cannot suddenly be changed. People need the stability of the traditional
church service. besides, these services are not all fire and brimstone,
many are deeply spiritual in nature. To suddenly take that away would be
confusing to many, and perhaps some would be lost completely. Instead,
the church fathers should develop open minds and study not only the
esoteric teachings, but review in depth church history and especially
the content of the texts of meetings in which official policy was
established regarding what would be taught or not taught to the people.
Then, once they have developed a thorough understanding of the human
motivation behind the teachings of certain doctrines, they should be in
a position to gradually introduce to their congregations a more
universal understanding of the nature of creation and man's true place
as a co-creator with his God. Before any of this can take place, the
church fathers must lose their self-image as all-knowing teachers and
see themselves as fellow students learning along with everyone else. Men
can become very pompous and pious over their positions in religious
orders and can be most reluctant to release their illusions of
self-importance and their hold over the ignorant. However, the writing
is on the wall. Even now, subtle changes are taking place within
organized religion. People are at last awakening, asking questions; no
longer satisfied by the smug answers of the past. I foresee the
dissolution of the many doctrines and creeds and the formulation of a
new universal understanding. I see Temples of Wisdom upon the earth
where people are taught the ancient philosophy, and where one can
meditate and really communicate on a one-to-one basis with that supreme
intelligence which in reality is their own higher self. This coming era
will be that long-promised Golden Age on earth when the wicked and all
those of a lower order of vibration will no longer be able to dwell upon
the earth, but will through that transition called death be delegated to
a distant planet to begin the whole cycle of evolution all over again. I
would emphasize again however, that to many people the established
church is a of critical importance -- they really need that structure in
their lives, they find great spiritual solace in the traditional
services. To suddenly take that away from them would be highly
irresponsible."
President Jackson stood up. "Gentlemen," he said, "let us take a
recess." He turned to Dorothy and company. "Would you care to walk in
the garden?" The back door of the hall was opened, and everyone streamed
outside. The scents of various flowers and blossoms filled the air.
"You know, my dear," President Jackson said to Dorothy as they walked.
"You are more than welcome to stay as long as you like. But as you can
see, in spite of our pledge to reduce our rhetoric, we politicians are
notoriously long-winded. I expect that this meeting will last for weeks,
as all the other presidents have yet to speak."
"Well," said Dorothy. "I do enjoy listening to all that is said, but we
have a great deal yet to accomplish. Perhaps we should be continuing our
journey. I shall be sorry to miss hearing all the presidents speak."
"You are welcome to visit us any time," said President Jackson. "After
you return to Kansas, just focus your thoughts on us upon retiring for
the night, and visualize yourself with us. When you fall asleep, you
will be there."
"Thank you, everyone," said Dorothy. "This has been a delightful
experience and a wonderful privilege."
"The privilege is all ours," said President Jackson. "Goodbye my dears,
and God-speed."
Many of the presidents came over to shake hands again. All of them waved
goodbye.
*
Chapter Twenty:
Captured
*
Dorothy's little band walked back the same way they came. As they walked
past the presidents' homes, the Scarecrow remarked that it was a most
interesting experience. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"I'm just afraid," said Dorothy, "that Aunt Em and Uncle Henry just
won't believe a bit of this. The more I tell them about Oz, the less
they believe!"
"Perhaps you shouldn't tell them all at once," said the Tin Woodman.
"Perhaps you shouldn't tell them at all," said the Lion.
"Perhaps you're right," sighed Dorothy. "It is too incredible for anyone
to believe."
"Not anyone," said the Tin Woodman. "Remember what President Washington
told you? That you are to tell that writer of your experiences and that
he will write them down and that many children and even some adults will
read it and although not everyone will believe it -- a great many will be
helped. So your experiences will not have been in vain."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," said Dorothy. "But I do wish Aunt Em and
Uncle Henry would believe me."
"Hey!" said the Tin Woodman excitedly. "I have a wonderful idea. Why
don't we transport your Aunt Em and Uncle Henry to Oz? Then they'd have
to believe."
