The Oz Series

Chapter 27

Part of the The Marvelous Land of Oz: Tip's Rebellion and the Return of Ozma arc.

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What happens

Tip, a boy living with the old witch Mombi in the Country of the Gillikins, resolves to run away rather than be turned into a marble garden statue as Mombi has threatened. He waits until Mombi's snores confirm she is asleep, then rises and searches the cupboard for food, taking crusts of bread and the cheese Mombi brought from the village out of her basket. While rummaging in the basket he finds the pepper-box containing the Powder of Life and pockets it, reasoning that otherwise Mombi will use it for mischief. He leaves the house, latching the door behind him, and starts toward the road under bright moon and stars.

Before departing, Tip decides not to abandon Jack Pumpkinhead, whom he built himself even though Mombi brought him to life. He returns to the cow-stable, opens the stall, and leads the smiling pumpkin-headed man out into the moonlight. Jack walks with a limp, his leg joints occasionally turning backward and nearly toppling him, but he learns to step carefully. Tip leads Jack along the path, deliberately turning from one path into another so pursuit will be difficult, and by sunrise they have traveled far enough that Tip no longer fears Mombi's pursuit.

Satisfied he has escaped being made a statue, Tip stops and sits on a roadside rock to eat breakfast. Jack refuses food, noting he is not made the same way as Tip; Tip explains he made Jack, carving his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth and dressing him. Jack concludes Tip is his creator, parent, and father, and declares he owes Tip obedience while Tip owes him support, which Tip accepts.

As they resume walking, Tip explains they are headed South toward the Emerald City, the green-colored center of the Land of Oz built by the Wizard named Oz. He describes the color scheme of Oz: purple in the Gillikin country, green in the Emerald City, blue among the Munchkins in the East, red among the Quadlings in the South, and yellow among the Winkies in the West, where the Tin Woodman rules. He recounts the history of Dorothy, who arrived from Kansas by cyclone; the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman who traveled with her; the Wizard's failure to send her home and his escape by balloon; Glinda the Good sending Dorothy home; and the Scarecrow becoming popular King of the Emerald City. Jack agrees to go see the Scarecrow.

Who is in play

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