B ROVER OF OZ

Chapter 5: Bini Aru

“Hello!” said Terrybubble, in the jolliest voice imaginable.

Scraps turned to Terry and used her hands to push her forehead into a scowl. “Don’t say ‘Hello’ to him,” she said, “he is pointing a gun at us.”Then Scraps turned to the stranger, “Ree Alla Bad, why on OZ are you pointing a gun at me? Have you forgotten our adventures together?”

The gun was lowered at once, and the man smiled at Scraps and an unusually sedate Terrybubble. He carefully put his gun into a thick belt he wore around his waist and then hurried to give Scraps a big hug.

“Oh, my stuffing will be all out of shape,” Scraps said, “but I can easily pat myself back; and, besides, hugs are good,”

Ree Alla Bad released Scraps and said, “Please call me Ree. My full name is just a mouth full. And who is this awesome animated skeletal structure?”

Terrybubble went into a long explanation that concluded with how he came to life due to a magical geyser in Yellowstone Park and was blown to Umbrella Island in the sky along with his best friend, Speedy. “I was looking for Speedy,” the old dino sniffed, “when I fell off the edge of Umbrella Island

and floated to OZ with the magic umbrella created by Waddy the Wizard ofUmbrella Island.”

WADDY

“Are you still living in a cottage in the Blue Munchkin Forest with Ojo, Unc Nunkie and Mrs. Ree?” Scraps asked.

“I was, but yesterday Ojo went outside to gather apples from our orchard. We were going to have fun making pies, apple sauce, apple dumplings, and as many other apple dishes as we could think of, but Ojo didn’t return. Of course, I went outside and searched and searched, but I couldn’t find a trace. Ojo has a habit of finding adventures, as you well know, Scraps, but I’m afraid that he may have been kidnapped again, so I decided to head over to Mount Munch to consult one of the sorcerers who live there.”

“Ojo used to know Dr. Pipt and his wife Margolotte, but I think Dr. Pipt no longer practices magic since Ozma and Glinda outlawed it except for the Wonderful Wizard of OZ and a few very sorcerers who are completely loyal to Princess Ozma and the throne of OZ.”

“True,” Ree said, “but I have also heard that Dr. Pipt still has some of his former magical devices. Whether he uses them or not, I hope to discover. There is also a former magic user named Bini Aru at the top of Mount Munch.”

Scraps turned three cartwheels and was about to tell Ree about B Rover and why they were at the base of Mount Munch. However, while Scraps, Ree and Terry had been conversing, B, who was a light sleeper, had awakened and hearing Scraps speaking to a stranger, silently woke Dorothy and Brian. “Get dressed,” he whispered, “something is going on out there.”

Dorothy quickly changed from the nightgown she’d gotten from the Pick-A-Pack and Brian asked it for clothes and was surprised when it gave him the classic blue Munchkin outfit that consisted of knee length knickerbockers that tied at the knee, knee socks, a shirt, vest, and wide, round collar much like clowns often wear in American circuses. A wide brimmed hat, rimmed with bells, and topped with a tall point finished the outfit. The one part of the Munchkin costume that Brian didn’t wear were the customary shoes with turned up toes. Instead, Brian wore the silver shoes which never wore out and always fitted perfectly.

By this time Dorothy, had put on her dress and her crown and was ready.

B who had dressed much quicker than the two children, put a finger to his lips and said, “You two stay in the tent until I call you. If, for any reason, I don’t, or can’t call you, use the silver shoes and magic belt to take you back to Emerald City.”

B held his sword, with the blade down and stepped out. Ree’s eyes darted to the blade and he raised his gun once more. In response, B raised his sword. Terrybubble instantly stepped between the two men. “We don’t want that,” the Dino-skeleton said in his most serious voice. “You are both very nice humans so lower your weapons.”

The two men obliged, and Scraps stood on her head, restless from standing still too long, and in that position explained who Ree was, who his son was, and why he was here.

B called into the tent, “You two can come out.” He turned to Ree and said, “Get ready, I have a boy traveling with me who will look very familiar to you.”

Ree frowned, not understanding what B meant by that, but in the next second Dorothy and Brian (in his Munchkin outfit) stepped out of the tent. Ree’s face lit up, “Ojo, you scared the life out of me. I’m so glad to find you!” Ree hurried over and caught Brian in a hug and then lifted the boy off the ground.” Brian’s eyes grew large with surprise, but he began to understand when Ree calls him Ojo and then, still holding him at arm’s length, began scolding him for running off without telling him anything.

Scraps doubled over with laughter at this scene of mistaken identity, but Terry was angry. He doubled his bony fists and said, “I shall get dythrambic all over you, Ree, if you don’t instantly put our Brian down.”

