The Wizard of Oz Read online

  Toto ran toward the Lion. The great beast opened his mouth to bite the dog.

  Dorothy rushed forward. She slapped the Lion as hard as she could! “Don’t you dare bite Toto!” she shouted. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. A big beast like you, biting a poor little dog!”

  “But I didn’t bite him,” said the Lion.

  “No, but you tried to,” Dorothy said. “You are nothing but a big coward!”

  “I know,” the Lion said. He hung his head in shame.

  “To think of your striking a stuffed man like the Scarecrow!” said Dorothy.

  “Is he stuffed?” asked the Lion in surprise. He watched Dorothy pick up the Scarecrow and set him upon his feet.

  “Of course he’s stuffed,” replied Dorothy.

  “What is that little animal?” asked the Lion.

  “He is my dog, Toto,” answered Dorothy.

  “Oh! He seems remarkably small, now that I look at him. No one would think of biting such a little thing except a coward like me,” said the Lion sadly.

  “What makes you a coward?” asked Dorothy.

  “I was born that way,” replied the Lion. “Whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast.”

  “You ought to be glad, for that proves you have a heart,” said the Tin Woodman.

  “Perhaps,” said the Lion.

  “Have you brains?” asked the Scarecrow.

  “I suppose so,” said the Lion.

  “I am going to the Great Oz to ask him to give me some,” said the Scarecrow.

  “And I am going to ask him to give me a heart,” said the Woodman.

  “And I am going to ask him to send Toto and me back to Kansas,” said Dorothy.

  “Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll go with you,” said the Lion. “My life is unbearable without a bit of courage, and maybe the Great Oz can give me some.”

  “You will be very welcome,” answered Dorothy, “for you will help to keep away the other wild beasts.”

  So once more the little company set off. Only one thing of interest happened the rest of that day.

  The Tin Woodman stepped on a beetle. He cried until tears ran down his face and rusted the hinges of his jaws. He made motions with his hands to Dorothy, trying to explain what had happened.

  She did not understand. The Lion was also puzzled.

  Finally, the Scarecrow seized the oilcan from Dorothy’s basket. He oiled the Woodman’s jaws. After a few moments the tin man could talk as well as before.

  Thereafter the Tin Woodman walked very carefully, with his eyes on the road.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The Journey to the Great Oz

  That night the companions camped out under a tree. When it was daylight, they started again toward the Emerald City.

  They had been walking an hour when they came upon a great ditch. It was very wide and very deep, and it divided the forest as far as they could see. There were jagged rocks at the bottom. The sides were so steep that none of them could climb down.

  “What shall we do?” asked Dorothy.

  After serious thought the Scarecrow said, “Here is a great tree. The Tin Woodman can chop it down. It will fall to the other side. That way we can walk across it.”

  So the Woodman set to work. Then the Lion put his front legs against the tree and pushed. Crash! The big tree fell across the ditch, just as the Scarecrow had suggested.

  Just then a growl made them all look up. Two great beasts were running toward them! The beasts had bodies like bears and heads like tigers.

  “Kalidahs!” said the Cowardly Lion. “I’m terribly afraid of them!”

  “Quick!” cried the Scarecrow. “Let us cross over.”

  Dorothy went first, holding Toto. The Tin Woodman followed. The Scarecrow came next. Then the Lion turned to face the Kalidahs. He gave a loud roar.

  The fierce beasts stopped short. But seeing they were bigger than the Lion, the Kalidahs rushed forward. The Lion crossed over the tree. The Kalidahs came after him!

  “They will tear us to pieces,” the Lion said. “Stand close behind me, and I will fight.”

  “Wait a minute!” called the Scarecrow. He asked the Woodman to chop the end of the tree on their side of the ditch.

  The Woodman did so. Just as the two Kalidahs were nearly across, the tree fell with a crash into the gulf. Both were dashed to pieces on the sharp rocks at the bottom.

