Bedtime Story: The Wizard Of Oz Pt. 3

Please enjoy my reading of part three of The Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum.

Let's continue our journey with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion, as they make their way to the Emerald City.

I hope this bedtime story helps you relax and get a great night's sleep.

You can find all parts of this wonderful story in my Wizard of Oz playlist on my profile.

Transcript

Hello beautiful souls,

Good evening and welcome to the third installment of the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

So making yourself comfortable in your bed,

Taking a moment to stretch out your body,

Reaching your arms overhead and stretching out your legs as long as you can possibly make them and then just let it all go.

Feel your body becoming heavy as it sinks down into the mattress and take a big big big yawn.

Let out any sounds that want to be released and just bringing awareness to your breath and to any sounds that you can hear.

Just arriving fully in this moment you have nothing to do and nowhere to go.

It's time for you to rest and take some deep breaths and when you're ready let's continue our adventures with Dorothy and the Tin Man,

The Scarecrow,

The Cowardly Lion,

The Deadly Poppyfield.

Our little party of travellers awakened the next morning,

Refreshed and full of hope and Dorothy breakfasted like a princess of peaches and plums from the trees beside the river.

Behind them was the dark forest they had passed safely through,

Although they had suffered many discouragements.

But before them was a lovely sunny country that seemed to beckon them on to Emerald City.

To be sure the broad river now cut them off from this beautiful land but the raft was nearly done and after the Tin Woodman had cut a few more logs and fastened them together with wooden pins they were ready to start.

Dorothy sat down in the middle of the raft and held Toto in her arms.

When the Cowardly Lion stepped upon the raft it tipped badly for he was big and heavy but the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood upon the other end to steady it and they had long poles in their hands to push the raft through the water.

They got along quite well at first but when they reached the middle of the river the swift current swept the raft downstream farther and farther away from the road of Yellow Brick and the water grew so deep that the long poles would not touch the bottom.

This is bad,

Said the Tin Woodman,

For if we cannot get to the land we shall be carried into the country of the Wicked Witch of the West and she will enchant us and make us her slaves.

And then I should get no brains,

Said the Scarecrow and I should get no courage,

Said the Cowardly Lion and I should get no heart,

Said the Tin Woodman and I should never get back to Kansas,

Said Dorothy.

We must certainly get to the Emerald City if we can,

The Scarecrow continued and he pushed so hard on his long pole that it stuck fast in the mud at the bottom of the river.

Then before he could pull it out again or let go,

The raft was swept away and the poor Scarecrow was left clinging to the pole in the middle of the river.

Goodbye,

He called after them and they were very sorry to leave him.

Indeed,

The Tin Woodman began to cry but fortunately remembered that he might rust and so quickly dried his tears on Dorothy's apron.

Of course this was a bad thing for the Scarecrow.

I am worse off than when I first met Dorothy,

He thought.

Then I was stuck on a pole in a cornfield where I could make believe scare the crows at any rate but surely there is no use for a Scarecrow stuck on a pole in the middle of a river.

I am afraid I shall never have any brains after all.

Down the stream the raft floated and the poor Scarecrow was left far behind.

Then the Lion said something must be done to save us.

I think I can swim to the shore and pull the raft after me if you will only hold fast to the tip of my tail.

So he sprang into the water and the Tin Woodman caught fast hold of his tail.

Then the Lion began to swim with all his might toward the shore.

It was hard work although he was so big but by and by they were drawn out of the current and then Dorothy took the Tin Woodman's long pole and helped push the raft to the land.

They were all tired out when they reached the shore at last and stepped off upon the pretty green grass and they also knew that the stream had carried them a long way past the road of yellow brick that led to the Emerald City.

What shall we do now?

Asked the Tin Woodman.

As the Lion lay down on the grass to let the sun dry him we must get back to the road in some way.

Said Dorothy.

The best plan will be to walk along the riverbank until we come to the road again remarked the Lion.

So when they were rested Dorothy picked up her basket and they started along the grassy bank to the road from which the river had carried them.

It was a lovely country with plenty of flowers and fruit trees and sunshine to cheer them and had they not felt so sorry for the poor scarecrow they could have been very happy.

They walked along as fast as they could Dorothy only stopping once to pick a beautiful flower and after a time they were all happy.

The Tin Woodman was looking at the river and saw a scarecrow perched upon his pole in the middle of the water looking very lonely and sad.

What can we do to save him?

Asked Dorothy.

