Fantasy fiction; Oz (Imaginary place) -- Juvenile fiction
"Why, by stopping," announced the Elegant Elephant, spreading his ears
to their fullest extent. "By taking a vacation, my fine young sprig. By
departing and going hence for a suitable season. Do you suppose I came
all the way from Pumperdink to hear Goatherds tootling on bells and
Highlanders tramping round a barracks? I came to see you, my boy, and
nobody else." Kabumpo paused to blow his trunk explosively on a violet
silk handkerchief. "And after that I thought we'd go and visit the Red
Jinn."
"Oh, Kabumpo, could we?" Randy's face brightened and then as quickly
fell. "I don't believe Uncle Hoochafoo will let me go," he finished
dolefully.
"A King does not ask whether or not he may go, he GOES," stated the
Elegant Elephant, beginning to sway like a ship under full sail. "But
to avoid all arguments we'll not start till later. Could you be ready
by midnight, young one?"
"Oh, I'm ready now," declared Randy, picking up his cloak from the
floor and snatching a sword from its bracket on the wall. "Why ever did
you wait so long, Kabumpo? You promised to visit me six months after I
was crowned."
"Well, you know how it is at a court." The Elegant Elephant sighed
and settled back on his haunches again. "If it isn't one thing
it's another, but here I am at last. So--order up your dinner and
a few bales of hay and a barrel of cider for me. I crave rest and
refreshment."
"And what about the Grape Growers, the Goatherds and Highlanders?"
worried Randy.
"Oh, them!" exclaimed Kabumpo inelegantly. "Here!" Seizing a pen from
the royal desk, he scribbled a defiant message on a handy piece of
parchment.
"No admittance under extreme penalty of the Law. Do not disturb! By
special order of His Majesty, King Randywell Handywell of Brandenburg
and Bompadoo."
"See, I remembered all your names, and I've used them all!" Opening
the door with his trunk, Kabumpo impaled the notice on the knob, then
quietly closed the door and turned the key in the lock. And only
once did they open it, and then to admit ten flustered footmen with
Randy's dinner and Kabumpo's cider and hay. To imperious raps, taps
and numerous notes thrust under the door by the young King's agitated
uncle, they paid no attention whatever. They were too busy talking over
old times and the exciting days when they had journeyed all over Oz,
and with the help of Jinnicky, the little Red Jinn, saved the Royal
Family of Pumperdink from the Witch of Follensby Forest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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