Everyone stood. "Sitting Bull come now," White Spirit said. Everyone turned to see a most majestic being in their midst. He seemed to come from nowhere. Sitting Bull walked over to Dorothy. He motioned everyone to be seated again. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here to welcome you, Dorothy. But I was required to attend a rather important conference on the seventh level of the ANIM world with the master teachers." Seeing the quizzical look on Dorothy's face, the chief explained, "Where you are now is only one level of our world. There are levels both below and above the level, and within each level are many divisions -- as you may already know. Each level of the ANIM world is made up by the collective minds of the inhabitants." "You mean it's not real?" asked Dorothy with some surprise. "On the contrary," said Sitting Bull kindly. "Don't you know that mind is all there is? One's present environment is brought into manifestation by mind. Even your dreamworld is very real and solid to you while you are dreaming: It is only when you awake from your dream that you realize it wasn't your normal reality. But while you are there, it's as real as anywhere; in fact, while you are dreaming you usually have no recollection of your normal waking life, so that dreamworld appears to be your normal existence. It is only when you awaken that it becomes a vague shadow of fragmented memories and experiences which usually don't make much sense. After your so-called normal life is over, it too will seem like some vague dream to you. Your real life is yet to be lived; your present mortal world may be likened unto a shadow. The reality of the ANIM world is unmistakable in comparison. Look around you on this present level." The chief waved his hand. "Every detail is ten times more alive than in your world. "You're so right," said Dorothy. "Kansas is so drab and gray. "But Kansas can be very pretty, especially in the spring." "Yes, indeed," said Sitting Bull. "It only becomes so drab and gray to you when compared to the intensity of Oz, for example. Everything is relative, you see. If you had lived in Oz all your life and, unknown to you, there was another land ten times as pretty, Oz would look just fine to you until you visited that other land." "I see what you mean," said Dorothy. "Now for the business at hand," said Sitting Bull. "The assignment of your guide: Let me see," he said, thumbing through a little black book. "Ah, yes. I have a fine guide for you. His name is White Feather. He is a Cherokee chief. He will join us soon. Now, young lady," continued Sitting Bull, "I want you to know that I've been aware of you for some time." "You have?" replied Dorothy. "Yes, indeed," said the Chief. "Do you remember studying my life at school in your history lessons?" "Yes, I do," replied Dorothy. "I remember very well."