs under him and jumped on the wall ; but just as he jumped , he upset a china church with his tail and smashed it all to pieces . “ That was too bad , ” said Dorothy , “ but really I think we were lucky in not doing these little people more harm than breaking a cow’s leg and a church . They are all so brittle ! ” “ They are , indeed , ” said the Scarecrow , “ and I am thankful I am made of straw and cannot be easily damaged . There are worse things in the world than being a Scarecrow . ” Chapter XXI The Lion Becomes the King of Beasts After climbing down from the china wall the travelers found themselves in a disagreeable country , full of bogs and marshes and covered with tall , rank grass . It was difficult to walk without falling into muddy holes , for the grass was so thick that it hid them from sight . However , by carefully picking their way , they got safely along until they reached solid ground . But here the country seemed wilder than ever , and after a long and tiresome walk through the underbrush they entered another forest , where the trees were bigger and older than any they had ever seen . “ This forest is perfectly delightful , ” declared the Lion , looking around him with joy . “ Never have I seen a more beautiful place . ” “ It seems gloomy , ” said the Scarecrow . “ Not a bit of it , ” answered the Lion . “ I should like to live here all my life . See how soft the dried leaves are under your feet and how rich and green the moss is that clings to these old trees . Surely no wild beast could wish a pleasanter home . ” “ Perhaps there are wild beasts in the forest now , ” said Dorothy . “ I suppose there are , ” returned the Lion , “ but I do not see any of them about . ” They walked through the forest until it became too dark to go any farther . Dorothy and Toto and the Lion lay down to sleep , while the Woodman and the Scarecrow kept watch over them as usual . When morning came , they started again . Before they had gone far they heard a low rumble , as of the growling of many wild animals . Toto whimpered a little , but none of the others was frightened , and they kept along the well - trodden path until they came to an opening in the wood , in which were gathered hundreds of beasts of every variety . There were tigers and elephants and bears and wolves and foxes and all the others in the natural history , and for a moment Dorothy was afraid . But the Lion explained that the animals were holding a meeting , and he judged by their snarling and growling that they were in great trouble . As he spoke several of the beasts caught sight of him , and at once the great assemblage hushed as if by magic . The biggest of the tigers came up to the Lion and bowed , saying :
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