The Wizard of the Emerald City

Young Ellie from Kansas and her faithful little dog, Toto, are swept into the Magic Land. A cyclone summoned by the evil witch, Gingema, carries the little house-cart with Ellie and Toto across an impassable desert and mountains. The kind witch, Willina, directs the cart so that it lands right on Gingema’s head and crushes her. Willina tells Ellie that only the great wizard, Gудвін, living in the Emerald City, can return her to Kansas. To go home, Ellie must help three beings fulfill their cherished wishes.

With Toto—who somehow starts speaking—at her side, the girl follows the road of yellow bricks to the Emerald City. (Before setting off, Toto brings Ellie Gingema’s silver shoes.) Along the way, Ellie meets a scarecrow that has come to life—whose cherished desire is to get brains— the Tin Woodman, who dreams of restoring his lost heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who lacks the courage to become a real king of beasts. Together they travel to the Emerald City to ask the Great and Terrible Wizard, Gудвін, to grant their wishes.

After surviving many adventures (the attack of the Wily Lion—or rather, the ogre?—“ludoed”—Sic; meeting the Saber-Toothed Tigers, crossing a river, and passing through the treacherous field of poppies) and becoming friends along the way, they reach the Emerald City. (At the end of their third adventure, Ellie meets the Queen of the Field Mice, Ramina, who gives her a silver whistle so the girl can call her if necessary.) However, Gудвін agrees to fulfill their wishes only under one condition: they must free the Violet Land from the rule of the evil witch Bastinda, Gingema’s sister who has died. Ellie and her friends consider this undertaking hopeless, but still decide to try.