L. Frank Baum - Oz 37

by The Magical Mimics In Oz

  “Good dog!” said the Wizard, patting Toto’s head. Dorothy beamed proudly at her little pet.

  “Dear me!” exclaimed Ozma, gazing at the Mimics in the throne room. “How are we ever to transport all these creatures to their cavern home? We can’t have them here to overrun Oz, even though they are now harmless,” she added, shuddering with revulsion at the shifting shapes of evil assumed by the Mimics.

  “That is simple,” said Ozana. “Is there a room in the palace with a great many mirrors?”

  “Yes,” replied Ozma, “the Grand Ballroom which adjoins the throne room C4 its walls and ceiling are composed entirely of mirrors.”

  “Then let us go to the ballroom,” said Ozana.

  Ozma and Glinda led Ozana to the entrance of the Grand Ballroom. Dorothy and the Wizard and Toto followed. Ozana paused before the great door which was flung wide open. In her bell-like voice she murmured the words of a powerful fairy spell. Immediately King Umb and Queen Ra, followed by the other Mimics in the throne room, advanced as though they were in a trance to the portal of the mirrored ballroom. Then they passed into the room itself. Ozana continued to chant her fairy spell. Now came a whole procession of the Mimic creatures, first from all over the Royal Palace and finally from every part of the Emerald City. They came trooping in by the hundreds, wearing a myriad of fantastic shapes and forms. At length the very last Mimic had entered the ballroom, and huge though the room was, it seemed to the onlookers that it must surely be filled to overflowing with the Mimic horde.

  By this time, the Scarecrow, Scraps, Tik-Tok and the rest who had been bound with ropes by the Mimics were freed, and they with Trot, Cap’n Bill, Betsy Bobbin, Button Bright and the others all crowded about the entrance to look curiously into the ballroom. Even the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger and Hank the Mule crowded into the throne room. The three beasts had awakened from the sleep cast on them by Queen Ra when Ozana had re-woven the spell that protected the Oz inhabitants. “Why,” rumbled the Cowardly Lion, “the room’s empty!” In a sense the lion was right. There was no one in the Grand Ballroom, it was true. But Dorothy and the others could plainly see the flitting, shifting shadow shapes of the Mimics in the mirrors that paneled the walls and ceiling of the great room C4 shadow creatures caught and confined in

  the depths of the mirrors!

  “I wonder,” Dorothy whispered, “what will become of them.”

  CHAPTER 21

  THE SHATTERING OF THE MIRRORS

  “Now we can send the Mimics back to Mount Illuso at will,” said Ozana in answer to Dorothy’s question. “All we need to do is shatter the mirrors, and the Mimics will return to their gloomy realm, banished forever from Oz.”

  It was Ozma who followed Ozana’s suggestion and brought about the breaking of the mirrors. The dainty ruler lifted her wand and murmured a fairy charm. Instantly every mirror in the Grand Ballroom shivered and shattered with a vast, tinkling sound. Not one of the scores of mirrors in the great chamber was left whole.

  “It would be too bad,” Ozana remarked, “to mar permanently the beauty of your lovely ballroom.” She lifted her wand, and while the onlookers blinked the mirrors were whole again. In their gleaming depths there was no trace of the Mimic horde. The Grand Ballroom was as splendid as ever. As it was now nearing noon, Ozma graciously invited Ozana to join her and Glinda with Dorothy and the Wizard, Aunt Em, Trot, Cap’n Bill, Betsy Bobbin, Button Bright, the Scarecrow, Scraps and others of her friends for luncheon in the dining room of her own Royal Suite. Dorothy and the Wizard related their adventures on Mount Illuso, and then the Scarecrow tried to make clear to Ozma, Glinda and Dorothy and the Wizard everything that had happened in the Emerald City during their

  absence. Scraps helped him out, and Betsy Bobbin reminded him of things he had forgotten, while Trot chimed in and Button Bright wanted to tell the story his way. There was such a chatter it was a wonder Ozma and the rest understood anything.

  Just as the meal was about to end, there was a knock on the door and Uncle Henry breathlessly entered the room. After Aunt Em and Dorothy had hugged and kissed Uncle Henry, Dorothy told him how she had got back to the Emerald City. (He had read an account of the rest of her adventures in Glinda’s Great Book of Records the night before.) Scraps, helped out by Aunt Em, filled in the details of what had happened in the Palace since he and the Sawhorse had left.

