Ozma Of Oz: Dorothy's Next Adventures After The Wizard Of Oz

Hi,

I'm Glinda Cedarleaf,

And I invite you to join me as we follow Dorothy on her next adventure after her remarkable journey with the Wizard of Oz.

This bedtime story is adapted from the classic work by L.

Frank Baum called Ozma of Oz.

Dorothy Gale of Kansas had already witnessed wonders beyond imagining.

She had traveled the Yellow Brick Road,

Spoken with living scarecrows,

And visited a land where magic drifted through the air like the wind itself.

But even the most extraordinary adventures can open the door to journeys still unknown.

And this is where Dorothy now finds herself,

Not in Kansas and not in the land of Oz that she once knew,

But somewhere strange and unfamiliar,

Resting between the land and the sea.

So just allow yourself to become comfortable in the ways that you know best.

Feel the support of your bed.

Let your mind and body settle.

Take in a deep breath and then exhale.

This is your time to simply relax and settle into this story.

So let's begin.

Imagine a quiet shoreline where the sea moves slowly in and out.

Eventually,

The wind begins to shift and send ripples across the surface of the water.

The ripples soon become waves billowing higher,

Some rolling as high as the tops of the tall trees.

And they look like mountains and valleys.

And here on these waves sails a ship far out upon the waters.

The captain of the ship has seen storms before and sails his ship through them in safety.

He stays calm as he rounds up all the passengers from the deck and guides them down into where they can be safe.

Now,

Among these passengers was a little Kansas girl named Dorothy Gale,

Who was going with her uncle Henry to Australia to have a good rest from working so hard on his Kansas farm and to visit his cousins that he never had seen before.

Dorothy was eager to go with him on this journey,

And Uncle Henry thought she'd be good company to cheer him up.

So he decided to take her along.

The little girl was quite an experienced traveler,

For she had once been carried by a cyclone as far away from home as the marvelous land of Oz.

And she had met with a good many adventures in that strange country before she managed to get back to Kansas again.

So she wasn't easily frightened,

Whatever happened.

And when the wind began to howl and whistle,

And the waves began to tumble and toss,

Our little girl didn't mind the uproar the least.

She was actually almost falling asleep when she realized that Uncle Henry was missing.

She couldn't imagine where he had gone,

So she decided to go back up on deck.

Amidst the howling wind,

And in an effort to steady herself,

She clung to the slats of a large chicken coop.

However,

The coop suddenly broke free from its ropes and was lifted high into the air,

With Dorothy still hanging on for dear life.

Before she could comprehend what was happening,

Dorothy found herself whirled far down into the sea.

Dorothy didn't lose her presence of mind even for a second.

She kept tight hold of the thick boards that were now supporting her like a wooden raft.

Why,

I've got a ship of my own,

She thought,

More amused than frightened at her sudden change of condition.

And then,

As the coop climbed up to the top of a big wave,

She looked eagerly around for the ship from which she had been blown.

The ship was way off in the distance.

Dorothy knew that all she could do was wait for the storm.

By and by,

The black clouds rolled away and showed a blue sky overhead,

With a silver moon shining in the middle of it and little stars winking merrily at Dorothy.

When she looked their way,

The coop did not toss around anymore,

But rode the waves more gently,

Almost like a cradle rocking.

The waves that had once seemed powerful now felt different.

They rose beneath her and lowered again in a slow and steady rhythm.

Like breathing,

Like something that could be trusted.

She was wet and tired and uncertain of what would come next.

Yet she felt held by a quiet awareness.

And in that quiet,

She allowed herself to rest.

Dorothy sat down in a corner of the coop and leaned her head against the slat boards.

She nodded at the friendly stars before she closed her eyes and eventually fell fast asleep,

Rocking back and forth on the gentle waves.

The waves had calmed now,

Moving in long,

Peaceful patterns beneath a wide and quiet sky,

Stretching farther than the eye could see.

When Dorothy awoke from her nap,

She thought about other times in her life,

When her life suddenly changed.

When she was carried to somewhere unexpected and needing to find her way again.

This gave her a sense of calm.

