Jul 4, 2009

Chapter17 How the Balloon was Launched

Well, the time for Dorothy's wish to come true had come!

Oz(the con man) created a plan which he made a balloon to take Dorothy back to Kansas as through the sky. And he himself planned to ride in it with her. What a good idea!:)

When I read this story for the first time, I thought "So, this is the farewell to Oz (country). The following several chapter must be about the air travel from Oz to Kansas."

But, but, mercy! The balloon had set off without Dorothy! It shocked me very much! As much as, or more than, the fact that Oz was not a wizard but just a con man.

What will you do, Dorothy?! The only person whom you could rely on has left, and the situation has gone from bad to worse:(

Chapter16 The Magic Art of the Great Humbug

The Great Oz gave the three of them, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, what they each wanted, as he had promised to them.

What do you think about that? I've been feeling very strange about that for a long time. How can the three trust that con man? Why can they be happy? That's a mystery to me!

When you have a problem, sometimes, you already know what you should do in your mind, however, before taking your action, you need to be told by someone "You are right. Go on!" supporting your decision in order to have some confidence. That could happen. Does the three feel like that?

But only Dorothy's wish cannot come true by such a lip service or empty promises.

I remember, when I read this story for the first time, I thought that Dorothy would end up staying in Oz.

Chapter15 The Discovery of Oz, the Terrible

The travelers came back to the Emerald City in triumph after they destroyed the Wicked Witch of the West. They (and I) had expected them to be warmly welcomed, but they were left to wait in the rooms of the palace for several days with no message from the Wizard of Oz.

At last, they threatened the Wizard. If he didn't send them a reply, they would send him the flying monkeys after him. Then, the Great Oz was scared and allowed them to meet him immediately...that sounds fishy already, doesn't it?;)

Then, they discovered who he was.

When I was a child, I was annoyed with him, "What a con man!" But now, after the passage of several decades, I think the Wizard is sympathetic. Maybe it's because my age has become closer to his;) Far away from his home country, in a foreign country (which was not even a normal country), he had to live alone relying only his own bravado without any family or friends. Maybe he was relieved to have his secret exposed.

And he advised to the Scarecrow, "You need experiences, not a brain," and to the Lion, he said, "You need confidence, not bravery." He is quite a man!

By the way, the Emerald City, it was made by the Great Oz. I forgot about it.

Dorothy thinks "If he find a way to go back Kansas, I will willingly forgive everything he has done." She doesn't begrudge anything. If I were her....haha:P A very good girl, Dorothy!:)

Chapter14 The Winged Monkeys

There was no path between the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West and the Emerald City. The Winkie country seems to be an undeveloped land. How different it is from the affluent Munchkin land which has the road paved by yellow bricks.

Having been taught by the queen of the mice, Dorothy called the flying monkeys using the golden cap's magic power.

The flying monkeys told their history to Dorothy and her companions during the flight to the Emerald City.

The story began like this; Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess and a powerful witch named Gayelette and her fiance, Quelala. To tell the truth, I hardly remembered about Quelala. But after I carefully reread about him, I think he was a cool guy!;) No wonder Gayelette fell for him:)

For the flying monkeys, it was unlucky to be found by Gayelette while they were teasing Quelala, but I think it was natural that Gayelette got angry. However, the penalty is a little too heavy, isn't it?

While Dorothy and her companions were listening to the flying monkeys' story, they arrived in the front of the gate of the Emerald City. As the Lion said, it was very lucky that Dorothy got the Golden Cap. Besides, Dorothy seemed to enjoy that flight.