10. The Guardian of the Gate
It was some time before the Cowardly Lion awakened, for he had lainamong the poppies a long while, breathing in their deadly fragrance;but when he did open his eyes and roll off the truck he was very gladto find himself still alive.
I ran as fast as I could, he said, sitting down and yawning, but theflowers were too strong for me. How did you get me out?
Then they told him of the field mice, and how they had generously savedhim from death; and the Cowardly Lion laughed, and said:
I have always thought myself very big and terrible; yet such littlethings as flowers came near to killing me, and such small animals asmice have saved my life. How strange it all is! But, comrades, whatshall we do now?
We must journey on until we find the road of yellow brick again, saidDorothy, and then we can keep on to the Emerald City.
So, the Lion being fully refreshed, and feeling quite himself again,they all started upon the journey, greatly enjoying the walk throughthe soft, fresh grass; and it was not long before they reached the roadof yellow brick and turned again toward the Emerald City where theGreat Oz dwelt.
The road was smooth and well paved, now, and the country about wasbeautiful, so that the travelers rejoiced in leaving the forest farbehind, and with it the many dangers they had met in its gloomy shades.Once more they could see fences built beside the road; but these werepainted green, and when they came to a small house, in which a farmerevidently lived, that also was painted green. They passed by severalof these houses during the afternoon, and sometimes people came to thedoors and looked at them as if they would like to ask questions; but noone came near them nor spoke to them because of the great Lion, ofwhich they were very much afraid. The people were all dressed inclothing of a lovely emerald-green color and wore peaked hats likethose of the Munchkins.
This must be the Land of Oz, said Dorothy, and we are surely gettingnear the Emerald City.
Yes, answered the Scarecrow. Everything is green here, while in thecountry of the Munchkins blue was the favorite color. But the peopledo not seem to be as friendly as the Munchkins, and I'm afraid we shallbe unable to find a place to pass the night.
I should like something to eat besides fruit, said the girl, and I'msure Toto is nearly starved. Let us stop at the next house and talk tothe people.
So, when they came to a good-sized farmhouse, Dorothy walked boldly upto the door and knocked.
A woman opened it just far enough to look out, and said, What do youwant, child, and why is that great Lion with you?
We wish to pass the night with you, if you will allow us, answeredDorothy; and the Lion is my friend and comrade, and would not hurt youfor the world.
Is he tame? asked the woman, opening the door a little wider.
Oh, yes, said the girl, and he is a great coward, too. He will bemore afraid of you than you are of him.
Well, said the woman, after thinking it over and taking another peepat the Lion, if that is the case you may come in, and I will give yousome supper and a place to sleep.
So they all entered the house, where there were, besides the woman, twochildren and a man. The man had hurt his leg, and was lying on thecouch in a corner. They seemed greatly surprised to see so strange acompany, and while the woman was busy laying the table the man asked:
Where are you all going?
To the Emerald City, said Dorothy, to see the Great Oz.
Oh, indeed! exclaimed the man. Are you sure that Oz will see you?
Why not? she replied.
Why, it is said that he never lets anyone come into his presence. Ihave been to the Emerald City many times, and it is a beautiful andwonderful place; but I have never been permitted to see the Great Oz,nor do I know of any living person who has seen him.
Does he never go out? asked the Scarecrow.
Never. He sits day after day in the great Throne Room of his Palace,and even those who wait upon him do not see him face to face.
What is he like? asked the girl.
That is hard to tell, said the man thoughtfully. You see, Oz is aGreat Wizard, and can take on any form he wishes. So that some say helooks like a bird; and some say he looks like an elephant; and some sayhe looks like a cat. To others he appears as a beautiful fairy, or abrownie, or in any other form that pleases him. But who the real Ozis, when he is in his own form, no living person can tell.
That is very strange, said Dorothy, but we must try, in some way, tosee him, or we shall have made our journey for nothing.
Why do you wish to see the terrible Oz? asked the man.
I want him to give me some brains, said the Scarecrow eagerly.
Oh, Oz could do that easily enough, declared the man. He has morebrains than he needs.
And I want him to give me a heart, said the Tin Woodman.