The Lion and the Woodman both shut their heads for they did not know so they sat down upon the bank and gazed wistfully at the scarecrow until a stork flew by who upon seeing them stopped to rest at the water's edge.

Who are you and where are you going?

Asked the stork.

I am Dorothy answered the girl and these are my friends the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion and we are going to the Emerald City.

This isn't the road said the stork as she twisted her long neck and looked sharply at the queer party.

I know returned Dorothy but we have lost the scarecrow and are wondering how we shall get him again.

Where is he?

Asked the stork.

Over there in the river answered the little girl.

If he wasn't so big and heavy I would get him for you remarked the stork.

He isn't heavy a bit said Dorothy for he is stuffed with straw and if you will bring him back to us we shall thank you ever and ever so much.

Well I'll try said the stork but if I find he's too heavy to carry I shall have to drop him in the river again.

So the big bird flew into the air and over the water till she came to where the scarecrow was perched upon his palm.

Then the stork with her great claws grabbed the scarecrow by the arm and carried him up into the air and back to the bank where Dorothy and the Lion and the Tin Woodman and Toto were sitting.

When the scarecrow found himself among his friends again he was so happy that he hugged them all even the Lion and Toto and as they walked along he sang told you the oh oh at every step.

He felt so happy I was afraid I should have to stay in the river forever he said but the kind stork saved me and if I ever get any brains I shall find the stork again and do her some kindness in return.

That's all right said the stork who was flying along beside them.

I always like to help anyone in trouble but I must go now for my babies are waiting in the nest for me.

I hope you will find the Emerald City and the Oz will help you.

Thank you replied Dorothy and then the kind stork flew into the air and was soon out of sight.

They walked along listening to the singing of the brightly coloured birds and looking at the lovely flowers which now became so thick that the ground was carpeted with them.

There were big yellow and white and blue and purple blossoms besides great clusters of scarlet poppies which were so brilliant in colour they almost dazzled Dorothy's eyes.

Aren't they beautiful?

The girl asked as she breathed in the spicy scent of the bright flowers.

I suppose so answered the scarecrow.

When I have brains I shall probably like them better.

If I only had a heart I should love them added the tin woodman.

I always did like flowers said the lion.

They seem so helpless and frail but there are none in the forest so bright as these.

They now came upon more and more of the big scarlet poppies and fewer and fewer of the other flowers and soon they found themselves in the midst of a great meadow of poppies.

Now it is well known that when there are many of these flowers together their odour is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls asleep and if the sleeper is not carried away from the scent of the flowers he sleeps on and on forever but Dorothy did not know this nor could she get away from the bright red flowers that were everywhere about.

So presently her eyes grew heavy and she felt she must sit down to rest and to sleep but the tin woodman would not let her do this.

We must hurry and get back to the road of yellow brick before dark he said and the scarecrow agreed with him.

So they kept walking until Dorothy could stand no longer.

Her eyes closed in spite of herself and she forgot where she was and fell among the poppies fast asleep.

What shall we do?

Asked the tin woodman.

If we leave her here she will die said the lion.

The smell of the flowers is killing us all.

I myself can scarcely keep my eyes open and the dog is asleep already.

It was true.

Toto had fallen down beside his little mistress but the scarecrow and the tin woodman not being made of flesh were not troubled by the scent of the flowers.

Run fast said the scarecrow to the lion and get out of this deadly flower bed as soon as you can.

We will bring the little girl with us but if you should fall asleep you are too big to be carried.

So the lion rose himself and bounded forward as fast as he could go.

In a moment he was out of sight.

Let us make a chair with our hands and carry her said the scarecrow.

So they picked up Toto and put the dog in Dorothy's lap and then they made a chair with their hands for the seat and their arms for the arms and carried the sleeping girl between them through the flowers.

On and on they walked and it seemed that the great carpet of deadly flowers that surrounded them would never end.

They followed the bend of the river and at last came upon their friend the lion lying fast asleep among the poppies.

The flowers had been too strong for the huge beast and he had given up at last and fallen only a short distance from the end of the poppy bed where the sweet grass spread in beautiful green fields before them.

We can do nothing for him said the tin woodman sadly for he is much too heavy to lift.

We must leave him here to sleep on on forever and perhaps he will dream that he has found courage at last.

I'm sorry said the scarecrow.

The lion was a very good comrade for one so cowardly but let us go on.

They carried the sleeping girl to a pretty spot beside the river far enough from the poppy field to prevent her breathing any more of the poison of the flowers and here they laid her gently on the soft grass and waited for the fresh breeze to waken her.

The queen of the field mice.

