The Oz Series
Chapter 18
Part of the Dorothy's Journey to the Wizard and Back to Kansas arc.
What happens
Dorothy weeps bitterly at losing her hope of returning to Kansas, but on reflection is glad she did not go up in the balloon; she and her companions also feel sorry at losing Oz. The Tin Woodman asks Dorothy to wipe his tears so he will not rust, weeps several minutes for the man who gave him his heart, and afterward oils himself thoroughly with his jeweled oil-can. The Scarecrow is now ruler of the Emerald City, and though not a Wizard, the people are proud to be ruled by a stuffed man, believing no other city in the world is so ruled.
The morning after the balloon departed, the four travelers meet in the Throne Room, the Scarecrow seated in the big throne. The Scarecrow declares they are not unlucky since the Palace and City belong to them; the Tin Woodman is well pleased with his heart, the only thing he wished; and the Lion is content knowing he is as brave as any beast. When the Scarecrow suggests they could all be happy together if Dorothy would live in the Emerald City, she insists she wants to return to Kansas to live with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. The Scarecrow thinks so hard that pins and needles stick out of his brains, then suggests calling the Winged Monkeys to carry Dorothy over the desert. Dorothy joyfully fetches the Golden Cap and speaks the magic words; the Monkeys arrive and their King notes this is the second summons.
When Dorothy asks the Winged Monkeys to fly her to Kansas, the Monkey King refuses, explaining they belong to this country alone and cannot leave it or cross the desert, for there has never been a Winged Monkey in Kansas. He bows and flies away with his band, and Dorothy laments having wasted the charm to no purpose. The Scarecrow thinks again, his head bulging horribly, and suggests calling the soldier with the green whiskers for advice. The timid soldier says no one has ever crossed the desert except perhaps Oz himself, but suggests Glinda, the Witch of the South, the most powerful of all the Witches, who rules over the Quadlings and whose castle stands on the edge of the desert. He describes Glinda as a good, kind, and beautiful woman who keeps young despite her years, and warns that the straight road South is full of dangers including wild beasts and a race of queer men who dislike strangers. The Scarecrow concludes Dorothy's best course is to travel to the Land of the South and ask Glinda's help. The Lion offers to go along to protect her and because he longs for the woods; the Tin Woodman offers his axe; and the Scarecrow declares he will never leave Dorothy, since his good luck and brains are all due to her lifting him from the cornfield pole. They agree to start the next morning on the long journey.
Who is in play
- Dorothy
- Cowardly Lion
- Tin Woodman
- Glinda
- Scarecrow
- Dorothy's Traveling Party
- Golden Cap
- Winged Monkeys
- Aunt Em
- City of Emeralds
- Kansas
- Oz
- Uncle Henry
- Palace of Oz
- the soldier with the green whiskers
- leader of the Winged Monkeys