“Brian?! Why this is my own son…” Ree paused and stared hard at the boy in his arms. Then he slowly put Brian down. He stared at him closely. “You...you really aren’t Ojo are you? “

“No,” said Brian who tried not to giggle.

“But the resemblance is uncanny!” Ree breathed.

Dorothy moved to Ree, who recognized her at once. “Princess Dorothy,” Ree said and bowed.

“This boy is Brian Gale Butler my very close relative from Kansas. He’s come to live in OZ with his mother and father. We already know that he has an uncanny resemblance to Ojo and, we’ve learned, from our friend Terrybubble here, that Brian also looks very much like another boy named Speedy who visited OZ twice. Just like you, Ree, we are wondering how it is that the boys are almost mirror images of one another. Dorothy paused and then introduced the other members of the party, “This is our close friend B Rover.”

Ree introduced himself once again and repeats the story of Ojo’s disappearance and why he came to Mount Munch. “Why are you all here?” he asked.

Being cautious, since B didn’t yet know Ree well, he simply said, “We have business on Mount Much.” B points out the almost completely hidden Scalawagon capped in shadow under trees near the tent. “This is an invention of the Wizard of OZ and the famous Tik Tok. It can carry us up to the top of Mount Munch.”

“I don’t suppose it’s possible,” Ree said, rubbing the goatee on his chin and then tweaking the ends of his lustrous mustache, “that I might accompany you in the Scalawagon to the top of Mount Much. My Ojo has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places and it almost always involves magic.”

“We seem to be collecting coincidences on this adventure,” Dorothy said. “First, we have Brian’s turning up in OZ with his amazing resemblance to Ojo and Speedy. Then we meet you, Ree, and discover that you are searching for your son who happens to be Ojo. In my many adventures here in OZ, I’ve learned that coincidences often lead to important revelations. Dorothy turned to B Rover and said, “B, I think we should allow Ree to accompany us to the Land of the Hyups at the top of Mount Munch.”

B considered and then smiled. “I agree, Dorothy, and I agree with what you said about coincidences.” B stepped up to Ree and put out his hand. The two men shook, and when they were done, B said, “Who would like some breakfast?”

Once again, the invaluable Pick-A-Pack provided a steaming hot breakfast for everyone, with the exception of Scraps and Terrybubble, to enjoy. The two non-eaters decided to go off and be dythrambic and poetic on their own. Before they left, Scraps stood on her head and offered a short recitation.

We do a fine job of collecting friends,

But who can say where the collecting

ends.

Adventures are strange, and mysterious

And unpredictable,

And once you get involved in one

You find yourself unsticktable.

Scraps and Terry bounded off, and the others helped themselves to the wonderful food that the Pick-A-Pack provided. Dorothy and Brian had pancakes with apple slices. B Rover had eggs sunny side up and toast with marmalade. Ree had hot cereal with maple syrup and chopped nuts. Both men had coffee while Dorothy and Brian had steaming hot chocolate decorated with floating marshmallows.

During breakfast, Ree shared a terrible story that Dorothy had never heard even though her dearest friend Ozma of OZ entered into it.

“My real name is Ree Alla Bad,” Ree began, “and I was once crown prince of a country called Sebania, a tiny kingdom in the south of the Munchkin Country. I had a beautiful wife named Isomere. When she was pregnant with Ojo, a Munchkin magician named Mooj came to Sebania and after first pretending to be a friend used his magic to exile me and hold my beloved wife a prisoner threatening to harm her if I ever returned.

In my despair at losing my kingdom, my wife, and my unborn son, I joined an outlaw band under the name of Realbad. It was ten years later that, by another strange coincidence, I found my son, Ojo. He had been captured by a wandering band of tricksters who also held a bear named Snufferbux, in captivity. Snufferbux was very kind to Ojo, and eventually my band of robbers rescued Ojo and Snufferbux. I had no idea that Ojo was my son, now ten years old, until Ozma of OZ and the Wonderful Wizard became involved. Ozma transformed Mooj into a drop of water and sent him into the Nonestic Ocean on the other side of the Deadly Desert. My kingdom was restored, but since Ozma was now total ruler of OZ, we left Sebania as a small part of the northern Munchkin Country and went to live with my Unc Nunkie first in the Emerald City and then in the Blue Forest. Now, I’m hoping that one of the former wizards of Mount Munch, Dr. Pipt or Bini Aru, might know where my boy is. I know that they are no longer allowed to practice sorcery, but they might have some magic appliance that can tell me where Ojo is.”

Dorothy nodded. “Unfortunately, many former witches and wizards disobeyed Ozma and Glinda’s edict against practicing magic, so it’s very possible that Dr. Pipt or Bini Aru might be able to help you.”

