wonderful things. There were four of them in this country, and they
ruled the people who live in the North and South and East and West.
Fortunately, the Witches of the North and South were good, and I knew
they would do me no harm; but the Witches of the East and West were
terribly wicked, and had they not thought I was more powerful than they
themselves, they would surely have destroyed me. As it was, I lived in
deadly fear of them for many years; so you can imagine how pleased I
was when I heard your house had fallen on the Wicked Witch of the East.
When you came to me, I was willing to promise anything if you would
only do away with the other Witch; but, now that you have melted her, I
am ashamed to say that I cannot keep my promises.
I think you are a very bad man, said Dorothy.
Oh, no, my dear; I m really a very good man, but I m a very bad
Wizard, I must admit.
Can t you give me brains? asked the Scarecrow.
You don t need them. You are learning something every day. A baby has
brains, but it doesn t know much. Experience is the only thing that
brings knowledge, and the longer you are on earth the more experience
you are sure to get.
That may all be true, said the Scarecrow, but I shall be very
unhappy unless you give me brains.
The false Wizard looked at him carefully.
Well, he said with a sigh, I m not much of a magician, as I said;
but if you will come to me tomorrow morning, I will stuff your head
with brains. I cannot tell you how to use them, however; you must find
that out for yourself.
Oh, thank you thank you! cried the Scarecrow. I ll find a way to use
them, never fear!
But how about my courage? asked the Lion anxiously.
You have plenty of courage, I am sure, answered Oz. All you need is
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