"What's a magic picture?" Jam wanted to know.
"It's a picture hanging in her private rooms in the palace," the Tin Woodman explained. "In it appears any scene that she wishes to see in all the world. If she wants to see what I'm doing, she just orders the picture to show her the Tin Woodman, and there I am."
"That sounds like a marvelous invention," Jam decided. "Can she see things outside the Land of Oz?"
"Oh, yes," Dorothy assured him. "She used to watch me when I was home in Kansas. She even rescued me from an underground cavern once, when I was trapped there with the Wizard and Zeb, a boy from California."
"Maybe she'd let me see my father and mother,"
he said wistfully.
"I'm sure she will," said the kindhearted Tin Woodman. "All you'll have to do is to ask her."
By this time, the Sawhorse had approached them and Percy and Jam saw a most peculiar couple. The Sawhorse himself was a marvel to behold, for his body was a log, with a gash cut out of one end of it for a mouth, a twig on the other for a tail, knots of wood for eyes, and legs and ears stuck into his body.
On his back sat a colorful individual, who looked as if she had been made from a crazy quilt.
The Patchwork Girl laughed merrily and called "Hello, howdy do to you and welcome to the to town.
The magic picture showed that you were Emerald City bound; So to the Sawhorse I remarked,' Wouldn't it be a pity If you and I did not go out and lead them to the city? '"
"I see that all of you have survived the journey,"
said Spots, his markings changing from pink balloons to purple grapes.
"Ugh, grapes," said Percy. "They remind me of Terp," and at these words, the Leopard changed his spots to new moons.
"What happened to Terp?" He asked. "Did you manage to get rid of him?"
"Yes," the Tin Woodman answered, "we cut down his magic muffin tree and penned him up in the factory smokestack. When we left, he was already losing the size that he had acquired by eating the magic bread, and I'm sure that by this time he is no bigger than I."
"Good," said Spots. "That's one less wicked giant to contend with."
"What's that?" Asked the Sawhorse in a gruff voice, pointing one gold-shod hoof at Percy.
"I'm an overgrown rat, kiddo," said Percy. "Take it from me, you animated fire log, you, I've seen better looking nags in glue factories."
"Purely a matter of opinion," snorted the Sawhorse, rolling his knot eyes wickedly.
"Now, now, let's not quarrel," said the Scarecrow soothingly, averting an argument between the two.
Scraps said to Dorothy "I want to thank you for my friend, the Rhyming Dictionary.
He's taught me lots of lovely verse to please mortal or fairy.
We wrote a welcoming ode for you, but alas! Alack aday!
The Sawhorse ran so fast, the words have all been blown away."
"That's all right," said Dorothy, laughing.
"Before the big banquet tonight, I’ll see If I can write a poem for our company."
"Is there to be a banquet?" Asked the Scarecrow.
"Oh, yes," said Scraps. "Ozma has invited lots of guests. It's to be in Jam's honor."
"But she doesn't even know me," protested Jam.
"How can she be having the banquet for me?"
"In her magic picture she has seen What you've done, and where you've been."
"Banquets at the royal palace are lots of fun,"
Dorothy told him. "Let's hurry to the city, so we can get ready for the festivities."
So Dorothy hopped up on the back of the Lion, Jam on the Hungry Tiger, and the Tin Woodman on the Leopard with the Changing Spots. The Scarecrow and Scraps rode on the Sawhorse, and Percy scampered along beside them. The animals were able to speed along the road of yellow brick, and soon they were before the magnificent gates of the Emerald City. Jam was awed by the splendor he saw before him, for words cannot describe the beauty of the chief city of Oz. They were welcomed by a little man in a green uniform who opened the gates and admitted them to the city. They passed along broad avenues lined with exotic trees and shrubs, rivaling the emeralds with their beauty, and soon they arrived at the royal palace where a pretty maid in a green satin dress and pale green organdy apron curtsied to them and said: "Ozma sends her greetings and says to tell you that when you have rested from your journey, she will receive you in her private apartment."
"Thank you, Jellia," said Dorothy. Then, turning to Jam, she said, "Jellia Jamb will take you to your room where you will find clothing to wear to the banquet tonight."