We cannot be far from the road of yellow brick now remarked the scarecrow as he stood beside the girl for we have come nearly as far as the river carried us away.

The tin woodman was about to reply when he heard a low growl and turning his head which worked beautifully on hinges he saw a strange beast compounding over the grass toward them.

It was indeed a great yellow wild cat and the woodman thought it must be chasing something for its ears were lying close to its head and its mouth was wide open showing two rows of ugly teeth while its red eyes glowed like balls of fire.

As it came nearer the tin woodman saw that running before the beast was a little grey field mouse and although he had no heart he knew it was wrong for the wild cat to try to kill such a pretty harmless creature.

So the woodman raised his axe and as the wild cat ran by he gave it a quick blow that cut the beast's head clean off from its body and it rolled over at his feet in two pieces.

The field mouse now that it was freed from its enemy stopped short and coming slowly up to the woodman it said in a squeaky little voice,

Oh thank you,

Thank you ever so much for saving my life.

Don't speak of it I beg of you replied the tin woodman.

I have no heart you know so I am careful to help all those who may need a friend even if it happens to only be a mouse.

Only a mouse cried the little animal indignantly.

Why I am a queen,

The queen of all the field mice.

Oh indeed said the woodman making a bow therefore you have done a great deed as well as a brave one in saving my life added the queen.

At that moment several mice were seen running up as fast as their little legs would carry them and when they saw their queen they exclaimed,

Oh your majesty we thought you would be killed.

How did you manage to escape the great wild cat?

They all bowed so low to the little queen that they almost stood upon their heads.

This funny tin man she answered,

He killed the wild cat and saved my life so hereafter you must all serve him and obey his slightest wish.

We will we will cried all the mice in a shrill chorus and then they scampered in all directions for Toto had awakened from his sleep and seeing all these mice around him he gave one bark of delight and jumped right into the middle of the group.

Toto had always loved to chase mice when he lived in Kansas and he saw no harm in it but the tin woodman caught the dog in his arms and held him tight while he called to the mice come back come back Toto shall not hurt you.

At this the queen of the mice stuck her head out from underneath a clump of grass and asked in a timid voice,

Are you sure he will not bite us?

I will not let him said the woodman so do not be afraid.

One by one the mice came creeping back and Toto did not bark again although he tried to get out of the woodman's arms and would have bitten him had he not known had he not known very well that he was made of tin.

Finally one of the biggest mice spoke,

Is there anything we can do?

It asked,

To repay you for saving the life of our queen?

Nothing that I know of answered the woodman but the scarecrow who had been trying to think but could not because his head was stuffed with straw said quickly,

Oh yes you can save our friend the cowardly lion who is asleep in the poppy bed.

A lion?

Cried the little queen.

Why he would eat us all up?

Oh no declared the scarecrow,

This lion is a coward,

Really?

Asked the mouse.

He say so himself answered the scarecrow and he would never hurt anyone who is our friend.

If you will help us to save him I promise that he shall treat you all with kindness.

Very well said the queen,

We trust you but what shall we do?

Are there many of these mice which call you queen and are willing to obey you?

Oh yes there are thousands she replied.

Then send for them all to come here as soon as possible and let each one bring a long piece of string.

The queen turned to the mice that attended her and told them to go at once and get all her people.

As soon as they heard her orders they ran away in every direction as fast as possible.

Now said the scarecrow to the tin woodman,

You must go to those trees by the riverside and make a truck that will carry the lion.

So the woodman went at once to the trees and began to work and he soon made a truck out of the limbs of trees from which he chopped away all the leaves and branches.

He fastened it together with wooden pegs and made the four wheels out of short pieces of a big tree trunk.

So fast and so well did he work that by the time the mice began to arrive the truck was all ready for them.

They came from all directions and there were thousands of them,

Big mice and little mice and middle-sized mice and each one brought a piece of string in his mouth.

It was about this time that Dorothy woke from her long sleep and opened her eyes.

She was greatly astonished to find herself lying upon the grass with thousands of mice standing around and looking at her timidly.

But the scarecrow told her everything and turning to the dignified little mouse he said,

Permit me to introduce to you her majesty the queen.

Dorothy nodded gravely and the queen made a curtsy after which she became quite friendly with the little girl.

The scarecrow and the woodman now began to fasten the mice to the truck using the strings they had brought.

One end of a string was tied around the neck of each mouse and the other end to the truck.

Of course the truck was a thousand times bigger than any of the mice who were to draw it but when all the mice had been harnessed they were able to pull it quite easily.