By this time, everyone had finished breakfast. “I suggest,” B said, “that we all ask the Pick-A-Pack to make us a lunch box; after all we don’t know where we’ll be when we get hungry again.”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Brian said. The little boy gazed over at Ree and thought about how much he must be missing his son, so he went over to where Ree was still sitting and said, “If you tell me what you might like for lunch, I’ll ask the Pick-A-Pack to make your lunch bag along with mine.”

Ree looked up at Brian, who so resembled his Ojo that the man’s eyes began to water. He sniffed the tears away and patted Brian’s cheek. “That would be very kind of you, Brian.” Ree told the boy what he would like and Brian hurried over to where Dorothy and B Rover were ordering their lunches. In short order, they were all outfitted with lunches and B summoned Scraps and Terrybubble since they were ready to board the Scalawagon.

“Mr. Topper,” B said once everyone was seated. “We’re ready to make the trip to the land of the Hyups.”

“I see we have a new passenger,” Mr. Topper said. “Welcome Mr. Ree Alla Bad.” Ree wondered where the voice was coming from and Scraps quickly told him about the Scalawagon’s talking head.

“Amazing,” said Ree, “but then again we are fortunate to live in a magical country.”

The Scalawagon backed out of the forest, turned around, and after a short drive in the direction of Mount Munch the Scalawagon suddenly lifted up off the ground. Even though Dorothy, B Rover, Brian, and the Patchwork girl had all experienced the thrill of flying in a Scalawagon when they’d battled the Astonishing Bellairobubble, they still caught their breath as it began to fly. Ree’s eyes opened wide and he looked out the window and watched the forest below begin to shrink beneath them.

“I hope everyone is comfortable,” Mr. Topper called out to his passengers.

Ree called out the window, “That was a very smooth take off, Mr. Topper thank you.”

“Enjoy the ride,” Mr. Topper said. “It will only take a few minutes to reach the top.”

Brian, who was sitting next to the window suddenly said, “Look! I can see one oddly shaped house on the side of the mountain.”

Everyone tried to see what Brian was pointing at.

“That’s the home of Dr. Pipt, the Crooked Magician,” Scraps said. “That’s where I was made,” she said directly to Ree. “And that’s where your son Ojo gave me enhanced brains and lots of whimsy.

Ojo gave me whimsy which keeps me bright

and gay,

It also gave me common sense and so I

Ran away.

Scraps went on to say that she had been created to be a servant to Dr. Pipt’s wife Margolotte. “But that was not the life for me,”she sang

“We are about to land,” said Mr. Topper.

Everyone had been listening to Scraps’ poem and story, but now they looked out at the unusual Land of the Hyups.

“Mr. Topper,” B called out, “would you mind driving around the top of the mountain, so we can have a chance to see the country before we land?”

“Of course,” said the pleasant, accommodating Head, and the tour began.

The top of Mount Munch was shaped like a giant, deep saucer. The cliffs on the sides of the Hyups’ community were much too steep for anyone to visit this interesting land without a Scalawagon to carry them to the top of Mount Munch.

The passengers looked down on open fields of grain, hoed rows of green and orange vegetables. Flowing brooks traced interesting lines throughout the saucer-shaped community, and along these streams grew trees that were dotted with different fruits. The homes of the Hyups, unlike the round tops of the Munchkins who lived below the mountain, looked more like cottages with peaked rooves.

“I wonder if the elevated condition on top of Mount Munch makes this style of house more durable than the round Munchkin homes,” Brian said.

“Hmm,” B said, “what an interesting observation, Brian. My guess is that you’re right. This high up, rain would be felt more intensely, and a peaked roof allows the water to run off easily.”

“Let me know when you’d like to land,” the voice of Mr. Topper broke in.

B looked at his fellow passengers and asked, “Ready?”

“I’m always ready,” said Scraps, and Terrybubble chuckled and said, “This ride has made me feel extra dythrambic.”

“Better to be a little sedate and calm, so we don’t startle the Hyups,” B suggested and then he had an idea. “Brian, I wonder if it might not be a good idea if you let the Hyups think you are Ojo. We know that Ojo knew Dr. Pipt and that might make a bond with Bini Aru if we get to meet him.”

“What a good idea,” Dorothy said. Then she turned to Ree, “Would that be alright with you, Ree?”

“That would be fine. If we get to see Bini Aru, we can tell him the truth about Brian’s resemblance and still ask him if he can help me find the real Ojo.”

This decided, Brian tapped B on the shoulder, “Maybe we should land next to that large looking house at the top of the dish. “It’s so much bigger than the other homes; maybe someone of importance lives there.”

“Did you hear Brian’s suggestion, Mr. Topper,” B called out.

“Yes indeed,” said the head and the Scalawagon began its descent.