"But will it fit me?" Asked the little boy.
"Oh, yes," Dorothy told him. "Remember, this is a fairyland."
Percy went with Jam, and Jellia Jamb, who remarked that it was quite a coincidence that Jam's name should be like her own, led them through corridors of pale green marble, over floors carpeted with luxurious rugs of dark emerald green. After going up a winding staircase and down another long hall Jellia announced:" This is your apartment. If you want anything just ring the bell. A servant will come presently and conduct you to our ruler, Ozma."
Jam thanked her, and he and Percy went into the suite of rooms. Once inside, the boy gasped in amazement at the splendor of his quarters. The furniture was inlaid with gold and precious stones, and the carpets and drapes were of the finest materials.
Percy whistled. "This is some place, kiddo!" He said. And he sniffed about the room, examining every corner of it.
Off the sitting room was a pretty bedroom, with silken sheets and coverlet on the four-poster bed and pictures of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman on the walls. A tile bath with a tub as big as a miniature swimming pool next attracted the boy's attention, and he decided that for once in his life, taking a bath would be fun. When he was ready to dress Percy opened one of the wardrobes and brought out a green satin suit, trimmed with dark green velvet and gold and emerald buttons. Each piece of the costume fit Jam exactly, and although he said he felt as if he were dressed up for a costume ball, he really looked quite nice. Percy found a jeweled collar which he put around his own neck, and Jam tied a big green bow on the end of the rat's tail.
"If it's going to be a party, we want to be in style kiddo," commented Percy, admiring himself in the full length mirror that was on one of the doors. "I think we'll pass inspection."
"I wish my mother could see me now," laughed the little boy. But thinking of his mother reminded him that he was really quite homesick, so he said, "I hope they come for us soon, for the sooner I meet Ozma the sooner I can ask her to please send me back to my home."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than there came a rap at the door, and when Jam opened it, a servant said "If you will accompany me now, honored guest, I shall conduct you to the presence of Ozma."
Percy and Jam followed the messenger through more corridors, and they came at last to the private rooms of the ruler of the Land of Oz. At the door they were greeted by Dorothy who took Jam's hand and led him to Ozma. Jam had not known what to expect, for he had never before been in the presence of royalty. But when a sweet and beautiful girl came forward to greet him, he forgot any fear that he might have had, for she was so gracious that she made him feel at home immediately.
"I am very happy to welcome you to the Emerald City," Ozma said. "I know that you are anxious to know about your family, so if you will come with me I will let you gaze at my magic picture and see your home."
"Oh, thank you, your majesty," Jam said, overwhelmed at her kindness and by the fact that she knew all about him. Then Ozma took him to a curtained picture and, drawing back the drapery, she said "We wish to see Jam's home."
Immediately, the scene changed to the interior of Jam's house and showed his father and mother. She seemed to be assuring his father that she knew somehow that Jam would return to them soon.
"You see, Jam, they are not sad," said Dorothy.
"Ozma has made them know that you will be home soon. She is going to send you home in
the morning.
I have already told her that's what you want to do."
"I would like that," said Jam, and Ozma's nod confirmed Dorothy's statement.
"Now I will enjoy the banquet, "Jam continued" knowing my father and mother are not unhappy and that I will be home tomorrow."
Ozma smiled at him. "Now, let us sit down for a while, and you can tell me all about the adventures you have had here." So Jam told her about the flight of the kite, and how he had been captured by the giant, Terp, the Terrible, only to escape with Percy's aid.
"Do you think that your Wizard would enchant Percy so that he won't ever turn into an ordinary little rat again?" Asked Jam.
"I think that it can be arranged," smiled Ozma and asked him to go on with his story.
He told of his flight to Winkie Land, carried by his kite. Then he described the further adventures that all of them had had in Bookville and Icetown. When he told how they had finally captured Terp and chopped down the magic muffin tree, Ozma thanked them for freeing her subjects from him.
"And now we are here," finished the little boy.
"I am glad," said Ozma. "I wish you could stay with us, Jam, but I know you are anxious to get home.
