Dorothys Mystical Adventures in Oz | Page 2

could
see by the expression on Aunt Em's face that she was very much concerned.
"Aw, don't worry, Em," he said. "The girl's been through quite an ordeal, with that twister
an' all. She'll be fine bye an' bye. She just needs plenty of rest."
"But she looks so pale," replied Aunt Em. "And what about the strange stories?"
"You mean about Oz?" asked Uncle Henry.
"Yes, Oz." Aunt Em replied. "How did she ever think up such a name?"
"It does seem strange," agreed Uncle Henry.
"And what about all the funny characters she says live there?" continued Aunt Em. "A
talking scarecrow and lion, and a tin woodman of all things -- not to mention a wicked

witch! That must be where her mind is; it's certainly not here in Kansas."
"Now, Em," said Uncle Henry, "don't fret so. Dr. Gabriel told us not to worry, that she's
temporarily confusing her dreams with reality -- something to do with that bump on the
head, he said. She'll come out of it; she'll be her old self in no time -- you'll see."
Meanwhile, Dorothy decided she'd best do as her aunt had said, so she went into her
room and lay down on the bed to rest. She was just drifting off when she heard the sound
of horse hooves outside. She quickly got up and waved from her window as Aunt Em and
Uncle Henry drove by in the wagon.
"Now don't wait up for us, Dorothy," called Aunt Em. "And be sure to get plenty of rest!"
"I will, Auntie," called Dorothy. "Have a good time!"
Just then, Toto jumped through the window into the girl's arms. She fussed over him as
she carried him back to her bed. The little dog curled up at her feet and went to sleep.
*

Chapter Two
:
Dorothy Reminisces on Oz
*
As Dorothy rested, she thought about Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, and how upset they
were with her for daydreaming so much. But with the reality of her Oz adventures so
fresh in her mind she could not help but dwell on them.
A smile came over her face as she recalled the first time she met the Scarecrow, and how
surprised she was when he first spoke to her. When he said he did not have any brains she
agreed to take him with her to the Emerald City to ask the Great Oz to give him some. Of
course, as it turned out, the Scarecrow did have a brain after all. But, because he did not
believe that he did, the Great Oz had to go through the motions of presenting him with
one.
Then there was the Tin Woodman: Dorothy and the Scarecrow were greatly surprised
when they first came across him in the forest. He was standing perfectly motionless with
an uplifted ax in his hands. Apparently, he'd been caught in a rainstorm and had rusted
solid. After Dorothy had found an oil-can and oiled his joints, he was just fine. She
recalled how anxious he was to accompany them when he found out their destination, for
he insisted that he did not have a heart, and was certain that the Great Oz could provide
him with one.

Just then, a slight breeze blew at the curtains, awakening the girl out of her dream-like
state. She sat up and looked at Toto. He was still sound asleep. She lay back again as her
mind drifted back to when the brave little dog tried to defend her and her friends from the
Cowardly Lion. It had scared them all half to death when they heard the terrible roar as
the Lion bounded into the road in front of them. Of course, they did not know he was
cowardly at the time. That is, until Dorothy punched him in the nose for attacking her
little dog. Then he cried like a baby. When he found out about their mission, he asked if
he, too, could accompany them in the hopes that he would be able to obtain courage from
the great magician. Needless to say, he was a welcome addition to the little group.
The Lion actually proved himself to be quite brave during their journey; but like the
Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, he thought he needed the magical powers of Oz to give
him what he felt he lacked.
Reliving her recent adventures in Oz caused Dorothy to feel quite restless. She missed
her friends terribly.
She got up again and walked over to the window. The room grew dark as rainclouds
gathered. A summer thunderstorm seemed imminent. She closed the window and
shivered as she recalled the Wicked Witch of the West. She couldn't imagine her to be
cowardly in the least.