*
Chapter Twenty-one:
A Surprising Reversal
*
At last the witch seemed to tire of her terrorizing. She made one finalswoop at Dorothy -- screaming in her ear, "Well, my little pretty, whatsay you now? I'll be back presently with my soldiers to take you all tomy castle. No use looking for help. There's no one here in Witch Forestexcept my friends, the trees, and they're certainly not going to help you."
She made one final sweep towards the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin Woodman,screaming with her maniacal laughter. "Well, how's the bag of straw andthe tin can?" she cackled. "Not to forget the King of the jungle!A-a-a-a HA HA HA HEE HEE HEEEEEEEEEEE."
While she was screaming, the Tin Woodman managed to pull one arm free.As she flew over his head, he grabbed the tail end of her broomstick. Itstopped -- but she didn't. She flew head over heels through the air. Overand over she went, landing upside down, her head stuck in the mud.Dorothy ran over to her. By the time she got there, she was already upto her waist, her legs sticking out and flailing around frantically. Sheobviously could not breathe.
Dorothy grabbed her legs and heaved, but she couldn't budge her.
"She'll die for sure. Run!" said the Scarecrow to Dorothy.
Dorothy hesitated. As much as she had been abused by the witch, shecould not bear to leave her to die.
"Look!" said the Tin Woodman. One of the witch's legs was waving backand forth, with her long, pointed shoe vigorously jabbing towards a treestump.
"Looks like she's trying to tell us something," shouted the Scarecrow.
Dorothy ran over to the tree stump. "I can't see anything unusual aboutit," she said. Meanwhile, the witch's kicking got weaker and weakeruntil she was not moving at all.
"She's dead," said the Lion. "The wicked witch is dead. She must havesuffocated to death."
"Well, that's that," said the Scarecrow. "She'll never scare or harmanyone again."
"Why aren't we all shouting and dancing for joy?" said the Tin Woodman.
"We couldn't very well dance anyhow," said the Lion. "And I don't thinkanyone feels like singing."
"I was hoping that we could change her," said Dorothy. "There'd be somuch more satisfaction in that, than seeing her dead. Now, wherever sheis, she's the same old wicked person."
"What do you mean, wherever she is?" said the Lion. "She's right there!Look at her legs sticking out of the ground."
"No. I mean wherever her spirit is. You know that no one can really die."
"Oh, I see," said the Lion. "You mean, whichever level of spiritlandshe's now in, it's probably not a happy one."
"Yes," said Dorothy. "She's had a chance to learn here. But she hasrefused to learn. Now she'll be on a very low level with others of herkind. There's very little likelihood of her advancing much unlesssomeone of a higher level is able to break through the barriers of hernegativity."
Dorothy sat dejectedly on the tree stump. "Now we've got to find a wayto get you all out of here," she said, cupping her face in hands.
Suddenly, the stump began to sink. "Oh, my!" cried Dorothy, jumping up.As she did so, there were several loud popping sounds. The mechanismthat had sucked her friends into the ground had now reversed itself. Oneby one, they all popped out like corks from a bottle.
The last one to pop out was the witch. However, unlike the others, herbody lay lifeless upon the ground.
"You must have released the suction by sitting on the tree stump," saidthe Scarecrow.
"Yes," Dorothy replied. "Now we know what the witch was trying to tell us."
"Too late for her," said the Tin Woodman, looking at her lifeless form."She's deader than a door-nail."
They all walked over to where the witch lay. "It would be a beautifulworld if all the bad people in it were dead," said the Lion.
"I wonder why God lets bad people live," said the Scarecrow. "Sometimesa good person dies young, while a bad person may live a long life."
"Why does God even allow bad people to be born in the first place?"asked the Tin Woodman. "He must know they're going to grow up bad.Doesn't He know the state of their soul before they're born?"
"God knows what is in everyone's heart," said Dorothy. "And He knows thechances are great that certain souls will give way to evil. But, sinceHe loves all souls equally, He must allow each the opportunity to evolveto a higher understanding."
"But," said the Scarecrow, "what about the really bad ones? Who, nomatter what they go through, continue to be as evil as ever? It's notfair to the good people to have these people on earth with them, hurtingthem and doing all the terrible things they do. God must know that nomatter what, these people are going to lead their entire lives in anevil way."