In the morning the Wizard will swallow one of his famous wishing pills and wish you home in the twinkling of an eye. Now, let us go to the banquet that has been prepared in your honor."
She led the way to the great banquet hall, with Dorothy on one side of her and Jam on the other. At the long table were many interesting characters, including all of Jam's animal friends. The Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and Scraps had places at the table, even though they did not eat.
Although Scraps had not had time to compose a poem for the occasion, the Rhyming Dictionary was prepared to recite a long ode that had been written in honor of the guests. Being accustomed to royalty he was not embarrassed by the throng of celebrities at the dinner. He doffed his fool's cap, cleared his throat, and read from a parchment scroll: ODE TO JAM "Oh, gracious Ozma, and the rest (Including each distinguished guest) We gather here to honor one Whose ventures literally stun Our senses.
He's young and small-but what For, with his great friend, Percy He overcame and quite outwitted An ogreish giant who'd committed Offenses.
That through the skies his Kite Collapsible Would fly to Oz was unperhapsible; He was surprised, of course, because He really didn't know that Oz Existed.
But when the turf of Terp he hit He cried no cry, nor flung no fit Instead, when Terp with grinning glee For sandwich-spread had scragged him, he Resisted; And, aided by his brave pal, Percy (To make a long tale very terse) he Discovered (while they made their getaway) What kept the towering giant the taway. A muffin!
So then and there he made his mind up That it was time Terp's reign to wind up And that, to serve this noble cause He and friend rat would never pause For nuffinn '!
The fearsome Equinots he flustered; He freed the kites all clutter-clustered; And then, as he began to range some A Le-o-pard whose spots are changesome He signed up.
With Percy, next he found a group Of friends who gladly joined his troupe; With modesty I'll overlook How, without me, each as a book Would wind up.
But each companion, in his way Contributed to win the day; The noble Scarecrow gave his straw In Icetown, so that they could thaw Their way out; When slaves enticed Terp far afield The Tin Man then his axe did wield To fell the magic Muffin Tree. And thus Jam's giant-stalking spree Did pay out.
For Terp is giant now no longer He’s waxing weak instead of stronger; While in a smokestack tall he fidgeted He shrank till he became quite midgeted Let's hiss him!
And now our little hero, Jam Whose true admiring friend I am To his Ohio home will go And all of us want him to know We'll miss him!"
Then the Rhyming Dictionary bowed and smiled while all the guests clapped loudly.
Tiktok, the copper clockwork man, was also present, and Dorothy wound up his mechanism so he could make a short speech, welcoming Jam and Percy to the Emerald City. Jam said he had never had such a good time at a party in all his life.
The little Wizard of Oz was not at the banquet and Ozma explained that he had some important preparations to make for the next day. She assured Jam however, that he would meet the little man who had once come to Oz in a balloon and had built and ruled the Emerald City before she had been disenchanted.
"He's from Omaha, Nebraska," little Dorothy explained, "so he understands all about getting back to the United States."
There were stories and poems, and the royal band played for the guests, and soon it was bedtime. Jam was conducted back to his rooms, and he and Percy were soon fast asleep.
Chapter 23
Home Again
TAM was up bright and early the next morning, for he was anxious to return home. He dressed himself in his own clothes. The satin costume would never be suitable to wear in Ohio! After ringing the bell Jam told the servant that answered that he would like some breakfast, if it wouldn't be too much trouble.
The servant soon returned, carrying a gold tray laden with steaming cereal and milk, fruit and toast.
Jam and Percy soon satisfied their hunger. The servant told them that if they were ready, he would conduct them to the courtyard of the palace, where Ozma awaited them.
"I'm ready now," the little boy said eagerly.
"Let's go, kiddo," said Perqy.
In the courtyard of the palace, beside a fountain that sprayed precious jewels into the sunlight, stood Ozma and all her friends. Beside her stood a little bald man dressed in a black suit She presented him to Jam who learned that this was the famous Wizard of Oz of whom he had heard so much.
"So you want to go back to Ohio, "said the Wizard a twinkle in his eye.
"Yes, sir, if you can send me," replied Jam.
