Chapter 7: The Cowardly "Lion"
It was another couple of hours before they stopped to rest again. They sat down near a cluster of trees, panting from the long walk. "Tarnation, it's a long walk."
Sandy said. The Scarecrow rubbed his feet, moaning. Then he took a good look around the scene. "Umm, do you think there is anything dangerous around here?" he asked. "It is a possibility." said the Tin Man. "Like what?" asked Sandy. "Wild animals." said the Tin Man. "Straw eaters?" the Scarecrow asked nervously. "Well actually I was thinking of Lionfish, Tiger Sharks and Sea Bears." the Tin Man replied. Gary meowed. "You got that right Gary." said the Scarecrow. "Lionfish, Tiger Sharks and, Sea Bears. Oh my."
"Oh, don't you worry about a thing." said Sandy. "I'm the strongest critter where I'm from, and I can take care of any Lionfish, Tiger Shark, or Sea Bear." "Oh my." said the Scarecrow. The bushes rustled again, and golden brown blur leapt out of the bushes, startling them.
"All right, put 'em up, put 'em up." The creature, now revealed to be a starfish dressed in like a lion. He continued to act like the ferocious animal he appeared to be.
The Scarecrow hid behind the Tin Man, whimpering. The Tin Man rolled his eyes and sighed. Sandy, not about to let someone bully them, looked at the stranger with fury in her eyes. How dare he pick on defenseless folk! "Hiya!" She said, karate chopping his fists. "Leave 'em alone, ya big bully!" She shouted. The stranger looked at Sandy. He screamed in fear and ran off hiding behind a tree.
"Ahh!! Please don't hurt me." he said. Sandy got out of her karate stance when she heard the Tin Man laugh. "Ha!!" he said. "You're nothing but a coward." The stranger was appalled. "I am not!" he shouted. "With these Lion pajamas, I'm the bravest guy in the forest." he crossed his arms. Gary soon slithered up to the stranger and meowed. "Ahhh!!" the guy in the lion PJ's screamed, hiding in the bushes. "I rest my case." said the Tin Man.
"Tin Man!" the Scarecrow scolded. He then walked up to the strange man. "So, you got a name?" he asked. "Lion.." the guy said. "You're name is Lion?" Sandy asked skeptically. "My mommy calls me that. She also made me these jammies so I can be brave. But it doesn't look like it's working." Sandy frowned. She felt bad for scaring him. "I'm sorry for scaring you like that." she said. "But picking on people doesn't show courage." The Scarecrow nodded. "Well I don't know where else to look for courage." said Lion. "I've looked under rocks, behind trees, and even in my toilet but can't find it."
"You don't look for courage you weirdo." said the Tin Man. "But, I think this wizard might be able to help you get some." said the Scarecrow. "Really?" asked Lion. "It's worth a shot." said Sandy. "Shot!?" Lion screamed. "I hate shots!!" Sandy laughed. "Not that kind of shot." She said. "Whaddya say, wanna come with us?" Lion nodded and the Scarecrow whooped. The Tin Man in the other had, didn't look to pleased. "Ok..." he said. "But this had better be the last hitchhiker we pick up." Sandy beckoned them all on. With a whoop (and a sigh from the Tin Man), they continued on their way to Coral City to see the Wizard.
