Dorothy's Mystical Adventures in OzEvans, Robert J.
Science
Dorothy's Mystical Adventures in Oz
Evans, Robert J.
Fantasy literature; Oz (Imaginary place) -- Juvenile fiction
"Well," said the Lion.
"Well what?" said the Octapong.
"Nothing," snarled the Lion. "Just well."
"What's the use of a well without a bucket?" said the Octapong.
"What?" said the Lion.
"I said, what's the use of a well without a bucket?" he shouted.
"A well without a -- ho-ha bucket ... a ho-ho bucket," roared the Lion
with laughter. "That's very funny!"
"Do you think so?" said the Octapong.
"Yes, I do," said the Lion.
"Well thank you," said the Octapong appreciatively. "You know, we've
been a little hasty; you seem like nice people, and we have a very good
stock of shoes on hand right now. We'll let you go this time."
"Why thank you," said the Lion. "You're very kind."
"Don't mention it," said the Octapong. And with that, he walked over to
the wall and said "You may go through." Everyone looked at each other
with a puzzled expression.
"But there's no door," said Dorothy.
"Not necessary," responded the Octapong.
"Well, how do we go through?" said the Lion.
"You just walk through," said the Octapong.
They all stood there looking more puzzled than ever.
"Like this," said the Octapong as he walked into the wall and disappeared.
"Did you see that?" said the Tin Woodman.
Just then, the Octapong returned to view, having walked back through the
wall again.
"How did you do that?" asked the Lion.
"Why, it's easy," replied the Octapong. "This wall is made with special
bricks. You see, all matter is made of atoms, which are tiny particles
of electricity. There are very large spaces between these atoms even
though the material appears solid. We have magnetized the atoms in these
bricks in such a way that they push away the atoms of any other material
that comes in contact with them. So when the atoms of your body come
close to the atoms in the bricks, they just step aside so to speak and
slide through the empty spaces. It's quite simple, really. And it works
very well. So well, in fact, that not one person has ever tried to walk
through that wall. They all believe the wall to be solid -- so for them,
it is."
"Why that's incredible," said Dorothy.
"Now be off with you," said the Octapong. "Before we change our minds."
Dorothy gingerly touched her shoe against the wall and, sure enough, the
toe of her shoe disappeared into the wall. With that, they all walked
into the wall and disappeared. As they reappeared on the other side of
the wall, Dorothy remarked on the strange sensation. "Aunt Em will never
believe this!" She would be repeating these words many times during her
journey through Oz.
The border of Octapongland was just a short distance away, and they all
breathed a sigh of relief when they reached it. After they crossed the
border, they all sat down to discuss the situation.
"That was quite an experience," declared the Tin Woodman.
"Indeed it was," answered the Scarecrow. "The Lion was the one who saved
us."
"He certainly did," replied Dorothy. "And we're all very proud of you,"
she said, turning to the Lion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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