Dorothy’s Final Journey – A short story adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

This is my entry to Hélène Vaillant’s “What do you see?” weekly challenge.

Another wonderful prompt from Hélène.

Dorothy was very tired and frustrated. “We’ve been on the road traveling through Oz for months it seems!”, she cried to the Scarecrow.

“What do I know, I haven’t a brain!”, he replied.

Dorothy becoming more and more frustrated looked to Glinda for advice. Glinda always there for Dorothy, sent a message through stardust and reminded her to keep following the yellow brick road.

Dorothy heard Glinda and responded, “but it ended miles ago and we’ve been traveling in circles around Oz trying to find it again. The most distressing news from the munchkins is that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has died. Oh Glinda!”, cried Dorothy. “It can not be so, oh… how will Toto and I ever make it back home?”

“My dear Dorothy, I looked through the stars and the yellow brick road kept going but you missed it. It ascended up the tallest tree in the world. Go back to Emerald City, where the yellow brick road appears to stop, look to your right and through a narrow path and you will see bright yellow bricks that climb up along the tree’s trunk.”

“Well that is the most absurd thing I’ve heard yet!”, said the Lion. Of course he did not have the courage to go back.

Dorothy on the other hand immediately rushed to grab Toto and her basket and exclaimed, “We must go now! Who will join me?”

All three of her companions; the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man hemmed and hawed but had no other choice but to help Dorothy get home.

The road back was perilous and exhausting. The companions were about to give up and Dorothy was in despair. But suddenly Toto ran off into nearby hedgerow and began to bark. Dorothy ran after him afraid for his little life.

“Oh Toto what did you find?”, gasped Dorothy as she looked to see yellow bricks equipped with stairs that went up the tall tree’s trunk.

Glinda appeared as a thought in Dorothy’s mind.

“Oh Glinda, thank you! Are you sure he his up the tree?”, Dorothy asked suspiciously.

“Well, my dear, that is for you to see.” Glinda replied.

Dorothy looked at the others and suggested that one of them go in front of her.

Yet they all shivered in their boots and stood silent for a few moments.

Finally, the Lion broke the silence and declared, “the only way to find courage is to muster it when the situation calls!,” and up the stairs he climbed.

The Tin Man followed, then next was Dorothy holding onto to Toto, and finally the Scarecrow bringing up the rear.

Climbing the tree was no small feat, and it would be too dangerous to look up to see how high it went and even worse to look back down. The only thing left for them was to continue onward forward in present time.

Midway up, the climate began to change. It was cold and wet, and the steps became slippery. Every step forward was a careful one, slow and steady they climbed.

Higher up, clouds filled the space and the air was thin. Dorothy became winded, and almost fainted. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath.

Suddenly, the Lion roared, “my word, we ARE in the clouds! This tree is so high, it pierced the sky!”

“Oh dear, we have no choice but to carry on!”, Dorothy exclaimed, Toto shivering in her arms.

Up and up they went until the small tree house emerged just beyond the last step. The Lion held on to a branch, and pulled Dorothy up with the Tin Man and Scarecrow closely behind.

Dorothy maneuvered in front of the Lion, and knocked on the door. They waited a moment and no one answered. Toto began to slip from Dorothy’s arms so she frantically pushed the door open. They all came tumbling in behind her.

The small tree house had little furnishings. There was a make shift bed, with blankets, and tiny kitchen with some supplies and food in the cupboards.

It took barely four steps for Dorothy to walk around the house, and as she went to the small cooler she found a note with her name on it. The note was short and to the point. It was from none other than the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy read the note and began to cry. Her companions were chewing their nails with suspense and the Scarecrow pulled the note from her hand and read it out loud.

Dear Dorothy,

I cannot explain in words why I am a fake. I’ve been this way all my life. No changing a tiger’s stripes. So sorry but I’ve gone fishing.

Reach to the hot air ballon anchored outside the front door. There is another note for you there with instructions.

As for your companions, I left three magical cookies in the pantry. Each was made with the elements of heart, courage and intelligence. They are for your friends to eat and they will bestow upon them their wishes.

Good bye Dorothy. I wish you well.

Signed, The False Wizard

Dorothy was still processing the information when her three companions tore through the pantry. They found the magical cookies and ate them in one bite.

One by one, they began to change into intelligence, love and truth. They cheered and hugged each other as they felt transformed.

Yet Dorothy was standing near the window, forlorn, wondering how she would ever get back home in a hot air balloon?

Finally, the companions calmed down and the Scarecrow was the first to suggest they should at least see what might be inside the hot air balloon.

The Lion volunteered to figure out how they can reach the balloon. He opened the window and easily reached a long rope that could be used to bring the balloon nearer to the tree house. The three aligned themselves in a row and hoisted Dorothy and Toto into the balloon’s basket.

Another note awaited Dorothy. It was from Glinda.

Dear Dorothy,

I am sorry to tell you that you and Toto actually died with your Aunt Em and Uncle Henry when the house was swept away in the tornado. I am really your guardian angel. You were in such shock that I had to transition you to this place here on the way to Heaven. Your companions represent the inner work that you had to complete before you can go onto Heaven. You did well, my child. You grew in courage, with both heart and mind.

The hot air balloon will be a fun last ride for you on your way to Heaven’s door. You must let go now. You are home.

Love,

Glinda your Angel