The Magic of Oz

unknown subjects are not nearly so numerous as the known inhabitants of

Oz, who occupy all the countries near to the Emerald City. Indeed, I'm

sure it will not be long until all parts of the fairyland of Oz are explored

and their peoples made acquainted with their Ruler, for in Ozma's palace

are several of her friends who are so curious that they are constantly

discovering new and extraordinary places and inhabitants.

One of the most frequent discoverers of these hidden places in Oz is a

little Kansas girl named Dorothy, who is Ozma's dearest friend and lives in

luxurious rooms in the Royal Palace. Dorothy is, indeed, a Princess of Oz,

but she does not like to be called a princess, and because she is simple and

sweet and does not pretend to be anything but an ordinary little girl, she is

called just "Dorothy" by everybody and is the most popular person, next to

Ozma, in all the Land of Oz.

One morning Dorothy crossed the hall of the palace and knocked on

the door of another girl named Trot, also a guest and friend of Ozma.

When told to enter, Dorothy found that Trot had company, an old sailor-

man with one wooden leg and one meat leg, who was sitting by the open

window puffing smoke from a corn-cob pipe. This sailor-man was named

Cap'n Bill, and he had accompanied Trot to the Land of Oz and was her

oldest and most faithful comrade and friend. Dorothy liked Cap'n Bill, too,

and after she had greeted him, she said to Trot:

You know, Ozma's birthday is next month, and I've been wondering

what I can give here as a birthday present. She's so good to us all that we

certainly ought to remember her birthday."

That's true," agreed Trot. "I've been wondering, too, what I could give

Ozma. It's pretty hard to decide, 'cause she's got already all she wants, and

as she's a fairy and knows a lot about magic, she could satisfy any wish."

I know," returned Dorothy, "but that isn't the point. It isn't that Ozma

NEEDS anything, but that it will please her to know we've remembered

her birthday. But what shall we give her?"

Trot shook her head in despair.

I've tried to think and I can't," she declared.

It's the same way with me," said Dorothy.