She knew she would find a way through the storm.

Sometimes that's the quiet strength we forget we have,

Not solving everything or knowing everything.

Just remaining,

Allowing the moment to pass through us like the rise and fall of water beneath a floating raft.

And as the sky slowly cleared,

The world softened.

Darkness gave way to gentle light.

Above her,

Stars appeared and the moon rested quietly among them.

There is something comforting about looking upward,

Remembering how vast the world is.

That the world continues even when we do not understand our own path.

Morning arrived slowly.

Light spread across the water and soft,

Golden tones warming the surface of the sea.

Dorothy recalled that she had been dreaming about being back in Kansas again and playing in the old barnyard with the calves and the pigs and the chickens.

Everything was all around her.

And at first,

As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes,

She really imagined she was there.

And then a strange noise awakened her.

Surely it was a hen cackling.

For there in the opposite corner of the coop was a hen standing just across from her.

Dear me,

She exclaimed in surprise.

Have you been here all night too?

Of course,

Answered the hen,

Fluttering her wings and yawning.

When the coop blew away from the ship,

I clung fast to this corner.

With my claws and my beak,

For I knew if I fell into the water,

I'd be drowned.

But here I am.

The sun has helped dry my feathers.

As it has your dress.

And I feel better since I laid my morning egg.

But what's to become of us?

I'd like to know.

As we float on this big pond.

I'd like to know that too,

Said Dorothy.

But tell me,

How does it happen that you are able to talk?

I thought hens could only cluck and cackle.

Why,

As for that,

Answered the yellow hen thoughtfully.

I've clucked and cackled all my life and never spoken a word before this morning that I can remember.

But when you asked me a question,

It seemed the most natural thing in the world to answer you.

So I spoke.

And I seemed to keep on speaking just as you and other human beings do.

Strange,

Isn't it?

Very,

Replied Dorothy.

If we were in the land of Oz,

I wouldn't think it so odd because many of the animals can talk in that fairy country.

But out here in the ocean must be a good long way from Oz.

I'm beginning to get hungry,

Remarked Dorothy.

It's breakfast time,

But there's no breakfast.

You may have my eggs,

Said the yellow hen.

Oh,

I couldn't possibly eat it unless it was cooked,

Exclaimed Dorothy.

But thank you for your kindness just the same.

Oh,

Don't mention it,

My dear,

Answered the hen calmly and began preening her feathers.

For a moment,

Dorothy stood looking out over the wide sea and she fell silent again.

The yellow hen was some company and a bit of comfort,

Too.

But it was dreadfully lonely out on the big ocean.

And then,

To her surprise and delight,

In the distance,

Land slowly revealed itself.

At first,

Just a suggestion.

Then shape.

Then color.

A shoreline,

Bright and welcoming.

Moments like this remind us of something important.

Direction can return,

Even when we feel adrift.

That what we need may already be gently approaching us.

As the shore drew nearer,

The details became clearer.

Soft sand,

Quiet hills,

And the stillness of a place untouched.

Steadily they drifted closer and closer.

The sun warmed the air.

The water softened.

And eventually Dorothy and her new companion were carried to the shore.

When Dorothy stepped onto the shore,

There was a sense of grounding.

Of arriving.

Of being held again,

Not by water this time,

But by earth.

She took a moment there to pause.

To feel the warmth of the sun.

To notice the quiet sounds of the natural world around her.

It was quite beautiful,

As viewed by this little girl who had been floating in a hen coop.

Next to the water was a broad beach of white sand and gravel.

And farther back were several rocky hills.

And beyond there appeared a strip of green trees that marked the edge of a forest.

There were no houses to be seen,

Nor any sign of people who might inhabit this unknown land.

I hope we shall find something to eat,

Said Dorothy,

Looking eagerly at the pretty beach toward which they drifted.

It's long past breakfast time now.

I'm a trifle hungry myself,

Declared the yellow hen.

After some time on the quiet shore,

Dorothy began to wander inland.

The sand beneath her feet was soft and warm,

Holding the memory of the sun.

Each step felt steady,

Grounded,

A quiet contrast to the drifting motion of the sea.

