Chapter 10. The Guardian of the Gate

The Cowardly Lion took some time to wake up. He had been lying among the poppies for a long while. The Lion was breathing in their dangerous scent. When he finally opened his eyes and rolled off the truck, the Lion was relieved to find himself alive.

"I ran as fast as I could," he said, sitting down and yawning. "But the flowers were too strong. How did you save me?"

They told him about the field mice who had saved his life. The Cowardly Lion laughed at this.

"I always thought I was big and scary," he said. "Yet, I almost got killed by tiny things like flowers, and I was saved by little animals like mice. How odd! But what's next?"

"We need to find the yellow brick road," said Dorothy. "Then we can continue to the Emerald City."

The Lion, feeling refreshed, was ready to continue the journey. They all started their walk, enjoying the soft, fresh grass. Soon, they found the yellow brick road. They followed it again towards the Emerald City, where the Great Oz lived.

The road was now smooth and well-paved. The beautiful countryside made the travelers happy to leave the dangerous forest behind. They saw fences beside the road, all painted green. When they passed a small house, presumably a farmer's, it was also green.

They passed several such houses in the afternoon. Sometimes, people would look at them from their doors. However, nobody approached or talked to them because they feared the Lion. The people wore emerald-green clothing and pointed hats like the Munchkins.

"This must be the Land of Oz," said Dorothy. "We're definitely getting close to the Emerald City."

"Yes," answered the Scarecrow. "Everything is green here, unlike the Munchkin country where blue was the favorite color. These people don't seem as friendly, though. I'm worried we won't find a place to stay overnight."

"I'd like something other than fruits to eat," said the girl. "And I'm sure Toto is almost starved. Let's stop at the next house and talk to the people."

They reached a decent-sized farmhouse, and Dorothy boldly knocked on the door. A woman opened the door slightly to see who was there.

"What do you want, child, and why is that big Lion with you?" she asked.

"We need a place to stay overnight," Dorothy answered. "The Lion is my friend and won't harm you."

"Is he tame?" the woman asked, opening the door a bit more.

"Oh, yes," said the girl. "He's a big coward. He'll be more scared of you than you are of him."

The woman thought for a moment and peeked at the Lion again. "In that case, you can come in," she said. "I'll give you some supper and a place to sleep."

They entered the house. There were, besides the woman, two children and a man inside. The man had injured his leg and was lying on the couch in a corner. They were amazed to see such a strange group. While the woman set the table, the man asked,

"Where are you all going?"

Dorothy replied, "We're going to the Emerald City to see the Great Oz."

The man exclaimed, "Oh, really! Are you certain that Oz will receive you?"

Dorothy responded, "Why not?"

"Well," he explained, "it is rumored that he never allows anyone to meet him. I have visited the Emerald City numerous times, and it is a beautiful and wonderful place. However, I've never been granted an audience with the Great Oz, and I don't know anyone alive who has seen him."

The Scarecrow inquired, "Does he never leave?"

"Never," the man replied. "He spends his days in the grand Throne Room of his Palace. Even those who serve him do not see him face to face."

The girl asked, "What is he like?"

"That's difficult to say," said the man thoughtfully. Oz is a powerful Wizard who can assume any form he desires. Some claim he resembles a bird, while others say he resembles an elephant or a cat. Some see him as a beautiful fairy or an elf or in whatever form he finds pleasing. But no one can truly know the real Oz when he appears in his true form."

"That's very strange," said Dorothy. "Nevertheless, we must find a way to see him, or our journey will have been pointless."

"Why do you wish to see the terrible Oz?" asked the man.

"I want him to give me some brains," the Scarecrow said eagerly.

"Easily enough, Oz could do that," the man declared. "He has more brains than he needs."

"I want him to give me a heart," said the Tin Woodman.

"That will not trouble him," the man continued. "Oz has a large collection of hearts, all shapes and sizes."

"And I want him to give me courage," said the Cowardly Lion.

"Oz keeps a great pot of courage in his Throne Room," the man said. "He has covered it with a golden plate to keep it from running over. He will be glad to give you some."

"And I want him to return me to Kansas," Dorothy said.

"Where is Kansas?" asked the man, with surprise.

"I'm not sure," Dorothy answered sadly, "but it's my home, and I'm sure it's somewhere."

"Very likely. Well, Oz can do anything, so he might find Kansas for you," he said. "But first, you must meet him, and that's tough. The Great Wizard doesn't like seeing anyone and usually gets his way. But what do you want?" he asked Toto. Toto only wagged his tail because, strange to say, he couldn't talk.

Soon, the woman told them that supper was ready. They gathered around the table, and Dorothy ate some delicious porridge, scrambled eggs, and white bread. She enjoyed her meal. The Lion tried the porridge but didn't like it, claiming oats were for horses, not lions. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman didn't eat anything. Toto tasted a bit of everything, happy to have a good supper again.

The woman provided Dorothy a bed, and Toto lay down beside her. The Lion guarded her room's door so she might not be disturbed. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood in a corner and stayed quiet all night because they couldn't sleep.

At sunrise the next day, they resumed their journey. Soon, they saw a beautiful green glow in the sky ahead.

"That must be the Emerald City," Dorothy said.

As they walked on, the green glow intensified. They knew they were getting close to the end of their journey. However, they reached the massive, bright green wall surrounding the City only in the afternoon.

A huge gate, studded with sparkling emeralds, was at the end of the yellow brick road. The gems were so brilliant in the sun that even the Scarecrow's painted eyes were dazzled.

Beside the gate was a bell. Dorothy pushed its button and heard a delicate, tinkling sound inside. The gate slowly opened, and they entered a high-arched room. The walls of the room shimmered with countless emeralds.

In front of them stood a small man about the size of the Munchkins. He was dressed entirely in green, and his skin had a green hue. At his side was a large green box.

When he saw Dorothy and her companions, the man asked, "What do you seek in the Emerald City?"

"We are here to see the Great Oz," Dorothy responded.

The man was so surprised by her answer that he had to sit down to contemplate.

"No one has asked to see Oz in many years," he said, perplexed. "He's powerful and terrible. If you disturb his wise contemplations with trivial matters, he might destroy you in a moment."

"But our mission isn't trivial or idle," the Scarecrow replied. "It's crucial. We heard Oz is a good Wizard."

"He is," agreed the green man. "He wisely governs the Emerald City. But he is fierce towards those who are dishonest or curious. Few dare to see his face. As the Gate Guardian, I'll lead you to his Palace. But first, you must wear the spectacles."

"Why?" Dorothy asked.

"The brightness of the Emerald City would blind you without spectacles," he explained. "Even the residents wear them permanently. They're locked on by Oz's command when the city was first built. I have the only key that unlocks them."

He opened the large box, revealing numerous spectacles of various sizes, all with green lenses. The Gate Guardian found a pair fitting Dorothy and placed them over her eyes. Two golden bands fastened at the back of her head were locked together with a key on the Guardian's chain. Dorothy couldn't remove them but didn't want to be blinded by the city's brightness.

Next, the green man fitted spectacles on the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion, and even little Toto. They were all secured with the key.

Finally, the Gate Guardian put on his own glasses, ready to lead them to the Palace. He took a large golden key from a wall peg, opened another gate, and led them into the Emerald City's streets through the portal.