Tales from Oz

"Courage" said the Lion.

"Courage!" Exclaimed the Wizard, "you need a heart."

And the Lion gave into silent contemplation.

The sweet girl held Lion closely, fearing for him, "courage, my love", she whispered in his ear. Her pretty face snuggled in his mane. She breathed him and immediately understood why he needed a heart.

It was a peculiar smell that clung to him, of lost memories and triumphs that were too bitter to bear. It was vast, and at the same time small.

As the ocean of his cowardice rushed over her, she knew the salt of his sadness lacked the iron in his veins.

After this I do not know what happened. Though I hope she gave him the courage to believe in a heart once again. And he could be proud to be who he was, and not the travesty of the cowardly Lion.