Chapter 18. Away to the South

Dorothy cried hard, losing hope of returning to Kansas. But, thinking about it, she was glad she hadn't gone up in a balloon. She and her friends were sad about losing Oz.

The Tin Woodman told her,

"I'd be unthankful if I didn't mourn for the man who gave me my heart. I'd like to cry a little because Oz is gone, but you'll need to wipe my tears so I don't rust."

"With pleasure," Dorothy responded, promptly bringing a towel. The Tin Woodman wept for some minutes while she carefully wiped away his tears with the towel. Once he was done crying, he thanked her and oiled himself well with his bejeweled oil-can to prevent rust.

Now, the Scarecrow ruled the Emerald City. Though he was not a wizard, people were proud of him. They'd say, "No other city in the world is ruled by a stuffed man." And as far as they knew, they were quite right.

The morning after Oz left in a balloon, the four travelers gathered in the Throne Room and discussed things. The Scarecrow sat on the grand throne while the others respectfully stood before him.

"We're not so unlucky," said the Scarecrow, "this Palace and the Emerald City are ours. We're free to do as we please. From a farmer's cornfield pole to ruling this beautiful city, I'm quite pleased."

The Tin Woodman spoke, "I'm happy with my new heart. It was all I ever wanted."

The Lion humbly said, "Knowing I'm as brave as any beast, if not braver, makes me content."

"Dorothy, if you'd stay in the Emerald City, we could all be happy," Scarecrow suggested.

But Dorothy protested, "I don't want to live here. I want to go to Kansas, to Aunt Em and Uncle Henry."

"What can we do then?" the Woodman asked.

The Scarecrow thought hard so that the pins and needles began to stick out of his brains. Then he suggested,

"What about calling the Winged Monkeys to carry you over the desert?"

"That's a great idea!" Dorothy said. "I'll get the Golden Cap right away."

After fetching the Cap and speaking the magic words in the Throne Room, a band of Winged Monkeys flew in.

"This is your second call," said the Monkey King, bowing. "What do you need?"

"I want you to fly with me to Kansas," Dorothy requested.

But the Monkey King just shook his head.

"We can't do that," the Monkey King said. "We belong here and can't leave. There's never been a Winged Monkey in Kansas. We'd love to help, but we can't cross the desert. Goodbye."

With that, the Monkey King spread his wings and flew away through the window, followed by his band.

Dorothy almost cried, disappointed. "I wasted the Golden Cap's charm. The Winged Monkeys can't help," she lamented.

"It is certainly too bad!" sympathized the tender-hearted Woodman.

.The Scarecrow was deep in thought, his head swelling in a way that worried Dorothy.

"Let's ask the soldier with the green whiskers for advice," he suggested.

So, they called the soldier, who nervously entered the Throne Room. He'd never been allowed past the door when Oz was alive.

"The little girl wants to cross the desert," the Scarecrow told the soldier. "How can she do it?"

"I don't know," the soldier answered. "Only Oz has ever crossed the desert, I think."

"Can anyone help me?" Dorothy asked hopefully.

"Maybe Glinda can," he proposed.

"Who's Glinda?" the Scarecrow asked.

"The Witch of the South. She is the most powerful of all the Witches and rules over the Quadlings. Her castle is near the desert. She might know a way across."

"Is Glinda a good witch?" Dorothy queried.

"The Quadlings think so," said the soldier. "She's kind to all. I heard she's a beautiful woman who stays young despite her age."

"How do I reach her castle?" Dorothy asked.

"The path is straight to the South," he answered, "but it's dangerous. There are wild animals and hostile men who dislike strangers. That's why Quadlings never come to the Emerald City."

The soldier left, and Scarecrow spoke up:

"It seems that, despite the dangers, Dorothy should go to the Land of the South and ask Glinda for help. If she stays here, she'll never get back to Kansas."

"You've been thinking again," the Tin Woodman noted.

"I have," confirmed the Scarecrow.

"I'll go with Dorothy," said the Lion. "I'm tired of the city and miss the woods and country. I'm a wild beast, you know. Besides, Dorothy will need someone to protect her."

"That makes sense," agreed the Woodman. "My axe might help. I'll also go with her to the South."

"When do we leave?" Scarecrow asked.

"Are you coming too?" they asked, surprised.

"Certainly! I wouldn't have had any brains if it wasn't for Dorothy. She rescued me from the pole in the cornfield and brought me to the Emerald City. All my good fortune is because of her, and I'll never leave her until she returns to Kansas for good."

"Thank you," said Dorothy with gratitude. "You're all so kind to me. But I'd like to leave as soon as possible."

"We'll leave tomorrow morning," replied the Scarecrow. "So let's prepare now because it'll be a long journey."