  When they had finished, Uncle Henry exhibited several sheets of paper closely filled with writing. “Here’s the whole story of the Mimics. I copied everything the Great Book of Records had to say about ‘em, and then I left Glinda’s Castle last night, travelin’ all night long so as to get here as early today as possible. But I guess,” he concluded, gazing ruefully at the papers he carried, “these ain’t much use anymore.” “Not one of us could have done better than you did, Uncle Henry,” Ozma consoled him. “Instead of regretting your trip,” she added wisely, “let us instead be grateful that there is no longer any need for us to concern ourselves with what the Great Book of Records has to say about the Mimics.” Glinda announced that she must return to her Castle in the Quadling Country, from which she had been absent too long. Bidding goodbye to all her friends, the Great Sorceress was transported in the twinkling of an eye by her magic art to her faraway Castle.

  With Glinda’s departure, the rest of Ozma’s guests began to take their

  leave, until finally the Girl Ruler was alone with only Dorothy and Ozana. Ozma had noticed that throughout the merry luncheon, Ozana had appeared quiet and subdued, as though she were deeply occupied with thoughts of her own. “Tell me,” Ozma said gently, taking Princess Ozana’s hand in her own, “is there something troubling you, my dear?”

  With a smile, Ozana replied, “Yes, Ozma, there is. Truthfully, I dread returning to lonely Mount Illuso. In the short time I have been privileged to enjoy the companionship of Dorothy and the Wizard, and the society of the Oz people here in the Emerald City, I have come to realize more than ever what a terribly lonely life I lead on Mount Illuso. And,” she added, gazing affectionately at Dorothy, “I have become very fond of little Dorothy. I shall be very sorry indeed to leave her and all the rest of you for that forsaken mountaintop.”

  Ozma laughed softly. “Everyone loves our Princess Dorothy. But,” and the Little Ruler’s expression grew serious as she continued, “I sympathize with you, Ozana. Perhaps there is a way out of your predicament. Is there any real reason why you should return to Mount Illuso? The Mimics are harmless enough now. We can follow their actions in the Magic Picture and the Great Book of Records. And you can use your fairy powers to control the Mimics from the Land of Oz as easily as you could from the top of Mount Illuso.”

  “You meanFF20C4?” exclaimed Ozana eagerly.

  “That we would like nothing better than to have you make your home here in the Land of Oz,” said Ozma warmly. “Furthermore, it is my belief that through your long years of lonely vigil on Mount Illuso and your courageous rescue of the people of Oz from the Mimics, you have more than earned a

  home in Oz.”

  “Oh, Ozma, thank you!” exclaimed Ozana. And then she added doubtfully, “Do you think Queen Lurline will give her consent?”

  “I see no reason why she should not,” answered Ozma. “It so happens that I

  am to speak with Queen Lurline within the hour. We made arrangements to

  confer this afternoon on some important happenings in the great outside

  world. During our conversation I will ask her about your remaining in Oz.” “Thank you, Ozma,” murmured Ozana. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I

  am.”

  “Now, if you will excuse me,” said Ozma, “I must prepare to establish communication with Queen Lurline.”

  Arm in arm, Dorothy and Ozana made their way to Dorothy’s rooms, where they spent the next hour in conversation. Dorothy was well pleased with the prospect of Ozana’s making her home in Oz, for she believed the Princess would be a delightful companion. At last there
came a gentle rap on the door, and Princess Ozma entered Dorothy’s room. Ozana and Dorothy rose to their feet and looked questioningly at Ozma. “It is all settled,” the Girl Ruler announced with her brightest smile. “Queen Lurline readily gave her consent. From this moment on, dear cousin, you are no longer Ozana of Mount Illuso, but Ozana, Princess of Oz.”

  CHAPTER 22

  WHAT THE MAGIC PICTURE REVEALED

  After the first happy excitement over Ozma’s news had subsided, Ozana grew serious, and Dorothy thought she detected a note of sadness in the Fairy Maid’s voice as she said, “There is one duty I must perform, Ozma, before I

  can begin my new existence as an inhabitant of your lovely fairyland.”

  “What is that?” asked Ozma.

