Dorothy and Stork

Dorothy and the Stork share a brief but decisive encounter that rescues the Scarecrow from a seemingly hopeless predicament and allows the travelers to continue their journey. The Stork appears at a moment of crisis, acts out of a general willingness to help those in trouble, and departs as quickly as she arrived, leaving the party grateful and the Scarecrow determined to repay her kindness someday.

The Crisis on the River

After the raft carrying Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto broke free from the Scarecrow, he was left clinging to a long pole stuck in the mud at the bottom of the river. The current swept the raft away, and the Scarecrow was left alone in the middle of the water, reflecting that he was now worse off than when he had first met Dorothy, for at least in the cornfield he could pretend to scare crows. Dorothy and her remaining companions reached the shore and walked along the riverbank, hoping to find a way back to the yellow brick road. When they spotted the Scarecrow still perched on his pole, looking lonely and sad, they sat down on the bank, unsure how to save him.

The Stork's Intervention

A Stork, flying by, saw the group and stopped to rest at the water's edge. She asked who they were and where they were going. Dorothy explained that they were on their way to the Emerald City but had lost the Scarecrow. The Stork initially hesitated, saying that if the Scarecrow were not so big and heavy she would retrieve him. Dorothy eagerly assured her that he was not heavy at all, being stuffed with straw. The Stork agreed to try, warning that if she found him too heavy she would have to drop him back in the river. She flew over the water, grabbed the Scarecrow by the arm with her great claws, and carried him back to the bank where the others were waiting.

Gratitude and Departure

The Scarecrow was so happy to be among his friends again that he hugged them all, even the Lion and Toto, and as they walked along he sang "Tol-de-ri-de-oh!" at every step. He told the Stork that if he ever got any brains, he would find her again and do her some kindness in return. The Stork replied that she always liked to help anyone in trouble, but that she must go now because her babies were waiting in the nest. She expressed her hope that they would find the Emerald City and that Oz would help them. Dorothy thanked her, and the Stork flew into the air and was soon out of sight. The encounter is a pure instance of one creature helping another without expectation of reward, and it underscores the novel's theme that kindness and cooperation are essential to overcoming obstacles.