"That is a wonderful idea," said Dorothy. "Can we do it now?"
"Well, it's going to take a great deal of arranging, I'm sure," said the
Scarecrow. "We'll have to talk to Glinda about it. Or maybe the Good
Witch of the North. I'm sure we'll be able to do it somehow."
"I'll bet if they came here they wouldn't want to go back to Kansas,"
said Dorothy, excitedly. "In fact, if Uncle Henry and Aunt Em were here,
I wouldn't want to go back!"
"Dorothy," said the Tin Woodman very solemnly. "I'm sure it's very
necessary that you return to Kansas. In fact, as you know full well, you
have a very important part to play -- a very important part. But one day,
when your work is done there, you will come to live in Oz with us for
ever."
"Oh, it will be so marvelous, won't it?" said Dorothy.
"Indeed it will," replied the Tin Woodman.
Everyone nodded vigorously.
"Also," added the Lion, "perhaps many of the boys and girls who read
your stories will come and visit us."
"That would really be nice," said Dorothy. "Of course, they would
probably want to go and see the wicked witch, even though it would be
kind of scary for them.
"Speaking of which, have you been noticing our surroundings? Things are
beginning to look very spooky."
Sure enough, as they had been walking, everyone was too busy with the
conversation to notice the changing landscape. They seemed to be in a
thick dark forest, with strange grotesque shapes peering at them through
the shadows. Shrill sounds of forest animals and birds could be heard in
the distance. And the darkness was falling quickly. The Lion walked a
little closer to Dorothy and held her hand. "As you know," he said, "I
now have courage and I'm not afraid. But I think I should hold your hand
so that you won't be
afraid." Dorothy smiled to herself and said, "Thank you, Lion; it is a
little scary."
Just then, a piercing scream rang out. Everyone jumped with fright. All
the shadows in the trees seemed to come alive and slowly weave towards
them. The branches and vines from the trees caught at Dorothy's hair and
dress.
As the little group's pace quickened, a vine from a grotesque-looking
tree caught around the Lion's throat and appeared to be trying to choke
him. The Tin Woodman jumped into action and hacked it off with his ax. A
loud squeal seemed to come from the tree as the ax cut the vine.
"Quickly, everyone! Run!" shouted the Tin Woodman.
They all ran like the wind, weaving in and out of the trees, with the
vines swirling and clutching at their arms and legs. Now and then,
someone would become entangled, and the Tin Woodman would stop and run
back to hack off the vines. Each time he did so, a loud, human-sounding
scream would ring out from the tree. The sounds of those screams chilled
Dorothy to her bones. As she ran, she could feel herself getting weaker.
She was becoming exhausted.
The vines seemed to be everywhere, clutching and clawing at her.
Suddenly, the dense foliage came to an end as they all found themselves
in an open clearing. Dorothy dropped to her knees, completely exhausted.
"Thank Heaven!" she panted. "Thank Heaven we're out of that awful
place." She got up and embraced the Tin Woodman. "What would we have
done without you?" she panted breathlessly.
The Tin Woodman looked a bit sheepish. "I am a woodman, you know, and I
know my work. Though I must admit my work has never attacked me before."
Everyone laughed. "Well, thank goodness we're out of that mess," said
Dorothy. "It was horrifying."
Unfortunately, the feeling of relief they all felt was to be
short-lived. Dorothy had barely finished speaking when the Lion said,
"You are all growing taller." Everyone laughed in surprise, for it was
he who was getting smaller -- or so it seemed. In actual fact, he was
sinking slowly into the soft ground. They all ran at once to pull him
up, but, the more they pulled, the more he sank. It was as if a strong
force was sucking him in.
"Ahhh!" yelled the Tin Woodman. "It's got me, too!" He was already in
the ground up to his knees when Dorothy reached him. "It's no good," he
said. "I'm sinking too fast."
