One leg, the other… It seems that learning to walk is not so difficult after all.
The Scarecrow, who had lost his job because the storm had broken his pole, was walking slowly but surely along the yellow brick road. All he had were old blue clothes stuffed with straw for a body, worn shoes for feet, a rope belt, a head made out of a bag stuffed with straw with eyes, ears, and a mouth painted on it, a hat on his head, and a pole on his back for protection. He didn't know where to go for a scarecrow with nothing to guard — so he decided to try to find the man who had made him.
His legs, though not very skillful, were not tired, and the Scarecrow did not need food — what need was there for straw? So the long journey did not frighten him.
"They're finally out of the way of the Munchkins," the crow leader grumbled to herself. As long as the Munchkins were around — no Bastinda crow would dare attack their friends — they would simply be outnumbered. But now was the time to attack.
The leader gave the signal — and the pack rushed at the travelers, intending to peck them on the spot.
Ellie was very frightened when she saw the crows. At that moment, Toto rushed forward and began barking furiously at the pack.
- Toto, stop! Ellie shouted, but the dog didn't hear her, barking loudly.
"They are the Ironbills of Bastinda!" "They want to take the silver shoes and the sword!"
The tiger shot down three crows with an air current, a fireball, and lightning. Nikita immediately grabbed the bow, fired 2 arrows, but hit only once.
"I guess we'll have to use heavy artillery!" the boy said.
Nikita activated the Omnitrix, scrolled the dial, selected the desired silhouette, and hit the core. His body was covered with green skin, his palms turned black and became like fingerless gloves with three clawed fingers, his legs forked and began to look like insects. The head was covered with black, and then 4 pedicel eyes of green color, quite small, appeared from it. The eyes were joined right at the sides of the head. The wings were light green and very fragile with lines on them, and the limbs were brown-greenish in color. A huge tail appeared with a razor-sharp blade at the end, and the body and tail were covered with Nikita's changed T — shirt-green with black stripes. The Omnitrix symbol was on his forehead.
"It's time for you to meet my friend - Stinkfly!" Lepidopteran said. Its wings moved quickly and the Stinkfly flew into the air. He immediately slashed two crows with the blade and knocked down four more with the slime from their eyes. Tiger fired six elemental charges from its mouth. But there were no fewer crows. So 9 minutes passed, but still the Tiger and the Stinkfly did not kill even half. So they were caught by the Scarecrow, who was passing by at the same time.
For the Scarecrow, it was a revelation that crows, it turns out, are found not only in the fields. This seemed to him very interesting news — but there was no time to think about this discovery for a long time, because the crows before his eyes began to attack the girl and the three animals, gradually moving away from the Stinkfly and the Tiger.
Snatching his pole from behind his back, the Scarecrow charged at the flock of birds, shouting. Since he was created a scarecrow — you need to justify your title.
The crows must have also realized that it was the scarecrow, and not a random passer — by, because they flew away very quickly.
The Scarecrow chased away the rest of the crows and went to Ellie. And then the Scarecrow uttered his first words to a human being:
"Are you all right?"
"We're all right," Ellie said, still terrified. - Thank you.
At this time, a Stinkfly flew up to the company. There was the sound of an Omnitrix discharge, a red flash — and Nikita was standing in the Stinkfly's place. He peered at the Scarecrow and realized that it was the scarecrow.
"A living scarecrow?" Nikita said in surprise.
Of course, the Scarecrow could not have known that the company he had saved was half from a land where there were no miracles. So the boy's question about the living scarecrow puzzled him a little.
On reflection, the Scarecrow decided that the question was caused by concern for his well-being.
"Oh, yes," he said. — I'm alive and well. Those crows didn't do anything to me! Stupid birds-they only know what to croak! Well, what are you doing here? Do your parents really allow you to walk so far from the village?
"We're not local," Ellie said. "The hurricane brought Toto, Nikita, and me here. I'm from Kansas and live on a farm with my parents, and Nikita is from Moscow. We go to the Emerald City, ask the wizard Goodwin to bring us home and give our friend Taffy a raise. And our friends Kaggi-Karr and Tiger go for the company.
The names of the country and the city meant nothing to the Scarecrow — but he was not surprised, for he knew too little about the world around him.
"Yes, it was a great storm, — said the Scarecrow. — So strong that I broke the pole the farmer put me on-now I'm an unemployed scarecrow."…
But the Scarecrow was not used to being sad for long — but the words about the Emerald City and the Great Wizard interested him.
"Ellie," he said carefully to the girl. — After all, if this wizard is so great-maybe he could give me some brains?" I've got straw in my head — and the crows called me brainless because of it. And it's a shame to listen to it too often.
