Wonderful Wizard of Oz part XIII

THE COUNTRY OF THE QUADLINGS 

The four  passed through the rest of the forest  in safety, they came out from  the gloom saw before them a steep hill, covered from  top to bottom  with great pieces of rock. Here they saw so many big headed but armless people. They did not allow these four to go through their land. They hitting them by their arrows. The Dorothy called the winged monkeys . The King of Winged Monkeys helped them. They caught them up i their  arms and flew away with them. As they passed over the hill the  the Hammer-heads yelled with vexation, and shot their heads high in the air, but they could not reach  the Winged Monkeys, which carried Dorothy and her comrades safely over the hill and set them down in the beautiful country of the Quadlings.  "This is the last time you can summon us, goodbye and good luck to you ", said the leader to Dorothy. 

The country of  the Quadlings  seemed rich and happy. There was fields  of ripening  grain, with well paved  roads running between , and pretty rippling brooks with strong bridges across them. The fences and houses  and bridges were  all painted bright  red, just  as they had been  painted  yellow in the  country of the  Winkies and blue in the country of the munchkins. The people here are short and fat  and looked  chubby and good natured, were dressed all in red, which showed bright  against the green grass and the yellowing grain. The monkeys  had set them down  near a form  house and the four  travelled walk  up to it and knocked  at the door. The farmer's wife opened the door. They were treated nicely and given them food to eat. She also guide them up to the castle. Very soon they were at the castle gate. Before the gates were three young girls, dressed in handsome red  uniforms trimmed with gold  braid and as Dorothy approached one of them said to her, "why have you come  to the South Country,"

"To see  the Good witch who rules the country, will you take  me to her," said Dorothy. The girl in uniform asked her and her friends their names and purposes to visit and went into the castle,and soon came back to say that Dorothy and the others were to be admitted at once after refresh. The four washed  themselves and became to ready to face the gentle good witch of the country Glinda.

THE GOOD WITCH GRANTS  DOROTHY'S WISH

When they were all quite presentable  they followed the soldier girl in to a big  room where  the Witch Glinda  sat upon a  throne of rubies. She was beautiful and young. Her hair was  a rich  red in colour and fell in  flowing  ringlets over her shoulders, her dress was pure white, her eyes were blue, they looked kindly upon the  little girl. She asked the girl about her and her friend's purpose to she her. Dorothy related her story to her and requested her to help her so that she can go to her aunty Em at Kansas. She kissed her and said she will send her to her aunty. At the same time the good witch asked Dorothy to give her the Golden Cap and Dorothy gave her without any hesitation. She told that now I can three wishes to be fulfilled from the Winged monkeys, "first I will send Scarecrow to Emerald City to rule there, second wish to send Tin Woodman to the land of winkies to rule them wisely and well. I will also send the big Lion to her forest as a king of the beasts as the third wish. As far as Dorothy is concerned, she has her silver shoes, if she wishes to send her to her aunty and uncle."  The good witch said, "If you had known the power of these silver shoes, you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country. The silver shoes have wonderful powers, one of the most curious things about them is that they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye.. All you have to do is to knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you where ever  you wish to go".Doorothy was so excited. Glinda the good witch stepped down from her ruby throne to give the little  girl a goodbye kiss, and Dorothy thanked her for all the kindness she had shown to her friends and herself.  Dorothy now took Toto up solemnly in her arms, and having said one last goodbye she clapped the heels of her shoes together three times, saying "take me home to Aunt Em." Instantly she was whirling the air, so swiftly that all she could see or feel was the wind whistling past her ears. The silver shoes took but three steps, and then she stopped so suddenly that she rolled over upon the  grass several times before she knew where she was."Good gracious" she cried.  She was sitting on the broad Kansas prairies, and just before her was the new farmhouse Uncle Henry built after the cyclone had carried away the old one. Uncle was milking  the cows in the barnyard. Dorothy stood up and found  she was in  her stocking-feet. For the Silver Shoes had fallen off in her flight through the air, and were lost forever in the desert.

HOME AGAIN 

Aunt Em had just come out of the house to water the cabbages when she looked up and saw Dorothy running towards her. "My darling child" she cried, folding the little girl in her arms and covering her face with kisses; "where in the world  did you come from?" "From the land of OZ, and here is Toto, too, and oh, Aunt Em! I am so glad to be at home again," said Dorothy. 

(     A happy  E  N  D )

Wonderful Wizard of Oz part XIII

They started their onward journey. They came to a forest. They travelled until they came to a thick wood. There was no way of going around it,  for it seemed to extend to the right and left but didn't change their direction. Finally they discovered a big tree with such wide spreading  branches but there was room for the party to pass underneath. So he walked forward to the tree, but just he came  under the first branches  they bent down and twined  around him and the next minute he was raised from the ground and flung headlong among his fellow travellers. It didn't hurt the scarecrow , but it surprised him. However, the tin woodman cut the branch and they easily came out from these wonderful trees. They found before them  a high wall, which seemed to be white china. It was smooth like the surface of a dish, and higher then their heads. Tin woodman made ladder, they three claimed on the ladder and cross over the other side. There they saw the little people. Here many small houses, made of china and panted in  the brightest  colours, pretty little barns, with china fences around them. The  small animals cows, sheep, horse, pigs. They called it "The Dainty China Country".  As the their cloths, they were common people as well as prince, princess. princess dressed with most gorgeous frocks of silver, gold and purple. A Jolly little clown came walking towards them, Dorothy  saw that inspire of his pretty clothes of red, yellow and green.  he was completely   covered with cracks, 

running every  which way and showing  plainly that he had been mended in many places.Dorothy bade goodbye to these china people including joker (completely mended), prince and princess, they walked carefully through the china  country. The little animals and all the people scramered out of their way, fearing the  strangers would break  them, and after an hour  they reached  the other side  of the country  and came to another china wall. This was not so high as the previous one. The Lion jumped and came another side but just as he jumped he upset a china church with  his tail and smashed it all to pieces. Scarecrow was happy that he is made of stuff and cannot be easily damaged. There are worse things in the world than being a Scarecrow.

THE LION BECOMES THE KING OF THE BEASTS

After surpassing the wall they found themselves in a disagreeable country, full of bogs and marshes and covered with tall, rank grass. It was difficult to walk, there were muddy holes. Very carefully  they got safely out of the dangerous area and reached on solid ground. They entered to another big forest, where they saw, bigger and old trees. Lion was happy to see this delightful forest. He was willing to live here all his life. Here they brake their journey and lay down  to sleep. In the morning they started again. While going they heard a low rumble, as of the growling of many wild animals. They were on and on without any fear. There they saw hundred of beasts of every variety, i.e. tigers, elephants, bears, wolfs,  foxes and so many others in the natural history.  They were holding a meeting, it seems that they are in trouble. Several of the beasts  caught sight of him (Lion) and at once  the great assemblage hushed as if  by magic . The biggest of the tigers came up  to the Lion  and bowed saying, "Welcome, O king of beasts ! You have come  in good time  to fight our  enemy and  bring peace  to all the animals  of the forest once more," "What is your trouble", asked the Lion. 

" We are all threatened  by a fierce  enemy that  has lately come into this forest. It is most tremendous monster, like a great  spider, with a body  as big as  an elephant and legs as long as a tree trunk. It has eight of these long legs  and as the monster crawls through the forest  he seizes an animal with a leg  and drags it  to his mouth, where he eats it  as a spider does a fly. Not one of us is safe while this fierce  creature is alive, and we had called a meeting to decide how to take care of ourselves when you came among us." answered the tiger.  There was no another Lion in the forest. The Tiger  also asked the  Lion, if you" will killed the monster, we all will bow down  and obey you as a King of the Forest" . Leaving behind his friends under their protection,  and went to fight the monster. The great spider was lying asleep when the Lion found him, it was looked so ugly hat its foe turned up his nose i disgust. Its legs  were quite  as long as  the tiger had said, its body covered with coarse black hair, It had a great mouth, sharp teeth, head was  joined to the pudgy body by a neck  as slender as a wasp's waist. This gave  the Lion a hint of the best  way to attack the creature and as he knew it was easier to fight it asleep than awake, he gave a great spring and landed directly upon the monster's back. Then, with one  blow of his heavy paw' all armed with sharp claws, he knocked the spider's head from its body. Jumping down, he watched it until the long  legs stopped wiggling, when  he knew it was quite dead. The LION WENT BACK TO THE OPENING WHERE THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST WERE  WAITING FOR HIM AND SAID, PROUDLY, and gave them the messaGE OF KILLING THE MONSTER.  The beasts made him their King and bow before him with a request to rule them. He said, " first I will help the Dorothy to send her Kansas, her uncle's house, than I wll come back to rule."                                                                              

Wonderful Wizard of OZ part XII

How the Balloon Was Launched

Dorothy friends were all happy as they had got fulfilled their wishes.  Scarecrow has now brains, Tin Woodman was happy he got heart, and the Lion declared he was afraid of nothing on earth, and would gladly  face an army of men or a dozen of the fierce Kalidahs. On the forth-day , to her great joy, Oz sent for her  and when she entered  the throne room he said pleasantly, "sit down  my dear, I think I have found the way to get you out of this country back to Kansas". 

Well I am  not sure  about Kansas, but first think I am concerned to cross this desert. Any how I have an idea, when I came here I was landed here  by a balloon. You also came to through air. So I am being carried by a cyclone. I believe the  best way to cross the desert by the balloon." said the Wizard.  The Dorothy and Wizard have started to make a strong balloon. Dorothy took a needle and thread and as fast Oz cut the strips of silk into proper shape the girl sewed them neatly together. First there was  a strip of light green silk, then a strip of dark green and then a strip of  emerald green, for Oz  had a fancy to make the balloon is different  shades of the color about them. It took 3 days to sew  all the strips together, but when it was finished  they had a big bag of green  silk more than twenty feet long. Oz painted it  on the inside  with a coat  of  thin glue to make it  airtight. Now the balloon was ready. When it was ready, Oz sent word to his people  that he was going to  make a visit to a great brother Wizard who lived  in the clouds. The news spread  rapidly throughout the city and everyone came to see  the wonderful sight.  

