DM Margo In Oz Chapter 5
''We will never get to the Emerald City if we do not stop the raft'' said the scarecrow. He then pushed very hard on his long pole—so hard that it stuck fast in the mud at the bottom of the river. Before he could pull it out again, or let go, the raft was swept away and the poor scarecrow was left clinging to the pole in the middle of the swirling water.
''Goodbye'' he called after them. The lion spoke just as the tin man was about to cry for his best friend. ''Something must be done to save us. I think I can swim to the shore and pull the raft after me, if only you will hold fast to the tip of my tail''.
The lion sprang into the water and the tin man held onto his tail. Big as the lion was, it was hard work for him to pull the raft to shore. But eventually he got them out of the currant and then Margo took the tin man's long pole and helped push the raft to land.
They were all tired out when they finally stopped onto the pretty green grass. But they were worried about the scarecrow and after a few minutes rest, they began to walk back along the river. Soon they saw their friend perched on his pole in the middle of the water.
No one knew how to save him, so they sat down and gazed wistfully at the sad, lonely figure. Presently, a stork flew by. ''What are you doing here?'' asked the stork. ''We are wondering how to rescue the scarecrow'' said Margo. The stork looked at the scarecrow. ''If he wasn't so big and heavy, I would get him for you''.
''Oh but he's not heavy at all'' said Margo, ''He's only stuffed with straw. If you could bring him back to us, we would thank you forever''. ''Well, I will try'' said the stork. She flew to the scarecrow. Then with her great claws, she grabbed him by the arm and carried him back to his friends.
The scarecrow was so happy that he hugged everyone, even the lion and Lucky. Then the kind stork flew away, pleased to have helped someone in trouble. The travellers walked along the smooth road of yellow brick, the scarecrow singing, ''Tol-de-rol-oh-oh'' at every step.
Wherever they looked now, there were green fences and green houses and the people all wore emerald green clothes. ''We must be getting near the Emerald City'' said Margo, and as she spoke, a beautiful green glow appeared on the horizon. At last they arrived at the great green wall that surrounded the Emerald City.
In front of them was a big gate all studded with emeralds that glittered in the sun. Margo pushed a button on the gate and heard the twinkling of a bell. Then the gates swung open slowly and they all stepped into a high arched room. Before them stood a little man clothed in green, at his side was a large green box.
''Now why have you come to the Emerald City?'' he asked. ''We have come to see the Great Oz'' said Margo. ''Ooh, it's been many years since some asked to see Oz'' said the little green man, ''He is powerful and terrible and if you've come on a foolish errand. He might be angry and destroy you''.
''But it is not a foolish errand'' said the lion, ''It is very important and we have been told Oz is a good wizard''. ''Oh so he is and he rules the Emerald City wisely and well. But he is most terrible to those who approach him out of curiosity'' said the little green man, ''I am the guardian of the gates and since you demand to see the Great Oz. I must take you to his palace. But first you must put on the spectacles''.
He opened a box and took out some pairs of spectacles with green glass. ''You would be blinded by the brightness of the Emerald City if you did not wear'' he said, ''When the city was first built. Oz ordered everyone to be locked into a pair, day and night. Only I have the key to unlock them''.
The guardian of the gates locked a pair of spectacles onto each of the travellers [Margo had to wear hers over her own glasses] then he led them into the dazzling streets of the city. Everything was green, even the people's skin had a greenish tingle.
When they arrived at the gates of the palace, they were introduced to a solider with a green beard. He went off to tell Oz that they wished to meet him. ''Have you seen Oz?'' Margo asked on his return.
''Oh no'' he replied, ''I don't know anyone who has. Whenever I speak to him, he sits behind a screen. He says that he will see you, but you must enter his presence alone. He does not want to see more than one of you in a day. I will show you to rooms where you can rest and tomorrow the Great Oz will send for you''.
The next morning, a pretty girl dressed Margo in a gown of green silk and led her to the throne of the Great Oz. She boldly opened the door and found herself in a wonderful room with emeralds. But what interested Margo more was the green marble throne, for sitting in the middle was an enormous head.
The eyes turned slowly and looked at her sharply and steadily, Then the mouth moved and Margo heard a voice say, ''I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why have you come to see me?''. It wasn't such an awful voice as she had expected to come from the big head.
''I'm Margo'' she replied, ''And I have come to you for help''. The eyes looked at her thoughtfully. Then the voice asked her where she had got the silver shoes and the mark on her forehead. Margo told the story of how her house had landed on the wicked witch of the east and killed her.
Then the voice asked, ''What do you wish me to do?''. ''Help me get back home to my mom, Lucy Gru and dad, Felonius Gru'' Margo said. The eyes rolled around very queerly. ''Before I help you, you must first help me. You must go to the land of winkles and kill the wicked witch of the west''.