"I think Goodwin can help you, Scarecrow," said the Tiger. Yes, and the way will be more fun.
"You're right, Tiger," the Scarecrow smiled at the elemental spirit. - The way in the company is more fun. However, I have never had to travel before, either alone or in company, so there is nothing to compare it with. But at any rate, I'll help you fight off those crows if they attack again.
"Then let's go quickly," barked Toto.
"You're always in a hurry, Toto," Ellie laughed. "I guess you forgot that Mom always says,' You need to hurry when catching fleas.'"
The friends set off. After a while, the Scarecrow remembered something important.
"Ellie —" he said, " do you have any food with you?" I've heard that people who are made of meat and bone can't go without food for long. And the animals, probably, too. I'm more comfortable — I'm a scarecrow, and straw doesn't need food.
Only now did Ellie realize that she didn't have a basket.
"You must have lost your basket out of fear," Nikita said. — There's no point in going back for it. I hope that we will come across edible berries along the way, or at least mushrooms, if we do not meet at home with kind owners. In the meantime, we'll eat what I have in my backpack — I didn't drop it.
"Then let's go into the woods," said the Scarecrow. — I'll keep you safe." And Toto could look for mushrooms and berries. Toto, you will help your friends, won't you?
The Scarecrow was very sorry that he himself did not understand much about mushrooms and berries. He was so eager to help his new friends!
"If only mushrooms and berries grew in the fields," he thought,"it would be much easier for me."
After a few hours, the road became rough; the Scarecrow often stumbled. There were holes. Toto jumped over them, Kaggi-Karr flew over them, and Ellie, Nikita, Tiger, and Taffy circled around. But the Scarecrow walked straight, fell, and stretched himself to his full length. He didn't hurt himself. Ellie or Nikita would take his hand and lift him up, and the Scarecrow would walk on, laughing at his own awkwardness. Then he realized to lean on his pole and his gait became firmer.
The houses were becoming rarer, and the fruit trees were completely gone. The country became desolate and gloomy.
They sat down by the stream. Nikita, Ellie, and Toto ate the roast meat, Taffy nibbled an apple, and Kaggi-Karr nibbled on the bread. Friends offered food to the Scarecrow, but he politely declined.
— I never want to eat." And this is very convenient for me. "Tell me about yourself and your homes," said the Scarecrow.
Ellie and Nikita talked for quite a long time about their homeland, where everything is completely different from in the amazing country of Goodwin.
The Scarecrow listened attentively.
— I don't understand why you want to return to your dry and dusty Kansas and noisy Moscow.
"You don't understand because you don't have a brain," Ellie said hotly. "It's always better at home.
"That's right," Nikita said. "A home is a home.
The Scarecrow smiled slyly:
"The straw with which I am stuffed grew in the field, a tailor made my coat, and a shoemaker made my boots. Where is my home? In the field, at the tailor's, or at the shoemaker's?
The children were confused and did not know what to say to their new friend.
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
— Maybe you can tell us something now." Taffy asked at last.
The Scarecrow looked at the mouse reproachfully:
— My life is so short that I don't know anything. After all, I was only made two days ago, and I have no idea what happened before in the world. Fortunately, when the owner made me, he first drew my ears, and I could hear what was going on around me. Another Munchkin was staying with the owner, and the first thing I heard was his words: "But the ears are big!" - " Nothing! Just right! " - the owner replied and drew me a right eye.
I began to look curiously at everything that was going on around me, because — you understand — it was the first time I had looked at the world.
"The right eye! - said the guest. - I didn't spare the paint!»
"I think the other one came out a little bigger," the owner said, finishing drawing my other eye.
Then he made me a nose out of a patch and drew a mouth, but I couldn't speak yet, because I didn't know why I had a mouth. The owner put on his old suit, boots, and hat, from which the children had cut off the silver bells. I was terribly proud. I thought I looked like a real person.
"This guy will be wonderful at scaring crows," the farmer said.
"You know what? Call him the Scarecrow! " the guest advised, and the host agreed.
The farmer's children shouted merrily, " Scarecrow! Scarecrow! Scare the crows!»
They carried me to the field, stabbed me in the back with a pole, and left me alone. It was boring to hang, but I couldn't get off. Then the birds were still afraid of me, but the next day they got used to it.
