The Dainty China Country

The travelers cross a fragile land of china people, learning about the beauty and brittleness of perfection.

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The China Wall

A Barrier of Porcelain The Wall After passing through the forest of Fighting Trees, the travelers find a high wall made of white china. It is smooth and higher than their heads. The Ladder The Tin Woodman builds a ladder from forest wood. They climb to the top and look over. They see a strange country with a floor like a white platter and tiny china houses. The View They see china cows, sheep, and people, all very small. The tallest person is no higher than Dorothy's knee. They are amazed and cautious.

The Fragile Inhabitants

The China People The Milkmaid Dorothy first encounters a china milkmaid milking a china cow. The cow kicks, and the milkmaid breaks her elbow. The cow breaks a leg. The milkmaid is angry and blames the strangers. The Princess They meet a beautiful china Princess. Dorothy wants to take her to Kansas, but the Princess says she would be unhappy because she would become stiff. She prefers to stay in her own country. Mr. Joker A clown called Mr. Joker appears, covered in cracks from being mended many times. He stands on his head and recites a silly poem. The Princess says he is foolish because he is cracked.

The Crossing

A Careful Exit The Second Wall The travelers reach the other side of the china country and find another wall. It is not as high. They use the Lion's back to climb up. The Accident As the Lion jumps, his tail hits a china church and smashes it. Dorothy is sorry, but they cannot help it. They are lucky not to have done more damage. The Lesson The Scarecrow says he is thankful he is made of straw and cannot be easily damaged. There are worse things than being a scarecrow. The china country teaches them about fragility and the value of their own resilience.

After the Fighting Trees

In the China Country

Leaving the China Country