"That's true, I'm sure," said Dorothy. "But, you see, all people onearth are on that particular planet for a reason. Each soul has certainexperiences to go through. Very little is really accidental. Some soulsmake a great deal of progress through these many experiences, othersvery little. But the experiences are necessary. Everyone must be allowedthe opportunity for growth."
Dorothy was quite aware that the words of explanation coming out of hermouth were originating from a much deeper level of consciousness, justas she'd been told.
"Any experience that is gone through with others is quite possibly theresult of past experiences with the people involved. Something that hashappened, perhaps eons of times past, has brought these souls togetheragain. Sometimes again and again, for they fail to learn each time. Itcould also be that other people whose lives are touched by thisexperience -- perhaps family members, have something to learn. However,all adverse experiences could be avoided or at least reduced in severityif the same lesson could be learned in any other way.
"For example: if the bad person were to say to himself, prior toperforming an act of violence, /What am I doing? This violent life I amleading is getting me nowhere. I am not only hurting this person, but Iam hurting myself -- my family -- my victim's family. What kind of a lifeis this? I will stop this life here and now. I will replace this blackball of hatred inside me with a brilliant ball of light -- of love. Oflove for my fellow humans and for myself/."
"If this was said and acted upon, the angels in Heaven would rejoice.For it would mean that another lost soul had returned to the Father.
"It is not always necessary to go through a harsh experience to learn alesson. Prayerful contemplation can bring about the desired change ofheart much easier. But it seems mankind is determined to take thepainful way to spiritual growth.
"Some people think that bad experiences are punishment by God. Ofcourse, this is not true. If it is punishment, it is ourselves punishingourselves. The experiences are the result of our own wrong thoughts andactions, the result of our listening more to our own mortal mind, ratherthan our higher self. The resulting pain from our having to live in ourself-created environment prods us on to improve.
"Of course, self-improvement can be quite slow, and it may take quite abit of this self-inflicted pain before the truth finally dawns on us. Weare where we are because of the actions of the past. If we want toimprove our lot in life, we'd better start improving ourselves.
"Criminals, for example, think that they can take a short-cut tohappiness by robbing and stealing. They think that, if they have a lotof money they'll be happy. But by taking that money dishonestly, thefarther from true happiness they'll be.
"True happiness is of a spiritual quality, and must come from within. Ifthese people had instead chosen the spiritual path, the substance theywere seeking would come to them naturally.
"Our Scriptures talk about the importance of seeking first the Kingdomof God, and that the rest would be added to us. These ancient writersknew what they were talking about. But how many people of today pay anyattention to this kind of advice? They think they know better.
"People on the mortal realms can be so foolish. Riches galore are allaround them, but they cannot see these spiritual riches because of theneed they feel for material things.
/> "They misinterpret a deep longing inside them, trying desperately tofulfill themselves. But their task is a hopeless one, for no materialpossession, of itself, can fill the void. "Most interesting," said theScarecrow.
"Certainly makes you think," the Tin Woodman said.
"I didn't know I knew these things," said the girl. "Although I have thefeeling that all I have said, I have known all along."
"I suspect that everyone, deep inside, knows these things," said theLion. "It just takes a desire for spiritual advancement to release thatinner knowledge into the conscious mind."
"Well, I really wasn't all that conscious of what I was saying," saidDorothy. "I suppose that's because the conscious mind has to do with theworld around us, whereas the inner knowing is something we all have butrarely listen to. We are all just too busy with the outer goings-on."
"Besides," interceded the Lion, "those that are on the spiritual pathare being taught these things during sleep. Remember that was told tous? And, although that teaching is not consciously remembered, it isslowly transforming our character and will gradually affect worldconsciousness. Especially as each of us begins to listen more to ourinner self and less to the outer self."
"Look!" said the Scarecrow. "The witch! She moved!"
Everyone ran over to her. But she was as still as ever. "I'm sure I sawher leg move," said the Scarecrow.
"Maybe she's not quite dead," the Lion said.
"Quick! Take my hat!" shouted the Tin Woodman to the Scarecrow. "Getsome water."