Oz ordered the balloon to be carried out in front of the Palace and the people gazed upon it  with much curiosity. The Oz goy into the basket and said to all in a loud voice "I am now going away to make a visit, in my absence the Scarecrow  will rule over you.  "Come Dorothy !," cried the Wizard"hurry up, or the balloon  will fly away," As the tot was not there Dorothy couldn't get into the balloon, dorothy was within a few steps of it and Oz was holding out his hands to help her into the balloon, when crack,  went the rope, and the balloon rose into the air without her.  Goodbye, Goodbye... and the Oz gone forever. 

AWAY TO THE SOUTH

Dorothy wept bitterly at the passing of her hope to get home to Kansas. The wonderful Oz the last hope has also gone. The Scarecrow was now the ruler  of the Emerald City, and although he was not  a Wizard the people were proud of him for they said,  "there  is not another city in all the world that is ruled  by a stuffed man," and so far they knew, they were quite right. The morning after the balloon had gone up with Oz the four travelers met in the Throne room and talked matters over. The Scarecrow  sat in the big throne and the others  stood respectfully before him. Now they called for the winged monkeys. When Dorothy asked them to send her her uncle place kansas, the king of winged monkeys cut a sorry figure. "we belong to this country alone and cannot leave it. There has never been a Winged Monkey in Kansas yet and I suppose there never will be,  for they don't belong there. We shall be glad  to serve you  in any way in our power, but we can not , cross the desert.  Goodbye"

Now they called for the soldier. So Soldier entered the throne room timidly, for while Oz was  alive  the soldier was never allowed  to come farther then the door. He said  to Dorothy to approach   Glinda, the witch of South. "She is most powerful of all the witches and rules over  the Quadlings. Her castle stands on the edge of the  desert, so she may now a way to cross it."

Dorothy "said, "How can  I get to her castle ?" Soldier said, "the road is straight  to the south, but it is full of dangers to travellers. There are wild beasts in the jungle and a race of queer men who do not like strangers to cross their  country.

Lion was ready to go with Dorothy to protect her as he himself is beast and now with getting courage he became strong, then Tin woodman was also accompanied her company and the last Scarecrow was become the part. "We shall go tomorrow morning , so now let us all get ready, for it will be a long journey:" said the Scarecrow.

wonderful Wizard of Oz part XI

The four travelers passed a sleepless night, each thinking of the gift Oz had promised to bestow upon him. Promptly at nine  o'clock the next morning  the green whiskered soldier came to them bring them to throne room of the great Oz. But at the throne there was no one at all in the room. They heard a voice from some where near  the top of  the great dome, and it said solemnly, "I am Oz, the great and terrible, why do you seek me." They looked  every part of the room  but no one was seen, Dorothy said, "where are you?"

Oz said, "I am everywhere, but to the  eyes of common  mortals I am invisible."

Dorothy said, "WEe have come to claim our promise, O Oz", "What promise," Oz asked.

Dorothy,"you promise me to send back to Kansas, brains to Scarecrow, Heart to Tin Woodman and courage to the cowardly Lion , when the Wicked Witch was destroyed and we destroyed her. I melted her and converted into liquid. "

"Dear me,  how sudden, come to me tomorrow, and I must have time to  thinks it over." 

At this the Lion thought it might be as  well to  frighten the Wizard, so he gave  a large, loud roar that was so fierce and dreadful that the next moment all of them were filled  with wonder. They saw , standing in just the spot the screen had hidden, a little, old man, with a bald head and a wrinkled face, who seemed to be  as much surprised as they were.  Tin Woodman rush towards little old man with his axe. The Oz said in a trembling voice, "please don't strike me, I will do any thing  you want me to,".    He said ,"Hush my dear, don't speak  so loud, you will be overheard and I should be ruined I am suppose to be a Great Wizard, but in reality I am just a common man, on the other word I am humbug. I have fooled everyone  so long  that I thought  I should never be found  out. It was my great mistake let you  into the throne room. Usually I will not see  even my subjects,  and so thry believe  I am some thing terrible."  

HE RELATED HIS STORY TO THEM AND THEY LISTENED.

"I was born in Omaha, when I grew up  I became a  ventriloquist, and at that I was very well  trained by  a great master. I can imitate any kind of bird  or beat. After a time, I tired of that  and became a balloonist. A man who goes up in  a balloon  on circus day to draw a crowed of people together and get them  to pay to see  the circus is called balloonist. One day I went up  in a balloon  and the ropes  got twisted, so that  I couldn't come down again. It went up above the  clouds, so far that  a current of air  struck it and carried it many, many miles away. For a day and a night I travelled through  the air, and on the  morning of the second  day I awoke and found the  balloon floating over a strange and beautiful country. It came down gradually, and I was not hurt a bit. But I found myself in the midst of a strange people, who, seeing me come from the clouds, thought I was  a great Wizard. Of course I let them  think so, because  they were  afraid of me and promised to do  anything I wished them to.. Just to amuse myself, and keep the good people busy, I ordered them  to build this city and my palace, and they did it all willingly and well. The country was so green and beautiful, I would call it  the Emerald City and to make the name fit better I put green spectacles on all the people, so that every thing , they saw was green. Even any visitors come to this city has to put the green spectacles.  This city was built  so many years ago, at that time I was  a young man  when the balloon  brought me here and now I am very old man. My  people have worn  green  glasses on their eyes so long  they think it really is an Emerald City and is certainly  is a beautiful  place, abounding in jewels and precious  metals, and every good  thing  that is needed to make one happy, I have been good to  the people, and they like me, but ever since  this Palace  was built I have shut myself  up and would  not see any of them. One of my greatest fears was the Wicked witches, as I had no magical powers at  all I soon found out that  the witches were really able to do wonderful things. The four witches were in the country ruling, north, south (good witches) and East and West (wicked). Now in all the four country all the witches are good. "

However the Oz has given brains to Scarecrow, heart to Tin Woodman and courage to cowardly Lion. But he could not send Dorothy to her aunty's house. The Wizard of Oz handed over  the charge of Emerald City to Scarecrow. He made scarecrow ruler, made a wonderful balloon and left the Emerald City forever.   

Wonderful Wizard of Oz Part X

Then, being prepared for the journey, they all started for the Emerald City; and the winks gave them three cheers and many good wishes to carry with them.

THE WINGED MONKEYS 

They were going to east but day by day passed away and they still saw nothing before them but the yellow fields. The scarecrow began to gamble a bit. Every one was hopeless. Dorothy lost heart. She sat down  on the grass and looked at her companions and they also sat down. Suddenly an idea  struck in her mind she blew the whistle she had always carried about her neck since the Queen of the Mice had given it to her. In a few minutes they heard the pattering of tiny feet and many of the small grey mice came running up to her. Among them was  the Queen herself, who asked  in her squeaky little voice.

Queen of mice said "What  can I do for my friends?"

Doropthy said  "we have our way, can you tell us where the Emerald City is". 

The queen of mice noticed Dorothy's golden cap, and said, "why don't you  use the charm of the Cap, and call the Winged Monkeys to you, they will carry you to the City of Oz in less than an hour"

Dorothy looked inside  the Golden Cap and saw some  words written  upon  the lining. Dorothy read these words and suddenly a pack of  winged monkeys  appeared there. They carried Dorothy and her friends to Emerald City within a short time. Now they were at the City gate.

When the king of Winged witch was carrying Dorothy, the started his story to Dorothy. "Once we were also free winged monkey, jumping, flying, mischief activities with other animal to pull their tails etc. My grand father was the leader of the winged monkey. there was a princess and she was going to be wedded with Quelala. One day when my grand father was flying with his band saw Quelala walking  beside the river. He was dressed in a rich costume of pink silk and purple velvet. My grand father with his band came down caught him dropped him in the middle of the river. His clothes and costume were ruined. When princess came there and  know about this incident, she was so upset and tied their wings by her spiritual power. Monkeys begged  her pardon. The Golden Cap was prepared for princess's wedding so she said that "here in after you will be slaves of owner of this Golden Cap. And you will fulfill owner's  three wishes.  The time was changed, this Golden Cap snatched by the Wicked witch of West and now it is with you".  The story was finished and they were just above the green, shining walls of the Emerald City before them. Dorothy wondered  at the rapid flight of the monkeys, but was glad the journey was over. The strange creatures  set the travelers down  carefully before the gate of the  City, the king  of winged monkeys bowled  low to Dorothy and then flew swiftly away. 

THE DISCOVERY OF OZ THE TERRIBLE 

At the gate they rang the bell, the guardian opened the gate. He was surprise to see them. They related the whole story to guardian. Scarecrow told him that they have done their work. Dorothy has melt the wicked witch of West and now the great Oz has to fulfill his promises. The Oz has not called them even after three days, then the scarecrow send a warning message to wizard that,"if he will not fulfill his promises he has given to Dorothy and her friends then they will call the winged monkeys". Soon after receiving this message the Oz was frightened and he send the reply and asked them to come to throne room next day morning. 

Wonderful Wizard of Oz Part Ix

The Search For The Wicked Witch

Guardian of the Emerald City said to Dorothy, No one has destroyed the wicked witch. Whoever tried to destroy her she made them slaves. Same thing can be happened to you. So be careful. Lead the road towards the West and you will reach there." The started there further journey of West to destroy the wicked witch of West. They thanked to guardian of city and bade him goodbye. They were walking over field of soft grass dotted here and there with daisies and buttercups. Dorothy still wore the pretty silk dress she had put on in the  palace, but now  to her surprise, she found  it was no longer  green, but pure  white. The ribbon around  Toto's neck had also lost its green colour and as white as Dorothy' dress. Now the road they were following  became rougher and hillier, for there were no farms nor houses in this  country of the West.  Wicked witch of West had one eye, she had a powerful telescope, and could see everywhere. So she saw Dorothy and her party coming towards her palace. She immediately blew upon a silver whistle that  hung around  her neck. At once there came running to her from all directions a pack of great wolves. They had long legs and fierce eyes and sharp teeth. She ordered them to kill Dorothy and her friends. The Leader of the Wolves  asked the witch whether she wants to make slaves, she denied so they went to kill and eat all of them. The Tin Woodman killed all the forty wolves by his axe. Now she send forty wide  crows to the strangers and peck out  their eyes and tear them to pieces, but the Scarecrow killed them all. 