Beyond the sand,

The land shifted into a small grove of trees.

The air felt different there,

Cooler,

Softer,

Filled with the quiet presence of growing things.

Leaves moved lightly overhead,

Whispering in the breeze.

As Dorothy rested for a while beneath the trees,

There was a sense of being cared for,

Not by anyone in particular,

But by the land itself.

Because just when Dorothy needed to fill her empty stomach,

She looked up to see,

On the branches of the tree,

A lunchbox hanging there.

She stood on tiptoes to reach it,

And then she immediately sat down on the ground and eagerly opened the box.

She ate every bit of the delicious food inside.

And meanwhile,

Belina found her own lunch by picking at the ground and finding all kinds of nutritious bites.

Haven't you any idea what country this is,

Inquired Belina?

Not at all.

But listen,

I'm quite sure it's a fairy country,

Or such things as lunchboxes wouldn't be growing on trees.

Besides,

Belina,

Being a hen,

You wouldn't be able to talk in any civilized country,

Like Kansas,

Where no fairies live at all.

Perhaps we're in the land of Oz,

Said the hen thoughtfully.

No,

That can't be,

Answered the little girl,

Because I've been to the land of Oz,

And that's all surrounded by a desert that no one can cross.

Then how did you get away from there again,

Asked Belina?

I had a pair of silver shoes that carried me through the air,

But I lost them,

Said Dorothy.

Ah,

Indeed,

Remarked the yellow hen in a tone of unbelief.

Anyhow,

Resumed the girl,

There's no seashore near the land of Oz,

So this must surely be of some other fairy country.

They continued walking and talking,

Step by step.

They followed the path slowly.

Each turn led naturally to the next,

As though the path itself knew where it was going.

And eventually they found themselves in the midst of a beautiful vale,

With fruit trees and green fields.

There were also pretty farmhouses scattered here and there,

And broad,

Smooth roads that led in every direction.

And eventually they came upon the tall spires of the royal palace,

Which glittered brightly against their background of blue sky.

The palace was surrounded by charming grounds,

Full of flowers and shrubbery.

Several tinkling fountains could be seen,

And there were pleasant walks bordered by rows of white marble statuary.

This place seemed to hold its own kind of memory.

Amidst the beauty of the palace,

There was also a sense that not all was settled.

And soon they would learn this was a kingdom that had lost its clear center.

Dorothy wanted to check it out.

She wanted to meet the princess Langmuir,

Who she had heard about.

This princess lived in the palace,

So without hesitation,

Dorothy walked up to the big front door and knocked.

A small woman answered and introduced herself as Nanda,

The maid.

May I see the princess,

Please?

I will tell her you are here,

Miss,

And ask her to grant you an audience,

Said the maid.

Step in,

Please,

And take a seat in the drawing room.

What's your name so I can tell the princess,

Nanda asked.

I am Dorothy Gale of Kansas,

Replied the child.

The maid bowed and withdrew,

Going through several passages and mounting two marble stairways,

Before she came to the apartments occupied by her mistress.

Princess Langmuir's sitting room was paneled with great mirrors.

They reached from the ceiling to the floor.

Also the ceiling was composed of mirrors,

And the floor was of polished silver that reflected every object upon it.

So when the princess sat in her easy chair and played soft melodies upon her mandolin,

Her form was mirrored hundreds of times,

In walls and ceiling and floor,

And whichever way the lady turned her head,

She could see and admire her own features.

You have company,

Your highness,

Announced the maid,

Bowing low.

Who is it,

Asked the princess,

Yawning.

Dorothy Gale of Kansas,

Answered the maid.

When the princess came out to meet her,

She asked,

Tell me,

Are you of royal blood?

Better than that,

Ma'am,

Said Dorothy,

I came from Kansas.

Ha,

Cried the princess scornfully.

Run away and bother someone else.

But this made Dorothy mad and she refused to do so.

Then the princess became even more upset,

And the next thing Dorothy knew,

She was locked in a tower.

There in the tower,

Dorothy was fed bread and water for her supper,

And she slept upon a hard stone couch with a single pillow and a silken coverlet.