  “I must restore the pine folk and their village to their original forms as part of the Pine Forest that covers the top of Mount Illuso. Likewise, Story Blossom Garden must be returned to its original state, that is, ordinary wildflowers blossoming in the forest.”

  “Why must you do that?” asked Dorothy.

  “Since I am not to return to Mount Illuso, the pine folk and the garden are left entirely to the mercy of the Mimics and other wicked creatures who dwell in the Land of the Phanfasms. Quick transformation of the mountaintop to its original state is far better than destruction of the village and the garden by creatures of evil.”

  Ozana’s voice was tinged with real regret. “Ozma, may I look into your Magic Picture to see the garden and the village just once more before I cause them to vanish forever?”

  Ozma made no reply other than to nod and lead the way to her boudoir, where hung the Magic Picture. Dorothy was mystified by the expression on the Little Ruler’s face. She was sure Ozma was repressing a smile and was secretly amused at something.

  On the way to Ozma’s boudoir, Dorothy, who had grown fond of Felina the White Kitten, asked, “What about Felina, Ozana? Did you find her on Mount

  Illuso?”

  “No, indeed,” Ozana explained. “Felina accompanied me when I first went to Mount Illuso. She is my own pet. She is a fairy kitten and is as old as I am C4 and that is many hundreds of years.”

  Standing before the Magic Picture, Ozana said quietly, “I wish to see the Story Blossom Garden on Mount Illuso.”

  Instantly the Magic Picture’s familiar country scene faded. In its place appeared not the lovely Story Blossom Garden, but a barren, desert waste. Even the blue pond had disappeared. There was no sign of any living thing in the dreary desert scene. “What can it mean?” Dorothy cried. “Ozma, do you think something’s gone wrong with the Magic Picture?” Ozana paled slightly, and her eyes were troubled as she spoke again, “I wish to see the Village of Pineville on Mount Illuso.”

  This time the Magic Picture shifted only slightly to show a second expanse of grey wasteland as gloomy and forbidding as the first. “They are gone,” cried Ozana in dismay. “The garden and the village are gone!” To the amazement of Ozana and Dorothy, Ozma met their consternation by laughing merrily. “Of course they are gone,” the Little Ruler said, “because they are here!” “What do you mean?” asked Ozana.

  “First of all,” began Ozma, “you didn’t think, did you, Ozana, that no matter how much we wanted you to make your home with us, we would ask you to sacrifice your lovely Story Blossom Garden and the quaint people of your Village of Pineville? Queen Lurline and I discussed this matter seriously and agreed we could not permit the garden and the village to be destroyed. So after I finished my conversation with Queen Lurline, I consulted a map of the Land of Oz prepared by Professor Woggle Bug and found just what I was looking for C4 a small mountain in the Quadling Country only a short distance to the south from the Emerald City and not far from Miss Cuttenclip’s interesting village. The top of this mountain was about the

  same in area as20the top of Mount Illuso, and it was an uninhabited, sandy waste. While you and Dorothy talked, I worked a powerful fairy spell that transported the Pine Forest, the Village of Pineville and the Story Blossom Garden to the Oz mountaintop. Hereafter that mountain will be known as Story Blossom Mountain. That is why my Magic Picture showed only a desert waste when you asked to see the pine village and the Story Blossom Garden on Mount Illuso. The Magic Picture couldn’t show them to you $$on Mount Illuso&&, for they are no longer there! Instead,” Ozma concluded, “they are here in the Land of Oz.” Turning to the Magic Picture, she said, “I wish to see Story Blossom Garden on Story Blossom Mountain.” The image of the desert waste faded, and in the frame of the Magic Picture appeared the beautiful fairy garden. The vision was so real that Dorothy could almost hear the blossoms whispering among themselves. Bright tears of joy and gratitude sparkled in Ozana’s violet eyes. “What happened to Hi-Lo and his elevator?” Dorothy asked. “They were transported, too,” replied Ozma quickly. “I imagine,” the Girl Ruler went on, “that Hi-Lo will be a very busy little man carrying visitors up and down in his elevator. And you, Ozana, will be able to live in your pretty cottage and work in your wonderful garden without fear of ever becoming lonely. Every day will bring you visitors from the Emerald City and all parts of the Land of Oz who will be eager to see the pine folk and their village and to enjoy Story Blossom Garden. Really, Ozana, it is we who are indebted to you,” Ozma concluded.