"But it's got a hole in it," said the Scarecrow.
"Well, put your finger over it," said the Lion.
"I don't think my finger will hold water," replied the Scarecrow. "It'sfilled with straw."
"I'd better go," said Dorothy. "In the meantime, slap her face."
"I'll be glad to!" said the Scarecrow. Dorothy ran over to a littlestream and filled the Tin Woodman's funnel-hat with water. She walkedback as quickly as she could and threw the water in the witch's face.
The witch moved ever so slightly, but did not awaken.
"Well, she's still alive, all right," said Dorothy.
"That's amazing," said the Lion. "But what is even more amazing is thatthe water didn't melt her away like it did her sister. We must have alltemporarily forgotten about that in our excitement."
"She must be made of a different material," said the Tin Woodman.
"I wonder why we're trying to save her," the Lion said. "If sherecovers, she'll just attack us again."
Dorothy, ignoring the Lion's remarks but bracing herself, began mouth tomouth resuscitation. Sure enough, the witch began to stir.
"She's coming to," said the Lion, stepping back slightly.
The witch's eyes opened and looked evilly from side to side. She lookedaround her, but could see only a few blurry shadows.
Gradually, her eyes focused on Dorothy's pretty features. Hatred beganto well up inside her. She stood up shakily, then collapsed in a faint."Quickly!" said Dorothy. "More water."
The Lion ran to the stream and filled the Tin Woodman's hat to the brim.He carried the funnel in his mouth as he ran back to Dorothy, spillingmost of it on the way.
Dorothy sat the witch up and pressed the rim of the funnel to her lips."Drink," she said as she tilted it. The witch took a sip, then collapsedagain.
"I don't think she's going to make it," said the Tin Woodman.
"We must try to save her," said Dorothy, as she sprinkled the fewremaining drops of water on the witch's face.
The witch opened her eyes again, then sat up by herself. She lookedincredulously at Dorothy, and, shaking her head in disbelief, said, "Youare trying to save me?" Her voice was little more than a whisper.
"You must get some rest now," said Dorothy. "We'll talk later."
The witch closed her eyes and seemed to go into a peaceful sleep.
"Well, what shall we do now?" said the Lion.
"At least she didn't get mad at us," said the Scarecrow.
"We'll let her rest," Dorothy said. "Then we'll see what she has to say."
The girl lay back and closed her eyes. Presently, she drifted intosleep. She began to dream of her adventures in Oz: of meeting herfriends for the first time, and of meeting the Wicked Witch of the Westin her terrible anger after Dorothy's house fell on the Wicked Witch ofthe East.
She dreamed of returning to Oz for the second time and meeting theWicked Witch of the Deep South. Then she dreamed that all three witcheswere attacking her at once. The Wicked Witch of the West screamed ather: "So, you thought you'd get away from me, eh? Well, I've got younow, my little pretty!" She screamed again with that horrible cacklethat all witches seem to have. As her scream tapered off, the WickedWitch of the West's ugly, one-eyed face loomed up right next toDorothy's face.
She glared at Dorothy and screamed, "You thought you'd liquidated me,didn't you, my pretty? Well, I'm right here! And two of my sisters arehere, too. And we have a nice little surprise for you." At that, theWicked Witch of the Deep South cackled loudly behind Dorothy. As Dorothyspun around, the witch threw a rope around her and tied her arms tightlyto her side. They all grabbed the little girl and pushed her roughlyinto a chair. Then they tied her wrists to the arms of the chair.
Directly above the chair was a big black pot, bubbling and steaming. Itwas suspended by two chains on pulleys. A rope was tied to an iron ringat the base of the pot and looped through another iron ring on a bigwooden beam. The end of the rope lay coiled on the floor.
The Wicked Witch of the West picked up the rope and began to tug on itgently. The black pot tilted slightly. Seeing the alarm on Dorothy'sface, the witches cackled in sadistic delight.
"Now, we'll see how you like this, Deary," screamed the Wicked Witch ofthe West with heinous laughter. "We'll teach you to interfere with us."With that, she gave a big tug on the rope.
