CHAPTER 15
THE RESTORATION OF THE LUNECHIEN FOREST OF OZ
The little party arrived in Yoraitia in a short time. When they gotthere, it looked like as happy a township as any other in the MarvelousLand of Oz.
"I knew there could not be any really serious drought in our fairyland,"said Elephant happily. "After all, Oz is always pleasant and lovely.Lurline's enchantment has always seen to that."
"I thought that Lurline was only a character from an ancient legend,"scowled the Forest Monster. "In any event, I was not created by anyFairy enchantment. I know, for I was created by two prominent WickedWitches."
"And I was hatched out of an egg just like any other hoot-owl," repliedLisa. "But that doesn't prove anything. In any event, Glinda the Goodsaid there was a drought happening here. But clearly she was mistaken. Idon't think droughts are natural in any part of Oz, anyway."
"They aren't," agreed Ozma. "But Glinda would not have told me a lie.She must have believed there was one here."
"I think maybe she was right," said Tweaty. "Look here. I see that thistree was only watered recently. See? It looks like it has been leaningover since ... well, since at least last Tuesday at around threeo'clock. Before that, I fear it was left dry for several weeks."
"Tweaty's right," agreed Nibbles. "I can see it starting to straightenup even as I look at it!"
"Then how," began Elephant, "did it ... Oh, I think I know."
"Of course!" added Lisa. "Glinda has already been here. She has alreadydetermined the source of the problem and fixed it!"
As she spoke, she noticed out of the corner of her left eye that anotherpersonage had joined the group.
"Glinda!" said Ozma, instantly recognizing the newcomer.
"Your Majesty," replied Glinda with a loving smile. "I see that you havecome to see that the Yoraitians have been provided for. It was reallyvery simple. You see, a tribe of giant polka-dot beavers had justclaimed a territory a few miles up the river. It is natural forpolka-dot beavers to build dams, and they had no awareness that theirswas blocking off the water supply of any inhabited towns. Once theyfound out, they were happy to remedy the situation. Now they are happilyhelping Yoraitia to better utilize its water supply. They are reallyvery intelligent animals, and they have acknowledged you as their Queen,too."
"I am very pleased," said the youthful ruler.
"But that is not why we are here," put in Lisa quickly. "The Queen needsher Anmars. It is the only way that she can save the residents of theLunechien Forest."
"The Lunechien Forest?" echoed the Good Witch. "Why, my goodness! Whatis wrong with the Lunechien Forest? The last I read of it in my GreatBook of Records, it was a very happy land of elephants and unicorns andother carefree creatures."
"Indeed it was," said the Forest Monster gravely. "But I'm afraid itshardships are all my fault. In my thirst for power, I drained many ofthe small, unfortunate beasts of all their strengths and abilities. Ihave since seen the error of my ways, and I repent of my unOzlikeactions. I had been so blinded by my resentment toward the Cowardly Lionthat I was not even thinking about how much wickedness I was doing. Thelittle Princess-Queen of Oz has forgiven me already. I am willing to dowhatever I can to make restitution for my acts. I know that you are alsoa Queen and that you are one of Ozma's closest advisors. If you wish mebanished from all Oz once you have restored all of my poor victims, Iwill accept the punishment without a murmur."
The shadow of Rube Marquard stood still and listened with a puzzledexpression on his face.
Ozma looked at Glinda. "The Forest Monster really has repented," shesaid. "I saw the change with my own two eyes. He is willing to berestored to the size of a natural spider so that all the others can havewhat he took from them."
"Then it shall be done," agreed Glinda, handing Ozma the magical tool.
The Forest Monster carried the entire group--including Glinda--to thefamous Ozian forest. Instantly, he and Ozma gathered up the comatoseLunechien animals and prepared to restore them to rights.
Glinda also lent a hand in the restoration process. It was not an easytask, but in only a little more than fourteen hours the lush LunechienForest was once again alive with the sounds of joyful birds and animalsmilling about among the trees and bushes.
At the end of it all, the Forest Monster was as small as a typicalarachnid. Still, his tiny face was all smiles. Indeed, he was as happyas a lark that the poor animals he had wronged could be righted again.And, in fact, it has been recorded in Glinda's Great Book of Recordsthat not a single animal was overlooked during the restoration process.All were brought back to their former care-free selves withoutexception. Well, maybe one exception. Somehow, in all of the hubbub,Tweaty was overlooked. He did not consider it politic to interrupt theproceedings. After all, his fellow beasts had had a far worseenchantment than he had. Of course it was uncomfortable to be a tinyorange elephant. But how much worse to be completely without oneself. Hedecided to wait until another time to ask to be restored. He felt thatit would be too much of a selfish act to ask Ozma or Glinda to take timeaway from those who truly needed their help when he knew that he couldstand to be a small orange elephant for a little while longer.
The reunion of the Lunechien friends and families was a cause forcelebration throughout the Forest. A grand party was enjoyed by all, andeven the Cowardly Lion made another trip away from home to pay hisrespects upon his fellow Foresters. The celebration went on 'til the weehours of the morning, when Ozma and Glinda had to get back to theirregular duties.
As for the residents of the Lunechien Forest, I am told that they are ashappy today as ever they were.
The former Forest Monster, now content to stay small and keep a lowprofile, continues to this day to spin the most delicate and beautifulwebs you can imagine. And, indeed, he did have one of his creationscovered in gold, and gave it to Ozma as a sign of his submission to herrule. She keeps it hanging over her bed in such a way that it is thelast thing she looks upon at night. The spider-creature has told me thatit functions as a dreamcatcher, preventing any unhappy dreams from everreaching her as she slumbers. The Sleep Fays, who once kept out thesebad dreams, have voiced their gratitude to the former Forest Monster forthis fine gift.
And now, it is time to say goodbye for a time to our happy friends inOz. But do not fret. Queen Ozma is always sending us new messages fromher glorious domain. I can assure you that it will not be so very longat all before we will all be getting together again over another Ozbook. Until then, both of your grateful historians wish you as muchhappiness as is again known in the Lunechien Forest of Oz.
THE END
A hard copy of this book is available at:https://members.aol.com/LionCoward/home.html Also available is thesequel: "The Magic Topaz of Oz"
The Forest Monster of Oz Page 15