One morning,

She leaned out of the window of her prison in the tower to see if there was any way to escape.

The room was not so very high up when compared with our modern buildings,

But it was far enough above the trees and farmhouses to give her a good view of the surrounding country.

To the east,

She saw the forest with the sands beyond it and the ocean beyond that.

There was even a dark speck upon the shore that she thought might be the chicken coop,

In which she had arrived.

Then she looked to the north and saw a deep but narrow valley lying between two rocky ridges and a third mountain that shut off the valley at the other end.

Westward,

She could see miles and miles of sandy desert that stretched farther than her eyes could reach.

It was this desert,

She thought,

With much interest,

That alone separated her from the wonderful land of Oz.

And she remembered sorrowfully that she had been told no one had ever been able to cross this dangerous waste but herself.

Once a cyclone had carried her across it,

And a magical pair of silver shoes had carried her back again.

But now she had neither a cyclone nor silver shoes to assist her.

So she was sad indeed.

She had become the prisoner of a disagreeable princess.

There seemed no hope of help for her from her old friends in the land of Oz.

Thoughtfully,

She gazed from her narrow window.

On all the desert,

Not a living thing was stirring.

Wait!

Something was stirring in the desert.

Something her eyes had not observed at first.

Now it seemed like a cloud.

Now it seemed like a spot of silver.

Now it seemed like a mass of rainbow colors that moved swiftly toward her.

What could it be,

She wondered.

Then gradually,

But in a brief space of time nevertheless,

The vision drew near.

Near enough to Dorsey to make out what it was.

A broad green carpet was unrolling itself upon the desert and advancing across the carpet.

It was a wonderful procession that made the girl open her eyes in amazement as she gazed.

First came a magnificent golden chariot drawn by a great lion and an immense tiger who stood shoulder to shoulder and trotted along as gracefully as a well-matched team of thoroughbred horses.

And standing upright within the chariot was a beautiful girl clothed in flowing robes of silver gauze and wearing a jeweled diadem upon her dainty head.

She held in one hand the satin ribbons that guided her astonishing team and in the other an ivory wand that separated at the top into two prongs.

The prongs being tipped by the letters O and Z made of glistening diamonds set closely together.

The girl seemed neither older nor larger than Dorsey herself.

And at once the prisoner in the tower guessed that the lovely driver of the chariot was Asma of Oz.

Following close behind the chariot,

Dorsey saw her old friend the scarecrow riding calmly astride a wooded sawhorse which pranced and trotted as naturally as any meat horse could have done.

And then came Nick Chopper the tinwoodman with his funnel-shaped cap tipped carelessly over his left ear.

His gleaming axe over his right shoulder and his whole body sparkling as brightly as it had ever done in the old days when first she knew him.

The tinwoodman was on foot marching at the head of a company of twenty-seven soldiers dressed in handsome uniforms of various designs and colors,

No two being alike in any respect.

Behind the soldiers the green carpet rolled itself up again so that there was always just enough of it for the procession to walk upon in order that their feet might not come in contact with the deadly life-destroying sands of the desert.

Dorsey knew at once it was a magic carpet she beheld and her heart beat high with hope and joy as she realized she was soon to be rescued and allowed to greet her dearly beloved friends in the Oz,

The scarecrow,

The tinwoodman,

And the cowardly lion.

Indeed the girl felt herself as good as rescued as soon as she recognized those in the procession for she well knew the courage and loyalty of her comrades and also believed that any others who came from their marvelous country would prove to be pleasant and reliable acquaintances.

As soon as the last bit of desert was passed and all the procession from the beautiful and dainty Ozma to the last soldier had reached the grassy meadows,

The magic carpet rolled itself together and entirely disappeared.

Then the chariot driver turned her lion and tiger into a broad roadway leading up to the palace and the others followed while Dorsey still gazed from her tower in eager excitement.

They came quite close to the front door of the palace and then halted,

The scarecrow dismounting from his sawhorse to approach the sign fastened to the door that he might read what it said.

Dorsey just above him could keep silent no longer.

Here I am,

She shouted as loudly as she could.