Dorothy screamed as the thick black steaming liquid hit her face. But,instead of being scalding hot, it was icy cold. She awoke with a startto find that the Scarecrow was splashing cold water in her face. "Whathappened, Dorothy?" said the Tin Woodman. "Are you all right? You werecrying out in your sleep."
"Oh," said Dorothy in relief as she recognized everyone. "Thank goodnessit was only a bad dream. The witches were about to scald me to death."
"We couldn't wake you," said the Lion. "That's why we sprinkled thewater on her face."
"Oh, what a terrible nightmare it was," said Dorothy. "Thank you forwaking me when you did."
Just then, the Wicked Witch of the Deep South opened her eyes and satup. She looked around, slowly. Dorothy stiffened, expecting to hear theusual barrage of abuse. Instead, the Witch spoke quite softly. "So, mylittle one," she sneered, "you decided to help me, eh? Well, it won't doyou any good."
"You would have died, if it hadn't been for Dorothy," said the Scarecrow.
"Really now?" said the Witch. "Is that true, Dorothy dear?"
"Yes, it is," replied Dorothy quietly.
"Why would you want to save me?" said the Witch in the same mocking tone.
"Because all life is precious," said Dorothy. "Even yours."
"Precious to whom, might I ask?"
"Well, isn't it precious to you?" replied Dorothy.
The Witch didn't answer. Instead, she stared straight ahead, as ifmesmerized. "Well, isn't it?" asked Dorothy again.
"No," said the Witch, her voice shaking as if she were about to cry.
Dorothy was quite surprised by the turn in events. She had never seenthe Witch so docile, so dejected. Her voice softened. "Is there any waywe can help you?" she asked kindly.
The Witch stared at Dorothy. Suddenly, tears began to roll down hercheeks. "No one has ever been kind to me before," she said. "Why are you?"
"Because we love you," answered the little girl. "We couldn't show ourlove to you before because you expressed so much hatred towards us thatit made us fearful of you."
"But how can you love someone who hates you?"
"Do you still
hate us?" asked Dorothy.
"I don't know," replied the Witch, uncertainly. "I've never knownanything but Hate."
"Well," said Dorothy, "we've never known anything but Love. You see,when people are unkind towards us, we try to respond with understandingand sympathy. And although their attitude can be quite disturbing to us,we know that to return hatred back towards them would only intensify thesituation. To return Hate with Hate wouldn't help the hateful person inthe least. And it most certainly would not help us."
The Witch thought for a moment...."You know, I have never talked quietlylike this before. Not even to my sisters. It gives me a good feelinginside. Now I am beginning to experience a strange feeling I've neverfelt before. I think it's a feeling of compassion, almost of love.
"This is very difficult for me to say, Dorothy. But I am very sorry forall the anguish I have caused you and your friends."
Dorothy put her arms around the witch and hugged her. "It was worthgoing through it all to see you making this transition," said the girlwarmly.
Tears now rolled freely from the Witch's eyes. Dorothy began to cry,too. "My heart is very happy for you," she said. "You have entered thedoor which leads to Heaven. For many, that door is never opened. Yet allhave the key."
"I think I know what you mean," replied the Witch. "That key is Love,isn't it?"
Dorothy nodded silently and hugged the Witch tightly. "We are all goingto be very good friends," she said.
Suddenly the Witch looked very sad.
"What's the matter?" asked Dorothy.
"I'm so ugly," said the Witch. "I think that's one of the reasons Ibecame so hateful in the first place."
"Hatefulness will make anyone look ugly," said Dorothy. "True beauty iswithin. An overwhelming feeling of love and kindness could never be ugly."
The Witch brightened up. "Do you think I can become attractive?" sheinquired hopefully.
"Of course," replied Dorothy. "You are already becoming so."
Sure enough, the Witch's features were changing. The harshness and thecruel lines around her mouth were dissolving. The greenish tinge to herface was changing to a soft pink glow.
The transformation was amazing. Except for the black cloak and pointedhat, one would never know she was the dreadful Wicked Witch. Her facewas actually beautiful now. Her long jagged nose had shortenedconsiderably, giving her quite a sophisticated look.
The Witch was wondering why everyone was staring at her so intently."What's the matter?" she asked, rather alarmed.
"Look at your reflection in the water," said Dorothy.