While Dorothy was trying to pull the Tin Woodman out, the Scarecrow
yelled, "Now it's got me!" He was flailing his arms about and grabbing
at the tufts of grass in a desperate attempt to escape the dreadful
suction. But it was no use. By the time Dorothy reached him, he was
actually up to his waist. Dorothy was afraid to pull on him too hard,
for fear he would tear and all the straw would come out. She looked
around her in desperation. By now, the Lion was up to his neck; she ran
to him and grabbed his big ears. "Ouch!" the Lion yelled. "You're going
to pull my ears off!"
Dorothy let go and started to sob. "I'm losing you," she cried. "I'm
losing all of you!"
Just then, the Lion yelled out, "Hey! I'm not sinking any more!"
"Oh thank goodness!" shouted Dorothy, greatly relieved.
The Tin Woodman and Scarecrow -- who were by now also up to their necks -
shouted out in unison, "I've stopped, too!"
"Well, thank Heaven!" said Dorothy, now crying with happiness. "I'll go
and try to get help."
She had barely said the word 'help' when a piercing cackle filled the
air. It was a sound they all knew so well and dreaded so much.
Swoosh! The Wicked Witch's broomstick flew past the Scarecrow's left
ear. Then swoosh again. This time past the Lion's right ear. She headed
for the Tin Woodman, screaming as she flew: "Got you now, my beauties!
Ha ha haha!"
Dorothy stood spellbound as she watched the witch perform her
acrobatics. Suddenly, the witch zoomed upwards, high into the air, as if
leaving. But she turned quickly and pointed the broomstick directly at
Dorothy and zoomed towards her like a rocket. The broomstick was about
three feet from Dorothy's face when she turned it up slightly, barely
missing Dorothy's head. As she swooshed by, she cackled loudly, her
screaming laughter filling the air. She did this several times, scaring
Dorothy half to death. Dorothy had to move from side to side each time
the witch attacked her, or she would have been hit.
*
Chapter Twenty-one:
A Surprising Reversal
*
At last the witch seemed to tire of her terrorizing. She made one final
swoop at Dorothy -- screaming in her ear, "Well, my little pretty, what
say you now? I'll be back presently with my soldiers to take you all to
my castle. No use looking for help. There's no one here in Witch Forest
except my friends, the trees, and they're certainly not going to help you."
She made one final sweep towards the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin Woodman,
screaming with her maniacal laughter. "Well, how's the bag of straw and
the tin can?" she cackled. "Not to forget the King of the jungle!
A-a-a-a HA HA HA HEE HEE HEEEEEEEEEEE."
While she was screaming, the Tin Woodman managed to pull one arm free.
As she flew over his head, he grabbed the tail end of her broomstick. It
stopped -- but she didn't. She flew head over heels through the air. Over
and over she went, landing upside down, her head stuck in the mud.
Dorothy ran over to her. By the time she got there, she was already up
to her waist, her legs sticking out and flailing around frantically. She
obviously could not breathe.
Dorothy grabbed her legs and heaved, but she couldn't budge her.
"She'll die for sure. Run!" said the Scarecrow to Dorothy.
Dorothy hesitated. As much as she had been abused by the witch, she
could not bear to leave her to die.
"Look!" said the Tin Woodman. One of the witch's legs was waving back
and forth, with her long, pointed shoe vigorously jabbing towards a tree
stump.
"Looks like she's trying to tell us something," shouted the Scarecrow.
Dorothy ran over to the tree stump. "I can't see anything unusual about
it," she said. Meanwhile, the witch's kicking got weaker and weaker
until she was not moving at all.
"She's dead," said the Lion. "The wicked witch is dead. She must have
suffocated to death."
"Well, that's that," said the Scarecrow. "She'll never scare or harm
anyone again."
"Why aren't we all shouting and dancing for joy?" said the Tin Woodman.
"We couldn't very well dance anyhow," said the Lion. "And I don't think
anyone feels like singing."
"I was hoping that we could change her," said Dorothy. "There'd be so
much more satisfaction in that, than seeing her dead. Now, wherever she
is, she's the same old wicked person."
