Chapter XVI
The Magic Art of the Great Humbug
Next morning the Scarecrow said to his friends:
Congratulate me. I am going to Oz to get my brains at last. When I
return I shall be as other men are.
I have always liked you as you were, said Dorothy simply.
It is kind of you to like a Scarecrow, he replied. But surely you
will think more of me when you hear the splendid thoughts my new brain
is going to turn out. Then he said good-bye to them all in a cheerful
voice and went to the Throne Room, where he rapped upon the door.
Come in, said Oz.
The Scarecrow went in and found the little man sitting down by the
window, engaged in deep thought.
I have come for my brains, remarked the Scarecrow, a little uneasily.
Oh, yes; sit down in that chair, please, replied Oz. You must excuse
me for taking your head off, but I shall have to do it in order to put
your brains in their proper place.
That s all right, said the Scarecrow. You are quite welcome to take
my head off, as long as it will be a better one when you put it on
again.
So the Wizard unfastened his head and emptied out the straw. Then he
entered the back room and took up a measure of bran, which he mixed
with a great many pins and needles. Having shaken them together
thoroughly, he filled the top of the Scarecrow s head with the mixture
and stuffed the rest of the space with straw, to hold it in place.
When he had fastened the Scarecrow s head on his body again he said to
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