"It is indeed," said Dorothy. "How long will it be before we get to Octapongland?" she asked. "Well, I can see it in the distance already," said the Girrephalump. "But it's still quite a way off. We'll probably be there by nightfall." "Have you seen the Octapong before?" said Dorothy. "Oh, I've seen them all right, answered the Girrephalump, 'course they don't bother me, since I don't wear shoes." "You see, the trouble is," he continued "their one shoe gets a lot of wear and tear, clippity-clopping along all day, and production simply can't keep up with demand." "So they have to steal other people's shoes?" interceded Dorothy. "That's just about it," said the Girrephalump. "Well I think it's disgusting," the girl said angrily. "Why do people have to go around stealing other people's things? How would they like it if someone stole from them?" "They probably wouldn't like it at all," said the Girrephalump. "They should learn the Golden Rule," said Dorothy. "What's the Golden Rule?" asked the Girrephalump. "/Do unto others as you would have others do unto you/," she quoted. "That's a good rule," said the Girrephalump. "If everyone lived by it, no one would steal anything from anyone," said Dorothy. And no one would hurt anyone either." "That's amazing!" said the Girrephalump. "What is?" said Dorothy. "Why, if that one rule were practiced by everyone it would make the mortal lands a beautiful place to live as well as to visit." "It would indeed," said Dorothy. "If every single individual followed that one simple rule, we could unlock all of our locks and throw all the keys away." "And you could melt down all of your guns," said the Girrephalump. "Don't mortals understand that?" "Oh, they understand all right," said Dorothy. "But many just don't want to live by that rule." "Perhaps if they were taught these things as children...." "Some children don't want to live by that rule either," she replied. "I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to," replied the Girrephalump. "Think how happy they would all be -- with each mortal having nothing to fear from another, just treating each other with kindness and respect. Why, it would be heavenly. Don't your people want to be happy?" "I'm sure everyone wants to be truly happy," said Dorothy. "But it's the nature of some to find a twisted kind of happiness in hurting others. Some even steal from others to get money to buy chemicals for their mind, for example." "Now I'm really confused," said the Girrephalump. "Chemicals for their mind?" "Yes," said Dorothy, realizing that she had more awareness of these issues than would be considered strictly proper for a child of her age and background. "You see," she continued, "if a person is unable to find happiness within himself, or in his home, school, work or social environment, he may try to buy some synthetic happiness in the form of certain chemicals called drugs." "Good gracious!" was all the Girrephalump could say.