Here's Dorsey.

Dorsey,

Who?

Asked the scarecrow tipping his head to look upward until he nearly lost his balance and tumbled over backward.

Dorsey Gale,

Of course,

Your friend from Kansas,

She answered.

Why,

Hello,

Dorsey,

Said the scarecrow.

What in the world are you doing up there?

Nothing,

She called down,

Because there's nothing to do.

Save me,

My friend,

Save me.

You seem to be quite safe now,

Replied the scarecrow.

But I'm a prisoner.

I'm locked in so that I can't get out,

She pleaded.

At this,

Asma,

Who had been listening carefully to the conversation,

Called to Dorsey from her chariot,

Saying,

I will see the princess at once and oblige her to liberate you.

Oh,

Thank you very much,

Cried Dorsey,

Who,

As soon as she heard the sweet voice of the girlish ruler of Oz,

Knew that she would soon learn to love her dearly.

Asma now drove her chariot around to the third door of the wing.

Upon which the tin woodman boldly proceeded to knock.

As soon as the maid opened the door,

Asma,

Bearing in her hand her ivory wand,

Stepped into the hall and made her way at once to the drawing room where the mean princess was waiting.

Asma smiled at her.

Sit down,

Please,

She said quietly.

I have traveled a long way to see you,

And you must listen to what I have to say.

I am the ruler of the land of Oz,

And I am powerful enough to destroy all your kingdom if I so wish.

Yet I did not come here to do harm,

But rather to free Dorsey.

Hearing these words,

The princess suddenly became quiet.

Of course,

She said readily,

I had forgotten all about her.

That was yesterday,

You know,

And a princess cannot be expected to remember today what she did yesterday.

Come with me and I will release the prisoner at once.

So Asma followed her and they passed up the stairs that led to the room in the tower.

Asma entered Dorsey's room and led her by the hand.

The first thing Dorsey did was to rush into the embrace of the scarecrow,

Whose painted face beamed with delight as he pressed her form to his straw padded bosom.

Then the tin woodman embraced her very gently,

For he knew his tin arms might hurt her if he squeezed too roughly.

Then Dorsey asked,

Where is Belina,

My hen?

I don't know,

Said the scarecrow.

Who is Belina?

She's a yellow hen who was another friend of mine,

Answered the girl anxiously.

I wonder what has become of her.

She's in the chicken house in the backyard,

Said the princess.

My drawing room is no place for hens.

Without waiting to hear more,

Dorsey ran to get Belina,

And just outside the door she came upon the cowardly lion,

Still hitched to the chariot beside the great tiger.

In an instant,

Dorsey was hugging the huge lion joyfully.

I'm so glad to see you again,

She cried.

I'm also glad to see you,

Dorothy,

Said the lion.

We've had some fine adventures together,

Haven't we?

Yes,

Indeed,

She replied.

How are you?

As cowardly as ever,

The beast answered in a meek voice.

Every little thing scares me and makes my heart beat fast.

But let me introduce you to a new friend of mine,

The hungry tiger.

Oh,

Are you hungry,

She asked,

Turning to the other beast,

Who was just then yawning so widely that he displayed two rows of terrible teeth and a mouth big enough to startle anyone.

Dreadfully hungry,

Answered the tiger,

Snapping his jaws together with a fierce click.

Then why don't you eat something,

She asked.

It's no use,

Said the tiger sadly.

I've tried that,

But I always get hungry again.

Dorothy excused herself and ran around to the back of the palace where she found the chicken house.

Come here,

Belina,

And I'll let you out,

For Asma of Oz is here and has set us free.

So the yellow hen came to the door,

Which Dorothy unlatched for her to pass through.

The girl lifted her friend in her arms and exclaimed,

Oh,

Belina,

How dreadful you look.

You've lost so many feathers.

Soon they came to the cowardly lion and the hungry tiger,

To whom the girl introduced the yellow hen.

Glad to meet any friend of Dorothy,

Said the lion politely.

Then Dorothy carried her pet into the drawing room of the palace where Asma and the princess sat opposite to them.