"What do you mean, wherever she is?" said the Lion. "She's right there!
Look at her legs sticking out of the ground."
"No. I mean wherever her spirit is. You know that no one can really die."
"Oh, I see," said the Lion. "You mean, whichever level of spiritland
she's now in, it's probably not a happy one."
"Yes," said Dorothy. "She's had a chance to learn here. But she has
refused to learn. Now she'll be on a very low level with others of her
kind. There's very little likelihood of her advancing much unless
someone of a higher level is able to break through the barriers of her
negativity."
Dorothy sat dejectedly on the tree stump. "Now we've got to find a way
to get you all out of here," she said, cupping her face in hands.
Suddenly, the stump began to sink. "Oh, my!" cried Dorothy, jumping up.
As she did so, there were several loud popping sounds. The mechanism
that had sucked her friends into the ground had now reversed itself. One
by one, they all popped out like corks from a bottle.
The last one to pop out was the witch. However, unlike the others, her
body lay lifeless upon the ground.
"You must have released the suction by sitting on the tree stump," said
the Scarecrow.
"Yes," Dorothy replied. "Now we know what the witch was trying to tell us."
"Too late for her," said the Tin Woodman, looking at her lifeless form.
"She's deader than a door-nail."
They all walked over to where the witch lay. "It would be a beautiful
world if all the bad people in it were dead," said the Lion.
"I wonder why God lets bad people live," said the Scarecrow. "Sometimes
a good person dies young, while a bad person may live a long life."
"Why does God even allow bad people to be born in the first place?"
asked the Tin Woodman. "He must know they're going to grow up bad.
Doesn't He know the state of their soul before they're born?"
"God knows what is in everyone's heart," said Dorothy. "And He knows the
chances are great that certain souls will give way to evil. But, since
He loves all souls equally, He must allow each the opportunity to evolve
to a higher understanding."
"But," said the Scarecrow, "what about the really bad ones? Who, no
matter what they go through, continue to be as evil as ever? It's not
fair to the good people to have these people on earth with them, hurting
them and doing all the terrible things they do. God must know that no
matter what, these people are going to lead their entire lives in an
evil way."
"That's true, I'm sure," said Dorothy. "But, you see, all people on
earth are on that particular planet for a reason. Each soul has certain
experiences to go through. Very little is really accidental. Some souls
make a great deal of progress through these many experiences, others
very little. But the experiences are necessary. Everyone must be allowed
the opportunity for growth."
Dorothy was quite aware that the words of explanation coming out of her
mouth were originating from a much deeper level of consciousness, just
as she'd been told.
"Any experience that is gone through with others is quite possibly the
result of past experiences with the people involved. Something that has
happened, perhaps eons of times past, has brought these souls together
again. Sometimes again and again, for they fail to learn each time. It
could also be that other people whose lives are touched by this
experience -- perhaps family members, have something to learn. However,
all adverse experiences could be avoided or at least reduced in severity
if the same lesson could be learned in any other way.
"For example: if the bad person were to say to himself, prior to
performing an act of violence, /What am I doing? This violent life I am
leading is getting me nowhere. I am not only hurting this person, but I
am hurting myself -- my family -- my victim's family. What kind of a life
is this? I will stop this life here and now. I will replace this black
ball of hatred inside me with a brilliant ball of light -- of love. Of
love for my fellow humans and for myself/."
"If this was said and acted upon, the angels in Heaven would rejoice.
For it would mean that another lost soul had returned to the Father.
"It is not always necessary to go through a harsh experience to learn a
lesson. Prayerful contemplation can bring about the desired change of
heart much easier. But it seems mankind is determined to take the
painful way to spiritual growth.
"Some people think that bad experiences are punishment by God. Of
course, this is not true. If it is punishment, it is ourselves punishing
ourselves. The experiences are the result of our own wrong thoughts and
actions, the result of our listening more to our own mortal mind, rather
than our higher self. The resulting pain from our having to live in our
self-created environment prods us on to improve.
