And then he inquired, "Were you born with those queer forms you have, or has some cruel magician transformed you to them from your natural shapes ?" "These are our natural shapes," declared the Wizard, "and we consider them very good shapes, too." The group of inhabitants was constantly being enlarged by others who joined it.

All were evidently startled and uneasy at the arrival of strangers.
"Have you a King ?" asked Dorothy, who knew it was better to speak with someone in authority.
But the man shook his diamond-like head.

"What is a King ?" he asked.
"Isn't there anyone who rules over you ?" inquired the Wizard.
"No," was the reply, "each of us rules himself, or at least tries to do so.

It is not an easy thing to do, as you probably know." The Wizard reflected.
"If you have disputes among you," said he after a little thought, "who settles them ?" "The High Coco-Lorum," they answered in a chorus.
"And who is he ?" "The judge who enforces the laws," said the man who had first spoken.
"Then he is the principal person here ?" continued the Wizard.
"Well, I would not say that," returned the man in a puzzled way.

"The High Coco-Lorum is a public servant.