How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow

The event of Dorothy saving the Scarecrow marks the first of her crucial alliances in Oz, transforming a lonely, brainless figure into a devoted companion and setting the pattern of mutual aid that will define her journey. It is a scene of awakening and liberation, where a chance encounter on the yellow brick road becomes the foundation of a quest shared by two beings who each lack something essential.

Discovery and Liberation

After a hearty breakfast with the Munchkin Boq and a night's rest, Dorothy resumed her journey along the yellow brick road. Several miles out, she stopped to rest atop a fence beside a great cornfield. There she saw a Scarecrow, placed high on a pole to keep birds from the ripe corn. Its head was a small sack stuffed with straw, with eyes, nose, and mouth painted on to represent a face. It wore an old, pointed blue hat that had belonged to some Munchkin, and a faded blue suit of clothes, also stuffed with straw. On its feet were old boots with blue tops. While Dorothy gazed thoughtfully at the queer, painted face, she was surprised to see one of its eyes slowly wink at her. Then the figure nodded its head in a friendly way. Dorothy climbed down from the fence and walked up to it, while Toto ran around the pole and barked. The Scarecrow spoke in a rather husky voice, greeting her and explaining that it was tedious being perched up there night and day to scare away crows. When Dorothy asked if he could get down, he replied that the pole was stuck up his back and asked her to please take it away. Dorothy reached up both arms and lifted the figure off the pole; being stuffed with straw, it was quite light. Set down on the ground, the Scarecrow declared he felt like a new man.

The Scarecrow's Wish for Brains

The Scarecrow, having stretched and yawned, asked Dorothy who she was and where she was going. She told him her name and that she was going to the Emerald City to ask the Great Oz to send her back to Kansas. The Scarecrow did not know where the Emerald City was or who Oz was. He explained sadly that he was stuffed and had no brains at all. Dorothy said she was awfully sorry for him. The Scarecrow then asked if, should he go with her to the Emerald City, Oz might give him some brains. Dorothy replied that she could not tell, but that he might come with her if he liked; if Oz would not give him any brains, he would be no worse off than he was. The Scarecrow agreed, adding that he did not mind his legs and arms and body being stuffed because he could not get hurt, but he did not want people to call him a fool. He said that if his head stayed stuffed with straw instead of with brains, as hers was, how was he ever to know anything. Dorothy, truly sorry for him, said she would ask Oz to do all he could for him. The Scarecrow thanked her gratefully. They walked back to the road, Dorothy helped him over the fence, and they started along the path of yellow brick for the Emerald City.

The First Companionship

Toto did not like this addition to the party at first. He smelled around the stuffed man as if he suspected there might be a nest of rats in the straw, and he often growled in an unfriendly way at the Scarecrow. Dorothy told him not to mind Toto, that he never bites. The Scarecrow replied that he was not afraid, as Toto could not hurt the straw. He offered to carry Dorothy's basket, saying he could not get tired. He then revealed a secret: there was only one thing in the world he was afraid of. When Dorothy asked what it was, he answered, "a lighted match." This confession, both practical and poignant, underscores the Scarecrow's vulnerability despite his imperviousness to physical harm, and it deepens the bond between the two travelers as they set off together toward the unknown.