That will not trouble him, continued the man, for Oz has a largecollection of hearts, of all sizes and shapes.
And I want him to give me courage, said the Cowardly Lion.
Oz keeps a great pot of courage in his Throne Room, said the man,which he has covered with a golden plate, to keep it from runningover. He will be glad to give you some.
And I want him to send me back to Kansas, said Dorothy.
Where is Kansas? asked the man, with surprise.
I don't know, replied Dorothy sorrowfully, but it is my home, andI'm sure it's somewhere.
Very likely. Well, Oz can do anything; so I suppose he will findKansas for you. But first you must get to see him, and that will be ahard task; for the Great Wizard does not like to see anyone, and heusually has his own way. But what do YOU want? he continued, speakingto Toto. Toto only wagged his tail; for, strange to say, he could notspeak.
The woman now called to them that supper was ready, so they gatheredaround the table and Dorothy ate some delicious porridge and a dish ofscrambled eggs and a plate of nice white bread, and enjoyed her meal.The Lion ate some of the porridge, but did not care for it, saying itwas made from oats and oats were food for horses, not for lions. TheScarecrow and the Tin Woodman ate nothing at all. Toto ate a little ofeverything, and was glad to get a good supper again.
The woman now gave Dorothy a bed to sleep in, and Toto lay down besideher, while the Lion guarded the door of her room so she might not bedisturbed. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner andkept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep.
The next morning, as soon as the sun was up, they started on their way,and soon saw a beautiful green glow in the sky just before them.
That must be the Emerald City, said Dorothy.
As they walked on, the green glow became brighter and brighter, and itseemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels. Yet itwas afternoon before they came to the great wall that surrounded theCity. It was high and thick and of a bright green color.
In front of them, and at the end of the road of yellow brick, was a biggate, all studded with emeralds that glittered so in the sun that eventhe painted eyes of the Scarecrow were dazzled by their brilliancy.
There was a bell beside the gate, and Dorothy pushed the button andheard a silvery tinkle sound within. Then the big gate swung slowlyopen, and they all passed through and found themselves in a high archedroom, the walls of which glistened with countless emeralds.
Before them stood a little man about the same size as the Munchkins.He was clothed all in green, from his head to his feet, and even hisskin was of a greenish tint. At his side was a large green box.
When he saw Dorothy and her companions the man asked, What do you wishin the Emerald City?
We came here to see the Great Oz, said Dorothy.
The man was so surprised at this answer that he sat down to think itover.
It has been many years since anyone asked me to see Oz, he said,shaking his head in perplexity. He is powerful and terrible, and ifyou come on an idle or foolish errand to bother the wise reflections ofthe Great Wizard, he might be angry and destroy you all in an instant.
But it is not a foolish errand, nor an idle one, replied theScarecrow; it is important. And we have been told that Oz is a goodWizard.
So he is, said the green man, and he rules the Emerald City wiselyand well. But to those who are not honest, or who approach him fromcuriosity, he is most terrible, and few have ever dared ask to see hisface. I am the Guardian of the Gates, and since you demand to see theGreat Oz I must take you to his Palace. But first you must put on thespectacles.
Why? asked Dorothy.
Because if you did not wear spectacles the brightness and glory of theEmerald City would blind you. Even those who live in the City mustwear spectacles night and day. They are all locked on, for Oz soordered it when the City was first built, and I have the only key thatwill unlock them.
He opened the big box, and Dorothy saw that it was filled withspectacles of every size and shape. All of them had green glasses inthem. The Guardian of the Gates found a pair that would just fitDorothy and put them over her eyes. There were two golden bandsfastened to them that passed around the back of her head, where theywere locked together by a little key that was at the end of a chain theGuardian of the Gates wore around his neck. When they were on, Dorothycould not take them off had she wished, but of course she did not wishto be blinded by the glare of the Emerald City, so she said nothing.
Then the green man fitted spectacles for the Scarecrow and the TinWoodman and the Lion, and even on little Toto; and all were locked fastwith the key.
Then the Guardian of the Gates put on his own glasses and told them hewas ready to show them to the Palace. Taking a big golden key from apeg on the wall, he opened another gate, and they all followed himthrough the portal into the streets of the Emerald City.