Удивительный волшебник из Страны Оз / The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

All were painted blue, for in this country of the East blue was the favorite color.

Toward evening, when Dorothy began to wonder where she should pass the night, she came to a house larger than the rest. On the green lawn before it many men and women were dancing. Five little fiddlers played as loudly as possible, and the people were laughing and singing. There was a big table nearby, with delicious fruits and nuts, pies and cakes, and many other good things to eat.

The people greeted Dorothy kindly, and invited her to pass the night with them.

Dorothy stayed with the Munchkins, she ate and talked to them, and then she went to sleep in the house, with Toto curled up on the blue rug beside her.

The next morning she told the Munchkins good-bye, and again started along the road of yellow brick. When she had gone several miles she decided to rest. There was a great cornfield nearby, and not far away she saw a Scarecrow, placed high on a pole to keep the birds from the ripe corn.

Dorothy looked at the Scarecrow. Its head was a small sack stuffed with straw, with eyes, nose, and mouth painted on it to represent a face. Ih has an old, pointed blue hat and a blue suit of clothes, worn and faded, which had also been stuffed with straw. On its feet were some old boots with blue tops.

While Dorothy was looking at the Scarecrow, she was surprised to see one of the eyes slowly wink at her. She thought she must have been mistaken at first, but then the figure nodded its head to her in a friendly way.

“Good day,” said the Scarecrow.

“Did you speak?” asked the girl, in wonder.

“Certainly,” answered the Scarecrow. “How do you do?”

“I’m pretty well, thank you,” replied Dorothy politely. “How do you do?”

“I’m not feeling well,” said the Scarecrow, with a smile, “for it is very tedious being perched up here night and day to scare away crows.

“Can’t you get down?” asked Dorothy.

“No, for this pole is stuck up my back. If you will please take away the pole I shall be thankful.”

Dorothy reached up both arms and lifted the figure off the pole. He was stuffed with straw and was quite light.

“Thank you very much,” said the Scarecrow. “I feel like a new man.