The Magic of Oz

Of course there will be a grand feast at the Royal Palace on Ozma's

birthday, and all our friends will be present. So I suggest that you make a

fine big birthday cake of Ozma, and surround it with candles."

Oh, just a CAKE!" exclaimed Dorothy, in disappointment.

Nothing is nicer for a birthday," said the Sorceress.

How many candles should there be on the cake?" asked the girl.

Just a row of them," replied Glinda, "for no one knows how old Ozma

is, although she appears to us to be just a young girl--as fresh and fair as if

she had lived but a few years."

A cake doesn't seem like much of a present," Dorothy asserted.

Make it a surprise cake," suggested the Sorceress. "Don't you

remember the four and twenty blackbirds that were baked in a pie? Well,

you need not use live blackbirds in your cake, but you could have some

surprise of a different sort."

Like what?" questioned Dorothy, eagerly.

If I told you, it wouldn't be YOUR present to Ozma, but MINE,"

answered the Sorceress, with a smile. "Think it over, my dear, and I am

sure you can originate a surprise that will add greatly to the joy and

merriment of Ozma's birthday banquet."

Dorothy thanked her friend and entered the Red Wagon and told the

Sawhorse to take her back home to the palace in the Emerald City.

On the way she thought the matter over seriously of making a surprise

birthday cake and finally decided what to do.

As soon as she reached home, she went to the Wizard of Oz, who had

a room fitted up in one of the high towers of the palace, where he studied

magic so as to be able to perform such wizardry as Ozma commanded him

to do for the welfare of her subjects.

The Wizard and Dorothy were firm friends and had enjoyed many

strange adventures together. He was a little man with a bald head and

sharp eyes and a round, jolly face, and because he was neither haughty nor

proud he had become a great favorite with the Oz people.

Wizard," said Dorothy, "I want you to help me fix up a present for

Ozma's birthday."