Com ’on Put Em Up

When you look at today’s title what do you think about? If you said, the Wizard of Oz you win a cookie. In today’s study we are going to read about a good king, but he allowed his pride to get the best of him. In a way I kind of saw the cowardly lion in this action. Let me share some of these pointed lines and when we come to the interaction of the king of Judah trying to pick a fight with the king of Israel see if you recognized some familiar traits.

Dorothy: Do you suppose we'll meet any wild animals?

The Tin Man: Mm, we might.

The Scarecrow: Animals that eat... s-traw?

The Tin Man: Some, but mostly lions, and tigers, and bears.

Dorothy: Lions?

The Scarecrow: And tigers?

The Tin Man: And bears.

(A lion comes out of the woods toward the group)

The Cowardly Lion: Put 'em up, put 'em up! Which one of you first? I'll fight you both together if you want. I'll fight you with one paw tied behind my back. I'll fight you standing on one foot. I'll fight you with my eyes closed... ohh, pullin' an axe on me, eh? Sneaking up on me, eh? Why, I'll... Ruff!

The Cowardly Lion (at the tin man): Oh, scared, huh? Afraid, huh? Ah, how long can you stay fresh in that can? Ha ha ha ha.

The Cowardly Lion: Come on, get up and fight, you shivering junkyard!

(goes over to the Scarecrow)

The Cowardly Lion: And put your hands up, you lopsided bag of hay!

The Scarecrow: Now that's getting personal, Lion.

The Tin Man: Yes. Get up and teach him a lesson.

The Scarecrow: Well, what's wrong with you teaching him?

The Tin Man: Well, I hardly know him.

The Cowardly Lion (sees Dorothy’s little dog): I'll get you anyway, Pee-wee.

(Chases Toto; Dorothy hits him on the nose)

Dorothy: Shame on you!

The Cowardly Lion: (sobbing) Why did you do that for? I didn't bite him.

Dorothy: No, but you tried to. It's bad enough picking on a straw man but picking on a little dog.

The Cowardly Lion: Well, you didn't have to go and hit me! Is my nose bleeding?

Dorothy: Well, of course not.

Dorothy: My goodness, what a fuss you're making! Well naturally, when you go around picking on things weaker than you are. Why, you're nothing but a great big coward!

The Cowardly Lion: (crying) You're right, I am a coward! I haven't any courage at all. I even scare myself.

(sobs)

The Cowardly Lion: Look at the circles under my eyes. I haven't slept in weeks!

The Tin Man: Why don't you try counting sheep?

The Cowardly Lion: That doesn't do any good, I'm afraid of 'em.

(sobs loud)

The Scarecrow: Aw, that's too bad.

(At the palace of the Wizard of Oz)

Dorothy: Your Majesty, if you were king, you wouldn't be afraid of anything?

The Cowardly Lion: Not nobody! Not nohow!

The Tin Man: Not even a rhinoceros?

The Cowardly Lion: Imposerous!

Dorothy: How about a hippopotamus?

The Cowardly Lion: Why, I'd thrash him from top to bottomus!

Dorothy: Supposing you met an elephant?

The Cowardly Lion: I'd wrap him up in cellophant!

The Scarecrow: What if it were a brontosaurus?

The Cowardly Lion: I'd show him who was king of the forest!

The Cowardly Lion: (singing) I'm afraid there's no denyin' / I'm just a dandy-lion / A fate I don't deserve / I'm sure I could show my prowess / Be a lion, not a mouse / If I only had the nerve.