The Council with the Munchkins (The Wizard of Oz (Full Cast))

01CHAPTER II.

02THE COUNCIL WITH THE MUNCHKINS She was awakened by a shock, so sudden and severe, that if Dorothy had not been lying on the soft bed she might have been hurt.

03As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened, and Toto put his cold little nose into her face and whined dismally.

04Dorothy sat up and noticed that the house was not moving, nor was it dark.

05The bright sunshine came in at the window, flooding the little room.

06She sprang from her bed, and with Toto at her heels ran and opened the door.

07Little girl gave a cry of amazement and looked about her, her eyes growing bigger and bigger at the wonderful sights she saw.

08The cyclone had set the house down very gently, for a cyclone, in the midst of a country of marvelous beauty.

09There were lovely patches of greensward all about, with stately trees bearing rich and luscious fruits.

10Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes.

11A little way off was a small brook, brushing and sparkling along between green banks, and murmuring in a voice very grateful to a little girl who had lived so long on the dry gray prairies.

12While she stood, looking eagerly, at the strange and beautiful sights, she noticed coming toward her a group of the queerest people she had ever seen.

13They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to, but neither were they very small.

14In fact, they seemed about as tall as Dorothy, who was a well-grown child for her age, although they were, so far as looks go, many years older.

15Three were men and one a woman, and all were oddly dressed.

16They wore round hats that rose to a small point, a foot above their heads, with little bells around their brims that tinkled sweetly as they moved.

17The hats of the men were blue, the little woman's hat was white, and she wore a white gown that hung in pleats from her shoulders.

18Over it were sprinkled little stars that glistened in the sun like diamonds.

19The men were dressed in blue, of the same shade as their hats, and wore well-polished boots, with a deep roll of blue at the tops.

20The men, Dorothy thought, were about as old as Uncle Henry, for two of them had beards.

21But the little woman was doubtless much older.

22Her face was covered with wrinkles, her hair was nearly white, and she walked rather stiffly.

23When these people drew near the house, where Dorothy was standing in the doorway, they paused and whispered among themselves, as if afraid to come further.

24But the little old woman walked up to Dorothy, made a low bow, and said in a sweet voice, You are welcome, most noble sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins.

25We are so grateful to you for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage.

26Dorothy listened to this speech with wonder.

27What could the little woman possibly mean by calling her a sorceress, and saying she had killed the Wicked Witch of the East?

28Dorothy was an innocent, harmless little girl, who had been carried by a cyclone many miles from home, and she had never killed anything in all her life.

29But the little woman evidently expected her to answer, so Dorothy said, with hesitation, You are very kind, but there must be some mistake.

30I have not killed anything.

31Your house did, anyway, replied the little old woman, with a laugh.

32And that is the same thing.

33See?

34she continued, pointing to the corner of the house.

35There are her two feet, still sticking out from under a block of wood.

36Dorothy looked, and gave a little cry of fright.

37There, indeed, just under the corner of the great beam the house rested on, two feet were sticking out, shod in silver shoes, with pointed toes.

38Oh, dear!

39oh, dear!

40cried Dorothy, clasping her hands together in dismay.

41The house must have fallen on her.

42Whatever shall we do?

43There is nothing to be done, said the little woman, calmly.

44But who was she?

45asked Dorothy.

46She was the wicked witch of the East, as I said, answered the little woman.

47She has held all the munchkins in bondage for many years, making them slave for her night and day.

48Now they are all set free, and are grateful to you for the favor.

49Who are the munchkins?

50inquired Dorothy.

51They are the people who live in this land of the East, where the wicked witch ruled.

52Are you a munchkin?

53asked Dorothy.

54No, but I am their friend, although I live in the land of the North.

55When they saw the witch of the East was dead, the munchkins sent a swift messenger to me, and I came at once.

56I am the witch of the North.

57Oh, gracious!

58cried Dorothy.

59Are you a real witch?

60Yes, indeed, answered the little woman.

61But I am a good witch, and the people love me.

62I am not as powerful as the wicked witch was who ruled here, or I should have set the people free myself.

63But I thought all witches were wicked, said the girl, who was half frightened at facing a real witch.

64Oh, no!

65That is a great mistake.

66There were only four witches in all the land of Oz, and two of them, those who live in the North and the South, are good witches.

67I know this is true, for I am one of them myself, and cannot be mistaken.

68Those who have dwelt in the East and the West were, indeed, wicked witches.

69But now that you have killed one of them, there is but one wicked witch in all the land of Oz, the one who lives in the West.

70But, said Dorothy, after a moment's thought, Aunt Em has told me that the witches were all dead years and years ago.