Dorothy spent most of the afternoon talking with the scarecrow and the tin woodman,

Who related to her all that had taken place in the land of Oz since she had left it.

She was much interested in the story of Asma,

Who had been when a baby,

Stolen by a wicked old witch and transformed into a boy.

She did not know that she had ever been a girl until she was restored to her natural form by a kind sorceress.

Then it was found that she was the only child of the former ruler of Oz and was entitled to rule in his place.

Asma had many adventures,

However,

Before she regained her father's throne.

The scarecrow and the tin woodman had also assisted her.

But the cowardly lion who ruled the great forest as the king of beasts knew nothing of Asma until she became the reigning princess of Oz.

Then he journeyed to the Emerald City to see her and on hearing she was about to visit the princess,

The cowardly lion begged to go with her and brought along his friend,

The hungry tiger as well.

Having heard this story,

Dorothy related to them her own adventures and then went out with her friends to find the sawhorse which Asma had caused to be shod with plates of gold so that its legs would not wear out.

They came upon the sawhorse standing motionless beside the garden gate but when Dorothy was introduced to him he bowed politely and blinked his eyes which were knots of wood and wagged his tail which was only the branch of a tree.

What a remarkable thing to be alive exclaimed Dorothy.

I quite agree with you replied the sawhorse.

That night Dorothy slept in a pleasant little bedchamber next to that occupied by Asma of Oz and Belina perched upon the foot of the bed and tucked her head under her wing and slept as soundly in that position as did Dorothy upon her soft cushions.

But before daybreak everyone was awake and stirring preparing to return to Oz.

Soon the adventurers were eating a hasty breakfast in the great dining room of the palace.

Asma sat at the head of a long table on a raised platform with Dorothy on her right hand and the scarecrow on her left.

The scarecrow did not eat of course but Asma placed him near her so that she might ask his advice about the journey while she ate.

Lower down the table were the 27 warriors of Oz and at the end of the room the lion and the tiger were eating out of a kettle that had been placed upon the floor while Belina fluttered around to pick up any scraps that might be scattered.

It did not take long to finish the meal and then the lion and the tiger were harnessed to the chariot and the party was ready to take their journey together.

First rode Asma with Dorothy beside her in the golden chariot holding Belina fast in her arms.

Then came the scarecrow on the sawhorse with the ten woodmen marching behind him and lastly was the parade of soldiers.

And so the magnificent procession left the palace and started along the road just as day was breaking and by the time the sun came out they had made good progress toward the valley.

The path was becoming rocky and difficult for the wheels of the chariot to pass over and presently a deep gulf appeared at their feet which was too wide for them to leap.

So Asma took a small square of green cloth from her pocket and threw it upon the ground.

At once it became the magic carpet and unrolled itself far enough for all the cavalcade to walk upon.

The chariot now advanced and the green carpet unrolled before it crossing the gulf on a level with its banks so that all passed over in safety.

That's easy enough said the scarecrow.

I wonder what will happen next.

He was not long in making the discovery for the sides of the mountain came closer together until finally there was but a narrow path between them along which Asma and her party were forced to pass in a single file.

Through the hidden passage they walked together step by step.

The air slowly changed.

It grew lighter and fresher and soon at last they stepped out beneath the open sky.

The mountain stood tall on either side but ahead lay freedom.

Gold and sunlight slipped between the peaks welcoming.

It felt like walking from a long and uneasy dream.

Together they traveled forward.

Asma of Oz rode gently upon the great lion.

Dorothy Gale rode the faithful sawhorse while the scarecrow walked nearby thoughtful but steady.

The mountains grew quiet as the travelers made their way back into the open air where there had once been restless movement and echoing laughter.

There was now stillness like a place that had finally exhaled.

No one hurried.

On the far side the golden chariot waited just as it had been left gleaming softly.

The great lion and the tiger were harnessed once more.

Their movements calm and untroubled as though they too felt the peace settling over everything.

Dorothy rode on the sawhorse.

Belina rested nearby quietly observing as if she had already understood how everything would turn out They crossed safely over the great gulf carried by quiet magic.

Dorothy couldn't wait to see once more the country where she had encountered such wonderful adventures.

