The Cowardly Lion - Who longed for Courage

More about The Cowardly Lion - Who longed for Courage

The Cowardly Lion was born in the wilderness of Munchkin Country, the eastern quadrant of Oz. He was also born without any courage, (Or so he thinks). Being nearly as large as a horse in size, the other animals around expected Cowardly Lion to be a brave and serious King. So to impress his peers, he bluffed and became a bit of a bully.

This went on until the big beast met Dorothy Gale, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and Toto in the forest while they were journeying on the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to see the great and powerful Wizard. Trying to intimidate and frighten them off, as with previous visitors to the forest, he nearly succeeded, but when a threatened Toto growled at him, he tried to bite the small dog; Dorothy, coming to Toto's defense, slapped him on the nose, causing him to break down and cry uncontrollably. He soon confessed his cowardice to the travelers, and Dorothy invited him to come along; the Lion quickly agreed, hoping the Wizard could confer upon him some courage - an idea the Lion readily agreed to.