When the wicked witch  looked out  again and saw all her crows lying  in a heap, she got into  a terrible rage and blew three  times upon her silver  whistle.  Soon their was buzzing  in the air and a swarm  of black bees came flying towards her.  She ordered them to go to the strangers and sting them All Dorothy's friend hide under the dry leaves and tin woodman was standing in their ways. All the bees sting tin man so harshly and broke  off all their  stings without hurting tin man . Without stings bees can not live   they all  died. Witch was now so angry when she  saw her black bees in little heaps like fine coal that she stamped  her foot and tore her hair and  gnashed her teech. She called dozen of her slaves, who were the Winkies, and gave them sharp spears, telling them to go to the strangers and destroy them. hey were not brave people, but the have to obeyed their master. The Lion gave a great roar and sprang towards them,  and the poor winkies  were so frightened and ran back as fast as they could. . In Castle they were beaten by the wicked witch. She was a powerful witch so she was determined to destroy these strangers. In her cupboard, there was a golden cap with a circle of diamonds and rubies running around it. This golden cap had a charm. Whoever  owned it  could call three times upon the winged monkeys, who would obey any order they were given.  But no person could command these strange  creatures more than three times. She had already it two times. At one time when she made winkies her slaves and second time she fought against the great Wizard of Oz. She took the golden cap from the cupboard and placed it upon  her head, stood upon her left foot and said slowly "Ep-pe, pep-pe. kak-ke!" then she stood on her right leg  and said slowly "Hil-lo, hol-lo, hel-lo" after this she stood  upon both the  feet and cried in a loud voice,

"Ziz-zy, zuz-zy, zik". Charm begin to work, the sky darkened and a low rumbling  sound was  heard in the air.  So many winged monkeys chattering and laughing started coming down to earth from sky. They asked to wicked witch, "this is last charm, tell us what do you want "?  Witch said "go to  the strangers  who are within  my land  and destroy them all except  the Lion, bring that beast to me  for I have  a mind to  harness him like a horse, and make him work,"! These winged monkeys destroy the Scarecrow and through it on the top of a long tree and tin woodman was damaged badly but they could not touch the Dorothy, as she had kiss mark on her forehead. However they caught them brought them and handed over to wicked witch who made them slaves. Lion disobeyed her command to allow her to make him a horse, but dorothy was doing her kitchen work and secretly feeding the Lion. One day the wicked witch treat Dorothy very roughly, by her trick she stole her one silver shoe, so in rage Dorothy brought a bucket full of water and dashed it over  the wicked witch  wetting her from head  to foot. The witch instantly gave a loud cry of fear and began  to shrink  and fall away. . Surprisingly the wicked witch's body  started  converting into liquid form and flowing into the ditch. She finally destroyed. Now Dorpthy, opened the cage door where put and freed him. She took the golden cap and put it on her head. Now she ordered the winkies to search her companion and repaired the. They brought the scarecrow's remaining from the tree and made him again in the form of scarecrow and found tin woodman, with the help of tin smith he was also given his original shape.  Now they started their journey back to Emerald City. Before their journey Tin Woodman  was crowned the king of the Yellow land of West. Though the winkies don't want to leave Dorothy and her friend but due to their urgency they gave them a nice fare well. 

wonderful Wizard of Oz - Part VII

continue from last part.....

The soldier said, " I have never seen the Wizard but I spoke to him as he sat behind his screen and gave him your message. He says he will grant you an  audience, if you to desire, but each one of you must enter his presence alone, and he wll admit  but one each day. Therefore, as you must  remain in the Palace for several days, I will have you shown to rooms  where you may  rest in comfort after your journey."

"Thank you, and that is very kind of Oz", replied the girl.

They were give separate rooms in the palace. The green girl was in their service. Every one was given nice, comfortable  lodges at the pleasant places. The night was went well. Dorothy was so tired so she ate her dinner early and went to bed with her dog. Scarecrow and Tin woodman spent their night standing and the Lion slept sound sleep. Next morning after breakfast, the green maiden came to fetch Dorothy and she dressed her in one of the prettiest-made of green brocaded satin. Dorothy put on a green apron and tied  a green ribbon  around toto' neck and the started to the throne room of the great Oz. They came to a big room where many ladies  and gentlemen  of the court , all dressed  in rich costumes. These people  had nothing to do  but talk to each other, they always came to wait outside the throne room every morning. They were never permitted  to see Oz. As Dorothy entered they looked at her curiously and one of them whispered, "are you going  to look upon the face of Oz the Terrible" . Soldier said, "at first he said he don't want to see any one, send them back, but when he came to know that Dorothy girl is wearing Silver shoes he permitted her,". Just than the bell rang and the green girl said to Dorothy, "go inside to the Throne Room alone".

She opened the little door and walked boldly  through and found herself  in a wonderful place, it was a big round room with a high  arched roof, and the walls and ceiling and floor were  covered with large emeralds set  closely together. In the centre of the roof was a great light as bright as  the sun, which made the emeralds sparkle in a wonderful manner. The big throne of green marble that stood in the middle of the room. It was shaped like a chair  and sparkled with gems, as   did everything else. In the centre of the chair  was an enormous head, without  body to support  it or any arms or legs whatever. There was no hair upon this head, it has eyes and nose and mouth  and was bigger than the head of the bigger giant. The eyes looked at Dorothy sharply and steadily. Mouth moved, which said,  "I am Oz, the great and terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me "

 Dorothy took courage and answered, "I am Dorothy, the small and Meek. I have come to you for help". The head inquired about the silver shoes Dorothy  was wearing and the mark upon her forehead. Dorothy tell him all about a good witch of the north kissed her and gave her the silver shoes. 

The voice asked her about her wish and she said "Send me back  to Kansas, where my aunt Em and uncle Henry are".

His eyes winked three times looked at Dorothy and said, "You are strong enough to kill the Wicked Witch of the East, so you are not helpless girl any more".

Dorothy related the whole story about the strong wind blow and carried her house and under the weight of the house the wicked witch was killed accidently. 

The Oz said, " You do some thing for me than I will help you. You have silver shoes so, First go and kill wicked witch of West, than I will help you. Now you can go "

Simultaneously the Lion, Tin woodman and scare crow went to see Oz to get their wishes, they were asked the same thing go with Dorothy and help her to kill 'the wicked witch of West' and than only come back. Scarecrow  saw that there was a lovely beautiful lady was sitting on the throne, tin woodman saw his in the shape of a most terrible beast. It was as nearly as big an elephant and the green throne  seemed hardly  strong enough to hold its weight. The beast had a head  like that  of a rhinoceros with five eyes, five long arms growing out of its body and five long legs , he was just a dreadful looking monster.  Lion saw him in the shape of Ball of Fire. 

He also asked to Lion  "go and help Dorothy, bring  proof  that the  Wicked Witch of west is dead  and only than  I will give courage. " They all four gathered, discussed the issue  and took  final decision. They went to bed early and slept soundly until daylight, when they were awakened  by the crowing of a green cock that lived in the back yard of yhe palace, and the cackling of a hen that had laid a green egg.       continued ...

The Wonderful Emerald City Of Oz Part VII

The Wonderful Emerald City Of Oz 

With green spectacles they walked over a pavement. Where the  blocks were joined together  were rows of emeralds, set closely and glittering  in the brightness  of the sun. There were many people , men, women and children walking about and these were all dressed in green clothes and had greenish skins. People were making purchases and carrying the bags without any cycles, motor cycles. The Guardian of the  Gates  led them  through  the streets until they came  to a big building, exactly  in the middle of the City , which  was the Palace  of OZ, the Great Wizard. There at the main Gate a soldier was present. He opened the gate let them step inside. They came to a big room  with a green carpet and lovely green furniture set with emeralds. The soldier made them  all wipe there feet upon a green mat before entering this room, and when  they were  seated he said politely. "Please make yourselves comfortable while I go to the door of the Throne Room and tell Oz you are here." They had to wait  a long time before the soldier returned. When, at last he came back Dorothy asked. "Have you seen Oz" But the soldier did not see the great Oz, neither any one saw him.  

  

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Part VI

The Guardian Of The Gates

It was some time before the Cowardly Lion awakened, for he had lain among the poppies a long while, breathing in their deadly fragrance; but when he did open his eyes and roll of the truck he was very glad to find himself still alive. He was told about the his savior of field mice and their queen, and how they had generously saved him from death' the Cowardly Lion laughed and said, "I have always thought myself very big and terrible; yet such small things as flowers came near to killing me and such small animals as mice have saved my life. How strange it all is! But, comrades what shall we do now." Dorothy told them to go on and on until they find the road of yellow brick again. According to her instructions all they start walking further. The road was smooth and well paved now, the country about was beautiful, they rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind and with it the many dangers they had met in its gloomy shades. The green houses were started both sides of the road. Might be farmers lived there.. They passed by several houses during the afternoon and some time people came to the doors and looked at them as if they would like to speak them but no one came near them nor spok to them because of the great Lion, of which they were much afraid. The people were all dressed in clothing of a lovely emerald green color and wore peaked hats like those of the Munchkins. Now they were on Land of Oz near the Emerald City. The country of the Munchkins was blue color and this land was green. They came to a good sized farm house, Dorothy walked boldly up to the door and nocked. A woman opened the the door and said, "what do you want and why is that great Lion is with you. Dorothy said, "we wish to pass the night with you, if you will allow us. The Lion is my friend and comrade and would not hurt you, more over he is tame, and is a great coward, too, so that he will be more afraid of you than you are of him." She allowed them to enter the house. There were besides the woman , two children and a man. The man had hurt and was lying on the coach in a corner. The woman was busy so the man enquired from them who they were and where they were going. Dorothy answered him that "they are going to City of Emerald to see the wizard of Oz." The man was not sure that the Oz would meet them, as he knew that "he never permitted to any one to see him nor till date any living person seen him. He never go out any time, He sits day after day in the great throne room of his palace, and even those who wait upon him do not see him face ti face." He further said, "You see the Oz is a great Wizard and can take on any form he wishes. So that some time he looks like a bird, and some say; he looks like an elephant or a cat, some time he appears as a beautiful fairy, and of any form that pleases him. What is his real form no one know"

The man has also inform them that he has so many brains, hearts, and courage in his stock and have the capacity to fulfill the wishes who asked for.

