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.