22. Ozma's Birthday Party

           Itseemsoddthatafairyshouldhaveabirthday,forfairies,theysay,werebornatthebeginningoftimeandliveforever.Yet,ontheotherhand,itwouldbeashametodepriveafairy,whohassomanyothergoodthings,ofthedelightsofabirthday.Soweneednotwonderthatthefairieskeeptheirbirthdaysjustasotherfolksdo,andconsiderthemoccasionsforfeastingandrejoicing.

           Ozma,thebeautifulgirlRuleroftheFairylandofOz,wasarealfairy,andsosweetandgentleincaringforherpeoplethatshewasgreatlybelovedbythemall.Shelivedinthemostmagnificentpalaceinthemostmagnificentcityintheworld,butthatdidnotpreventherfrombeingthefriendofthemosthumblepersoninherdominions.ShewouldmountherWoodenSawhorse,andrideouttoafarmhouseandsitinthekitchentotalkwiththegoodwifeofthefarmerwhileshedidherfamilybaking;orshewouldplaywiththechildrenandgivethemridesonherfamouswoodensteed;orshewouldstopinaforesttospeaktoacharcoalburnerandaskifhewashappyordesiredanythingtomakehimmorecontent;orshewouldteachyounggirlshowtosewandplanprettydresses,orentertheshopswherethejewelersandcraftsmenwerebusyandwatchthemattheirwork,givingtoeachandallacheeringwordorsunnysmile.

           AndthenOzmawouldsitinherjeweledthrone,withherchosencourtiersallabouther,andlistenpatientlytoanycomplaintbroughttoherbyhersubjects,strivingtoaccordequaljusticetoall.