They gathered around the table , Dorothy ate some delicious porridge and a dish of scrambled eggs and a plate of nice white bread and enjoyed her meal. The Lion ate some of the porridge and toto ate a little of every thing and was glad to get a good supper again.

Dorothy was given a bed to sleep in, Lion guarded the door of her room so she might not be disturbed. Next morning, as soon as the sun was up , they started on their way, and soon saw a beautiful green glow in the sky just before them. As they walked on, the green glow became brighter and brighter and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels. At the evening they were at the great wall that surrounded the City. It was high and thick and of a bright green color. In front of them there was great gate, all studded with emeralds that glittered so in the sun it was looking brilliant and attractive.

There was a bell beside the gate and Dorothy pushed the button and heard a silvery tinkle sound within. The gate swung slowly open, and they all passed through and found themselves in a high arched room, the walls of which glistened with countless emeralds. Before them a little man was standing. His clothes were green, his skin was of a greenish tint. At his side was a large green box. He asked the Dorothy and her companion the purpose of their visit and to see    OZ Dorothy told him the purpose to see the OZ. The Gate man said, " It has been many years  since any one  asked me  to see OZ. He is powerful and terrible  and if you  come on  an idle  or foolish  errand  to bother the wise reflections of the  Great Wizard, he might be angry and destroy you all  in an instant."  Dorothy however satisfied him and wear the green glasses given to them by the keeper. The green man (Keeper) said that "though the Oz is a good Wizard, he rules the Emerald City wisely and  well but  to those  who are not honest , or who  approach him from  curiosity, he is most terrible and few  have ever dared  ask to see his face.   I am the guardian of the gates, and since you demand to see the Great OZ  I must take you to his palace. But first you must put on the spectacles. If you did not wear  spectacles the brightness and glory  of the Emerald City  would blind you."

Green man fitted spectacles for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion, and even on lettle Toto and all were locked fast. Then the  Guardian of the Gates  put on his own glasses and told them  he was ready to show them  to the palace. Taking a big  golden key  from a peg on  the wall he opened  another gate and they all followed him through  the portal into the  streets of the Emerald City.  continue in next part 

Wonderful Wizard of Oz Par VI

Suddenly they saw a Stork was flowing  over their head. He came down for rest at the water's edge. 

"Who are you and were are you going ?" asked the Stork

Dorothy introduced to him of her friends and told her about their object. When she asked them for any help she could do for them. Dorothy requested her  to save the Scarecrow from the pole struck in the middle  of the river. The big bird flew into the air and over the water till she came to where the Scarecrow  was perched upon his pole. The Stork with her great claws grabbed the Scarecrow by the arm and carried him up into air and back to the bank, here Dorothy and the Lion and the Tin woodman and toto were sitting. When the Scarecrow joined his friends again he was so happy that he hugged them all even the Lion and toto too.  They all gave many thanks to stork for his help in saving the Scarecrow. AFTER FEW CONVERSATION THE  the kind stork flew into the air and  was soon out of sight. They walked along listening  to the singing of the bright-colored birds and looking  at the lovely  flowers which now became so thick that the ground was carpeted with them.  There were big yellow and white and blue, purple blossom, besides great clusters of scarlet poppies, which were  so brilliant in color they almost dazzled  Dorothy's eyes. She breathed in the spicy scent of the flowers. Lion said, " I always did like flowers."  Soon they found themselves in the midst of a great meadow of poppies.  Now it is well known that when  there are many of these flowers  together their odour is so powerful that anyone who breaths it falls asleep , and if the sleeper is not carried away from the scent of the flowers  he sleeps on and on fore ever.. Dorothy did not know this , nor could she get away from the bright red flowers that were every where. Presently her eyes grew heavy and she felt she must sit down to rest and to sleep, but tin woodman would not let her do this. They kept walking  until Dorothy could stand no longer. Her eyes closed in spite of herself and she forgot where she was and fell among the poppies.  Scarecrow and tin woodman were worried that if she is left there she would die so they  both  make a chair of their hands for the seat and carried her out of the poppies.  Scarecrow also told to Lion to run immediately without wasting any time. Lion run as fast as he can but at the last corner he also fall down and asleep fast. In the way they saw their friend Lion , lying  fast asleep  among the poppies. The flowers  had been too strong  for the huge beast and he was totally helpless. However they scarecrow and tin woodman who were not breathing were harmless from that poisonous scent of these beautiful but dangerous flowers. They laid Dorothy and the little dog gently on the soft grass and waited for fresh breeze to waken her. 

The Queen of  The Field Mice 

The Tin woodman heard a low growl and saw a strange  beast come bounding  over the grass  towards them. It was indeed, a great  yellow wildcat and the woodman  thought it must  be chasing  something, for its ears were lying  close to its head and its mouth  was wide open, showing two rows  of ugly  teeth, while its red eyes  glowed like balls of fire. Tin woodman saw that ahead of the cat  a little gray field mouse was running, although he had no heart he knew it was  wrong for the wildcat to try to kill  such a pretty, harmless creature. So the woodman raised his axe and as the wildcat ran by  he gave it a quick blow that cut the beast's head clean off from its body and it rolled  over at his feet in two pieces. When field mouse saw this sudden action of tin woodman, she stopped and coming near to woodman and said in a squeaky little voice. "Oh thank you ever so much for saving my life."

"Don't speak of it , I beg to you,  I have no heart, so I am careful  to help of all  those  who may need a friend , even if it happens to be only a mouse." said the woodman.

The little field mouse told to woodman that she was the Queen of  all  the Field Mice.  Tin woodman bow before her in respect. 

"You have done a great deed, as well as a brave one, in saving my life," said the Queen.

 At that moment several mice  seen running up as fast as  their little legs could carry them. They bowed so low before their Queen and said, " Oh your majesty , we thought you would be killed,  How did you  manage to escape  the great wildcat ?" "This funny tin man killed the wildcat and saved my life. So hereafter  you must all serve  him, and obey his slight wish."  said the queen. They agreed and cried in a shrill chorus. When the mice asked to tin man what type of help they could do to them. Scarecrow said " Yes, you can save our friend the cowardly Lion who is asleep in the poppy bed."  Queen questioned "to help a lion, why he would  eat us  all up".  "No, he is a coward Lion and our friend, he would never hurt  any one  who are our friends, If you help us to save him I promise  that he shall treat you  all with kindness."  answered the Scarecrow. The Tin man made  a truck out of the  limbs of trees, from which he  chopped away  all the leaves and branches He fastened it together with wooden  pegs and made the four  wheels out of  short pieces of a big  tree trunk. So fast  and so  well did he work that by the time the mice began to arrive the truck was all ready for them. All more than thousand mice from all directions big mice and little mice, middle sized mice and each one brought a piece of string in his  mouth. Now Dorothy woke from her  long sleep and opened her  eyes. She was greatly astonished to find herself lying upon  the grass, with thousands of mice  standing around and looking  at her timidly. The Scarecrow told her all about. Dorothy raised her friendly hand towards the queen. The Scarecrow and Tin woodman now began to fasten  the mice to the  truck, using the strings they had brought. Though the truck was thousand times  beggar than the  any of the mice who were to  draw it,  but  when all the mice  had been harnessed they were able to pull it quite easily. After a great deal  of hard work , for the Lion was heavy, they managed  to get him up on  the truck. Then the Queen hurriedly  gave her people order to start, for she feared  if the mice stayed among the  poppies too long  they also wouild  fall asleep. With the help of Scarecrow and Tin woodman who pushed  from behind and they got better. Soon they rolled the Lion out of the poppy bed to the green field, where could  breathe the sweet fresh  air again, instead of  the poisonous  scent  of flowers.  Dorothy thanked the little mice  warmly for saving her companion. Then all mice with their queen went away.  When Lion woke up and see that he has been saved by the thousand mice. Then they moved on their furthwer journey. 

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Part V

The Journey TO THE GREAT OZ

At the night when they were tired and want the night rest, they set up their camp in the jungle under a big tree. as there was no house nearby. The tree made a good , thick covering to protect them from the dew, and the Tin Woodman chopped a great pile of wood with his axe and Dorothy built a splendid fire that warmed her and made her her feel less lonely. She and Toto ate the last of their bread and now she did not know what they would do for breakfast. The Lion wanted to kill a deer but Tin woodman did not want to see any animal to be killed. Otherwise he would weep and and his jaws would rust again. Lion went to jungle and found his own supper, here Scarecrow found a tree full of nuts and filled Dorothy's basket with the nuts. When it was day light the girl bathed her face in a little rippling brook and soon after they all started towards the Emerald City. In the centre of thr road there was a great ditch that crossed the road and divided the forest as far as they could see on either side. It was very vide ditch and when they crept up to the edge and looked into it they could see it was also very deep and in the bottom there were many big, jagged rocks. The side were se steep that none of them could climb down, and for a moment it seemed that their journey must end. Suddenly the coward Lion measured the distance carefully in his mind and said "I think I could jump over it and one by one I can carry you their."