By this time Uncle Harry would have reached Australia in his ship and had probably given her up for lost.

So he couldn't worry any more than he did if she stayed away from him a while longer.

So she would go to Oz.

They approached the edge of the dangerous desert and Ozma threw down the magic carpet which at once unrolled far enough for all of them to walk upon it without being crowded.

The desert lay ahead wide and silent.

They moved together unhurried.

By the time the sun began to lower the land shifted into green soft hills shaded paths and a deep feeling of welcome that seemed to rise from the ground itself.

They had entered Oz.

The journey through the land was calm and steady.

People came out to greet them not with noise but with warmth.

Familiar faces appeared and even those not known felt somehow recognized.

The road beneath them bright and golden stretched onward without effort.

Along the way there were small moments a shared drink,

A quiet exchange a glimpse of how lives had changed and settled into gentler rhythms.

Nothing demanded attention.

Everything simply existed as it was.

There were trees again.

Birdsong drifted through the air.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers and sun warmed fields.

It was the kind of air that made you breathe more deeply without thinking.

All chill faded from their bodies replaced by warmth not only of sunlight but of return.

Joy moved through the group like a soft wave as the Emerald City now appeared before them.

It shimmered not in brilliance that dazzled but in a steady glow like something that had always been there waiting patiently.

They entered through the Munchkin territory and the King of the Munchkins met them at the border and welcomed Asma with great respect being very pleased by her safe return.

The Munchkin King entertained them at his palace that night and in the morning they set out for the Emerald City traveling over a road of yellow brick that led straight to the jewel-studded gates.

Everywhere the people turned out to greet their beloved Asma and to hail joyfully the Scarecrow,

The Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion who were popular favorites.

Dorothy too remembered some of the people who had befriended her on the occasion of her first visit to Oz and they were well pleased to see the little Kansas girl again and they showered her with compliments and good wishes.

At one place where they stopped to refresh themselves Asma accepted a bowl of milk from the hands of a pretty dairymaid.

Then she looked at the girl more closely and exclaimed Why,

It's Ginger,

Isn't it?

Yes,

Your highness,

Was the reply as Ginger dropped a low curtsy and Dorothy looked wonderingly at this lively appearing person who had once assembled an army of women and driven the Scarecrow from the throne of the Emerald City and even fought a battle with the powerful army of Glinda.

Then the party moved on again and after crossing a broad river on a ferry and passing many fine farmhouses that were dome-shaped and painted a pretty green color and now they came inside of the Emerald City and the people flocked out to greet their lovely ruler.

There were several bands and many officers and officials of the realm and a crowd of citizens in their holiday attire.

Thus the beautiful Asma was escorted by a brilliant procession to her royal city.

So great was the cheering that she was obliged to constantly bow to the right and left to acknowledge the greetings of her subjects.

That evening there was a grand reception in the royal palace attended by the most important persons of Oz.

The magnificent gold medals set with precious stones were presented to each of the 26 officers and the Tin Woodman was given a new axe studded with diamonds and the Scarecrow received a silver jar of complexion powder.

Dorothy was presented with a pretty coronet and then she was made a princess of Oz.

Afterward they sat down to a splendid feast and Asma put Dorothy at her right and Belina at her left where the hen sat upon a golden roost and ate from a jeweled platter.

The people were so glad to celebrate these famous adventurers and the feasting and merriment went on.

For several weeks Dorothy lived in the land of Oz as the guest of the royal Asma who delighted to please and interest the little Kansas girl.

Many new acquaintances were formed and many old ones renewed and wherever she went Dorothy found herself among friends.

One day in a quiet room she noticed a picture that shifted and changed.

It showed places far away,

Fields,

Forests,

Water,

Distant homes.

As she watched the picture show Dorothy wondered if she could somehow see her home back on the farm in Kansas.

So she asked Asma about it.

Yes,

Said Asma,

This is a really wonderful invention and magic.

When I wish to see any part of the world or any person living I need only express the wish and it is shown in the picture.

May I use it?

Asked Dorothy eagerly.

Of course,

My dear.

