Out of Context

It’s starting to look like Summer approaching outside. Gotta get this typed up fast so I can get out of here.

Tik-Tok of Oz
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum

“In selecting my Instrument of Vengeance,” went on Tititi-Hoochoo, “I have realized that this will be an unpleasant mission. Therefore no one of us who is blameless should be forced to undertake it. In this wonderful land it is seldom one is guilty of wrong, even in the slightest degree, and on examining the Records I found no King or Queen had erred. Nor had any among their followers or servants done any wrong. But finally I came to the Dragon Family, which we highly respect, and then it was that I discovered the error of Quox.

“Quox, as you well know, is a young dragon who has not yet acquired the wisdom of his race. Because of this lack, he has been disrespectful toward his most ancient ancestor, the Original Dragon, telling him once to mind his own business and again saying that the Ancient One had grown foolish with age. We are aware that dragons are not the same as fairies and cannot be altogether guided by our laws, yet such disrespect as Quox has shown should not be unnoticed by us. Therefore I have selected Quox as my royal Instrument of Vengeance and he shall go through the Tube with these people and inflict upon Ruggedo the punishment I have decreed.”

All had listened quietly to this speech and now the Kings and Queens bowed gravely to signify their approval of the Jinjin’s judgment.

Tititi-Hoochoo turned to Tubekins.