  Dorothy beamed lovingly at Ozma. Then, turning to Ozana, the little girl said, “Now I guess you understand, Ozana, why you’re just about the

  luckiest person in the whole world to be invited to live in the Land of

  Oz.”

  CHAPTER 23

  THE GRAND BANQUET

  The next day was given over entirely to welcoming Ozana to Oz. Early in the morning, the Sawhorse was hitched to the Red Wagon, and a merry company of travelers rode out of the Emerald City to be the first visitors to Story Blossom Mountain. In the front seat of the Red Wagon rode Ozma, Ozana, Dorothy and Trot. In the rear seat were Betsy Bobbin, Cap’n Bill, the Wizard and the Scarecrow.

  The Sawhorse needed no reins to guide him, as this intelligent horse responded to spoken commands. Being tireless and having no need for oats or water, he was in many ways superior to ordinary horses. As the Red Wagon pulled up near the entrance to Hi-Lo’s elevator, the party was met by flaxen-haired Miss Cuttenclip. Not far distant was a pretty little paper village of paper people ruled over by Miss Cuttenclip, who had skillfully cut out the entire village and all its inhabitants from “live” paper furnished her by Glinda the Good. Ozma had communicated with Miss Cuttenclip before the journey, inviting her to meet them and visit Story Blossom Mountain and afterwards to accompany them to the Emerald City for the Grand Banquet to be given that evening in Ozana’s honor. Ozana and Miss Cuttenclip became friends at once.

  Hi-Lo greeted Ozana and the rest joyfully, but it was necessary for him to make two trips to carry this large party to the mountaintop. Ozana showed the visitors around the Village of Pineville and Story Blossom Garden. On

  the surface of the blue pond floated the three swans. Knowing that Ozana would no longer need them to carry her back to Mount Illuso, Ozma had thoughtfully transported the swans from the courtyard of her palace to their pond when she had worked the fairy spell that had brought the Story Blossom Garden to Oz.

  After pausing several happy hours in the Story Blossom Garden, Ozana and her guests returned to the bottom of the mountain, where the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon waited to carry them back to the Emerald City. The rest of the day was devoted to preparing for the Grand Banquet to be given in Ozana’s honor that evening in the Grand Dining Room of the Royal Palace. All of Ozma’s old friends and companions were invited.

  Late in the afternoon the guests began arriving. The Tin Woodman journeyed from his glittering Tin Castle in the Winkie Country. Jack Pumpkinhead left his house C4 a huge, hollowed-out pumpkin in the middle of a pumpkin field. The Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated Woggle Bug traveled from the Royal Athletic College of Oz, of which he was Principal. Among other guests who came from great distances we
re Glinda the Good, the Giant Frogman, Cayke the Cookie Cook, Dr. Pipt C4 the Crooked Magician who was no longer crooked or a magician C4 his wife, Margolotte, the Good Witch of the North, and Lady Aurex, Queen of the Skeezers. Dorothy transported all of these visitors to the Emerald City by means of her Magic Belt, except Glinda, who arrived by her own magic. The Grand Banquet proved to be one of the most brilliant and delightful occasions ever to be enjoyed in the Emerald City and was long remembered by all who were present. In addition to the delicious food, there was music and

  special entertainment for the guests. The Scarecrow made a gallant speech of welcome to which Ozana charmingly replied.

  The Woggle Bug could not be restrained from reading an “Ode to Ozana,” which he claimed he had composed on the spur of the moment, writing it on the cuff of his shirt sleeve. A number of the guests thought the composition sounded suspiciously like an “Ode to Ozma,” which the Woggle Bug had written some years before, but they were all too kind-hearted to mention this. The Tin Woodman sang a love song, which he had written especially for the occasion and which he had titled “You’re My Tin Type.” While the song was only moderately good, the Tin Woodman sang in a metallic tenor with great feeling, and the company applauded politely. Then the Little Wizard made them all gasp with a truly wonderful display of magic. The Wizard opened his show by causing a fountain of many-colored flames of fire to appear in the center of the banquet table. At his command, streamers of fire of different colors C4 red, green, blue, rose, orange, violet C4 leaped out from the burning fountain to touch the unlighted candles that stood at the place of each guest. After this the fountain of fire vanished, while the now-lighted candles continued to burn throughout the banquet, each shedding the light imparted to it by the colored fire.