The Return to Kansas

After discovering Oz's true nature, Dorothy ultimately finds her way home through the power of the Silver Shoes.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Oz's Broken Promise

The Humbug Revealed The Demand for Fulfillment The four companions return to the Emerald City and demand that Oz fulfill his promises. They are told to come the next day, but they refuse to wait. The Lion roars, and Toto knocks over a screen, revealing a little old man. The Truth About Oz The little man confesses he is a humbug, a ventriloquist from Omaha who came to Oz in a balloon. He created the Emerald City by making everyone wear green spectacles. He has no magical powers. The companions are shocked and dismayed. A Partial Fulfillment Oz, however, manages to give the Scarecrow brains (bran and pins), the Tin Woodman a heart (silk and sawdust), and the Lion courage (a drink from a green bottle). But he cannot send Dorothy home. He tries to build a balloon, but it flies away without her. Dorothy is left heartbroken.

The Balloon Fiasco

The Failed Attempt Oz's Plan Oz decides to build a balloon to take Dorothy and himself across the desert. He sews strips of silk together and makes a large green bag. He paints it with glue and fastens a basket underneath. He announces to the people that he will visit a brother wizard. The Launch A fire is built under the balloon to fill it with hot air. Oz gets into the basket and calls for Dorothy to hurry. But Toto runs off chasing a kitten, and by the time Dorothy finds him, the ropes snap. The balloon rises without her. Oz calls goodbye and disappears into the sky. Dorothy's Despair Dorothy weeps bitterly. She is stranded in Oz. The Scarecrow becomes the ruler of the Emerald City, but Dorothy still longs for Kansas. Her friends try to comfort her, but she is inconsolable. The hope of returning home seems lost.

The Journey to the South

Seeking Glinda's Help The Decision The Scarecrow, now ruler, suggests they seek the help of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. She is the most powerful witch and lives at the edge of the desert. The soldier with green whiskers confirms that Glinda might know a way to cross the desert. The New Quest Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Lion, and Toto decide to go to the South. The Scarecrow insists on coming too, out of gratitude to Dorothy. They set out the next morning, leaving the Emerald City behind. The Guardian of the Gates unlocks their spectacles. The Northward Goodbye They walk through the green fields and then into a thick forest. The journey is full of perils, including the Fighting Trees and the Dainty China Country. But they press on, determined to reach Glinda.

The Lion Becomes King

The Forest of Beasts The Animals' Assembly After passing through the Dainty China Country, the travelers enter a vast forest. They come upon a gathering of wild animals. The animals are terrified of a giant spider monster that has been killing them. The Lion's Challenge The Lion, feeling brave, offers to kill the monster if the animals will accept him as their king. They agree. The Lion finds the spider asleep, leaps on its back, and knocks its head off with a single blow. The animals bow to him as their new King. A Promise to Rule The Lion promises to return and rule over the forest after Dorothy is safely on her way to Kansas. He leaves the animals with a new sense of security. The companions continue their journey, now with a proud and confident Lion.

The Hammer-Heads

The Armless People The Blocked Hill The travelers reach a steep hill covered with rocks. They try to climb, but a voice yells, 'Keep back!' A strange man with no arms but a large head appears. He shoots his head forward and knocks the Scarecrow down the hill. The Lion is also knocked back. The Winged Monkeys Again Dorothy uses the Golden Cap one last time to summon the Winged Monkeys. The Monkeys carry them over the hill, safely past the Hammer-Heads. The King of the Monkeys says this is the last time they can be called, and they fly away. The Quadling Country They are set down in the beautiful red country of the Quadlings. The fields are rich, the houses are red, and the people are friendly. They stop at a farmhouse for dinner and learn that Glinda's castle is not far. They walk on, full of hope.

Glinda's Revelation

The Good Witch's Wisdom The Audience They are taken to the beautiful Castle of Glinda. She sits on a throne of rubies, young and beautiful. Dorothy tells her entire story. Glinda listens kindly. The Secret of the Silver Shoes Glinda reveals that the Silver Shoes have the power to carry Dorothy anywhere in the world in three steps. Dorothy is astonished and overjoyed. She had possessed the means to return home all along. The Farewell Dorothy embraces her friends. The Scarecrow will return to the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman to the Winkies, and the Lion to his forest kingdom. Glinda uses the Golden Cap to grant them safe passage. Dorothy kisses everyone, takes Toto in her arms, and clicks her heels together three times, saying, 'Take me home to Aunt Em!' She is instantly whirled through the air.

Home Again

The Kansas Prairie The Sudden Arrival Dorothy lands on the Kansas prairie, rolling over the grass. She is wearing only stockings; the Silver Shoes have fallen off and are lost in the desert. She sees the new farmhouse that Uncle Henry built after the cyclone. The Reunion Aunt Em is watering the cabbages. She looks up and sees Dorothy running toward her. She cries out, 'My darling child!' and hugs her. Dorothy is home at last, with Toto by her side. The End of the Journey Dorothy gravely explains she came from the Land of Oz. She is overjoyed to be home. The story ends with the simple truth: 'There's no place like home.' Her adventures have given her a deep appreciation for her family and her home.

After the Witch's death

A few days after the revelation

After the balloon leaves

During the journey to the South

Just before reaching Glinda's castle

At Glinda's castle

After the final step