OZTORY IN VERSE

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF

A P  R  K. F 

MCCAA BOOKS • SANTA ROSA, CA McCaa Books 1604 Deer Run Santa Rosa, CA 95405-7535

Copyright © 2021 by Ronald K. Ford All rights reserved

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

First published in 2021 by McCaa Books, an imprint of McCaa Publications.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021900062 ISBN 978-1-7363451-1-5

Printed in the United States of America Set in Minion Pro Book design by Waights Taylor Jr. Book illustrations by Delaney Ford Cover image: AF Fotogra e / Alamy Stock Photo

www.mccaabooks.com OZTORY IN VERSE was adapted from THE WONDERFUL and the other books of L. Frank Baum OZTORY IN VERSE

FOREWORD

t was somewhere in the summer of 1943 when my mother intro- Iduced me to e Wonderful Wizard of Oz. We had selected this book from the children’s library at the far end of town. It was a few more years before I was allowed to go alone to the library, a dis- tance some three miles from home. e distance did not matter to me, for the rewards of reading were paramount in my life. On the wide front porch of the large old house in which we lived there rested a comfortable ancient sofa. ere was no front light on the porch, but my mother positioned a table lamp at the window behind the sofa and its faint eorts provided enough light for her to read this story to me nightly until we had nished it. Perhaps it is only in my imagination, but I believe I clamored for her to read it to me again from the beginning. If that was not the second time I heard the story, then I do know it was shortly aer Christmas that year, for under that Christmas tree was my own brand new copy of e Wonderful Wizard of Oz. My father was overseas in the army where he nished his tour of duty in Okinawa. Only later did I learn about the terrible events that took place there. So it was up to my mother to keep me occupied, entertained and educated. She taught me to read well before I entered kindergarten, and the cornerstone of my reading education was this rst of the fourteen L. Frank Baum classics. I collected soda pop bottles, cracked walnuts and sold them to the ice cream store down the block and saved my Tooth Fairy money

7 RONALD K. FORD to buy the next Oz book. Oz book requests were the rst item on my birthday and Christmas lists. As I progressed through the elementary grades, I was able to persuade my third through h grade teachers to read two or three of the Oz books to the class aer lunch recess. When I became a teacher of third, fourth, and h grade students I read the Oz books to my respective classes. When e Wizard of Oz became a yearly production on television I was a regular viewer. In short, I have never outgrown my initial fascination with Oz and its char- acters and the many interpretations of the story I have encountered over the years. Having noted the adaptations and omissions that were needed to create the lm, and compared the lm with the book, I felt there needed to be a closer look at the “original” tale. As another of my intense interests is poetry, I have attempted to relate each chapter of the book as closely as I can to the original story in poetical form. I invite you to read the book as you peruse the poem and see if I have achieved my goal. Regardless, I have greatly enjoyed the process and I thank you for reading my eort. Enjoy! Ronald K. Ford

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THE POEM

e stories told about this land are tales From long ago. About a place where all exists, though much Is hard to show. Beginning in a Kansas town inside e U.S.A., Our story is about a girl whose house Is blown away.

Her and were le Behind to mourn; eir beloved was gone and they Were le forlorn. e roaring winds tore up the house and swept Away one pair, Both Dorothy and her little dog were sucked Up through the air.

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ey whirled and spun through time and space, the rush Of winds, a roar; Both and his mistress feared their lives Would be no more. en suddenly, the air was still, and though It sounds absurd, ere now arose triumphant cheers, the shouts Of people heard!

So small they were, all dressed in blue, both old And young alike, Cavorting, leaping, shouting out, a sound Much like a shrike. So full of joy and merriment they could Not hold their glee! ey laughed and hugged and pointed at the house For all to see.

ey shouted, cheered and tore their hats right o Of ev’ry head. “She’s gone, she’s gone, the witch. At last, At last she’s dead!” Small Toto barked; he growled and shook his tail In warnings loud; But his null threats completely brave were lost, Within the crowd.

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So Dorothy and her little dog stepped down outside the door. Almost as one the cheering crowd did point Beneath the oor. A pair of was there beneath e house’s edge. ey gleamed and sparkled in the sun behind A bluebell hedge.

As Dorothy stared full of concern a small, Important man, Approached her with a parchment scroll which he Began to scan. “We here, the residents of Land, Are deep in debt To you. My lady, look and see whereon Your house is set.”

As Dorothy looked the silver shoes dropped like A aming are; Another cheer among the crowd arose Upon the air. “Our Queen, Our Queen,” the dancing people cried, “We bow to you.” But Dorothy simply stood in shock and knew Not what to do.

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Now just in front of all the crowd a small Blue form appeared. e woman wore a long white cape on which Bright stars were tiered. Her wrinkled face was old but kind; her voice Was warm and sweet, “I am the ; I’m pleased With you to meet.”