The Witch ran over to the pond. She couldn't believe her eyes when shesaw her reflection. "This is unbelievable!" she said excitedly.
Dorothy walked over to her. "When we get back to Oz, where our friendthe Scarecrow is Emperor, we must find you some new clothes. You willaccompany us on our journey, won't you?"
"Oh, yes," replied the Witch. "Thank you. I can't stay in this placenow. I will never return here. Oh, this is so exciting! I'm so lookingforward to visiting the Emerald City! It will be a pleasure to accompanyyou. I feel as if a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Ihave lived in a lonely, cold, isolated world all my life. Now I amlooking forward to meeting people and enjoying life. Who knows, perhapsI may meet a handsome prince."
Dorothy put her arm around the Witch. "This is indeed a wonderful momentfor all of us."
Well," the Witch said, looking around at all her friends, "are we allready?"
Everyone nodded vigorously.
"Then off we go!"
They all joined together, arm-in-arm, and began to sing as they dancedalong.
"We're the best of friends together, so happy, so jolly. We're the best of friends together, as happy as can be. We're the best of friends together, and nobody -- ever, can part our compa-nee.... Not n-o-o-o-body -- ever -- can part our compa-nee, -- part our compa-nee -- part our compa-nee
When the song came to an end, the Witch said, "I'm so happy, Dorothy, tohave such kind and loving friends. Oh, what a fool I've been all theseyears. I took great pleasure in hurting people and making them fear me.But it was a pleasure that didn't come from deep within me. Not the kindof pleasure that makes you tingle with joy, the way I feel now. No, itwas a selfish, sadistic pleasure derived from the feeling of power overothers. What a difference between the two. There is no comparison. But,you see, I had to experience the kind of feeling I have now to know thedifference. And it was your being kind to me in spite of this cruelty toyou which brought me into this wonderful new understanding. I feel as ifI have been rescued from a deep, dark, cold dungeon in which I havespent all my life; as if I've been brought out of perpetual darknessinto bright sunshine. It is truly wonderful."
"It has made us all very happy, too, to see you so happy," said Dorothy."It is difficult to love someone who obviously hates you, but we knowthat hatefulness and resentment are not natural expressions of humanity,but are caused by a lack of understanding and knowledge of universallaws. Once people become locked up into this self-created prison, it isalmost impossible to break them out of it. But, if we don't try, therecan never be any hope for any of us."
"Well, I'm certainly glad you tried with me," said the Witch, "or I'dstill be there, and totally unaware that in reality I was locked up inmy own prison and had thrown away the key."
"Well, you are free now," said Dorothy. "And, with that experiencebehind you, you will have the understanding to be able to help others insimilar situations. That is why we must always show compassion for thosewho express hatred and resentment, for they are extremely unhappypeople, crying out for help. We must mentally surround them with love.For to do otherwise means we are caught up in the same trap they are."
"Well, look how far we've walked." Dorothy gestured towards the housesthey had passed when they first entered Americanpresidentland. Thehouses were quiet, with no signs of life anywhere. "The meeting must beover," said the Lion. Just as he spoke, a shape jumped out of the bushesat him. The Lion jumped with surprise. The shape growled, but, uponseeing the Lion, the growls subsided and changed into a sort of purringsound. The shape was none other than another lion. And what a prettylion. She had long curling eyelashes and beautiful big brown eyes. TheCowardly Lion was absolutely spellbound. His heart pounded furiously. Hetried to speak but couldn't. Eventually, he managed a weak whisper. "Hello."
"Hello," replied the other lion, rather coyly. "Where do you live?"
"Quite a long way from here," said he, somewhat embarrassed by everyonelooking at them.
Dorothy said, "Why don't we leave these two alone for a while to getacquainted? We'll walk slowly, Lion," she said, "so you can catch up.Miss Lion is welcome to join us if she wishes."
"Thank you, Dorothy," said the Lion. The female lion looked quitepleased by the invitation. "Well, I'm very happy for you both," repliedDorothy. "Now you each have someone to share your life with."
"She is a very lovely soul," said the Lion, looking into his companion'seyes. "It seems as if we were just made for each other."
"I'm sure you were," replied Dorothy. "I'm sure you were."