"And you want to be enchanted so that you'll always be the size you are now," he said to the white rat.
"That's right, kiddo," the rodent replied.
"Well, first we'll fix you up," he said to the rat and handed him a cup of black, steaming liquid. "Drink all of this," he commanded, and although Percy made a face, for the brew did not taste good, he drank it to the last drop.
"I feel like the same large economy size as before,"
he commented, "so I guess everything is hunky dory."
"And now, for you, young man," said the Wizard.
"Your friend, the Scarecrow, has made a suggestion about a gift for you to take home with you," and with these words, he drew forth a magic wand and waved it in the air three times, mumbling magic words as he did so.
In the next instant, there appeared on the lawn in front of them the Collapsible Kite that had brought Jam to the Land of Oz. Once again, as on that first journey, the crate, now as good as new, was suspended from it like a tiny cabin.
"We thought that you might like to take your kite back with you," Ozma explained. "And the Scarecrow made a suggestion about it, too. Why don't you tell him about it yourself?" She said, turning to the Stuffed Man.
"We thought that some day you might want to come back to Oz to visit us. Therefore, the Wizard has enchanted your kite. If you ever wish to return to the Land of Oz, just get into the crate, close your eyes, and wish hard to fly to Oz."
"If you can do that, then I know you can send me home," cried the little boy happily. So he said goodbye to all of his friends, hugging Dorothy and shaking hands with the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman.
He patted the Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion on their great heads and told them that he'd never again be afraid of wild animals. Last of all, he shook Percy's paw and told him to be a good rat in his new home. Then Ozma kissed him on the forehead, and the little boy climbed into the crate. He took one last look at the garden, and all of the friends he had made and called "I've enjoyed being here and meeting all of you.
Now I must go home. I wish I could take you all with to my mother and father. But some day, perhaps I'll visit all of you again.
"Close
your eyes tightly," commanded the Wizard.
Then, with a flourish, he drew from his pocket a little vial fashioned from an emerald and unscrewed the silver cap. He shook a large white pill from it into the palm of his hand, replaced the cap on the vial and returned it to his pocket. Then he said in a loud voice "I wish the Collapsible Kite and Jam back to his home in Ohio." He then popped the wishing pill into his mouth and swallowed it. Immediately the Collapsible Kite, with Jam in the crate beneath it, disappeared.
"Well," said Dorothy, "He's safely home by now."
So the crowd dispersed, and Percy followed the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger to his new quarters in the royal palace, for Ozma, as a reward for his help in freeing her subjects from Terp, the Terrible, had offered him a home with her.
Inside the crate, Jam felt a little lurch and then a gentle thud. He opened his eyes. The kite had landed on the hillside, just where it had been before his adventure had begun. He crawled out of the crate, ran to the fence, slid under it, and raced to the house. He was met at the door by his mother and father who had been sure for the past day that they would soon see Jam again.
After hugging and kissing him, his mother said "Where in the world have you been?"
And Jam replied, "I've been to the Land of Oz, and I've had a nice time. But I'd rather be here at home with you than in any fairyland there ever was!"
The End
AFTERWORD
Over the forty years since I wrote The Hidden Valley of OZ, one question I'm often asked is "How did you happen to write an Oz book?" In fact, Frank J. O'Donnell, president of Reilly & Lee who published the Oz series, asked me just that. I told him I wrote it "for my own entertainment and satisfaction" and as a "surprise for my mother."
I had entered the Land of Oz when I was a child. My first dated gift of an Oz book was a copy of The Wizard of Oz I received Christmas 1928. I had turned six just two weeks earlier. It was not however, my introduction to the series; the first one I read was The Land of Oz, which remains my all-time favorite. My mother ordered books for us from The American Book Company, but they had only the Reilly & Lee list which started with Land not Wizard which was published by Bobbs-Merrill and numbered their series starting with Land as number one (which made Hidden Valley thirty-eight, although it is actually the thirty-ninth in the Oz series). However, The Land of Oz mentioned in the front that it was a sequel to The Wizard of Oz, so somehow my mother acquired it for us.
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