“I’m from Kansas, Ma’am, I’m pleased To meet you too. Perhaps you’ll help me understand just what I’m s’posed to do.” “Well, rst, you’ve killed the Wicked Witch who was To mean. e people are so happy that they want You as their queen.”

But Dorothy now was terri ed. “It can’t Be true,” she cried. “I didn’t mean to kill her, and to keep e rules I’ve tried. I want to go back home right now; I’m lost And so afraid.” At this the little woman said, “You must Have courage, maid.

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“e Wicked Witch from in the East, the one You have dispatched, Was one of two within our land whose deeds Have gone unmatched. e Wicked Witch o in the West is all at now remains. And she would love to have those shoes to help Her evil gains.

“I cannot send you home my child, I think --” She made a pause, “I think you now should travel, Dear, to see e Wizard Oz. “e City of the Emeralds is where He can be found. He rules from there the country whole, in peace For miles around.”

Yet Dorothy had no peace of mind; she did Not know the way. But then the good Witch pointed to the place e path did lay. “You see those yellow bricks of gold? ey lead e way ahead. Just follow them and you will come to be Safe in your stead.

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“So have no fears, for no one here shall harm You, child,” she said. With that she placed a gentle kiss upon Miss Dorothy’s head. “Yes, dangers there are plenty of, but you Must never fear. My mark will keep you safe from harm, at least While you are here.

So Dorothy and her little dog set o Upon the path, eir goal to earn the Wizard’s help and not e Wizard’s wrath. Now Dorothy’s pace was brisk and true; but it Was not too fast. e citizens of Munchkin Land would bow As she walked past.

As evening fell and dusk drew nigh she slowed Her fast paced walk. She came upon a Munchkin house owned by A man named . Loud music played and people danced, and there Were tables full Of food and drink, and owers bright, and all So colorful.

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e Munchkin Boq had words to say while he And Dorothy sat. He thanked her for the saving of his land And mentioned that, “While witches only can wear white, you’re dressed In white and blue! e silver shoes upon your feet, they show Your power too.”

When Dorothy continued on the day Was bright and clear. Both she and Toto traveled forth, each lled With happy cheer. en Dorothy stopped to rest awhile and sat Atop a fence. A on a pole she saw; at rst It made no sense.

His face was painted on a sack lled up With yellow straw. And Dorothy couldn’t believe her eyes at what She thought she saw. She knew such things could never be; it was Too much to think. She paused, but no, it couldn’t be, she thought She saw him wink!

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Determined now to learn the truth, she felt She had no choice. She walked up to the straw- lled man and heard A husky voice. “Good day,” she heard the straw man say, “and how Are you today?” Our Dorothy was surprised to hear a man Who’s stued with hay!

Politely then, as she was taught, she said She felt quite well. And then she paused and listened to his voice Which rose and fell. e scarecrow then replied that he did not Enjoy his role Of being made to spend his life just stuck Up on a pole!

e scarecrow gure dressed in style was lled With straw inside. His shirt and pants were faded blue, his boots Were blue and wide. While dressed to keep the crows away he suf- fered Nature’s stains; But nothing here deterred the man except - He had no brains!

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When lied from his specious perch the straw Man gave a whirl. “I thank you greatly for your help, and now?” He asked the girl. “I’m on my way to see the man who best Can help my cause. I hope that he can send me home; he is e Wizard Oz.”

“Who is this wizard that you seek and where Does he reside?” “Why, in the where he rules,” e girl replied. e scarecrow paused and thought awhile, and then He asked aloud,” “And do you think that Oz might give a brain To make me proud?”

“My head is stued with straw you know, I hate To be a fool, But if I had a brain like yours then I Could go to school. Why, I would be a wiser man, and I Could learn some tricks!” e two of them continued down the road Of yellow bricks.

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Now as the group continued on, as though Upon a lark, Small Toto didn’t like the man, so he Began to bark. “Don’t be afraid, he wouldn’t bite.” She tried e dog to catch. “I am afraid of but one thing – it is A lighted match!”

e scarecrow shuddered at this thought, and then He told his tale. Of how the Munchkin farmer drew his face And eyes so pale. e farmer started with the head and rst e scarecrow’s ear. Which was the best the scarecrow said, for he Now came to hear.

e farmer kept up with his task and drew A large blue eye. e scarecrow now could view the world, at last, Both low and high! His maker was so pleased at this. So he Would not forget, He painted on the second eye and made It bigger yet!