Even the scarecrow and the tim woodman could sit on it and were drawn swiftly by their little horses to the place where the lion lay asleep.

After a great deal of hard work for the lion was heavy they managed to get him up on the truck.

Then the queen hurriedly gave her people the order to start for she feared if the mice stayed among the poppies for too long they also would fall asleep.

At first the little creatures many though they were could hardly stir the heavily loaded truck but the woodman and the scarecrow both pushed from behind and they got along better.

Soon they rolled the lion out of the poppy bed to the green fields where he could breathe the sweet fresh air again instead of the poisonous scent of the flowers.

Dorothy came to meet them and thanked the little mice warmly for saving her companion from death.

She had grown so fond of the big lion she was glad he had been rescued.

Then the mice were unharnessed from the truck and scampered away through the grass to their homes.

The queen of the mice was the last to leave.

If you ever need us again she said come out into the field and call and we shall hear you and come to your assistance.

Goodbye goodbye they all answered and away the queen ran while Dorothy held Toto tightly lest he should run after her and frighten her.

After this they sat down beside the lion until he should awaken and the scarecrow brought Dorothy some fruit from a tree nearby which she ate for her dinner.

The guardian of the gate.

It was some time before the cowardly lion awakened for he had lain among the poppies a long while breathing in their deadly fragrance but when he did open his eyes and roll off the truck he was very glad to find himself still alive.

I ran as fast as I could he said sitting down and yawning but the flowers were too strong for me.

How did you get me out?

Then they told him of the field mice and how they had generously saved him from death and the cowardly lion laughed and said I have always thought myself very big and terrible yet such little things as flowers came near to killing me and such small animals as mice have saved my life.

How strange it all is but comrades what shall we do now?

We must journey on until we find the road of yellow brick again said Dorothy and then we can keep on to the Emerald City.

So the lion being fully refreshed and feeling quite himself again they all started upon the journey greatly enjoying the walk through the soft fresh grass and it was not long before they reached the road of yellow brick and turned again toward the Emerald City where the great Oz dwelt.

The road was smooth and well paved now and the country about was beautiful so that the travellers rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind and with it the many dangers they had met in its gloomy shades.

Once more they could see fences built beside the road and these were painted green and when they came to a small house in which a farmer evidently lived that also was painted green.

They passed by several of these houses during the afternoon and saw the green and the greenery and the greenery was very beautiful.

The people were all dressed in the afternoon and sometimes people came to the doors and looked at them as if they would like to ask questions but no one came near them nor spoke to them because of the great lion of which of a lovely emerald green colour and wore peaked hats like those of the munchkins.

This must be the land of Oz said Dorothy and we are surely getting near the Emerald City.

Yes answered the scarecrow everything is green here while in the country of the munchkins blue was the favourite colour but the people do not seem to be as friendly as the munchkins and I'm afraid we shall be unable to find a place to pass the night.

I should like to eat something beside fruit said the girl and I'm sure Toto is nearly starved.

Let us stop at the next house and talk to the people.

So when they came to a good sized farmhouse Dorothy walked boldly up to the door and knocked.

A woman opened it just far enough to look out and said what do you want child and why is that great lion with you?

We wish to pass the night with you if you will allow us will allow us answered Dorothy and the lion is my friend and comrade and would not hurt you for the world.

Is he tame?

Asked the woman opening the door a little wider.

Oh yes said the girl and he is a great coward too.

He will be more afraid of you than you are of him.

Well said the woman after thinking it over and taking another peep at the lion.

If that is the case you may come in and I will give you some supper and a place to sleep.

So they all entered the house where there were beside the woman two children and a man.

The man had hurt his leg and was lying on the couch in a corner.

They seemed greatly surprised to see such a strange company and while the woman was busy laying the table the man asked where are you all going?

To the emerald city said Dorothy to see the great Oz.

Oh indeed exclaimed the man.

Are you sure that Oz will see you?

Why not?

Dorothy replied.

Why it is said that he never let anyone come into his presence.

I have been to the emerald city many times and it is a beautiful and wonderful place but I have never been permitted to see the great Oz nor do I know of any living person who has seen him.

Does he never go out?

Asked the scarecrow.

Never.

He sits day after day in the great throne room of his palace and even those who wait upon him do not see him face to face.

What is he like?

Asked the girl.

That is hard to tell.

Said the man thoughtfully.

You see Oz is a great wizard and can take on many forms as he wishes so that some say he looks like a bird and some say he looks like an elephant and some say that he looks like a cat.

