The Magic of Oz

Gone on a journey with Dorothy," replied Toto.

When did they go, and where have they gone?" demanded the Cat.

They went yesterday, and I heard them say they would go to the Great

Forest in the Munchkin Country."

Dear me," said the Glass Cat; "that is a long journey."

But they rode on the Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion,"

explained Toto, "and the Wizard carried his Black Bag of Magic Tools."

The Glass Cat knew the Great Forest of Gugu well, for it had traveled

through this forest many times in its journeys through the Land of Oz. And

it reflected that the Forest of Gugu was nearer to the Isle of the Magic

Flower than the Emerald City was, and so, if it could manage to find the

Wizard, it could lead him across the Gillikin Country to where Trot and

Cap'n Bill were prisoned. It was a wild country and little traveled, but the

Glass Cat knew every path. So very little time need be lost, after all.

Without stopping to ask any more questions the Cat darted out of the

palace and away from the Emerald City, taking the most direct route to the

Forest of Gugu. Again the creature flashed through the country like a

streak of light, and it would surprise you to know how quickly it reached

the edge of the Great Forest.

There were no monkey guards among the trees to cry out a warning,

and this was so unusual that it astonished the Glass Cat. Going farther into

the forest it presently came upon a wolf, which at first bounded away in

terror. But then, seeing it was only a Glass Cat, the Wolf stopped, and the

Cat could see it was trembling, as if from a terrible fright.

What's the matter?" asked the Cat.

A dreadful Magician has come among us!" exclaimed the Wolf, "and

he's changing the forms of all the beasts--quick as a wink--and making

them all his slaves."

The Glass Cat smiled and said:

Why, that's only the Wizard of Oz. He may be having some fun with

you forest people, but the Wizard wouldn't hurt a beast for anything."

I don't mean the Wizard," explained the Wolf. "And if the Wizard of

Oz is that funny little man who rode a great Tiger into the clearing, he's