One day at the Royal College of Athletic Perfection of Oz, Professor H.M. Wogglebug T.E. was giving his students a lecture on how crabs and lobsters are to the sea what insects are to the land. As he did so he showcased to them his own collection of pet crabs and lobsters in a tank that was set beside him on the platform.
As his lecture concluded and everyone was leaving the hall, he was approached by the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman.
"Hello Professor Wogglebug," greeted the Scarecrow. "We've come to invite you to the celebration party of the anniversary this evening of when Dorothy and her family came to stay in Oz."
The Tin Woodman was curiously examining the water tank full of crabs and lobsters. "What have you got here?" he asked.
"Those," explained Professor Wogglebug, "are my prized pet crabs and lobsters. I was just explaining to my students about how they relate to insects that live on the land."
"You mean that these creatures in here relate to you?" asked the Tin Woodman.
"Well... yes. In a way at least," replied the Professor.
"These sea creatures are very cute," said the Tin Woodman.
"Really," said Professor Wogglebug. "You know I am surprised you think so because they are not made out of tin and you have those pet fish of yours that the Wizard made and enchanted to make them able to swim without rusting. Which was quite a ridiculous thing to do if you ask me. After all, tin fish cannot replace the natural life and beauty of real fish that swim because it's just natural for them. But then I suppose your head is so air-tight that you cannot see what I mean for all you just want is to have everything in and around your tin castle made in your own likeness no matter how foolish or idle it may be to do. I am right, am I not?"
The Tin Woodman looked as if he were trying his hardest to refrain from steaming up. This didn't go unnoticed by the Scarecrow.
"So I suppose you must know all about these sea creatures," said the Scarecrow.
"I do indeed," replied Professor Wogglebug. "More than you do, or I daresay ever will either. Being as you are just too stuck up on your own beanpole of thoughts about the things you know that are too corny to involve anything worthwhile knowing about."
Now it was the Scarecrow who's turn it was to become all stiff and stifled.
After a moment the Tin Woodman cleared his throat and said, "Well, of course you will be coming to Dorothy's anniversary party, won't you?"
"Yes, I suppose I will," he replied with indifference. "It's just too bad we're celebrating her anniversary and not her birthday. But then I realize that is because she has chosen to never grow any older now that she is living in Oz. Which means she will never come of age to be one of my students or even have nay need for schooling anymore, either. Which is pathetic but what do I care? If you two will excuse me I must be going now to do some rather important things."
And so saying he turned his back on them and left the room.
That evening Professor Wogglebug arrived at the Emerald City Palace and after being greeted by Ozma he was escorted to his place at the dining table next to Princess Dorothy. He wondered what the reason could be for his being seated right next to her. She was seated beside the Scarecrow and then the Tin Woodman and then the Wizard.
A servant approached them carrying a large silver tray with a big silver dome on top of it. He set it down on the table in front of Princess Dorothy and lifted the dome cover and revealed to all what Dorothy's dish for her anniversary celebration was.
Professor Wogglebug's eyes grew huge in shock. He blinked and then gasped in great horror as his eyes began to fill with tears.
Dorothy looked over at him. "Why what's wrong, Professor Wogglebug?" she asked.
"Uncle Louie!" was all he could exclaim as he instantly recognized what was once the family patron of his collection of pet lobsters laying lifeless and cooked upon Dorothy's dinner plate.
Dorothy just frowned. While beside her the Scarecrow began to chuckle lightly.
"What are you talking about? Do you mean that is one of your relatives on there?" he said nastily. Then he began to laugh loud and long.
Quickly the Tin Woodman joined in the laugh. Then up ahead of them the Wizard did as well. Soon the entire room was full of loud monotonous laughter all aimed at the Wogglebug's reaction.
Poor Professor Wogglebug got up and left the table. He ran out of the dining hall and down the corridor half blinded by the tears filling his eyes. He rushed into his guestroom and sat down on the bed and putting his face in his hands he began sobbing his broken heart out.
He realized it had to have been the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Wizard who had been behind this malicious act. How could they have done this? His poor pet lobster, and not to mention also its family that would now be without it. Why would they all act so heartless and cruel toward him and his pets? He knew he couldn't possibly have ever done or said anything to anyone for something like this to happen. Not he nor his poor pet lobster who's name had been Louie.
He also realized Ozma wouldn't even do anything about this, either. She just held those three in too high regard to punish them. But she would never hold him in high regard. She didn't really like him anymore than they did. She only invited him to things like these for the sake of making herself look like the perfect Royal Ruler.
How dare they do this? He thought as his grief began to now turn to anger. This is unpardonable. I realize now how much they must hate me.
He now truly felt in his heart that he no longer wished to be in the land of Oz. Why would he want to stay where was not only not wanted but was also not respected? He felt he needed to go to another place away from Oz to be treated with the courtesy and respect that was all due to someone just like him. And also preferably a place where people like them couldn't be able to go to, either.
Except the problem was he not only didn't know of such a place but he also felt he was trapped in Oz due to his duties of being the dean of the one and only college in it which was his pride and joy. But lately that was also getting to be a bit of a burden on his shoulders as well. If only he could at least just take a worthwhile vacation from all of that maybe he could be happy.
He remembered about a book he had read some time ago on how to conjure up your own Castle in the Sky just by having a vivid imagination for one in your dreams. He felt he could be capable of doing something just like that. He would get started on it first thing tomorrow.
He dried his eyes on his handkerchief and got up and left his room.
As he was leaving the Palace he glanced briefly into the dining hall and much to his disgust and resentment discovered everyone was still laughing or otherwise talking among each other. And Princess Dorothy was calmly eating Uncle Louie.
He scowled as he exited the Emerald City and felt with all his heart he wished he could make them be sorry for this. If only he had someone who could back him up with it.
