The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Dorothy is devastated to have missed the opportunity to join Oz in the balloon; she fears that she will never return to Kansas, and she weeps bitterly. The Scarecrow suggests that she should summon the Winged Monkeys to fly her over the desert back to Kansas, but when she summons the monkeys, she is told that they are incapable of flying beyond the country.

The soldier from the palace is summoned by the Scarecrow. The soldier hears the problem and suggests that Dorothy could ask Glinda, the Witch of the South. The Scarecrow, the Woodman, and the Lion offer to accompany Dorothy south, for which she is grateful. They decide to leave the following morning.

The group bids farewell to the members of the palace, as well as the Guardian of the Gate, to whom they return their spectacles, and set off on their way south. The first day of the journey, through the lush fields and flowers that surround the Emerald City, is easy; however, the following day they reach a thick forest. The trees at the edge of the forest repel the group as they try to enter, flinging them away with their branches. The Tin Woodman cuts some of the branches with his ax, and they are able to enter the forest.

After walking for a time, they encounter a high, white wall made of china. The Woodman begins to construct a ladder so the group can climb over it.

The group is surprised to see a land made entirely of colorful china, including the people, houses, and trees. A china cow is spooked and breaks its leg. The people living there are very delicate, and many are frightened of the newcomers.

A beautiful china princess explains to Dorothy that they cannot leave, because if they are removed from the land, they become stiff figurines. The group manages to climb over the wall at the other side of the china country by standing on the Lion’s back. The Lion accidentally destroys a church with his tail as he leaps over the wall.

The travelers enter a deep and dense old forest. In a clearing, they come across a gathering of beasts, including tigers, elephants, bears, wolves, and foxes. The animals greet the Lion and ask if he will kill a terrifying beast that has been killing many animals. The Lion agrees to the task if he will be hailed as King of the Forest. The animals enthusiastically agree.

The Lion goes to the den of the creature, which is a giant spider. He observes it as it sleeps and identifies a weakness: It has a very slender neck. The Lion pounces on the spider and manages to separate its head from its body, killing it. The Lion is celebrated as King of the Forest; he promises to return to rule once he has delivered Dorothy to the Witch of the South and seen her safely depart to Kansas.

A group of armless, large-headed men taunt the group and forbid them to climb the hill toward the land of the Quadlings. As the Scarecrow and then the Lion try to proceed, the heads of the men launch out and send the travelers tumbling back down the hill. The group is unsure how to get past the Hammer-Heads.

The Tin Woodman suggests that Dorothy should summon the Winged Monkeys. She does so, and the Winged Monkeys transport the group over the Hammer-Heads. They say farewell to Dorothy; she has summoned them for the third and final time.

The Quadlings, who wear red, are friendly. A farmer’s wife gives the group cake and tea and explains the way to the castle of Glinda, the Witch of the South. Three young girls greet the travelers at the gate. Dorothy explains that they are here to see Glinda. After conferring with Glinda, the girls admit the group.

When the group is taken to see Glinda, Dorothy explains her situation. Glinda agrees to help if Dorothy gives her the Golden Cap that summons the monkeys. Dorothy does so gladly, having used all three of her opportunities to summon them.

The Scarecrow explains that he will return to rule the Emerald City. The Tin Woodman says that he will return to rule the land of the Winkies in the West, and the Lion says that he wants to return to the old forest and live as King of the Forest. Glinda says that she will use her three chances to summon the Winged Monkeys to return each individual to their chosen destination. She then explains to Dorothy that her silver shoes, taken from the Wicked Witch of the East, have the power to return her home to Kansas. Dorothy must knock the heels together three times and then announce her wish to return to Kansas. Dorothy says farewell to her friends and then claps the heels of the shoes together: “Take me home to Aunt Em!” (187). Dorothy has the sensation of whirling through the air and tumbles to a stop in the grassy prairie of her home in Kansas. Her silver shoes were lost in the magical flight.

Dorothy greets Aunt Em joyfully. Aunt Em kisses and hugs Dorothy. Dorothy tells Aunt Em that she has been in the Land of Oz.