  This adventure made the travelers eager to get out of the forest. So they walked fast. In the afternoon they came upon a river.

  “How shall we cross?” asked Dorothy.

  “That is easily done,” replied the Scarecrow. “The Tin Woodman must build us a raft.”

  When night fell, the raft was not finished. So they found a cozy place under the trees to sleep. Dorothy dreamed of the Emerald City and of the Great Wizard, Oz, who would soon send her back to her own home again.

  The travelers awakened the next morning refreshed and full of hope. The Tin Woodman finished the raft, and they were ready to start. They had long poles to push the raft through the water.

  They got along quite well until they reached the middle of the river. There the current turned swift. It swept the raft downstream. They went farther and farther away from the yellow brick road.

  “We must get to the Emerald City,” the Scarecrow said.

  He pushed so hard on his pole that it stuck in the mud at the bottom of the river. Before he could pull it out, the raft was swept away! The Scarecrow was left clinging to the pole in the middle of the river.

  Down the stream the raft floated. The poor Scarecrow was far behind.

  “Something must be done!” said the Lion.

  He sprang into the water. The Tin Woodman stayed on the raft and caught hold of his tail. Then the Lion swam with all his might. It was hard work, but by and by, they were drawn out of the current.

  Dorothy took the Tin Woodman’s long pole and helped push the raft to the land. The stream had carried them a long way past the yellow brick road.

  “We must find the Scarecrow,” said the Tin Woodman.

  They started along the grassy bank.

  After a time Dorothy cried out, “Look!”

  There was the Scarecrow, perched upon his pole in the middle of the water!

  A stork landed at the water’s edge. “Who are you?” asked the stork.

  “I am Dorothy,” Dorothy answered. “These are my friends. But we have to rescue the Scarecrow. Can you help?”

  So the big bird flew to the Scarecrow. She picked him up by the arm and carried him to the bank.

  The Scarecrow hugged his three friends. “I was afraid I would have to stay in the river forever!”

  They thanked the stork and walked along. Soon they found themselves in a great meadow of poppies.

  Now, it is well known that when there are many of these flowers, anyone who breathes their odor will fall asleep. And a sleeper who is not carried away from the flowers can sleep forever. Dorothy did not know this. Her eyes grew heavy. Soon she fell among the poppies, fast asleep.

  “What shall we do?” asked the Tin Woodman.

  “If we leave her here, she will die,” said the Lion. “And I can scarcely keep my eyes open. Look, the dog is asleep, too.”

  It was true. Toto had fallen down beside Dorothy. Luckily, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman were not made of flesh, so they were untroubled by the flowers.

  “Run,” said the Scarecrow to the Lion. “Get out of this flower bed. We will carry Dorothy and Toto.”

  The Lion bounded away as fast as he could go. Then the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman put Toto in Dorothy’s lap. They carried the sleeping girl through the flowers.

  On and on they walked. At last, they came upon the Lion.

  They put Dorothy down in a pretty spot beside the river, away from the poppies. Then they waited for the fresh breeze to waken her.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The Guardian of the Gates

  When Dorothy and Toto awakened, the
companions started on their journey once again. It was not long before they reached the yellow brick road and turned toward the Emerald City.

  The road was smooth and well paved. They soon saw a beautiful green glow in the sky.

  “That must be the Emerald City,” Dorothy said.

  In the afternoon, they came to the great green wall around the City. At the end of the yellow brick road was a big gate, studded with emeralds. They walked through and found themselves in a high arched room, whose walls glistened with emeralds.

  A little man stood before them. He was clothed all in green, and even his skin was greenish. At his side was a large green box.

  “What do you wish in the Emerald City?” the man asked.

  “We came here to see the Great Oz,” answered Dorothy.

  “It has been many years since anyone asked to see Oz,” the man said. “I am the Guardian of the Gates, and since you ask to see the Great Oz, I must take you to his palace. But first you must put on spectacles.”

