"Remember to answer truthfully," said Oz.
"Where did you get the silver shoes?"
"I got them from the Wicked Witch of the East," said Dorothy.
"My house fell on her and killed her."
"How did that mark get on your forehead?" asked Oz.
"That is where the Good Witch of the North kissed me," answered Dorothy.
The eyes stared at Dorothy and said, "You answered truthfully. What do you want?"
"I want to go home," said Dorothy. "I'm sure Aunt Em is worried about me."
"Why should I do this for you?" asked Oz.
"Because you are a great wizard and I am only a girl," replied Dorothy.
"You were strong enough to kill the Wicked Witch of the East," said Oz.
"I didn't do it," said Dorothy. "It just happened."
"In this country you must help me before I help you," said Oz.
"You cannot expect to get something for nothing."
"What must I do?" asked Dorothy.
"You must kill the Wicked Witch of the West."
"I can't!" exclaimed Dorothy, surprised.
"You killed the Wicked Witch of the East," said Oz.
"You wear the silver shoes. They have powerful magic.
There is only one Wicked Witch.
When you can tell me she is dead, I will send you back to Kansas."
Dorothy was disappointed and began to weep.
"You won't see your aunt and uncle again until the Witch is dead," Oz continued.
"Remember—the Witch is evil and should be killed. Now go!
Don't ask to see me again. This is your quest.
Complete it and I will see you home."
Dorothy left the throne room.
She was surprised to see her friends waiting for her.
"What happened?" asked the Tin Man.
"There is no hope," said Dorothy.
"Oz says I must kill the Wicked Witch of the West.
If I don't, he won't help me."
Her friends were sad and worried because they wondered what Oz would ask them to do.
The Scarecrow saw Oz the next day.
"I am Oz. Who are you and why do you seek me?" asked the Wizard.
"I am the Scarecrow, and I'm made of straw," said the Scarecrow.
"I want a brain instead of straw in my head."
"In this country you must help me before I help you," said Oz.
"What must I do?" asked the Scarecrow.
"You must kill the Wicked Witch of the West," said the Wizard.
"You asked Dorothy to do that!" replied the Scarecrow.
"I did," said Oz. "I don't care who kills her.
Do it, and I will give you a brain."
The Scarecrow was very disappointed.
The Tin Man saw Oz the next day.
"I am Oz. Who are you and why do you seek me?" asked the Wizard.
"I am the Tin Man. I want a heart so I can love again," said the Tin Man.
"You cannot expect to get something for nothing," said Oz.
"What must I do?" asked the Tin Man.
"You must kill the Wicked Witch of the West," growled Oz.
"Help your friends in this quest, and I will give you a heart."
The Tin Man was very disappointed so he began to weep.
The Lion saw Oz the next day.
"I am Oz. Who are you and why do you seek me?" asked the Wizard once again.
"I am the cowardly Lion.
I want courage so I am never afraid again," answered the Lion.
"In this country you must help me before I help you," said Oz.
"What must I do?" asked the Lion.
"Bring me proof that the Wicked Witch of the West is dead, and I will give you courage," said Oz.
The Lion ran from the room.
Dorothy looked at her friends and asked, "What shall we do?"
"There's only one thing to do," said the Lion.
"We must go to the West," continued the Tin Man.
"We must kill the Wicked Witch," finished the Scarecrow.
"But how?" asked Dorothy nervously.
"I don't know," answered the Scarecrow.
"But I want a brain, and you want to go home.
The Tin Man wants a heart, and the Lion wants courage.
So we must complete this quest."