The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Fairy Tales and Bedtime Stories for Kids

Summary

In this magical adventure, Dorothy is swept away by a hurricane to a land full of wonders. With her dog, Toto, she embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for help to return home. Along the way, she befriends a scarecrow seeking a brain, a tin man yearning for a heart, and a cowardly lion who desires courage. Together, they face the wicked witch of the West and discover that the power to change was within them all along. Ultimately, Dorothy learns that with a tap of her silver shoes, she can go home, surrounded by love and joy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dorothy is a little girl living with her aunt and uncle on a farm, where she experiences a strange premonition before a storm hits.
• 🌪 A powerful hurricane hits Dorothy's farmhouse, lifting it into the sky and carrying her to a magical land.
• 🏠 Dorothy's house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, and the Good Witch of the North thanks her for this accidental act of liberation.
• 👠 Dorothy receives the Wicked Witch's silver shoes as a gift, and is told to seek the Wizard of Oz to return home.
• 🌟 Along the yellow brick road, Dorothy befriends a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion, each seeking something from the Wizard.
• 🧠 The Scarecrow wishes for a brain, the Tin Man desires a heart, and the Lion seeks courage from the Wizard of Oz.
• 🏙 They reach the Emerald City, where everything is green, and Dorothy meets the Wizard, who demands that she defeat the Wicked Witch of the West in exchange for help.
• 🧙‍♀️ The Wicked Witch of the West sends bees and flying monkeys to attack Dorothy and her friends, but they manage to escape.
• 💧 Dorothy accidentally melts the Wicked Witch of the West by throwing water on her, which destroys the witch.
• 🎩 The Wizard of Oz is revealed to be a man from a circus, who never had magical powers but gave the characters what they needed through symbolic gestures.
• 👠 Dorothy learns that the power to return home was within her all along, simply by tapping her silver shoes three times and wishing to go home.

Q & A

What is the significance of Dorothy's silver shoes in the story?

Dorothy's silver shoes are a symbol of her connection to the magical world of Oz. They grant her the power to return home when she taps them together three times. They also represent the idea that Dorothy already possesses the power to fulfill her wishes, though she doesn't initially realize it.

How does Dorothy end up in the land of Oz?

Dorothy is swept away by a hurricane while she is at her aunt and uncle's farmhouse. The house spins in the air and eventually lands in the land of Oz, where it crushes the Wicked Witch of the East, marking the beginning of Dorothy's adventure.

Why does the Good Witch of the North help Dorothy?

The Good Witch of the North helps Dorothy because she accidentally killed the Wicked Witch of the East by landing her farmhouse on her. The witch expresses gratitude to Dorothy and explains that she must follow the yellow brick road to find the Wizard of Oz, who can help her return home.

What does the Scarecrow wish for, and why?

The Scarecrow wishes for a brain because he believes he lacks intelligence. He hopes that the Wizard of Oz can give him one, allowing him to think and reason better.

How does Dorothy help the Tin Man?

Dorothy helps the Tin Man by finding oil and applying it to his rusty joints. This action allows him to move again and restores his ability to act, as he had been frozen in place due to rust.

What does the Cowardly Lion seek from the Wizard of Oz?

The Cowardly Lion seeks courage from the Wizard of Oz. He believes that he lacks bravery and hopes that the Wizard can help him become more courageous.

What task does the Wizard of Oz assign to Dorothy and her friends?

The Wizard of Oz tells Dorothy and her friends that in order to receive his help, they must first defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, who is a powerful adversary that the Wizard cannot confront directly.

How does the Wicked Witch of the West try to stop Dorothy and her friends?

The Wicked Witch of the West sends her bees and later her flying monkeys to stop Dorothy and her friends. She uses her bees to attack them and the monkeys to capture them, but they are ultimately thwarted by Dorothy and her companions.

What is the true identity of the Wizard of Oz?

The Wizard of Oz is revealed to be a small, ordinary man from a circus. He had been blown to Oz in a hot air balloon and, mistaken for a mighty wizard, was asked to rule the Emerald City. He is not actually magical but uses tricks to maintain the illusion of his power.

What lesson do Dorothy and her friends learn at the end of their journey?

Dorothy and her friends learn that the qualities they sought from the Wizard—intelligence, a heart, courage, and the ability to go home—were within them all along. They just needed to recognize and use them, highlighting the importance of self-belief.