To others he appears as a beautiful fairy or a brownie or in any other form that pleases him.

But who the real Oz is when he is in his own form no living person can tell.

That is very strange said Dorothy but we must try in some way to see him or we shall have made our journey for nothing.

Why do you wish to see the terrible Oz?

Asked the man.

I want him to give me some brains said the scarecrow.

Oh Oz could do that easily enough declared the man.

He has more brains than he needs and I want him to give me a heart said the tin woodman.

That will not trouble him continued the man for Oz has a large collection of hearts of all sizes and shapes and I want him to give me courage said the cowardly lion.

Oz keeps a great pot of courage in his throne room said the man which he has covered with a golden plate to keep it from running over.

He will be glad to give you some and I want him to send me back to Kansas said Dorothy.

Where is Kansas asked the man.

I don't know replied Dorothy but it is my home and I'm sure it's somewhere very likely.

Well Oz can do anything so I suppose he will find Kansas for you.

But first you must get to see him and that will be a hard task for the great wizard does not like to see anyone and he usually has his own way.

But what do you want?

He continued speaking to Toto.

Toto only wagged his tail for strange to say he could not speak.

The woman now called to them that supper was ready.

So they gathered around the table and Dorothy ate some delicious porridge and a dish of scrambled eggs and a plate of nice white bread and enjoyed her meal.

The lion ate some of the porridge but did not care for it saying it was made from oats and that oats were food for horses not for lions.

The scarecrow and the tin woodman ate nothing at all.

Toto ate a little of everything and was glad to get a good supper again.

The woman now gave Dorothy a bed to sleep in and Toto lay down beside her while the lion guarded the door of her room so she might not be disturbed.

The scarecrow and the tin woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night although of course they could not sleep.

The next morning as soon as the sun was up they started on their way and soon saw a beautiful green glow in the sky just before them.

That must be the Emerald City said Dorothy.

As they walked on the green glow became brighter and brighter and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels yet it was afternoon before they came to the great wall that surrounded the city.

It was high and thick and of a bright green colour.

In front of them and at the end of the road of yellow brick was a big gate all studded with emeralds that glittered so in the sun that even the painted eyes of the scarecrow were dazzled by their brilliancy.

There was a bell beside the gate and Dorothy pushed the button and heard a silvery tinkle sound within.

Then the big gate swung slowly open and they all passed through and found themselves in a high arched room the walls of which glistened with countless emeralds.

Before them stood a little man about the same size as the munchkins.

He was clothed all in green from his head to his feet and even his skin was of a greenish tint.

At his side was a large green box when he saw Dorothy and her companions.

The man asked what do you wish in the emerald city?

We came here to see the great Oz said Dorothy.

The man was so surprised at this answer that he sat down to think it over.

It has been many years since anyone asked me to see Oz he said shaking his head.

He is powerful and terrible and if you come on an idle or foolish errand to bother the wise reflections of the great wizard he might be angry and destroy you all in an instant.

But it is not a foolish errand nor an idle one replied the scarecrow.

It is important and we have been told that Oz is a good wizard.

So he is said the green man and he rules the emerald city wisely and well.

But to those who are not honest or who approach him from curiosity he is most terrible and few have ever dared ask to see his face.

I am the guardian of the gates and since you demand to see the great Oz I must take you to his palace.

But first you must put on the spectacles.

Why asked Dorothy because if you did not wear spectacles the brightness and the glory of the emerald city would blind you.

Even those who live in the city must wear spectacles day and night.

They are all locked on for Oz ordered it so when the city was first built.

And I have the only key that will unlock them.

He opened the big box and Dorothy saw that it was filled with spectacles of every size and shape.

All of them had green glasses in them.

The guardian of the gates found a pair that would fit Dorothy and put them over her eyes.

There were two golden bands fastened to them that passed around the back of her head where they were locked together by a little key that was at the end of a chain the guardian of the gates wore around his neck.

When they were on Dorothy could not take them off had she wished but of course she did not wish to be blinded by the glare of the emerald city so she said nothing.

Then the green man fitted spectacles for the scarecrow and the tin woodman and the lion and even on little Toto and all were locked fast with a key.

Then the guardian of the gates put on his own glasses and told them he was ready to show them to the palace.

Taking a big golden key from a peg on the wall he opened another gate and they all followed him through the portal into the streets of the emerald city.

Reviews

Love the Oz story! Even more, I love listening and falling asleep to the sound of Sally’s voice. I alternate between parts 1, 2, and 3 and look forward to the next volumes!