The Emerald City was amazing. All the houses were made of green marble (a beautiful, smooth stone) with shiny green jewels. The streets were green, the windows were green, and even the sky looked green. Many people walked in the streets. They all wore green clothes and had greenish skin. They were surprised to see Dorothy's strange group.
The Guardian of the Gate took them to the Palace of Oz. A soldier with a long green beard stood at the door. "Strangers are here to see the Great Oz," the Guardian said. The soldier let them inside. He told them to wait in a big green room.
After a long time, the soldier came back. "I have never seen Oz," he said. "I spoke to him from behind a screen. He says he will see you. But you must come one at a time, on different days. I will show you to your rooms."
A green girl came and took Dorothy to a beautiful room. Everything was green, from the bed to the books. There was even a little fountain with green perfume. "Oz will send for you tomorrow morning," the green girl said. Then she took Dorothy’s friends to their own nice rooms.
The next morning, the green girl helped Dorothy put on a pretty green dress. Then they went to the Throne Room. It was a big, round room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were covered with emeralds. In the middle of the room was a big green throne. On the throne was an enormous Head, with no body, arms, or legs.
The Head's eyes looked at Dorothy. A voice said, "I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you? Why are you here?"
Dorothy was brave. "I am Dorothy, the Small and Meek. I need your help. I want to go back to Kansas."
Oz asked many questions about her silver shoes and the kiss on her forehead. Then the Head said, "Why should I help you? You must do something for me first. If you help me, I will help you."
"What must I do?" Dorothy asked.
"Kill the Wicked Witch of the West," said Oz.
Dorothy was shocked. "I can't!" she cried. "I never killed anything on purpose. If you are so great, why can't you kill her?"
"That is my rule," the Head said. "Until the Witch is dead, you will not go back to Kansas. Now go." Dorothy left the room, very sad. She told her friends the bad news.
The next day, the Scarecrow went to see Oz. But he did not see a Head. On the throne was a beautiful Lady with green hair and wings. "I am Oz," she said. "Why are you here?"
"I am a Scarecrow with a straw head," he said. "Please give me brains."
"I will give you very good brains," the Lady said. "But first, you must help kill the Wicked Witch of the West." The Scarecrow went back to his friends, very disappointed.
The next day, the Tin Woodman went to the Throne Room. He did not see a Head or a Lady. He saw a terrible Beast. It was as big as an elephant, with five eyes and five arms. "I am Oz," the Beast roared. "Why are you here?"
"I am a Tin Woodman," he said. "I have no heart. Please give me a heart so I can love."
"First, you must help kill the Wicked Witch of the West," the Beast said. "Then I will give you a big, kind heart." The Tin Woodman went back to his friends, very sad.
The next day, it was the Lion's turn. In the Throne Room, he saw a great Ball of Fire. It was very hot. A quiet voice came from the fire. "I am Oz," it said. "Why are you here?"
"I am a Cowardly Lion," he said. "I want you to give me courage."
"First, the Wicked Witch of the West must be dead," the voice said. "Then I will give you courage."
The Lion was angry but could not do anything. He went back to his friends. "What can we do now?" Dorothy asked sadly.
"There is only one thing to do," said the Lion. "We must go to the land of the Winkies. We must find the Wicked Witch and destroy her."
They all agreed. They knew it was their only chance. The next morning, they prepared for their new, dangerous journey.