The forest was getting denser. The branches of the trees, intertwined at the top, did not let in the sun's rays. The road, paved with yellow bricks, was in semi-darkness.
We walked until late in the evening. Ellie was very tired, and the Tin Woodman picked her up. Nikita was dragging the Woodman's axe. He could have been a Four Arms, but he decided to build up his muscles.
Finally we stopped for the night. The Tin Woodman made cozy huts out of branches for Ellie and Nikita, and they immediately fell asleep in them. He, the Tiger, and the Scarecrow sat all night at the entrance of the hut, listening to the children's breathing and guarding their sleep.
The new friends talked quietly. The conversation was good for the Scarecrow. Although he didn't have a brain yet, he was very capable, memorized new words well, and made fewer mistakes in conversation every hour.
"By the way, Tiger, tell us your story," said the Scarecrow. — It's just that you know our stories, and we don't know yours. It would be interesting to hear it.
"I am an elemental spirit," replied the Tiger, " an elemental spirit is the embodiment of some element, so to speak, an element living its life in some form. The good wizard who created me chose the shape of a tiger for me. My creator had his detractors, and life was very difficult for him. My creator understood the magic of the elements. Fire, Lightning, Ice, Earth, Water and Air are the main elements of the universe. They are the foundation of everything. That's why my creator chose them to create me. He gathered everything he needed and performed a spirit creation ritual using the six elemental spheres and spiritual energy. That's how I was born. After finishing the ritual, he gave me the name Elemental Tiger. I don't remember the name of my creator anymore, because it's been about seven hundred years. When he was alive, no one dared to offend him. Who wants to be destroyed? When he was gone, I decided to help those who needed it. You can't imagine how many difficult situations I've seen. More often than not, I have accompanied travelers, protecting them from danger and finding a safe path. I even fought a few monsters that came out of the ground.
— Is your wizard creator dead?" "What is it?" said the Scarecrow. — But that means wizards aren't omnipotent, either?" If they were omnipotent — they would be immortal.
If wizards are capable of dying — is the Goodwin they're heading for so strong?
The Tin Woodman listened with interest to the Tiger's story. He had heard many legends about ancient wizards, so the story did not surprise him much.
"All wizards are different, — he remarked to the Scarecrow. - There is stronger, there is weaker. As far as I know, Goodwin is the most powerful man alive. I think he can give you the brains, me the heart, Taffy the growth, and bring Ellie, Toto, and Nikita home.
"You're right, good friend. Wizards have different degrees of power, " the Scarecrow agreed.
The Elemental Tiger fell silent. He put his ears to his head and walked away. He didn't want his friends to see his sad face. The tiger did not tell any of the companions, but he also had a cherished desire: he wanted to remember the name of his creator. "O my creator, how could I forget your name?" The Elemental Tiger thought wistfully. He blamed himself for forgetting the name of his creator, considering it an ingratitude to him.
Big tears ran down the Tiger's whiskers, but he ignored them.
The Scarecrow noticed that the Tiger's eyes were streaming with tears.
— What happened?" — What is it? " he asked, putting his hand on the tiger's withers. — Why are you sad? Are you in some kind of trouble?
— How can I not cry?" the Tiger answered the question with a question. "I have forgotten the name of my creator." It's ungrateful to him. Honestly, I also have a cherished desire-to remember the name of my creator.
"Well, let's ask him for help!" — Oh! " said the Scarecrow. — I'm sure the Wizard of Emerald City knows all about the wizards who lived before — and knows all their names. I'm sure he'll help you!
The Scarecrow stroked the tiger's green fur, which was softer than his own hand.
The tiger chuckled:
"Scarecrow, I'm coming with you. You're my friends. You've heard how dangerous the yellow brick road is. Do you think I'll leave you in the middle and run ahead myself? And who leaves their friends?
"Wow — even such a powerful being has a cherished wish —" the Woodman was surprised. "Maybe Goodwin has one, too." Only there is hardly anyone in the world who can fulfill a Wizard's heart's desire."
- Friends are abandoned only by someone who is not a friend to anyone. Friendship makes us stronger. None of us will make it to the Emerald City alone. Together, we can do it.
The Scarecrow himself would never have thought of such words as the Tin Woodman now uttered — but they pleased him. Unexpectedly, he hugged his friend tightly — it was strange that his straw-colored hands were capable of such a thing.
Good started as the Scarecrow embraced him. Alas, he had been iron for a long time and could not feel the warmth of the straw, nor the pleasant tingling of it. Carefully, the mechanical man stroked his new friend's soft back.
— A few days and we'll reach the Emerald City." We just need to be strong and patient — " he said.
"A few days is not so long, — replied the Scarecrow. — I don't think it's much longer than the time I had to sit on the pole." If only morning would come, then our friends would wake up and we could continue on our way.
"You're used to being awake," said the Woodman. "You were made that way." When I became iron for a long time I could not get used to the fact that I no longer need sleep, and that all life is now one endless day.