And then in an instant the well-remembered farmhouse appeared in the picture.

And Aunt Em could be seen quite plainly.

She was washing dishes by the kitchen window and seemed well and contented.

All the workers were in the harvest fields behind the house and the crops looked to be in prime condition.

On the side porch Dorothy's pet dog Toto was lying fast asleep in the sun and to her surprise Old Speckles was running around with a brood of 12 new chickens trailing after her.

Everything seems all right at home,

Said Dorothy with a sigh of relief.

Now I wonder what Uncle Henry is doing.

The scene in the picture at once shifted to Australia where in a pleasant room in Sydney Uncle Henry was seated in an easy chair solemnly smoking his briar pipe.

He looked sad and lonely and his hair was now quite white.

His hands and face were thin and wasted.

Oh,

Cried Dorothy in an anxious voice.

I'm sure Uncle Henry isn't getting any better and it's because he's worried about me.

Asma,

Dear,

I must go to him at once.

How can you,

Asked Asma.

I don't know,

Replied Dorothy,

But let us go to Glinda the Good.

I'm sure she will help me and advise me how to get to Uncle Henry.

Asma readily agreed to this plan.

And caused the sawhorse to be harnessed to a pretty green and pink carriage.

And the two girls rode away to visit Glinda who received them graciously and listened to Dorothy's story with attention.

I have the magic belt,

You know,

Said the little girl.

If I buckled it around my waist and commanded it to take me to Uncle Henry wouldn't it do it?

I think so,

Replied Glinda with a smile.

And then continued Dorothy.

If I ever wanted to come back here again,

The belt would bring me.

In that you're wrong.

The belt has magical powers only while it is in some fairy country such as the land of Oz.

Indeed,

My little friend,

Were you to wear it and wish yourself in Australia with your uncle,

The wish would doubtless be fulfilled because it was made in fairyland.

But you would not find the magic belt around you when you arrived at your destination.

What would become of it,

Asked the girl.

It would be lost.

As were your silver shoes when you visited Oz before.

And no one would ever see it again.

It seems too bad to destroy the use of the magic belt in that way,

Doesn't it?

Then,

Said Dorothy,

After a moment's thought,

I will give the magic belt to Ozma for she can use it in her own country and she can wish me transported to Uncle Henry without losing the belt.

Now that's a wise plan,

Replied Glinda.

So they rode back to the Emerald City and on the way it was arranged that every Saturday morning Ozma would look at Dorothy in her magic picture wherever the little girl might chance to be.

And if she saw Dorothy make a certain signal then Ozma would know that the little Kansas girl wanted to revisit the land of Oz and by means of the magic belt would wish that she might instantly return.

This having been agreed upon,

Dorothy bade goodbye to all her friends of the land of Oz both old and new.

They gathered in a group in front of the palace to bid her a sorrowful goodbye and to wish her long life and happiness.

Each friend stood close,

Not trying to hold her there but allowing her to go.

Dorothy said her farewells one by one her voice steady,

Her heart open.

After much handshaking,

Dorothy kissed Ozma once more and then handed her the magic belt saying Now dear princess,

When I wave my handkerchief please wish me with Uncle Henry.

I'm awfully sorry to leave you and the scarecrow and the tin woodman and the cowardly lion and everybody but I do want my Uncle Henry.

So,

Goodbye all of you.

Then the little girl stood on one of the big emeralds which decorated the courtyard and after looking once again at each of her friends she lifted her hand and waved her handkerchief and in a moment's flash Dorothy was back with Uncle Henry exactly where she needed to be.

Uncle,

She said,

I wasn't drowned at all and I've come to take care of you and you must promise to get well as soon as possible.

Uncle Henry smiled and cuddled his little niece close to his lap.

I'm better already,

My darling,

Said he.

As Dorothy settled into the comfort of those familiar arms she couldn't help but reflect on how life not only offers journeys that eventually come to an end but also introduces surprising new beginnings.

That can foster hope and healing and fresh perspectives.

And Dorothy knew that when she lets this wisdom guide her she always finds her way back home.

And now we've reached the end of our story and I wish you sweet dreams and good night.