The Magic of Oz

CHAPTER 5. A Happy Corner of

There is no other country so beautiful as the Land of Oz. There are no

other people so happy and contented and prosperous as the Oz people.

They have all they desire; they love and admire their beautiful girl Ruler,

Ozma of Oz, and they mix work and play so justly that both are delightful

and satisfying and no one has any reason to complain. Once in a while

something happens in Oz to disturb the people's happiness for a brief time,

for so rich and attractive a fairyland is sure to make a few selfish and

greedy outsiders envious, and therefore certain evil-doers have

treacherously plotted to conquer Oz and enslave its people and destroy its

girl Ruler, and so gain the wealth of Oz for themselves. But up to the time

when the cruel and crafty Nome, Ruggedo, conspired with Kiki Aru, the

Hyup, all such attempts had failed. The Oz people suspected no danger.

Life in the world's nicest fairyland was one round of joyous, happy days.

In the center of the Emerald City of Oz, the capital city of Ozma's

dominions, is a vast and beautiful garden, surrounded by a wall inlaid with

shining emeralds, and in the center of this garden stands Ozma's Royal

Palace, the most splendid building ever constructed. From a hundred

towers and domes floated the banners of Oz, which included the Ozmies,

the Munchkins, the Gillikins, the Winkies and the Quadlings. The banner

of the Munchkins is blue, that of the Winkies yellow; the Gillikin banner is

purple, and the Quadling's banner is red. The colors of the Emerald City

are of course green. Ozma's own banner has a green center, and is divided

into four quarters. These quarters are colored blue, purple, yellow and red,

indicating that she rules over all the countries of the Land of Oz.

This fairyland is so big, however, that all of it is not yet known to its

girl Ruler, and it is said that in some far parts of the country, in forests and

mountain fastnesses, in hidden valleys and thick jungles, are people and

beasts that know as little about Ozma as she knows of them. Still, these