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e yellow bricks now led the group into e woods quite deep. As daylight faded fast away they found A place to sleep. It was a cottage built of logs; much like A castle hold. An unpretentious place at least it would Keep out the cold.

e morning broke with sunny light; the night Was now a dream. And Dorothy for her comfort found a clear And bubbling stream. Her basket lunch was nearly gone, the bread at is, inside. She worried now what would she do, what food She could provide.

e Scarecrow, Toto, and the girl began To walk the stones, When Dorothy thought somewhere she heard some low And mued moans. e Scarecrow too had heard the cries, he said, “ey came this way.” Retracing now their steps they saw what in eir path there lay.

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It was a great surprise they found, for now Just to begin, ey found a man, with arms upraised, and he Was made of tin. “Good gracious me,” the girl exclaimed, “if what We see is right, I’ve never ever seen such things, and n’er A man so bright!”

e scarecrow too was back, and stood In shocked surprise. Well, just so much as one can do if one Has painted eyes! And while the traveling pair stood still they heard Another moan. And Dorothy asked with still, small voice, “Why, Tin Man, did you groan?”

e Tin Man answered, “Yes, I did, it’s all at I can do.” And Dorothy soly asked of him, “What can I do for you?” “Inside my cottage on a shelf you’ll nd An oilcan. If you will oil up my joints I’ll be A happy man.”

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Soon Dorothy found the oil can and oiled e Tin Man’s joints. She started at his head and neck then went To other points. e Tin Man set his axe aside and groaned, is time in glee; “I’ve been here, oh, so long,” he said, “at last I’m now set free.”

“But who are you and how did you just come To be right here? I’ve been in this predicament for more an one full year. If you had never come along I’d stand ere till the end, e victim of a jealous soul who sought My heart to rend.”

When Dorothy told the man her tale he paused And thought awhile. “If Oz can send you far away,” he said, With just a smile, And give the Scarecrow brains, perhaps he could, Within his art, Persuaded be to give to me a kind And gentle heart.”

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So Tin Man joined the travelers as they made eir way toward Oz. e woodman brought the oil along. He said, “It is because If it should rain and I get caught, once more I might soon rust. I do not ever want to stand until I turn to dust.”

e Scarecrow stepped into a hole and fell Onto the ground. e woodman asked the Scarecrow why he did Not step around. “I do not know enough,” he said, “my head Is stued with straw. And that is why I need some brains.” And so e Tin Man saw.

“I understand,” the Tin Man said, “but brains Are not the best. Please, don’t make up your mind so fast until You hear the rest. Not long ago I had a brain; likewise I had a heart. Now listen to my story as it’s told Right from the start.”

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e Tin Man now began the story of His life. e tale at he was born a simple forest man Began to pale When he explained to them how he had come To be a man Completely made of tin. It was a tale Hatched by a plan,

An evil plan for sure it was that cost e man a wife; And had a tinsmith not been near it would Have cost his life. An evil dame who lived nearby employed A serving maid, With whom the woodman fell in love and they eir plans they made.

But if the serving girl had wed, the dame Would have to cook And clean her house herself, and lazy as She was she took Her problem to a witch and promised her A sheep and cow If she’d prevent the couple’s plan to make e marriage vow.

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“e witch enchanted then my axe, and o Went my le leg. At rst I thought I would be forced to wear A wooden peg. I found a clever tinsmith friend who made For me a limb, And I was just as good as new and just As t and trim.

“But now my right leg was attacked, my axe en sliced it free. And once again the tinsmith made a brand New leg for me. en one by one I lost both arms; and they Were made of tin. And nally my axe was made to chop Me at the chin.

“However, then the tinsmith came along With lucky tread, And next of course he formed for me a bright And shiny head. I thought at last I’d beat the curse and knew What I would do. But then she struck me once again and cle My trunk in two.

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“A nal time the tinner came and made My body part. So now I was as good as new, except I had no heart. And this is how I lost the love I bore e Munchkin maid. Without a heart I can not love and that’s e way I’ve stayed!

“So that’s the reason why I need to ask e noble Oz If he will help me lose the pain that deep Within me gnaws. For if I have a heart again I’ll dance And leap and whirl, For then I’ll go back to my home and wed e Munchkin girl.”

But Dorothy could not decide from what Her friends had said. Her biggest problem at this time was how To get more bread. e Scarecrow and the man of tin had no Desire to eat. But Dorothy and Toto did, for they Were made of meat.

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e travelers continued on along e forest oor. When suddenly there came a sound, a loud And piercing roar! And bounding from the roadside brush with quite A savage leap A giant golden lion swept the straw Man in a heap.

e lion struck the Tin Man next and sent Him to the ground. And being made of empty tin he made A hollow sound. Now Toto rushed to help his friends, attack And Dorothy save. He wasn’t very big or strong, but he Was very brave.

e lion opened wide his mouth, and on His feet he rose, And Dorothy heedless of her peril then slapped Him on the nose. “Now don’t you dare to bite Toto, you ought To be ashamed.” She loved her little pet and feared that she Would see him maimed.