  “Why?” asked Dorothy.

  “Because if you did not, the brightness of the Emerald City would blind you,” said the Guardian of the Gates. “Even those who live in the City must wear spectacles night and day.”

  The Guardian of the Gates opened the large green box. It was filled with spectacles! Each pair had lenses of green glass. The Guardian found a pair for Dorothy. Then he fitted spectacles for the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion, and even little Toto. Finally, the Guardian of the Gates put on his own glasses. He opened another gate.

  The friends followed him into the Emerald City. Even with the green spectacles, Dorothy and her companions were dazzled. The houses were built of green marble. They were studded with emeralds. Even the sky had a green tint!

  The Guardian of the Gates led them through the streets to the Palace of Oz. There was a soldier before the door. He was dressed in green, too, and had a long green beard.

  “Here are strangers,” said the Guardian of the Gates to him. “They demand to see the Great Oz.”

  “Step inside,” said the soldier. “I will carry your message to him.”

  When the soldier came back, Dorothy asked, “Have you seen Oz yourself?”

  “Oh, no,” returned the soldier. “I have never seen him. But he sat behind his screen and I gave him your message. He said he would grant you an audience. But each one of you must see him alone. I will have you shown to rooms where you may wait in comfort.”

  “Thank you,” Dorothy said. “That is very kind.”

  The soldier blew a green whistle. A girl entered the room. She had lovely green hair and green eyes.

  “I will show you to your rooms,” the girl said.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The Wonderful City of Oz

  The next morning, after breakfast, the green maiden came to fetch Dorothy. They started for the Throne Room of the Palace. The girl opened a door and Dorothy walked through.

  She found herself in a big, round room. The walls and ceiling and floor were covered with emeralds. A green marble throne stood in the middle, and in the chair was an enormous Head!

  The mouth moved and a voice said, “I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me?”

  It was not as awful a voice as Dorothy had expected. So she took courage.

  “I am Dorothy,” she said. “I have come to you for help.”

  The eyes looked at her. “Where did you get the silver shoes?”

  “I got them from the Wicked Witch of the East, when my house fell on her and killed her,” Dorothy replied.

  “Where did you get the mark upon your forehead?” asked Oz.

  “That is where the Good Witch of the North kissed me,” said the girl.

  “What do you wish me to do?” Oz asked.

  “Send me back to Kansas,” said Dorothy. “Aunt Em will be dreadfully worried over my being away so long.”

  “Well,” said Oz, “if you wish me to use my magic power, you must do something for me first.”

  “What must I do?” asked Dorothy.

  “Kill the Wicked Witch of the West,” answered Oz.

  Dorothy began to weep. “Even if I wanted to, how could I kill the Wicked Witch?”

  “I do not know,” said the Head. “But that is my answer. Now go. And do not ask to see me again until you have done your task.”

  Dorothy left the Throne Room. She went back to where the Lion and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman were waiting for her. “There is no hope for me,” she said sadly.

  The next day the soldier with the green beard came for the Scarecrow. The Scarecrow followed him into the Throne Room. On the emerald throne was a lovely Lady.

  “I am Oz, the Great and Terrible,” the lady said sweetly. “Who are you, and why do you seek me?”

  The Scarecrow was surprised. He had expected to see the giant Head that Dorothy had told him about.

  “I am only a scarecrow stuffed with straw,” he said bravely. “I come to ask you to put brains in my head.”

  “Why should I do this for you?” asked the Lady.

  “Because you are wise and powerful,” answered the Scarecrow.

  “I never grant favors without something in return,” said the Lady. “But if you kill the Wicked Witch of the West, I will give you a great many brains.”

  “I thought you asked Dorothy to kill the Witch,” said the Scarecrow.

  “So I did,” said the Lady. “I don’t care who kills her. But until she is dead, I will not grant your wish.”