"Of course, self-improvement can be quite slow, and it may take quite a
bit of this self-inflicted pain before the truth finally dawns on us. We
are where we are because of the actions of the past. If we want to
improve our lot in life, we'd better start improving ourselves.
"Criminals, for example, think that they can take a short-cut to
happiness by robbing and stealing. They think that, if they have a lot
of money they'll be happy. But by taking that money dishonestly, the
farther from true happiness they'll be.
"True happiness is of a spiritual quality, and must come from within. If
these people had instead chosen the spiritual path, the substance they
were seeking would come to them naturally.
"Our Scriptures talk about the importance of seeking first the Kingdom
of God, and that the rest would be added to us. These ancient writers
knew what they were talking about. But how many people of today pay any
attention to this kind of advice? They think they know better.
"People on the mortal realms can be so foolish. Riches galore are all
around them, but they cannot see these spiritual riches because of the
need they feel for material things.
"They misinterpret a deep longing inside them, trying desperately to
fulfill themselves. But their task is a hopeless one, for no material
possession, of itself, can fill the void. "Most interesting," said the
Scarecrow.
"Certainly makes you think," the Tin Woodman said.
"I didn't know I knew these things," said the girl. "Although I have the
feeling that all I have said, I have known all along."
"I suspect that everyone, deep inside, knows these things," said the
Lion. "It just takes a desire for spiritual advancement to release that
inner knowledge into the conscious mind."
"Well, I really wasn't all that conscious of what I was saying," said
Dorothy. "I suppose that's because the conscious mind has to do with the
world around us, whereas the inner knowing is something we all have but
rarely listen to. We are all just too busy with the outer goings-on."
"Besides," interceded the Lion, "those that are on the spiritual path
are being taught these things during sleep. Remember that was told to
us? And, although that teaching is not consciously remembered, it is
slowly transforming our character and will gradually affect world
consciousness. Especially as each of us begins to listen more to our
inner self and less to the outer self."
"Look!" said the Scarecrow. "The witch! She moved!"
Everyone ran over to her. But she was as still as ever. "I'm sure I saw
her leg move," said the Scarecrow.
"Maybe she's not quite dead," the Lion said.
"Quick! Take my hat!" shouted the Tin Woodman to the Scarecrow. "Get
some water."
"But it's got a hole in it," said the Scarecrow.
"Well, put your finger over it," said the Lion.
"I don't think my finger will hold water," replied the Scarecrow. "It's
filled with straw."
"I'd better go," said Dorothy. "In the meantime, slap her face."
"I'll be glad to!" said the Scarecrow. Dorothy ran over to a little
stream and filled the Tin Woodman's funnel-hat with water. She walked
back as quickly as she could and threw the water in the witch's face.
The witch moved ever so slightly, but did not awaken.
"Well, she's still alive, all right," said Dorothy.
"That's amazing," said the Lion. "But what is even more amazing is that
the water didn't melt her away like it did her sister. We must have all
temporarily forgotten about that in our excitement."
"She must be made of a different material," said the Tin Woodman.
"I wonder why we're trying to save her," the Lion said. "If she
recovers, she'll just attack us again."
Dorothy, ignoring the Lion's remarks but bracing herself, began mouth to
mouth resuscitation. Sure enough, the witch began to stir.
"She's coming to," said the Lion, stepping back slightly.
The witch's eyes opened and looked evilly from side to side. She looked
around her, but could see only a few blurry shadows.
Gradually, her eyes focused on Dorothy's pretty features. Hatred began
to well up inside her. She stood up shakily, then collapsed in a faint.
"Quickly!" said Dorothy. "More water."
The Lion ran to the stream and filled the Tin Woodman's hat to the brim.
He carried the funnel in his mouth as he ran back to Dorothy, spilling
most of it on the way.
Dorothy sat the witch up and pressed the rim of the funnel to her lips.
