13. The Truth Pond

           Theynowmadeamorecarefulexaminationofthecountryaroundthem.Allwasfreshandbeautifulafterthesultrinessofthedesert,andthesunshineandsweet,crispairweredelightfultothewanderers.Littlemoundsofyellowishgreenwereawayattheright,whileontheleftwavedagroupoftallleafytreesbearingyellowblossomsthatlookedliketasselsandpompoms.Amongthegrassescarpetingthegroundwereprettybuttercupsandcowslipsandmarigolds.AfterlookingattheseamomentDorothysaidreflectively:

           "WemustbeintheCountryoftheWinkies,forthecolorofthatcountryisyellow,andyouwillnoticethat’mosteverythinghereisyellowthathasanycoloratall."

           "ButIthoughtthiswastheLandofOz,"repliedtheshaggyman,asifgreatlydisappointed.

           "Soitis,"shedeclared;"buttherearefourpartstotheLandofOz.TheNorthCountryispurple,andit’stheCountryoftheGillikins.TheEastCountryisblue,andthat’stheCountryoftheMunchkins.DownattheSouthistheredCountryoftheQuadlings,andhere,intheWest,theyellowCountryoftheWinkies.ThisisthepartthatisruledbytheTinWoodman,youknow."

           "Who’she?"askedButton-Bright.

           "Why,he’sthetinmanItoldyouabout.HisnameisNickChopper,andhehasalovelyheartgivenhimbythewonderfulWizard."

           "WheredoesHElive?"askedtheboy.

           "TheWizard?Oh,helivesintheEmeraldCity,whichisjustinthemiddleofOz,wherethecornersofthefourcountriesmeet."

           "Oh,"saidButton-Bright,puzzledbythisexplanation.

           "WemustbesomedistancefromtheEmeraldCity,"remarkedtheshaggyman.