"Yes, but imagine what it would be like if no one ever told you what to do," said the Tin Woodman. "Would you help around the house without being asked? Or get up in the morning in time for school, and go to bed at a reasonable hour? Would you behave in school, and concentrate on learning all you could? And do your homework without putting up a fuss?" "I might do all those things if given a chance, said Dorothy. "But grown-ups automatically assume that you have to be pushed and prodded all the time. They don't leave you alone. It's /'do this,/' and /'do that/,' and /'why aren't you doing so and so/?' It's just too much at times. Sometimes you feel like verbally lashing back at them, or just going off and not doing anything at all." With that, they arrived at the gates of Tickleland. A sign above the gates read: WARNING! TRAVELERS THROUGH TICKLELAND ARE WELCOME "That's a strange sign," said Dorothy. "Warning you that you're welcome?" "Well, when you think about it," said the Scarecrow, "travelers are food if caught and tickled. So naturally they welcome you. And they are warning you in advance, which is very nice of them. After all, if you are caught, you may be tickled to death." "Oh, my," gasped Dorothy. "I hadn't thought of that." "Well, we have to go on, Dorothy," said the Scarecrow. "We'll do our best to protect you all," said the tin man. The Lion gingerly opened the gates and peered in. "Not a soul in sight," he said. "Maybe they're all at a convention or something," he added hopefully. As they walked, everyone felt better. Tickleland was quite pretty, really. Rolling hills of green grass and clumps of trees here and there. As they approached some trees, they noticed a well. "Would you like a drink of water, Dorothy?" asked the Tin Woodman. "Oh yes, please," replied Dorothy. "I'm quite thirsty." As the tin man lowered the bucket, he began to relax. "Well," remarked the Scarecrow, "it looks as though we may walk right through Tickleland without seeing one Ticklemonster. Tickleland's not very big, you know. Look, there -- the border's right there." Everyone turned in the direction he was pointing in and, sure enough, the border was about the same distance as they'd traveled so far. "What a relief," said Dorothy as the Tin Woodman handed her a ladle of water from the well. "Mmmm, this is good," said Dorothy. "So refreshing." "Surprise!" said a loud voice. Everyone jumped. They turned to see about twenty Ticklemonsters who quickly surrounded them.