"Drink," she said as she tilted it. The witch took a sip, then collapsed
again.
"I don't think she's going to make it," said the Tin Woodman.
"We must try to save her," said Dorothy, as she sprinkled the few
remaining drops of water on the witch's face.
The witch opened her eyes again, then sat up by herself. She looked
incredulously at Dorothy, and, shaking her head in disbelief, said, "You
are trying to save me?" Her voice was little more than a whisper.
"You must get some rest now," said Dorothy. "We'll talk later."
The witch closed her eyes and seemed to go into a peaceful sleep.
"Well, what shall we do now?" said the Lion.
"At least she didn't get mad at us," said the Scarecrow.
"We'll let her rest," Dorothy said. "Then we'll see what she has to say."
The girl lay back and closed her eyes. Presently, she drifted into
sleep. She began to dream of her adventures in Oz: of meeting her
friends for the first time, and of meeting the Wicked Witch of the West
in her terrible anger after Dorothy's house fell on the Wicked Witch of
the East.
She dreamed of returning to Oz for the second time and meeting the
Wicked Witch of the Deep South. Then she dreamed that all three witches
were attacking her at once. The Wicked Witch of the West screamed at
her: "So, you thought you'd get away from me, eh? Well, I've got you
now, my little pretty!" She screamed again with that horrible cackle
that all witches seem to have. As her scream tapered off, the Wicked
Witch of the West's ugly, one-eyed face loomed up right next to
Dorothy's face.
She glared at Dorothy and screamed, "You thought you'd liquidated me,
didn't you, my pretty? Well, I'm right here! And two of my sisters are
here, too. And we have a nice little surprise for you." At that, the
Wicked Witch of the Deep South cackled loudly behind Dorothy. As Dorothy
spun around, the witch threw a rope around her and tied her arms tightly
to her side. They all grabbed the little girl and pushed her roughly
into a chair. Then they tied her wrists to the arms of the chair.
Directly above the chair was a big black pot, bubbling and steaming. It
was suspended by two chains on pulleys. A rope was tied to an iron ring
at the base of the pot and looped through another iron ring on a big
wooden beam. The end of the rope lay coiled on the floor.
The Wicked Witch of the West picked up the rope and began to tug on it
gently. The black pot tilted slightly. Seeing the alarm on Dorothy's
face, the witches cackled in sadistic delight.
"Now, we'll see how you like this, Deary," screamed the Wicked Witch of
the West with heinous laughter. "We'll teach you to interfere with us."
With that, she gave a big tug on the rope.
Dorothy screamed as the thick black steaming liquid hit her face. But,
instead of being scalding hot, it was icy cold. She awoke with a start
to find that the Scarecrow was splashing cold water in her face. "What
happened, Dorothy?" said the Tin Woodman. "Are you all right? You were
crying out in your sleep."
"Oh," said Dorothy in relief as she recognized everyone. "Thank goodness
it was only a bad dream. The witches were about to scald me to death."
"We couldn't wake you," said the Lion. "That's why we sprinkled the
water on her face."
"Oh, what a terrible nightmare it was," said Dorothy. "Thank you for
waking me when you did."
Just then, the Wicked Witch of the Deep South opened her eyes and sat
up. She looked around, slowly. Dorothy stiffened, expecting to hear the
usual barrage of abuse. Instead, the Witch spoke quite softly. "So, my
little one," she sneered, "you decided to help me, eh? Well, it won't do
you any good."
"You would have died, if it hadn't been for Dorothy," said the Scarecrow.
"Really now?" said the Witch. "Is that true, Dorothy dear?"
"Yes, it is," replied Dorothy quietly.
"Why would you want to save me?" said the Witch in the same mocking tone.
"Because all life is precious," said Dorothy. "Even yours."
"Precious to whom, might I ask?"
"Well, isn't it precious to you?" replied Dorothy.
The Witch didn't answer. Instead, she stared straight ahead, as if
mesmerized. "Well, isn't it?" asked Dorothy again.