  The Scarecrow went back to his friends and told them what Oz had said.

  The next morning the soldier with the green beard came for the Tin Woodman. When the Woodman entered the great Throne Room, he saw that Oz had taken the shape of a most terrible Beast.

  “I am Oz, the Great and Terrible,” roared the Beast. “Who are you, and why do you seek me?”

  “I am a woodman, made of tin. I pray you to give me a heart,” said the Tin Woodman.

  Oz gave a low growl. “Help Dorothy kill the Wicked Witch of the West and I will give you the biggest, most loving heart in all the Land of Oz.”

  The Tin Woodman returned to his friends. He told them what Oz had said to him.

  The next day was the Lion’s turn. On the throne was a Ball of Fire.

  A low, quiet voice came from the Ball of Fire. “I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me?”

  The Lion answered, “I am a cowardly lion, and I beg that you give me courage.”

  The Ball of Fire burned fiercely. “Bring me proof that the Wicked Witch is dead. At that moment I will give you courage. Until then, you must remain a coward.”

  The Lion was angry but said nothing.

  He was glad to find his friends waiting for him, and told them of his terrible interview with the Wizard.

  “What shall we do?” asked Dorothy sadly.

  “There is only one thing we can do,” said the Lion. “We must seek out the Wicked Witch and destroy her!”

  CHAPTER NINE

  The Wicked Witch of the West

  The following day the soldier with the green beard came for Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. He led them through the Emerald City to where the Guardian of the Gates lived.

  “Which road leads to the Wicked Witch of the West?” Dorothy asked.

  “There is no road,” answered the Guardian of the Gates. “No one ever wishes to go that way.”

  “How, then, are we to find her?” Dorothy asked.

  “Keep to the West, where the sun sets, and you cannot fail to find her,” the Guardian replied.

  The travelers followed his advice, and the Emerald City was soon far behind them.

  Now, the Wicked Witch of the West had only one eye. But that eye was as powerful as a telescope, and it could see everywhere. So it happened that she saw Dorothy and her friends coming her way.

  The Wicked Witch stamped her foot and tore her hair when she saw the intruders. She too
k a charmed Golden Cap from her cupboard. Whoever wore the Cap could call upon an army of Winged Monkeys.

  So the Wicked Witch placed the Golden Cap on her head. Then she said slowly:

  “Ep-pe, pep-pe, kak-ke!

  Hil-lo, hol-lo, hel-lo!

  Ziz-zy, zuz-zy, zik!”

  The sky darkened. There was a rushing of many wings, and a crowd of Monkeys gathered around the Wicked Witch. Each Monkey had a pair of powerful wings.

  “What do you command?” the biggest Monkey asked the Witch.

  “Go to the strangers who are within my land and destroy them,” said the Wicked Witch. “Except the Lion. Bring him to me.”

  “Your commands shall be obeyed,” said the leader.

  Off the Winged Monkeys flew.

  When they reached Dorothy and her friends, some of the Monkeys seized the Tin Woodman. They carried him to a place with sharp rocks and dropped him there. The Tin Woodman lay battered and dented.

  Other Monkeys pulled all of the straw out of the Scarecrow. They bundled his hat and boots and clothes together and threw them into a tall tree.

  The remaining Monkeys threw rope around the Lion and carried him to the Witch’s Castle. They put him in a yard with a high iron fence.

  Dorothy waited with Toto in her arms.

  The leader of the Winged Monkeys flew up to her, meaning harm. But when he saw the mark of the Good Witch’s kiss on her forehead, he said, “We dare not harm this little girl. The Power of Good protects her, and that is greater than the Power of Evil. All we can do is to take her to the Castle of the Wicked Witch.”

  So Dorothy and Toto were carried to the Castle’s doorstep.

  The Monkey leader said to the Witch, “We have obeyed you as far as we were able. Your power over our band is now ended.”

  Then all the Winged Monkeys took to the air and were soon out of sight.