Yesterday morning, a large, disheveled crow flew near me, not so much pecking at the wheat as knocking the grains out of it on the ground. Then she perched impudently on my shoulder and pecked me on the cheek. "Kaggi-carr! the crow shouted mockingly. "What a scarecrow! It's no use at all! What queer farmer thought we crows would be afraid of him?..» You understand, my friends, I laughed terribly... that is, I got angry and tried my best to speak. And what was my joy when I succeeded. But, of course, at first it didn't work out very well for me. "Psh... psh... pshla away, ugly! I shouted. "Ns... ns ... don't you dare bite me!" I'm prt ... srt... I'm scary!» I even managed to deftly throw the crow off my shoulder by grabbing its wing with my hand. The crow, however, was not at all embarrassed and began to brazenly peck at the ears of corn right in front of me. "Eka, surprised me! — No, " she said. — I don't know for sure that in Goodwin's country a scarecrow can talk if he really wants to!" Still, I'm not afraid of you! You can't get off the pole! " - " Pshh... pshh... Pshh! Oh, I'm miserable, " I almost laughed... I'm sorry, I sobbed. "Really, what am I good for?" I can't even protect the fields from crows. And I keep saying the wrong words.
For all its impudence, the crow was evidently a good bird, " continued the Scarecrow. "She felt sorry for me. "Don't be so sad! — No, " she told me hoarsely. — If you had a brain in your head, you'd be like all people!" That's how I found out that people have brains, but I don't have any. I'm sad... that is, fun, shouted: "Hey-gay-gay-go! Long live the brains! I will definitely get them for myself!..» But the crow was a very capricious bird, and it immediately chilled all my joy. "Kaggi-carr!.. she laughed at me. — If you don't have brains, you never will!" Carr-carr! ... " And she flew away, and soon that hurricane began. You know the rest, " the Scarecrow finished. "By the way, where is this Emerald City?"
— Don't you know?" Toto asked his new friend in surprise.
"No," said the Scarecrow sadly. — I don't know anything. You can see I'm stuffed with straw and I don't have a brain at all.
"Oh, how sorry I am for you! Ellie sighed.
- Thank you! And if I go to the Emerald City with you, will Goodwin give me a brain?
"Who knows," Nikita said. — But if the Great Goodwin doesn't give you a brain, it won't be any worse than it is now."
"That's right, — said the Scarecrow. "You see," he went on confidingly, " I can't be hurt, because I'm stuffed with straw. You can run a needle through me and it won't hurt. But I don't want people to call me a fool, and how can you learn anything without a brain?
"Poor man! Ellie said. — We'll definitely ask Goodwin to help you."
- Thank you very much! said the Scarecrow
Indeed, for a scarecrow who had lived only two days in the world, he was surprisingly polite.
"Hey, Scarecrow, isn't that crow from the field our Kaggi-Karr?" Nikita asked.
"That's right, she is! — Ah! " said the Scarecrow, recognizing the crow at last.
Kaggi-Karr lowered her head in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Scarecrow," she said. "I won't do it again, honestly. It was just the instinct of a bird, and I have a bad temper.
The Scarecrow forgave the crow — he was not much offended. Ellie helped the Scarecrow to his feet, and they walked down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.
"By the way, I'll tell you a secret, — whispered the Scarecrow, — there's only one thing in the world I'm afraid of.
"Oh," Ellie said. — What is it?" A mouse?
"No!" A burning match!
Towards evening they entered a large forest. The branches of the trees hung low and blocked the yellow brick road. The sun went down, and it was quite dark.
"If you see a house where you can spend the night, tell us," Ellie and Nikita asked in sleepy voices. — It's just very uncomfortable and scary to walk in the dark.
Soon the Scarecrow stopped.
— I see a small hut on the right. Shall we go there?"
- Yes, yes! Ellie and Nikita answered. — We've been so tired all day.
They turned off the road and soon reached the cabin. Ellie found a bed of moss and dry grass in the corner and fell asleep immediately, hugging Toto. Taffy climbed into the hole, and Kaggi-Karr flew up on the ledge. Nikita put his backpack under his head, after taking out the food, and also fell asleep. And the Scarecrow and the Elemental Tiger sat on the threshold, protecting the peace of the inhabitants of the hut. However, the Tiger went to inspect the area. The Scarecrow, however, remained to guard the hut.
It turned out that the Scarecrow had not waited in vain. During the night, an animal with white stripes on its back and a black pig's face tried to enter the hut. Most likely, he was attracted by the smell of food from Nikita's backpack, but it seemed to the Scarecrow that his friends were in danger.
He let the enemy close to the door (the enemy was a young badger, of which the Scarecrow, of course, did not know). And as soon as the badger poked his curious nose through the door, sniffing at the tempting smell, the Scarecrow whipped him with all his might with the pole on his fat back.
The badger howled and ran into the thicket of the forest, and for a long time his offended squeal could be heard from behind the trees…
The rest of the night passed quietly: the forest animals realized that the hut had a reliable defender. And the Scarecrow and the returning Tiger, who were never tired and never wanted to sleep, sat on the doorstep, staring into the darkness and patiently waiting for morning.