"Well," began Ozma, not sure just how to begin her explanation, "the
Lunechien Forest of Oz has come upon a problem."
"Oh, no!" said Watts. "That's awful! What kind of a problem?"
"It seems that there is a terrible monster that is threatening our fine forest," she began. "A very large spider-like creature."
"Sounds beastly!" shuddered the light bulb.
"And he can sap away the energy from any living creature and render him an empty shell of himself," added Tweaty.
"My!" said Watts. "That does sound like a problem! Is there anything I can do to help? If you need to move away from this monster, you are welcome to join us. The Droffs and the Saber-Toothed Light-Bulbs are not crowded in. We can make room."
"That is very kind of you," said the ruler. "But I was hoping that maybe you could come and stand up to the Forest Monster. No one else can do it. Even I would hesitate to approach them. But I know that you could do it. How could any foe of any size stand against you?"
"You want us to fight this Forest Monster?" said Watts fearfully.
"Well," sighed Ozma. "I am not usually in favor of such cruelty. I would be sorry to harm him. But I am left with little choice. Already he is too strong to be reckoned with. I have been a queen for only a short time. I do have fairy powers, but am not anxious to face the Forest Monster myself. If you could at least back me up while I try to reason with him…"
"Don't waste your time," said Tweaty. "You can't reason with that thing.
It will bite you in half before you get past the greeting."