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5. How Dorothy Became a Princess

When the people of the Emerald City heard that Dorothy had returned to

them every one was eager to see her, for the little girl was a general

favorite in the Land of Oz. From time to time some of the folk from the

great outside world had found their way into this fairyland, but all except

one had been companions of Dorothy and had turned out to be very

agreeable people. The exception I speak of was the wonderful Wizard of

Oz, a sleight-of-hand performer from Omaha who went up in a balloon

and was carried by a current of air to the Emerald City. His queer and

puzzling tricks made the people of Oz believe him a great wizard for a

time, and he ruled over them until Dorothy arrived on her first visit and

showed the Wizard to be a mere humbug. He was a gentle, kind-hearted

little man, and Dorothy grew to like him afterward. When, after an

absence, the Wizard returned to the Land of Oz, Ozma received him

graciously and gave him a home in a part of the palace.

In addition to the Wizard two other personages from the outside world

had been allowed to make their home in the Emerald City. The first was

a quaint Shaggy Man, whom Ozma had made the Governor of the Royal

Storehouses, and the second a Yellow Hen named Billina, who had a fine

house in the gardens back of the palace, where she looked after a large

family. Both these had been old comrades of Dorothy, so you see the

little girl was quite an important personage in Oz, and the people thought

she had brought them good luck, and loved her next best to Ozma.

During her several visits this little girl had been the means of destroying

two wicked witches who oppressed the people, and she had discovered a

live scarecrow who was now one of the most popular personages in all

the fairy country. With the Scarecrow's help she had rescued Nick

Chopper, a Tin Woodman, who had rusted in a lonely forest, and the tin

man was now the Emperor of the Country of the Winkies and much

beloved because of his kind heart. No wonder the people thought

Dorothy had brought them good luck! Yet, strange as it may seem, she

had accomplished all these wonders not because she was a fairy or had

any magical powers whatever, but because she was a simple, sweet and

true little girl who was honest to herself and to all whom she met. In this

world in which we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic wands

that work wonders, and in the Land of Oz Dorothy found these same

qualities had won for her the love and admiration of the people. Indeed,

The Emerald City of Oz