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Once upon a time, there was a lovely young girl named Dorothy. She lived with her aunt and uncle on a farm in Kansas. Every morning, she would wake up and head outside to help her aunt and uncle on the farm. She loved it; she could not imagine her life being any better.
But today was different – the mood was eerie. Dorothy woke up and followed her morning routine. Except this time when she walked outside, it was practically dark. She checked the clock; it was eleven in the morning. The sky was roaring and the wind was fiercely whooshing through the branches.
All of a sudden, Dorothy heard Aunt Em screaming. “Dorothy! Dorothy! Please come quickly!” Dorothy grabbed her dog Toto off the front porch and began to run towards the barn. But the wind got stronger and stronger. It was so strong that it blew the roof off the horse barn. She had to turn back; she couldn’t make it.
She ran into the house and looked out the window. There was a huge cyclone, destroying everything in its path. She sat on her bed, wondering if her aunt and uncle were okay. Suddenly, her house began to shake. Toto jumped into her lap and she began to cry. After a few seconds, her house was completely in the air. She looked down at her farm, saddened to see everything was getting torn apart. Dorothy began to get dizzy from all the spinning. She collapsed on her bed and passed out.
Suddenly there was a loud noise that startled Dorothy. Her house landed on the ground abruptly. She grabbed Toto, slowly opened her front door and walked outside. Where was she? Everything was so colorful and beautiful. The houses were so tiny; the entire house was the size of Dorothy's room back in Kansas. But they were beautiful and so colorful. They resembled gingerbread houses that Dorothy used to build with her Aunt Em before her life got turned around.
As she was admiring this little town, a young woman came around the corner wearing a long white dress and a beautiful crown.
“Hello, my dear. Welcome to the land of Oz,” said the woman kindly. “I am the Good Witch of the North, and I am here with the munchkins to welcome you. There is something they would like to tell you.”
Three munchkins came out from around the corner of the house wearing overalls and spoke in unison. “We came to thank you for killing the Wicked Witch of the East. We can finally be free from her and it is all because of you.”
“What? I have never hurt anyone in my life. I would never kill someone,” Dorothy said, feeling defensive.
The beautiful woman in white smiled softly and said, “My dear, your house landed on the Witch when it fell from the sky. We thank you for setting the munchkins free. Why did you decide to come to the Land of Oz?”
“I did not mean to, I was in Kansas one minute and then the next minute my house was in the middle of a cyclone! Then I woke up and I was here. I know my aunt and uncle are worried sick about me.”
“Kansas? I have never heard of Kansas before. Unfortunately I cannot help you, but I can send you to Oz, the great and powerful Wizard,” she responded.
“That would be great. I would really appreciate his help. Where do I find him?”
“You must follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City. It is a long and dangerous path, so please be very careful. Keep your little dog close by, too.”
After thanking the good Witch and the munchkins for their help, Dorothy headed off towards the yellow brick road.
The road stretched on and on; it seemed like she had been walking for hours. She stopped near a field for a break and nibbled on berries and drank fresh water. She noticed a scarecrow in the field. When she looked him in the eyes, he winked. At first, she didn’t think anything of it. She took another drink of water and began walking towards the scarecrow. She touched his straw leg.
“Hey!” said the Scarecrow.
“AH!!! Did you just say something??”
“Yes, I was just trying to be friendly. I did not mean to startle you,” said the Scarecrow apologetically. “Will you help me down?”
Dorothy lifted the Scarecrow off of the stick and they began telling each other their stories. The Scarecrow explained how he had only been made two days ago, but the crows were no longer scared of him so they ate the corn and mocked him.
“I just want a brain. I want to be able to think for myself and make a life for myself.”
“Perfect! I am heading to see Oz so he can help me get back to Kansas. I am sure he will give you a brain!” said Dorothy.
The Scarecrow agreed to go with her. They talked for hours. Finally, when darkness took over, they decided to stop at a cabin for the night. When they first arrived, it seemed vacant. There was no food, no electricity, and no furniture. Dorothy spread out a few blankets that she brought from her home and laid them out on the ground for herself, the Scarecrow, and Toto.
“Hello?” called out a young girl from the hallway. “Is someone there? I need help.”
Dorothy and the Scarecrow looked at each other, but they were too afraid to answer. Toto started growling and staring in the hallway. Suddenly a young blonde girl walked around the corner.
“Who are you and how did you get in this cottage?” asked the Scarecrow.
“Hi, I’m Alice and I am so lost. I need help getting back home. Can I sit down with you?”
“Of course!” exclaimed Dorothy as she spread out the blanket for this unexpected stranger.
Alice sat down and began to explain how she ended up there.
Author's Note:
This story includes the first four chapters of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy is at home with her aunt and uncle when the tornado hits but she does not make it to the shelter in time. Dorothy is in the air with Toto for several hours, eventually falling asleep. Dorothy's house falls in the Land of Oz. She walks out of the house and is quickly approached by three munchkins and one woman, who is the Good Witch of the North. They explain to her how she killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and the good Witch gave Dorothy her magical silver slippers. Then, Dorothy explained how she wanted to go back to Kansas, so the good witch sent her on her way to see Oz, the great wizard in the City of Emeralds. Along the way, she stops to rest and notices a scarecrow in the field. All of a sudden, the scarecrow winks at Dorothy. Then she approaches it, and he ends up talking to her and eventually asked her to help him off of the stick. They talk for a minute, and then he decides to travel with Dorothy to the Land of Oz to ask the Wizard for a brain. After telling his story, the Scarecrow and Dorothy continued on their way until it became dark and they stumbled upon a cottage to rest for the night. This is where I decided it would a good spot to add Alice into the story. I wanted to end with her beginning to tell her story, so I can add that part to the beginning of my next story. Alice will join Dorothy on their journey to the Land of Oz, both with the goal of returning home.
Bibliography:
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900).
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