Since Oz became a fairyland, no man, woman or child ever dies in
that land nor is anyone ever sick. Likewise the beasts of the forests
never die, so that long years add to their cunning and wisdom, as well
as to their size and strength. It is possible for beasts--or even
people--to be destroyed, but the task is so difficult that it is
seldom attempted. Because it is free from sickness and death is one
reason why Oz is a fairyland, but it is doubtful whether those who
come to Oz from the outside world, as Dorothy and Button-Bright and
Trot and Cap'n Bill and the Wizard did, will live forever or cannot be
injured. Even Ozma is not sure about this, and so the guests of Ozma
from other lands are always carefully protected from any danger, so as
to be on the safe side.

In spite of the laws of the forests there are often fights among the
beasts; some of them have lost an eye or an ear or even had a leg torn
off. The King and the King's Counselors always punish those who start
a fight, but so fierce is the nature of some beasts that they will at
times fight in spite of laws and punishment.

Over this vast, wild Forest of Gugu flew two eagles, one morning,
and near the center of the jungle the eagles alighted on a branch of a
tall tree.

"Here is the place for us to begin our work," said one, who was
Ruggedo, the Nome.

"Do many beasts live here?" asked Kiki Aru, the other eagle.

"The forest is full of them," said the Nome. "There are enough
beasts right here to enable us to conquer the people of Oz, if we can