The Journey to the South

After the Wizard Oz floated away in his balloon, leaving Dorothy stranded in the Emerald City, the little girl wept bitterly at the loss of her hope to return to Kansas. Yet upon reflection, she felt glad she had not gone up in the balloon, and she also felt sorry at losing Oz, as did her companions. The Tin Woodman, grateful for the heart Oz had given him, wept for several minutes, and Dorothy carefully wiped away his tears with a towel to prevent rust. The Scarecrow, now the ruler of the Emerald City, sat in the great throne, and the people were proud of him, saying there was not another city in all the world ruled by a stuffed man.

Decision to Seek Glinda

The morning after the balloon's departure, the four travelers met in the Throne Room to discuss their situation. The Scarecrow, sitting in the big throne, declared that the Palace and the Emerald City belonged to them and they could do as they pleased, and he was quite satisfied with his lot, remembering that a short time ago he had been up on a pole in a farmer's cornfield. The Tin Woodman was well pleased with his new heart, and the Lion was content in knowing he was as brave as any beast that ever lived. But Dorothy cried out that she did not want to live in the Emerald City; she wanted to go to Kansas and live with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. The Scarecrow thought so hard that the pins and needles began to stick out of his brains, and he suggested calling the Winged Monkeys to carry her over the desert. Dorothy joyfully brought the Golden Cap and spoke the magic words, summoning the band of Winged Monkeys. The Monkey King bowed before her and asked her wish, but when she asked to be flown to Kansas, he shook his head, explaining that the Winged Monkeys belonged to this country alone and could not leave it, and that there had never been a Winged Monkey in Kansas. Disappointed, Dorothy realized she had wasted the charm of the Golden Cap to no purpose. The Scarecrow, thinking again until his head bulged out horribly, suggested calling the Soldier with the Green Whiskers for advice. The soldier entered timidly, and when asked how Dorothy could cross the desert, he replied that nobody had ever crossed it except Oz himself. He then suggested that Glinda, the Witch of the South, might help, for she was the most powerful of all the Witches, ruled over the Quadlings, and her castle stood on the edge of the desert. The soldier described Glinda as a beautiful woman who knew how to keep young in spite of the many years she had lived, and said the road to her castle was straight to the South but full of dangers, including wild beasts and a race of queer men who did not like strangers.

Companions' Loyalty

The Scarecrow declared that the best thing Dorothy could do was to travel to the Land of the South and ask Glinda to help her, for if she stayed in the Emerald City she would never get back to Kansas. The Lion declared he would go with Dorothy, for he was tired of the city and longed for the woods and the country again, and he was really a wild beast who could protect her. The Tin Woodman agreed, saying his axe might be of service, and he would also go with her to the Land of the South. When the Scarecrow asked when they should start, the others were surprised to learn that he intended to go as well. The Scarecrow explained that if it were not for Dorothy, he would never have had brains; she had lifted him from the pole in the cornfield and brought him to the Emerald City, so his good luck was all due to her, and he would never leave her until she started back to Kansas for good and all. Dorothy thanked them all gratefully and said she would like to start as soon as possible. The Scarecrow announced they would go the next morning, and they all began to prepare for the long journey.

Departure and Early Travels

The next morning, Dorothy kissed the pretty green girl good-bye, and they all shook hands with the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, who walked with them to the gate. The Guardian of the Gates wondered greatly that they could leave the beautiful City to get into new trouble, but he unlocked their spectacles, put them back into the green box, and gave them many good wishes. He reminded the Scarecrow, now their ruler, to come back as soon as possible. Dorothy bade the good-natured Guardian a last farewell, saying she had been very kindly treated in the lovely City and everyone had been good to her. He opened the gate of the outer wall, and they walked forth and started upon their journey. The sun shone brightly as they turned their faces toward the Land of the South. They were all in the best of spirits, laughing and chatting together. Dorothy was once more filled with the hope of getting home, and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman were glad to be of use to her. The Lion sniffed the fresh air with delight and whisked his tail from side to side in pure joy at being in the country again, while Toto ran around them and chased moths and butterflies, barking merrily. The Lion remarked that city life did not agree with him at all, for he had lost much flesh since living there, and he was anxious for a chance to show the other beasts how courageous he had grown. They took a last look at the Emerald City, seeing only a mass of towers and steeples behind the green walls, and high up above everything the spires and dome of the Palace of Oz. The Tin Woodman felt his heart rattling around in his breast and said Oz was not such a bad Wizard after all. The Scarecrow said Oz knew how to give him brains, and very good brains too. The Lion added that if Oz had taken a dose of the same courage he gave him, he would have been a brave man. Dorothy said nothing, but she forgave Oz, for he had done his best even if he had not kept his promise to her. The first day's journey was through green fields and bright flowers that stretched about the Emerald City on every side. They slept that night on the grass, with nothing but the stars over them, and rested very well indeed.