71Who is Aunt Em?

72inquired the little old woman.

73She is my aunt who lives in Kansas, where I came from.

74The witch of the North seemed to think for a time, with her head bowed and her eyes upon the ground.

75Then she looked up and said, I do not know where Kansas is, for I have never heard that country mentioned before.

76But tell me, is it a civilized country?

77Oh, yes, replied Dorothy.

78Then, that accounts for it.

79In the civilized countries, I believe, there are no witches left, nor wizards, nor sorceresses, nor magicians.

80But you see, the land of Oz has never been civilized, for we are cut off from all the rest of the world.

81Therefore, we still have witches and wizards amongst us.

82Who are the wizards?

83asked Dorothy.

84Oz himself is the great wizard, answered the witch, sinking her voice to a whisper.

85He is more powerful than all the rest of us together.

86He lives in the city of Emeralds.

87Dorothy was going to ask another question, but just then the munchkins, who had been standing silently by, gave a loud shout and pointed to the corner of the house where the wicked witch had been lying.

88What is it?

89asked the little old woman, and looked and began to laugh.

90The feet of the dead witch had disappeared entirely, and nothing was left but the silver shoes.

91She was so old, explained the witch of the north, that she dried up quickly in the sun.

92That is the end of her.

93But the silver shoes are yours, and you shall have them to wear.

94She reached down and picked up the shoes, and after shaking the dust out of them, handed them to Dorothy.

95The witch of the east was proud of those silver shoes, said one of the munchkins.

96And there is some charm connected with them, but what it was we never knew.

97Dorothy carried the shoes into the house and placed them on the table.

98Then she came out again to the munchkins and said, I am anxious to get back to my aunt and uncle, for I am sure they will worry about me.

99Can you help me find my way?

100The munchkins and the witch first looked at one another, and then at Dorothy, and then shook their heads.

101At the east, not far from here, said one, there is a great desert, and none could live to cross it.

102It is the same at the south, said another, for I have been there and seen it.

103The south is the country of the quadlings.

104I am told, said the third man, that it is the same at the west, and that country where the winkies live is ruled by the wicked witch of the west, who would make you her slave if you passed her way.

105The north is my home, said the old lady, and at its edge is the same great desert that surrounds this land of Oz.

106I am afraid, my dear, you will have to live with us.

107Dorothy began to sob at this, for she felt lonely among all these strange people.

108Her tears seemed to grieve the kind-hearted munchkins, but they immediately took out their handkerchiefs and began to weep also.

109As for the little old woman, she took off her cap and balanced the point on the end of her nose while she counted.

110One, two, three.

111In a solemn voice, at once, the cap changed to a slate, on which was written in big white chalk marks, Let Dorothy go to the city of emeralds.

112The little old woman took the slate from her nose and, having read the words on it, asked, Is your name Dorothy, my dear?

113Yes, answered the child, looking up and drying her tears.

114Then you must go to the city of emeralds.

115Perhaps Oz will help you.

116Where is the city?

117asked Dorothy.

118It is exactly in the center of the country, and is ruled by Oz, the great wizard I told you of.

119Is he a good man?

120inquired the girl anxiously.

121He is a good wizard.

122Whether he is a man or not, I cannot tell, for I have never seen him.

123How can I get there?

124asked Dorothy.

125You must walk.

126It is a long journey, through a country that is sometimes pleasant, and sometimes dark and terrible.

127However, I will use all the magic arts I know of to keep you from harm.

128Won't you go with me?

129pleaded the girl, who had begun to look upon the little old woman as her only friend.

130No, I cannot do that.

131She replied.

132But I will give you my kiss, and no one will dare injure a person who has been kissed by the witch of the north.

133She came close to Dorothy and kissed her gently on the forehead.

134Where her lips touched the girl, they left a round, shining mark, as Dorothy found out soon after.

135The road to the city of emeralds is paved with yellow brick, said the witch.

136So you cannot miss it.

137When you get to Oz, do not be afraid of him.

138But tell him your story, and ask him to help you.

139Good-bye, my dear.

140The three munchkins bowed low to her, and wished her a pleasant journey, after which they walked away through the trees.

141The witch gave Dorothy a friendly little nod, rolled around on her left heel three times, and straightway disappeared, much to the surprise of little Toto, who barked after her loudly enough when she had gone, because he had been afraid even to growl while she stood by.

142But Dorothy, knowing her to be a witch, had expected her to disappear in just that way, and was not surprised in the least.

143End of chapter 2 Narrated by Jennifer Stearns Concord, New Hampshire End of chapter 2 End of chapter 2 End of chapter 2 End of chapter 2