L. Frank Baum
English
Dorothy, a young orphan girl, lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry on the bleak Kansas prairies. Her only joy is her little black dog, Toto. One day, a cyclone strikes, and the house is lifted into the air and carried to the magical Land of Oz. Dorothy's house lands on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing the Munchkins, who live in that land. The Witch of the North, a good witch, thanks Dorothy and gives her the Wicked Witch of the East's silver shoes, advising her to seek the Great Oz in the Emerald City for help to return home. Dorothy, with Toto, begins her journey on the road of yellow brick. Along the way, she meets and befriends the Scarecrow, who wishes for brains, and the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart. Together, they continue their journey, facing dangers and helping each other. They also encounter the Cowardly Lion, who joins them, hoping Oz will grant him courage. Their journey is fraught with peril, including navigating a thick forest, crossing a wide ditch, and surviving a field of deadly poppies that put them to sleep. They also face fierce beasts called Kalidahs and must cross a river. The Scarecrow gets lost in the river but is rescued by a stork. Upon reaching the Emerald City, they are fitted with green spectacles to protect their eyes from the city's brilliance. They meet the Guardian of the Gates, who leads them to the Palace of Oz. However, Oz, who can take on various forms, agrees to help them only if they kill the Wicked Witch of the West. The travelers set off to find the Wicked Witch. They face her attacks, including wolves, crows, and bees, but manage to survive through their combined efforts and the help of the Tin Woodman's axe, the Scarecrow's straw, and Dorothy's silver shoes. The Witch, enraged, uses the Golden Cap to summon the Winged Monkeys, who destroy the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman and capture the Lion. However, they dare not harm Dorothy due to the mark of the Good Witch's kiss and the power of her silver shoes. Dorothy, realizing the shoes' power, melts the Wicked Witch with a bucket of water. She then rescues her friends, and they return to the Emerald City. Oz is revealed to be a humbug, a common man from Omaha who uses tricks and illusions. However, he grants the Scarecrow brains (made of bran, pins, and needles), the Tin Woodman a heart (made of silk), and the Lion courage (a potion). Oz, unable to send Dorothy to Kansas, builds a balloon to cross the desert, but accidentally leaves her behind. Dorothy learns from Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, that her silver shoes have the power to take her home. After saying goodbye to her friends, who have found kingdoms to rule, Dorothy clicks her heels together three times and is transported back to her Kansas farm, reunited with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. The silver shoes are lost in the journey, but Dorothy is home.