It was a good idea and at the first jump he carried the Scarecrow on his back and crossed the ditch successfully. Then Dorothy with her little dog and last was Tin woodman crossed another side. They rest for half and hour and started their onward journey. The forest was very thick and they were going on the yellow brick, silently and steadily to come out from the forest as quickly as possible. They heard strange noises in the depth of the forest, the Lion whispered to them that "it was in this part of the country that the Kalidahs lived. They are monstrous beasts with bodies like bears and heads like tigers, with so long and sharp claws that they could tear any big animal, lion, bear, tiger etc. " They were talking about Kalidahs they saw another gulf across the road, this one was so broad and deep that the Lion knew that he could not leap across it. Tin chopped a big tree standing nearby and with help of Lion placed it across the the ditch. Now they crossed this obstacle easily. As soon as they crossed the ditch, a sharp growl made them all look up and to their horror they saw running towards them two great beasts with bodies of bears and heads like tigers. "Quick they are the Kalidahs," said the Lion , beginning to tremble. They were also running very fast. "Wait a minute " said the Scarecrow, A brainless Scarecrow was thinking what was best to do, he asked the Tin woodman to chop away the end of the tree that rested on their side of the ditch. Tin woodman obeyed without wasting any time and he chopped the end of the tree, and just as the two Kalidahs were nearly across, the tree fell with a crash into the gulf. carrying the ugly, snarling brutes, with it, and both were dashed to pieces on the sharp rocks at the bottom. They were relieved and relaxed. This adventure made the travellers more anxious than ever to get out of

the forest. Dorothy was tired so she ride on the back of Lion. They came upon a broad river, floating swiftly just before them. On the other side of the water they could see the road of yellow brick running through a beautiful country, with green meadows dotted with bright flowers and all the road bordered with trees hanging full of delicious fruits. they were greatly pleased to see this delightful country before them.

The Tin woodman though as an industrious untiring but could not make the raft before night fall. The slept  well under a tree until morning. They awakened next morning refreshed  and full of hope, Dorothy breakfasted like a princess off peaches and plums from the trees  beside the river. They suffered  many discouragements, but before them  was a lovely, sunny country that seemed to beckon  them on to the Emerald City.  Raft was ready and they start their next journey through the river.  They got along quite well at first, but when they reached the middle of the river the swift current swept the raft down stream, farther and farther far away fro the yellow brick: and the water grew so deep that the long poles would not touch the bottom.  All were loosing their courage, but Scarecrow was firm on his job, he pushed so hard on his pole that it stuck fast in the mud  at the bottom of the river. and before he could pull it out  again, or let  go, the raft was swept away and the poor Scarecrow  left clinging to the pole in the middle of the river.   No one can help him, they were very sorry to leave him behind. Scarecrow was stuck at the pole. Down the stream the raft floated, Lion said "something must be done to save us, otherwise we all will drowned."  He asked them to hold fast to the tip of his tail, he sprang into the water with tin woodman, Dorothy and her little dog. Lion began to swim  with all his  might towards the shore. After a hard exercise  they could reach the shore safely. They were all tired out. At this point they were very far away from their road of yellow brick. They start their journey along the river. It was a lovely country, with plenty of flowers and fruit trees and sunshine  to cheer them, and had they not felt so sorry for the poor Scarecrow they could have been very happy.  On their way they look back and saw the poor Scarecrow perched upon his pole in the middle of  the water, looking very lonely.  (continue in next part)

The Cowarddly Lion - Part IV

All this time Dorothy and her companions had been walking  through the thick woods. The road was still paved with yellow  brick, but these were very much covered  by dried branches and dead leaves from the trees and walking was difficult. The forest was thick and few birds were there. There were sounds and growls of dangerous animals. Dorothy's heart was beating fast.  Tin woodman reminded Dorothy that " while you bear upon your forehead the mark of the Good Witch's  kiss and that will protect you from harm. In case there will be any danger to toto (dog) we will protect him". 

Just he spoke there came from the forest a terrible roar., and the next moment a great Lion  bounded into the road. With one blow of his paw  he sent the  Scarecrow  spinning  over and  and over to the edge of the road, and then he struck  at the Tin woodman  with his sharp claws. But to the Lion's surprise he could make no impression on the tin, although the Woodman feel over  in the road and lay still. Little toto , now that he had an enemy to face, ran barking towards the Lion, and the great beast had opened his mouth to bite the dog, suddenly Dorothy 

rushed forward and slapped  the Lion upon his nose  as hard as she should, while she  cried out. "Don't you dare bite Toto ! You ought to be ashamed  of yourself , a big beast like , to bite a poor  little dog !"

"I didn't bite him," said the Lion, as he rubbed his nose with his paw where Dorothy  had hit it.

Dorothy called him a big coward and he agreed to it hanging his head in shame.  The Lion came to know that the Scarecrow was merely a stuffed and the woodman made of Tin blunted Lion's claws.  Dorothy introduce him  two of her   friends  and her dog. 

The Lion also narrated his story that why he was made coward.  "It's mystery , I was born in the Lion's family and all the animals think that being a big beast I am brave and strong. I learned that if I roared very loudly every living things was frightened and got out of my way. Whenever I have met  a man I have been awfully scared, but I just  roared at him , and he has  always run away  as fast as he could go  If the elephants and  the tigers  and bears  had ever tried  to fight  me, I should have been  run myself - I am such a  coward  : but just as soon as they  hear me  roar they all try to get away from me and  of course  I let them go."  Scarecrow said, "The king of  bewasts  should not be  a coward". 

" I know that, it is my great sorrow  and makes my life  very unhappy. But whenever there is danger  my heart begins to beat fast" said the Lion wiping  a tear from his eye with the  tip of his tail.  Tin woodman said "it means you have a heart, but I haven't and so we are going to City of Emerald  to ask the great Oz to give me heart, Scarecrow brains and the little girl, to help her to meet her aunty and uncle." Lion was so excited, he said to Dorothy, "can the great Oz give me courage, If so I will also go with you to see him and request him to give me courage. " 

"Yes the great Oz is capable to give any thing, If you are coming with us, you will be welcomed. In the way you will help us to keep  away  the other wild beasts, who must be more cowardly  than you  and allow you  to scare them  to easily. " Said the Dorothy.   So Lion also join their company and now all five of them start their onward journey. to great OZ.  continue in next part

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - III Part

Rescue of the TIN WOODMAN

They were going on their way. They were tired and it was too difficult to move any further. After an hour light was to fade away. Doorothy asked Scarecrow to see the shelter for night stay. Soon they saw a little cottage, since cottage was empty they spent the night in that cottage.

When Dorothy awoke the sun was shining through the trees and Toto had long been out chasing birds and squirrels. She set up and looked around her. She saw Scarecrow who was still standing patiently in his corner, waiting for her. She sent Scarecrow to bring water to clean her face and to drink. After clean her face and drink the water they left the cottage and walked through the trees until they found a little spring of clear water. Dorothy drink the pure water and took bath and then ate her break fast. After finished the breakfast the again came to the road of yellow brick. She head a deep groan nearby. They went towards from where the groan sound was coming. One of the big trees had been partly chopped though, and standing beside it, with an uplifted axe in his hands, was a man made entirely of tin. His head and arms and legs were jointed upon his body, but he stood perfectly motionless, as if he could not stir at all. Dorothy looked at him in amazement, and so did Scarecrow , while toto barked sharply and made a snap at the tin legs, which hurt his teeth. Dorothy enquired from the Tin woodman that he was groaning, he nodded in agreement. He said that he had been groaning for more than a year and no one has ever head him. The Tin woodman said," please help me, there is oilcan is in the cottage, get that oilcan and oil my joints, they are rested to badly that I can not moved them at all : Dorothy did the same as the Tin man asked and as soon as he was oiled his body started to move. He asked Dorothy what's her name and where they were going. After proper introduction and when Tin man come to know that they are going to City of Emerald to see Oz, Dorothy will request to Oz to send her back to Kansas and Scarecrow wants him to put a few brains into his head. The Tin woodman appeared to think deeply for a moment and then asked "Do you suppose Oz could give me a heart."?

Dorothy answered "I guess so,  it would be as easy as to give the  Scarecrow brain. "

"True", the Tin  Woodman  returned  "So, if you will allow me to join your party, I will also go  to the Emerald City and ask Oz to help me".

"Come along", said the Scarecrow , heartily: and Dorothy added that she  would be pleased to have  his company. Tin Woodman shouldered his axe and they all passed through the forest until they came to the road that was paved with yellow brick. He also put his oilcan in the basket  to save him from rain and rust.  The Scarecrow stumbled into a whole and rolled over  to the side  of the road.  As his head was stuffed with straw so he couldn't notice  the whole ahead. He wanted brains fron the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. They were going ands Tin Woodman was telling his story.

"I was born the son of a woodman who chopped down trees in the  forest and sold wood for a living. When I grew up I too became  a wood-chopper, and after  my father died I took care of my old mother as long as she lived. Then I made up my mind that instead of living alone I would marry so that  I might  not become lonely. There was one of the Munchkin girls who was so beautiful  that I soon grew to love her  with all my heart. She, on her part, promised to marry me as soon as I could earn enough money to build a better house for her. I set to woek harder than ever. But the girl lived with an old woman who did not want her to marry anyone, for she was so lazy she wished the girl to remain with her and do the cooking and the housework. So the old woman went to the Wicked Witch of the East and promised her two sheep and a cow  if she would prevent the marriage. There upon the Wicked Witch  enchanted my axe and when I was chopping away at my best one day, for I was anxious to get the new house and my wife as soon as possible, the axe slipped all at once and cut off my left leg. Subsequently I continuously faced   such types of  miss happening, next day I lost my right leg. There was a tinsmith and he helped me new legs made of tin. Legs worked very well. At another occasion I lost my two hand and at one time my complete body including head was cut out and tin smith replaced my body with tin completely. Now I am a tin woodman. There is only the difficulty is that I should save my self from water. It rusted me and make me ineffective and helpless. So My food is oil. This oil helps me in removing the rust and make me functional. "  "I feel instead of brain I need a heart to love" concluded  the Tin woodman.  

