How the Balloon Was Launched

           DorothyweptbitterlyatthepassingofherhopetogethometoKansasagain; butwhenshethoughtitallovershewasgladshehadnotgoneupinaballoon. AndshealsofeltsorryatlosingOz,andsodidhercompanions. 

           TheTinWoodmancametoherandsaid: 

           "TrulyIshouldbeungratefulifIfailedtomournforthemanwhogavememylovelyheart. IshouldliketocryalittlebecauseOzisgone,ifyouwillkindlywipeawaymytears,sothatIshallnotrust." 

           "Withpleasure,"sheanswered,andbroughtatowelatonce. ThentheTinWoodmanweptforseveralminutes,andshewatchedthetearscarefullyandwipedthemawaywiththetowel. Whenhehadfinished,hethankedherkindlyandoiledhimselfthoroughlywithhisjeweledoil-can,toguardagainstmishap. 

           TheScarecrowwasnowtheruleroftheEmeraldCity,andalthoughhewasnotaWizardthepeoplewereproudofhim. "For,"theysaid,"thereisnotanothercityinalltheworldthatisruledbyastuffedman." And,sofarastheyknew,theywerequiteright. 

           ThemorningaftertheballoonhadgoneupwithOz,thefourtravelersmetintheThroneRoomandtalkedmattersover. TheScarecrowsatinthebigthroneandtheothersstoodrespectfullybeforehim. 

           "Wearenotsounlucky,"saidthenewruler,"forthisPalaceandtheEmeraldCitybelongtous,andwecandojustasweplease. WhenIrememberthatashorttimeagoIwasuponapoleinafarmer’scornfield,andthatnowIamtherulerofthisbeautifulCity,Iamquitesatisfiedwithmylot."