The Stork Rescuing the Scarecrow

After the raft carrying Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion was swept away by the swift current, the Scarecrow was left clinging to his long pole, which had stuck fast in the mud at the bottom of the river. He was stranded alone in the middle of the water, and his thoughts turned to despair. He reflected that he was now worse off than when he first met Dorothy, for then he had at least been stuck on a pole in a cornfield where he could pretend to scare crows; now he was stuck on a pole in the middle of a river, with no purpose at all. He feared he would never get any brains.

The Discovery and the Stork's Offer

Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, having reached the shore and realized they had been carried far past the yellow brick road, walked along the riverbank in the hope of finding their way back. As they walked, the Tin Woodman suddenly cried out, and they all looked at the river and saw the Scarecrow perched on his pole, looking very lonely and sad. Dorothy asked what they could do to save him, but the Lion and the Woodman both shook their heads, not knowing how to help. They sat down on 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. The Stork asked who they were and where they were going, and Dorothy explained that they had lost the Scarecrow and were wondering how to get him back. The Stork remarked that if the Scarecrow were not so big and heavy, she would get him for them. Dorothy eagerly assured her that he was not heavy at all, for he was stuffed with straw, and promised that if the Stork brought him back, they would be ever so grateful.

The Rescue and Reunion

The Stork agreed to try, but warned that if she found him too heavy to carry, she would have to drop him in the river again. She flew into the air and over the water until she reached the Scarecrow on his pole. With her great claws, she grabbed him by the arm and carried him up into the air and back to the bank, where Dorothy, the Lion, 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. As they walked along, he sang "Tol-de-ri-de-oh!" at every step, feeling so gay. He said he had been afraid he would have to stay in the river forever, but the kind Stork had saved him, and he promised that if he ever got any brains, he would find the Stork again and do her some kindness in return.

The Stork's Departure and the Journey's Continuation

The Stork, who was flying along beside them, replied that she always liked to help anyone in trouble, but she had to go because her babies were waiting in the nest for her. She expressed her hope that they would find the Emerald City and that Oz would help them. Dorothy thanked her, and the kind Stork flew into the air and was soon out of sight. The rescue restored the party's spirits and allowed them to continue their journey, now walking along the riverbank through a lovely country with brightly colored birds and beautiful flowers, including the brilliant scarlet poppies that would soon pose a new danger.