Though the Scarecrow and Tin woodman were not taking any meal, but Dorothy was worried as her bread was nearly gone, and another meal for herself and toto would empty the basket. Even than they were confident to reach up to their destination. 

continue in next part

 

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Part II

DOROTHY SAVE THE SCARECROW

Dorothy went to her house take some bread from cup board, some eatable items. Put on her new dress. There was a tree out side of her house was full of delicious fruits, she gathered and put them in her basket.. She closed the house locked it, put on the Silver shoes in her feet and started her onward journey to City of Emerald with little dog toto. Ahead of so many roads were there and Dorothy took the road one paved with yellow brick tinkling merrily on the hard yellow roadbed. The Sun shone bright and the birds sang sweet. She was not feeling bad and enjoying the journey. She was surprised, as she walked along, to see how pretty the country was about her. There were neat fences at the sides of the road, panted a dainty blue colour and beyond them were fields of grains and vegetables in abundance. It shows that Munchkins were good farmers and able to raise large crops. While she was passing the houses and the people came out to look at her and bow low as she went by' for everyone knew she had been the means of destroying the Wicked witch and setting them free from bondage. All houses were panted blue, for in this country of the East blue was the favorite color.

At evening when Dorothy was tired with her long walk and began to wonder where she should pass the night, she came to a house rather larger than the rest. Men women were dancing. Five little fiddlers played as loudly as possible and the people were laughing and singing, while a big table nearby was loaded with delicious fruits and nuts. People greeted Dorothy kindly, and invited her to supper and to pass the night with them. This house was belong to the richest Munchkins in the land named Boq . Boq saw her Silver Shoes he said "you must be a great sorceress." Why ", asked the girl. Boq, "because you wear Silver shoes and have killed the Wicked Witch. Besides, you have white in your frock, and only witches and sorceresses wear white."Dorothy's dree was blue and white checked. People were thinking her a witch but she knows that she was only a ordinary little girl. Boq gave her a room with a pretty bed in it, Dorothy slept soundly in them till morning. In the morning she ate a hearty breakfast. Since the people of land didn't see dog before toto arrival, they were excited to see a new animal. Toto was a fine curiosity to all the people. Dorothy enquired from the people the distance of City of Emeralds. But no one could answer her question, they only said that "it must be far away from here, the road is rough and dangerous, but you are a brave girl you can clear it easily". She bade her friends goodbye and again started her next journey. When she had gone several miles to take rest she climbed to the top of the fence beside the road and sat down. There was a great corn field beyond the fence, and not far away she saw a Scarecrow placed high on a pole to keep the birds from the ripe corn. Dorothy leaned her chin upon her hand and gazed thoughtfully at the Scarecrow. Its head was small sack stuffed with straw, with eye, nose and mouth panted on it to represent a face. An old pointed blue hat, that had belong to some munchkins was on his head and rest of figure was blue suit of clothes, worn and faded which was also stuffed with straw. In his feet the old boots and the figure was raised above the stalks of corn by means of the pole stuck up its back. Dorothy was looking earnestly. She surprised to see one of the eyes slowly wink at her. She thought she must have been mistaken at first, it was not possible for a Scarecrow wink his eye. She went near to Scarecrow and the scarecrow nodded its head to her in a friendly way. "Good day", said the Scarecrow. "Did you speak" girl asked.

"Certainly", said the scarecrow. It was a good conversation between girl and the Scarecrow.

"I am not feeling well , for it is very tedious being perched up here night and day to scare away crows", said the scarecrow.

"Cant' you get down " asked Dorothy.

"No, for this pole is stuck up my back . If you will please take away the pole I shall be greatly obliged to you " Scarecrow requested Dorothy.

Dorothy reached up both arms and lifted the figure off the pole; for being stuffed with straw a it was quite light. He thanks to Dorothy and was much please born as a new man. Then they introduced themselves. Dorothy also told him about her purpose of this journey. When he come to know that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a powerful and can give any one any thing he wants. So he was anxious to ask the Wizard for brains so he joins her company and now they were three to go to city of Emeralds. Scarecrow was satisfied with his stuffed body, legs and hands but was sorry for a stuffed with straw head and be a fool. Any how he also became a part of the company.

They walked back to road , Dorothy helped him over the fence and they started along the path of yellow brick. Toto was not happy to this new friend but after some time he mixed with him too. He took the basket from Dorothy and they were happy to move on and on.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz

                            Michael Foreman's

                         Wonderful Wizard of Oz  - 

        L. Frank Baum

This is a wonderful story, of a little girl named Dorothy with her dog named Toto  and three friends i.e. Scarecrow, Woodman (Tin-man) and coward Lion 

The Great Wizard of Oz is humbug (fraud )- following is only the gist of story and the whole story surrounded by the Dorothy and her four wonderful companions.

THE CYCLONE 

Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies with her former uncle and aunt.

Their house was small, with four walls, a floor and a roof. The one room house contained s rusty looking cooking stove, cupboard for the dishes, a table, three  or four chairs and the big bed for uncle-aunt and small bed for dorothy at a corner. Dorothy, was an orphan, first came to her, Aunt Em had been so startled by the child's laughter that she would scream  and press her hand upon her heart. They were childless so the  it was wonderful experience for this couple to hear the sweet and honey voice of this little and beautiful girl named Dorothy. Her uncle was a different type of a hard worker and serious type, he never laughed, even he did not know  what joy was. He rarely spoke. Toto was Dorothy's Dog.    One day Uncle Henry sat upon  the doorstep and looked anxiously at the sky, which was even grayer than usual. Dorothy stood in the door with toto in her arms and looked at the sky too. Aunt Em was  washing the dishes. From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind and uncle Henry and Dorothy could see where the long grass bowed in waves before the coming storm. There now came a sharp whistling in the air from the south and they turned their eyes that way they saw ripples in the grass coming-from that direction also. uncle Henry suddenly stood up. He said "There is cyclone , Em,  I will look after the stock" He ran towards the sheds where the cows and horses were kept. Aunt Em dropped her work and came the door. she told to dorothy, "quick dorothy, run for cellar " she screamed.

Toto jumped out of Dorothy's arms and hid under the bed and the girl started to get him. Aunt badly frightened, threw open the trap door in the floor and climbed down the ladder into the small, dark  hole. Dorothy caught toto at last and started  to follow her aunt. When she was half way across the room there came a great shriek from thewind , and the house  shook so hard that she lost her footing and sat down suddenly upon the floor. A strang thing then happened. The house whirled around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Dorothy felt as if she were going  up in a balloon. 

The North and South winds met where  the house stood and made it the exact centre of the cyclone. In the middle of a cyclone the air is generally still, but the pressure of the wind on every side of the house raised it up higher and higher, until it was very top  of the cyclone; and there it remained and was carried miles and miles away as easily as you could carry a feather.  It was dark  and the wind howled horribly   around her, but Dorothy found she was riding quite easily. After the fist few whirls around, and one other time  when the house tipped badly she felt as if she were being rocked gently, like a baby in a cradle. Toto was running in the room and barking loudly, but Dorothy sat quite still on the floor and waited to see what would happen.Toto got too near the open trap door and fell in;and at first the little girl thought she has lost him, but soon she saw one of his ears sticking up through the whole, for the stronger pressure of the air was keeping him up so that he could not fall. She crept to the hole , caught toto by the ear and dragged him into the room, then she closed the trap door so that no more accidents could happen. Though Dorothy got over her fright; but she felt lonely. The wind was shrieked so laudly all about her that she nearly became deaf. She was waiting the worst she might be dashed to pieces when the house fell again, but as the hours passed  and nothing terrible happened, she stopped worrying  and resolved to wait calmly  and see what the future would bring. At last she crawled over the swaying floor  to her bed and lay down  upon it and toto followed  and lay down beside her. Inspite of the swaying of the house and the wailing of the wind, Dorothy soon closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.  

The Council with Munchkins    

Dorothy was awakened by a shock, so sudden and severe that she had not been lying on the soft bed she might have hurt. There was light everywhere, bright sun shine came in  at the window, flooding the little room. She sprang from her  bed and with toto at her heels ran and opened the door. The cyclone had set the house down , very gently - for a cyclone  in the midst of the unknown country.  She gave a cry of amazement and looked about her, her eyes  growing bigger and bigger  at the wonderful sight she saw. 

There were lovely patches of green sward all about,long trees bearing rich luscious fruits. Bank of gorgeous flowers were on every hand and bird with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes. She was looking eagerly at the strange and beautiful sights, she noticed coming towards her  a group of  queerest people she had ever  seen. They were neither with standard height nor so small. They were tall as Dorothy, who was a well grown child for  her age, although they were many years old. All were men and one woman oddly dressed. Men wear with blue  hat and white hat of woman. Men dressed in blue with polished boots. Little woman was doubtless much older' her face was  covered  with wrinkles, her hair was neatly white and she walked rather stiffly. Along all men the little woman came near to Dorothy, she made a low bow and said, in a sweet voice. "You are welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins. We are so grateful to you for having killed the wicked Witch of the East and for  setting our people  free from bondage." Dorothy was an innocent, harmless little girl, who had been carried by a cyclone many miles from her home and she had never killed anything in all her life.  But the little woman evidently expected her to answer;  so Dorothy said with hesitation, "you are very kind but I have not killed anything ". "Your house did any way, and that is the same thing , see, there are her two  toes, still sticking out from under  a block of  wood "   replied the lady with a laugh. There were a pair of silver shoes. Dorothy asked, Who was she ?" "She was wicked witch of East.  She has held all the Munchkins  in bondage for many years, making them slave , now the all are free  and are grateful to you for the favor" said the little woman.   

