Dorothy followed the Yellow Brick Road all afternoon, and then she wondered where she would sleep for the night.
Not far ahead she saw a small Munchkin village, but all the houses seemed empty.
When she came to the last and biggest house in the village, she understood why.
Everyone in the village was there.
All the Munchkins knew who Dorothy was.
She was famous, and Boq, the host, was very happy to have her as a guest.
"You killed the Wicked Witch of the East.
You must be a powerful witch," Boq said to Dorothy.
"I am not a witch," replied Dorothy. "I am an ordinary girl."
"Girl or witch," said Boq, "you can stay at my house."
In the morning Dorothy said good-bye and continued down the Yellow Brick Road.
She hadn't walked far when she came to a cornfield.
In the cornfield was a scarecrow.
As Dorothy looked at the scarecrow, she thought she saw it blink its eyes.
"Impossible," thought Dorothy. Then the scarecrow smiled and nodded its head.
Curious, Dorothy went over to the scarecrow.
"Good day," said the Scarecrow.
"Did you speak?" asked Dorothy.
"Yes," answered the Scarecrow. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," replied Dorothy. "And you?"
"I'm not well," said the Scarecrow. "I'm stuck to this pole. Can you help me?"
Straw men are very light, so Dorothy was able to easily lift him from the pole.
"Thank you," said the Scarecrow. "I feel better now."
"You're welcome," said Dorothy.
"Who are you?" asked the Scarecrow. "And where are you going?"
"My name is Dorothy, and I am going to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz."
"Where is the Emerald City, and who is Oz?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Don't you know?" Dorothy asked in surprise.
"No, I don't know anything," answered the Scarecrow sadly.
"My head is made of straw, so I have no brain."
"Oh," said Dorothy. "I'm sorry to hear that. Oz is a great wizard."
"Do you think Oz could give me a brain?" asked the Scarecrow hopefully.
"I don't know," said Dorothy. "But come with me and we will ask him together.
I'm scared to go and see the Wizard alone. Are you scared?"
"Oh, I'm not afraid," answered the Scarecrow.
"I'll tell you a secret:
there is only one thing in the world that I am afraid of—"
"The farmer who made you?" interrupted Dorothy.
"Oh no," said the Scarecrow. "I'm afraid of fire."
"Let's not talk about fire and scary things," said Dorothy. "Tell me a story."
"Me?" exclaimed the Scarecrow. "My life has been too short.
I was made only two days ago.
Why don't you tell me about the place you are from?"
Dorothy told the Scarecrow about her aunt and uncle and their farm in Kansas.
She was very sad.
"Why are you sad?" asked the Scarecrow.
"You said Kansas is dull and boring. Why do you want to go back?"
"Because, my brainless friend, there is no place like home," said Dorothy, weeping.
"Shall we spend the night over there?" asked the Scarecrow, pointing to a cottage.
"Okay," said Dorothy.
The next morning when Dorothy woke up, she said, "I need water."
"Why do you need water?" asked the Scarecrow.
"I need water to wash my face and to drink with breakfast," she replied.
"Being alive sounds inconvenient," said the Scarecrow.
"You need to sleep, wash, eat, and drink.
But you have a brain, and I'd do anything for a brain."
Behind the cottage they found a clear spring.
Dorothy realized she didn't have much bread left, so she was glad her friend didn't eat.
After breakfast Dorothy was startled to hear what sounded like a low groan.
The noise came from the forest nearby.
"Wh . . . what was that?" asked Dorothy fearfully.
"I don't know," said the Scarecrow.
"But we should go look. Someone may be hurt."
They heard another low groan. "Look!" shouted Dorothy.
"What's that through the trees?"
They entered the forest and were amazed at what they saw.
A man, made of tin and holding an ax, stood frozen, as if he was about to chop a tree.