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“I didn’t bite him,” said the beast and rubbed His tender nose. “No, but you tried to,” Dorothy said, as tears Dropped on his toes. “I know it, yes,” the lion said, “I don’t know What to do. I’ve always been a coward, and the things You say are true!”

“To think that you would up and strike a poor Man stued with straw. Why that’s about the meanest thing I think I ever saw.” “I am surprised,” the Lion said, “he fell With such great ease; And is the other one alike? He fell But to his knees.”

“No, not at all,” e girl replied, “you see, He’s made of tin.” “Ah, yes,” the lion then replied, “his legs Are truly thin. What is that little animal you are So tender of?” Is he a creature made of tin or one at I could shove?”

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“Why, Toto is my loyal friend and he Is made - of meat!” e girl was frightened as she spoke; she knew What lions eat. e lion shrank and hung his head; he made Apology, “No one except a Scaredy-cat would bite Him, only me.”

“And I will take you at your word you will Not hurt my friend.” Now Dorothy was much relieved, her fears Put at an end. She asked the lion why indeed he seemed So cowardly. But his reply was sad and short; he looked So louredly.

“It is a mystery for sure,” he said With puzzled frown, “As King of Beasts I’m thought to be the one Who wears the crown. And when I roar all others run, although I’m scared inside, But if they didn’t hurry o I’d have To run and hide.”

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“at isn’t right, the King of Beasts should not Become afraid,” e Scarecrow oered this remark, the rst at he had made. “I know it,” said the King of Beasts; he wiped A tear away. “Whenever there is danger near my heart Begins to fray.”

“Perhaps you have some heart disease; it proves You have a heart.” e Lion thought reectively, and then He gave a start! e Tin Man’s statement might be true; the cat Now raised his claws, “Is courage something he can give, you know, e Wizard Oz?”

In quick reply the Scarecrow said, “He’ll give Me brains I’m sure.” e Tin Man stated, as a fact, “A heart For me, so pure!” And Dorothy and Toto wished once more To go back home. And thus the Lion joined their cause and o ey all did roam.

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ey had no more adventures as they went Along that day, But suddenly the Woodman stopped; his hand Began to sway. He pointed to his rusted jaw and to His oilcan. e salty tears leaked from his eyes and down His cheeks they ran.

e Scarecrow seized the oilcan and freed e Tin Man’s jaw. It happened that the Tin Man stepped, by chance Before he saw, Upon a hapless beetle which had crawled Along the road And accidentally crushed the bug, and now His grief he showed.

e Tin Man knew he had no heart so he Must take great care To never be unkind at all or cruel, He must beware! “You people who have hearts,” he said, “you have Internal guides, But I who have no heart at all must watch On all my sides.”

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e party journeyed on until they came Upon a ditch. e lion measured carefully, and then Without a hitch He said that he could leap across and reach e other side. He did as he had claimed he could; he gave em each a ride.

Now safely on the other side, and with A moment’s rest, ey then continued on their way; they felt ey’d passed a test. ey found the forest very thick and heard A fright’ning sound. e lion whispered to his friends, “ere are Kalidahs round.”

“What are Kalidahs?” asked the girl, “ey make A sound I dread.” “ Kalidahs are great monstrous beasts; they have A tiger’s head. ey have the body of a bear and claws Both sharp and long, And with one blow they’d kill us both because ey are so strong.”

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e Lion was about to add some more When up ahead ey found a larger ditch; the Lion knew ey all were dead. ey sat down to consider next just how To make a plan. e Scarecrow spied a tow’ring tree and said, “at’s it! Our man

“Can fell the tree across the widened gulf, And we can walk It easily and reach the other side.” Without more talk e Woodman set to work and soon the tree Was nearly chopped. e Lion pushed his paws against the trunk And down it opped!

e tree’s top branches rested on the bank. e bridge was sound. And then they heard a fearsome growl that made em all turn round. And charging from the trees behind them two Kalidahs came. “Quick,” cried the Scarecrow, “let us cross; they don’t Look very tame!”

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So Dorothy grabbed her little dog; the Tin Man followed fast. e Scarecrow followed those in front; that le e Lion last. But cowardly or not he was prepared To save his friends; He turned and gave a loud resounding roar, e kind that rends!

e huge Kalidahs stopped their charge and looked In great surprise. e lion turned and crossed the bridge and stared Into their eyes. e straw man had been thinking fast and now He turned around. e branches of the tree they felled lay fast Upon the ground.

“Nick Chopper, hurry up and cut the branch Out of the top; Without a bridge those horrid beasts will have To reach a stop.” e Tin Man turned to chop the branch and quick As in a ash e two Kalidahs running fast fell with A mighty crash!

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KALIDAH

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