The little woman was the witch of North (good witch). She came here on the invitation this people of the land called Munchkins. She told Dorothy "that there were four witches of all land of  Oz, North, South, East and West.  North and South witches are nice where as East and West witches are wicked, East wicked witch has been  killed by your house and now one wicked witch is still ruling west Oz where she made all their subject slave. She is naughty powerful. The East wicked witch was powerful because of her Silver shoes and West wicked witch has golden Cap.  " Dorothy said "my aunt Em told me that there are no witches now and all have died years ago". The little woman said your country might be civilized and in civilized societies I believe  there are  no witches left' nor Wizards, nor  sorceresses, nor magicians. But land of Oz  has never been civilized, for we are cut of from all the rest of the world and we still have witches and wizards amongst us." She further said " Oz himself is the Great Wizard. He is more powerful than all the rest of us together. He lives in the City of Emeralds". 

It was a surprise to all the people present there that the the feet of wicked witch who was lying dead  had disappeared  entirely  and nothing was left but the Silver shoes. The little lady gave the Silver shoes to Dorothy to wear.  Now Dorothy said to the Munchkins "I am anxious to get back to my aunt and uncle, for I am sure  they will worry about me. Can any one of you help me to find my way." But non of them knows kansas, there was a great desert surrounded the country  and beyond that desert no one dare to cross. The South country is belong to Quadlings. The West country ruled by the wicked witch  where winkies live.  "The North is my country and that too surrounded by desert" said the old lady. 

Dorothy began sob, at this, she felt lonely among all these strange people. Her tears seemed to grieve the kind hearted Munchkins, for they  immediately took out their kandkerchiefs and began to weep also. As for the little old woman , she too off her cap  and balanced the point  on the end ofher nose, while she counted " one, two, three" in a solemn voice. At onece the cap changed to a slate, on which was written in big white chalk marks,

'LET DOROTHY GO TO THE CITY OF EMERALDS"

THE LITTLE WOMAN ASKED dOROTY, "iS YOUR NAME IS dOROTHY, MY DEAR."

"Yes " Answer the child, looking up and drying her tears. The little lady asked to Dorothy to go to City of Emeralds. The Wizard is a good man  and will help you. Dorothy asked "How can I can get  there,"

Little lady, " you must walk, It is a long journey, through a country that is sometimes pleasant and sometimes dark and terrible. However, I will use all the magic arts I know of to keep you from harm. I will give you my kiss, and no one will dare injure a person who has been kissed  by the witch of the North " and she came close to Dorothy and kissed her gently on the forehead. Where her lips touched the girl they left a round , shinning mark, as Dorothy found  out soon after. They also guide her "The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick, don't miss it. When you get to Oz do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help. " Dorothy started her long journey, three Munchkins and little old lady gave her good farewell. 

 

Anne Frank - Jew

Anne Frank was born into a Jewish family on June 12, 1929 in Frankfurt Germany. At that time millions of Germans were out of work. Many were listening to the hate-filled, anti-Jewish  speeches of Adolf Hitler. In 1933 Hitler became Chancellor of  Germany, and the Franks moved to Holland, Amsterdam, when they thought that they would be safe. Anne attended school there and at one time she won the prize in easy competition. The World War was broke out in 1939. In 1940 the German army invaded Holland. To avoid being persecuted, the Franks moved into secret apartment. When she  became thirteen she was a Diary as birth day gift. She use this diary as her autography and started to write daily happening in her life , describing the hardships  she endured  while in hiding, as well as some of the  happy moments. Jews were not allowed in movie theaters, parts, swimming pools, ride cars even bycycle.  Dutch schools were closed to Jews. During their hide out the Dutch people helped them risking their own lives.   In 1944, the hideout was discovered, and Anne was sent to Westerbork with elder sister, a prison camp in northeastern Holland. After that she was sent to Auschwitz , a death camp in Poland, and finally to Bergen-Belsen, the German camp where she died in just 15 years of age in late February or early March 1945 due to diaease and hunger,  with her sister Margot.  

Anne Frank's courage amidst the horrors of war, humans suffering and death has inspired the millions of people who have read her diary. On May 08, 1945 the war in Europe ended. During the course of the war, six million Jews  were murderedby the Nazis. One and one half millions of victims were children. Of the 120,oo0 Jews who had lived in Holland in 1940, just 14,000 survived. Of course eight who hide in the secret apartment in Amsterdam, only Otto Frank (anne's father) was left. The Nazis murdered millions of others, too, including cripples, the mentally ill, beggars, Russian prisoners of war, Romanies, homosexuals, and communists.    

Her father Otto Franks returned to Amsterdam. Some one had found Anne's diary and had given  it to him. The diary was first published in 1947. Since then it has been translated into more than fifty languages. Many millions of people have read Anne's Diary. They have learned fromit the horrors of war, and the terrible price paid in lives and human suffering for prejudice and hatred.  Some people find it difficult to understand the enormous tragedy of the Holocaust , the organized murder of millions of people. But when they read Anee's diary, it all become real. Then they know one of the victims. They know anne Frank.  

Written by David A. Adler

illustrated by Karen Ritz

(A Picture Book of ANNE FRANK)

i READ THIS BOOK IN hALF hOLLOW hILLS 

COMMUNITY LIBRARY

55 VANDERBILT PARKWAY

DIX HILLS, NEW YORK - on 29/10/2011  

       

George Washington - American first President

George Washington was born on 22/02/1732 in Virginia farmhouse. It was an English Colony. He was interested in fishing and boating. He watched ships that sailed past on nearby river. But most of all he liked to ride horse.. He learned to read and write in school. He practiced his handwriting by copying lists of rules such as "Keep your fingers clean" and "Thank before you speak." But his favorite subject was arithmetic. When George  was 11 years his father died. George helped his mother to run their farm and  watch his younger brothers and sister.. One day George found some surveying tools that had belongs to his father, he used them to measure and map a turnip field and a pine forest. He liked surveying. When he was sixteen he was very tall and looked much matured. He was given a job surveying land in the Virginia wilderness. On attaining    21 years he joined Virginia army. He rode to the Ohio Valley to warn French to get off English land. 

   In 1754 the French and Indian War began. George Washington fought on the side of England. He led Virginia soldiers against the French. George was was known as a brave good leader throughout the the thirteen American colonies. When he was 26 years of age he married with Martha Custis  a wealthy widow with two children and moved to Mount Vernon. The England won their long  war against French. King George III of England wanted the American Colonies to help pay the cost of war, so he taxed them. American Colonists refused to pay the taxes. In Boston , colonies dumped tea into the harbor rather than pay the tax on it. 

   In  April, 1775 fighting between England and her American colonies began near Boston, at Lexington and at Concord, Massachusetts. One month later leaders of the thirteen colonies met in Phildelphia. George Washington was chosen to lead the Continental Army.  Often there were not enough uniforms, food, blankets and guns for George Washington's soldiers.

War lasted eight years,George Washington and the Continental Army fought bravery. In 1783, when the American colonies won the war, Geoprge Washington was a hero. Thirteen colonies became 13 states. They joined together and formed a government, but it was weak. In 1787 a new government was formed. with a congress, a supreme court and a President. George Washington was the best known, most loved leader in America . He was elected the first president of the United States of America in 1789. He was reelected in 1792.

 President George Washington signed treaties with the Indians, Spain and England. There was a war in Europe, but George Washington  kept the United States out of it. When some farmers in Pennsylvania refused to pay a tax  on whisky, George Washington sent soldiers to force the farmers to obey the law. In 1797, after eight years as President, George Washington returned to his home at Mount Vernon. Each morning he rode across his large farm on horseback.

  Sometimes he rode fifteen miles north of Mount Vernon to watch the building of a new city. It would be the capital of the United States, and it would be named after him. It would be called Washington. Then, in 1799 George Washington became ill and died, he was sixty-seven years old. He was a great leader. He has been called the "Father of our Country". It has been said that George Washington was "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

written by David A. Adler, illustrated by John & Alexandra Wallner.  (28/10/2011(  

दिवाली २०११

मैं पिचले २००३ से अमेरिका में ही दिवाली मन रहा हूँ ! शायद २ या ३ साल दिल्ली में दिवाली मनाई होगी ! पहले हम लोग यूटाह में थे और २००३ की दिवाली हमने वहीं मनाई ! साल्ट लेक सिटी काफी खूबसूरत जगह है ! वहां राजेश के
बहुत सारे दोस्त थे ! सारे नजदीक ही थे ! जन्म दिन, कोई भी त्यौहार हम लोग मिलजुल कर मना लिया करते थे ! वहां नजदीक ही मंदिर भी थे ! २००५ में राजेश यहाँ न्यूयार्क आ गया ! उसके बाद यहाँ फिर उसके आई आई टी के बहुत सारे दोस्त मिल गए ! हर त्यौहार ये सारे लोग मिलजुल कर मनाते हैं ! यहाँ भारतीय बहुत बड़ी संख्या में हैं लेकिन बहुत दूर दूर रहते हैं ! हर एक के पास दो दो तीन तीन गाड़ियां हैं इसलिए आने जाने में कोई परेशानी नहीं है ! यहाँ पर हिन्दुस्तानियों के ही रेस्टोरेंट भी हैं जहां हर प्रकार का खाना मिल जाता है, साउथ इन्डियन भी और नॉर्थ इन्डियन भी ! साथ ही किसी प्रकार का महोत्सव इन्हीं रेस्टोरेंटों में मनाते हैं अमेरिका में हिन्दुस्तानी मूल के
लोग ! यहाँ राजेश- काजल ने दो साल पहले मेल्वील में नया घर लिया है, लोकेशन बड़ी प्यारी है ! मेंन दरवाजा पूर्व दिशा की और मुखातिब है ! दक्षिण में शानदार मख मली घास का लान है ! यहीं पर हमने टमाटर, पौकी की बेल बोई थी ! टमाटर पिछले साल भी और इस साल भी खूब खाए ! कुछ टमाटर तो २५० ग्राम तक के थे ! लौकी केवल एक हाथ लगी ! कालोनी के उतर में एक बहुत बड़ा फार्म हाउस है जहाँ मकई, टमाटर, बैंगन, सोयाबीन शिमला मिर्चें और भी ताजी ताजी सब्जियां मिल जाती हैं !
इस साल की दिवाली २६ अक्टूबर को पडी और उसी दिन मेरे बड़े पोते आत्रेय का जन्म दिन भी था ! करण ने दरवाजे पर लाइटें सजाई , वेदान्त ने खूब मस्ती की दादा दादी के साथ ! कालोनी में कम ही भारतीय हैं, इसलिए दूर से हमारा ही घर जगमगा रहा है ! दीवाली अमेरिका में मना रहे हैं और इंडिया की दीवाली और जगमगाती रोशनियों का आनंद ले रहे हैं दूरदर्शन पर !
यहाँ के लोग ३१ अक्टूबर को हेलोवीन का त्यौहार मनाते हैं ! सारे लोग अपने घरों के दरवाजों पर अजीब अजीब आकृतियों के भूतों के पुतले टांग देते हैं ! कहते हैं ये हेलोवीन का भूत है जो बहुत ही फ्रेंडली है ! इन लोगों का मानना है की हेलोवीन परिवार में खुशी और समृधि लेकर आता है ! उसके अलावा हरेक के घर के आगे कद्दू (सीता फल) को भी रंगों में पोत कर भूत में तबदील कर दिया जाता है ! बच्चे शाम के समय हाथों में छोटी छोटी बाल्टी लेकर हर दरवाजे पर दस्तक देते हैं और घर के लोग दरवाजा खोल कर उन बाल्टियों में बहुत सारे चौकलेट डाल देते हैं ! ये बच्चे कालोनी में किसी को नहीं छोड़ते ! अब ऊपर वाला ही जनता है की अगली दीवाली कहाँ मानी जाएगी, भारत में या अमेरिका में !

