The Wizard of Oz

As little twelve year old Dorothy is rushing back to the Kansas farm that she lives on with her aunt Em and uncle Henry a tornado suddenly appears. Dorothy is knocked unconscious by a window frame that has been loosened by the wind. When Dorothy awakens she is not in Kansas anymore. Along with her faithful companion Toto (her pet dog) she has arrived in the Land of Oz.

This mystical land must have been as foreign to Dorothy as the grown up world would be to an innocent child left alone without a guardian. Dorothy is welcomed into the land of Oz by Glinda, the Good witch of the North. Glinda points out that Dorothy has killed the Wicked witch of the East when her house fell on the witch while crashing into the town of Munchkinland in Oz. Dorothy quickly learns a lesson that is also found in the grown up world and that is we as grown ups have a responsibility for our own actions.

Glinda magically transfers the ruby slippers that the dead witch is wearing to Dorothy's feet. While the Munchkins are elated that the wicked witch is dead and sing Dorothy's praises, the Wicked witch of the West shows up and covets the shoes that Dorothy is wearing. Herein lies another important grown up lesson, you can't always please everyone. As the Wicked witch of the West vanishes from Munchkinland she vows revenge on Dorothy. Glinda, the Good witch of the North informs Dorothy that as long as she is wearing the ruby slippers the Wicked witch of West cannot harm her.

Dorothy desires to return to her Kansas home. Glinda tells Dorothy that the Wizard of Oz who is located in the Emerald City can help her return home. So how is Dorothy suppose to find her way to the Emerald City? By following the Yellow Brick Road. If Oz symbolizes the grown up world to an innocent child then the yellow brick road symbolizes the journey that is taken through the grown up world or life to be more precise.

While Dorothy journeys to the Emerald City she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Lion. As the story goes the Scarecrow desires a brain, the Tin Man desires a heart and the Lion desires courage. Dorothy invites each of them to accompany her to the Emerald City in hopes that the great Wizard of Oz can help them too.

As we journey down our own road in life we have our individual hopes and desires. Emerald City is the destination we seek where our aspirations can come true. Just a Dorothy encountered a Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion on her journey down the Yellow Brick Road we meet others on our journey too. The Scarecrow wanted a brain which can represent our peers or those that think like us. We share a common interest that bonds us together. The Tin Man wanted a heart. We all have encountered someone with a big heart whose doors are always open and is sympathetic to the feelings of others. And then there are the Lions of the world, courageous people that overcome their surroundings.

Unfortunately everyone that we meet is not a scarecrow, tin man or lion. The land of Oz had wicked witches and the grown up world has not so nice people too. The Wicked witch of the West coveted the ruby shoes that Dorothy was wearing and we may encounter someone who will simply use us for something that they covet.

The road through the land of Oz was not a straight and narrow one. When Dorothy and her friends come to a cross road they must make a decision as to which direction they think will lead them to the Emerald City. All of the choices look the same so how will they know that they are making the right choice. The grown up world comes with choices too and the best choice is not always clear. Once we decide which path to venture down we must then live with our decision.

Dorothy and Toto are whisked away by flying monkeys and taken to the Wicked witch of the West. The wicked witch threatens to drop Toto in the river unless Dorothy gives her the ruby slippers but a shower of sparks prevents Dorothy from removing the slippers. Toto manages to escape and run for help while Dorothy is locked up in the castle until the wicked witch can figure out how to remove the ruby slippers. Everything does not always go according to plan in the grown up world either. Just as Dorothy has Toto by her side every person needs a strong support group to be there when difficult situations arise.

Toto leads Dorothy's friends back to rescue her. While they are attempting to escape from the castle Dorothy and her friends are cornered by the Wicked witch of the West and her guards. When the wicked witch sets fire to the Scarecrow Dorothy accidentally splashes water on the wicked witch while dousing the flame. The wicked witch melts into a puddle. Trials and tribulations shall come our way in the real world too but if we remain true to ourselves and our convictions troubled circumstances will not conquer us.

Dorothy and her friends make it to the Emerald City only to discover the great Wizard of Oz is merely a simple man. Wisdom and power (or wealth, education, good looks, and so forth) does not make us better than someone else. The truth is we are all equal and should have respect for others as we journey down our own yellow brick road.

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion all learned a very valuable lesson, the thing that we most desire can be found within each of us. We sometimes feel like we need the approval of others to validate who we are. The Scarecrow was already smart, the Tin Man was already compassionate, the Lion was already courageous and Dorothy had the ability to return home all along through the magic of the ruby slippers.