The Wizard of the Emerald City

Ellie, a girl from Kansas, and her faithful little dog Toto end up in the Magic Land. A tornado summoned by the evil witch Gingema carried Ellie’s little house—along with Ellie and Toto—across the trackless desert and mountains. The good witch Willina directed the wagon so that it landed right on Gingema’s head and crushed her. Willina tells Ellie that to take her back to Kansas, the great wizard Goudwin, who lives in the Emerald City, must be found.

To return home, Ellie must help three creatures fulfill their cherished wishes. Accompanied by Toto, who somehow starts talking, the girl sets out along the road of yellow bricks to the Emerald City. (Before leaving, Toto brings Ellie Gingema’s silver shoes.) Along the way, Ellie meets a scarecrow that comes to life, whose dearest wish is to get brains; the Tin Woodsman, who dreams of restoring his lost heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who lacks the courage to become a true king of beasts. Together, they head to the Emerald City to ask the wizard Goudwin, the Great and Terrible, to grant their wishes.

After surviving many adventures (the attack of the Lion-Eating Wretch, meeting the Saber-Toothed Tigers, crossing a river, and passing through the treacherous poppy field) and becoming friends along the way, they reach the Emerald City. (At the end of the third adventure, Ellie meets the queen of the field mice, Ramina, who gives her a silver whistle so the girl can summon her if needed.) However, Goudwin agrees to fulfill their wishes on one condition: they must free the Purple Land from the power of the evil witch Bastinda, Gingema’s sister, who has died.

Ellie and her friends consider the undertaking hopeless, but decide to try anyway.