फिर भी दिल है हिन्दुस्तानी

मेरी कार है जापानी, मेरी पैंट इंगलिस्तानी,
मूछें मेरी हिटलर कट हैं फिर भी दिल है हिन्दुस्तानी !
स्वीटजरलैंड की हाथ घड़ी है, कोरिया की टी वी पडी है,
सूट पहिनता इटली की, चाय चायना कीटली की,
स्पेन की शर्ट पहिनता अमेरिका की नेकर,
खाट, कुर्सी सोफे मेरे सारे हैं फारेन मेकर,
मंत्री सारे देशी हैं पर विदेशी रानी,
सूरत है चाहे अनजानी, मतदाताओं को हैरानी,
मूंछे मेरी हिटलर कट हैं फिर भी दिल है हिन्दुस्तानी !
सडकों पर तो भीड़ बड़ी है,
नेताओं की लाईन खडी है,
सबको अपनी अपनी पडी है,
बिन पीये ही जाम चढी है,
भ्रष्टाचार में अगवा मंत्री
रिश्वतखोरी करते संतरी,
ये सब काले धन के रोगी,
इनसे भिड़ाने आए जोगी,
पुलिस ने फिर मारे डंडे,
रामदेव जी पद गए ठन्डे,
कहने लगे मुझको हैरानी, थे कल तक मेरे आसामी,
सूट चुनरी नारी की थी, फिर भी दिल है हिन्दुस्तानी !
मेरी कार .....
मनमोहन अंधा बन जाए, जब सोनिया आँख दिखाए,
फिर मंत्री करते घोटाला,
पहिन गले हीरों की माला,
कलमाडी ने शीला मोदी,
घोटाला दोनों की जोड़ी,
करूणानिधि की प्यारी बेटी,
भ्रष्टाचार में सबसे जेठी,
ए राजा ने मारी छलांग
कदम पद गया थोड़ा रांग,
फिर तिहाड़ में आ के पड़े,
हो न सके वे फिर से खड़े !
यहाँ सूरत जानी पहिचानी, कुछ रा हैं कुछ हैं रानी,
मूंछे मेरी हिटलर कट हैं, फिर भी दिल है हिन्दुस्तानी !

मेरी अभिलाषा

मानव अगर बनू इस जगका जाके अयोध्या वास करूँ,

चरण कमल जहां रघुनन्दन के वहीं बैठ निवास करूँ !

पार ब्रह्म परमेश्वर वे हैं सदा उन्हीं का ध्यान करूँ,

सरयू की जल धारा में मैं परम ब्रह्म का गान करूँ !

ये मेरी इच्छा है भगवन जब tak मैं यह सांश भरूँ,

चरण कमल जहां रघुनंदन के वहीं बैठ निवास करूँ ! १

ब्रह्मा विष्णु महेश जहां नित झुक झुक शीश नवाते हैं,

वेद पूराणों में खुद ही ये महा विष्णु कहलाते हैं,

नील गगन में चाँद और तारे नव आभा बिखराते हैं,

सूरज रथ में बैठ के अपने स्वर्ण किरण वरसाते हैं,

हे पुरुषोतम राम सदा मैं दर पे तेरे पड़ा रहूँ,

चरण कमल रघुनन्दन के वहीं बैठ निवास करूँ २

नारद की वीणा के स्वर भी जिससे नेह लगाते हैं,

पापी भी जिस राम नाम से भवसागर तर जाते हैं,

शेषनाग भी लखन रूप में जिनके अनुज कहाते हैं,

वही नर नारायण श्री राम दशरथ के राज दुलारे हैं !

अर्द्धांगनी जिनकी जनक सुता उन चरणों के मैं पास रहूँ,

चरण कमल जहां रघुनन्दन के वहीं बैठ निवास करूँ !

यादों के झरोखों से - प्रिय भाई मनोहरसिंह की याद में

हे भाई मनोहर बता क्या हमारी खता, कुछ कहे ही बिना तू कहाँ चल दिया ? न कोई गिला न शिकवा किया, चुपके से भय्या कहाँ खो गया ? तुझे क्या पता क्या हमारी दशा, हम बेहोश हैं ये दर्द का नशा, तू छोटा था मुझसे पर आगे रहा, रुक रुक के चल मैंने तुझसे कहा, जहां तो जरूरत थी चलने को आगे तेरे साथ भय्या हम भी तो भागे, पर यहाँ तैने ऐसी छलांग लगाई , किधर गया कुछ समझ में आई, तुझे क्या पता क्या हमारी ब्यथा, कुछ तो बताता हमारी खता, कुछ कहे ही बिना तू कहाँ चल दिया ? तेरे जाने से हमको धक्का लगा, क्यों किया भय्या तुने हमसे दगा आँखों में आंसू टपकते रहे, हर जख्म सीने पे सहते रहे, लेकिन भय्या, जो पीड़ा तुमने हमको दी, चुपके से गया आह तक न की ! ये जख्म इस जन्म में भर न पाएगा, लगता ये तो अब साथ ही जाएगा (१०/1997)

मेरे गाँव का आम का पेड़

है खड़ा दक्षिण दिशा में गाँव के आम का एक पेड़, सीने छिपाए बिसरी यादें ढेर, सदियों से इस रूप में, सर्दी वर्षा धूप में, कहता है हम सभी से, मैं ही हूँ प्रत्यक्ष दर्शी गवाह बनकर, यह बताने कौन था पूर्वज तुम्हारा आया था इस गाँव में बैठा मेरी छाँव में ! मैं था बचपन सीढ़ियों में चढ़ता हुआ, योवन की तरफ पहला कदम धरता हुआ, था चारों तरफ घना जंगल, जंगली जानवरों का दंगल, शेर भालू और बन्दर ! और था मैं उनको लुटाता पक्के रसीले आम बिना कोई दाम, खग मृग जो भी शरण में आता, सुख संतोष पाता ! मेहताबसिंह पहला मानव, मेरे नजदीक आया, स्वागत में मैंने दी उसे ठंडी छाया ! उसने डाडा गाँव बसाया, पुत्र रूप में पांच रत्न पाया, है पूरब में सेमल का पेड़, होगा दाई सौ साल पुराना ! है खडा प्रहरी बनकर क्या इंसान ने इसको पहिचाना ? हम दोनों एक साथ पैदा हुए, प्रत्यक्ष दर्शी हैं उन घटनाओं के जो कुछ भी इस गाँव में हुए ! पीढी दर पीढी आदमी आते रहे, जाते रहे ! हर एक ने मेरी छाया में विश्राम किया ! मैंने भी उन्हें बच्चों जैसा प्यार दुलार दिया ! बच्चा बुढा और जवान, मैंने इन्हें फल दिया, लकड़ी और छाया दी अपना सीना तान ! बदले में मेरे ऊपर पत्थरों की वर्षा होती है ! मैं शांत खडा सहन करता हूँ पर आत्मा रोती है ! सोचता हूँ संत और परमारथ करने वाले, समाज द्वारा ऐसे ही प्रताड़ित किए जाते हैं, अपने ही द्वारा पोषित मानव कयों अपनों को ही सताते हैं ! आज जब पीछे नजर जाती है, भूली बिसरी खट्टी मिट्टी बातें याद आती हैं ! इस गाँव की वंशावली फूलती फलती रही, आत्मा खुश होती कुछ अंदाजा नहीं ! सभी ने बचपन मेरे आँगन में बिताया ! कच्चे पक्के फल उन्हें खिलाया ! अब दाई सौ साल के लगभग उम्र होगई, बुढापा आगया जवानी खोगई ! मैंने इन आँखों से देखा जब गढ़वाल पर जुल्मी गोरखों ने मार काट मचाई, कत्ले आम किया शैतानों को महिला, बच्चे और बूढों पर भी दया नहीं आई ! १८१५ ई० में अंग्रेजों ने गोरखों को भगाया, हमारा आधा गढ़वाल तब से ब्रिटिश गढ़वाल कहलाया ! १५ अगस्त १९४७ की थी अंधेरी रात, दो सौ सालों बाद यह भारत हुआ था आजाद ! यह भारत हुआ था आजाद देश ने अपनी सरकार बनाई, छुट भय्या नेताओं ने अपनी दुकान सजाई ! कहे हरेन्द्र रावत यह आम का पेड़ निराला ! ढाई सौ साल जन्म दिन पर आम के गले में डालो माला ! हरेंद्रसिंह रावत - द्वारका दिल्ली