Hyup men, women and children gathered below. Many of them had spotted the flying car and were intensely curious both about the amazing vehicle and the unique experience of visitors to their community.

Brian was the first person to hop out of the Scalawagon, and he bowed and tipped his pointed hat to the crowd. “How do you do?” he said. “My name is Ojo the Lucky.”

The Scalawagon passengers disembarked. The moment Terrybubble folded himself out of the back seat there was a great sensation in the crowd. Some people “Oohed” and “Aahed,” at the spectacle, but some children, and not a few adults, screamed and ran back into their houses.

Thinking quickly, as she usually did, Scraps took attention away from Terry by doing a few cartwheels and then a couple of somersaults. She then rhymed:

Don’t be embarrassed and don’t you stray,

Terrybubble won’t cause your hair to turn gray.

He is dythrambic and loaded with delight,

He’s also very friendly though he might look a fright.

That, plus Terrybubble waving at all the crowd, proved just enough to put everyone at ease. In a moment, a number of Hyup children rushed forward to touch the Friendly Fossil and some even climbed up to sit on his back. Word spread and those who had fled the scene now came back out to enjoy the unique visitors.

“What delightful children,” Terry said, and tickled a few of them with a bony finger that sent them into delighted gales of laughter.

The gathered crowd suddenly parted and a woman stepped through the gap. Brian tapped Dorothy and whispered, “She came out of the big house.”

“Welcome, strangers. I am Kaydee Tweddie, the Mayor of the Hyups. We haven’t gotten a visitor in a very long time. We would like to welcome you, but first I must know the reason for your visit in the strange red car.”

“We have urgent matters to discuss with Bini Aru,” B said. “We know that he is no longer a sorcerer, but he has wisdom that may be able to help us.”

Mayor Tweedie frowned as if the mere mention of Bini Aru disturbed her. Seeing this expression, Brian decided that it was time for him to be Ojo. He had taken off his tall pointed Munchkin hat, which was much too tall to wear in the Scalawagon, and when he put it on Mayor Tweedie’s face seemed to change as she reconsidered the boy, his hat and his clothing.

“Ms. Mayor Tweddie,” Brian said, “My Unc Nunkie was good friends with Dr. Pipt, and he and I visited his house on the side of Mount Munch. Dr. Pipt was a good friend of Bini Aru, and we’d like to pay our respects, besides getting his advice.”

B, Dorothy, Scraps and Ree waited anxiously to hear what the Mayor’s response would be. They didn’t have to wait long.

“The famous Ojo of OZ,” Mayor Tweedie said and dipped her head at the boy as a sign of respect. “You and your Unc Nunkie are very well known to the Hyup community. Although our knowledge of what goes on below Mount Munch is limited, the royal Ozma’s eagle often visits our community to deliver important messages from her highness, and one of those messages celebrated your reunion with your father.”

Brian smiled a little; he had read about Ozma’s eagle in one of his OZ books ^[1] and had hoped that it was all true; he was delighted to find that it was. Once Mayor Tweedie had mentioned Ojo’s father, Ree moved next to Brian and put his arm around the boy hugging him to his side.

“I am very proud of my son, Ojo,” Ree said. “I am his loving father Ree Alla Bad, but please call me Ree.” The Major gave Ree a small bow which he returned, then B Rover formally introduced the rest of the group. Dorothy had already been spotted by the Hyups and there was a lot of whispering about a visit from one of the Princesses of OZ.

Once again Brian stepped forward and said, “If you would be so kind as to show us the way to Bini Aru’s home. We would be very grateful and would tell Princess Ozma how kind and helpful you are.”

“That would be fine,” Mayor Tweedie finally said, her frown disappearing. “Bini no longer practices any form of magic and abides by Ozma of OZ’s ruling, but he is a wise man and may still be able to help you. Come with me.”

The Mayor lead them down a road beside which a bright stream rippled and made delightful little splishing sounds. It curved around a field divided into two parts. One part had neat rows of vegetables, and the other half was an orchard of beautiful trees laden with fruits. They followed a silvery stream which, like a silver thread, led them right to the cozy-looking little house of Bini Aru. The house was nestled among trees that grew close as if protecting the dwelling. The front of the house had a little porch with rocking chairs on it and flowerpots spotted all about. The house was three stories tall. Each floor had its own pointed roof and each window, on each of

the stories, had its own shingled roof. The top of the third floor had a very tall roof which came to a point like a witch’s hat and was also covered with bright red shingles. The total effect was to make the house look very cozy and a little mysterious.

“I will leave you now,” Mayor Tweedie said. She gave the group another small bow and said, “Princess Dorothy, I hope you will give my best regards to the royal Ozma, and tell her that I was very happy to facilitate your visit to our Hyup community.”

Dorothy thought that she had already made this clear, but since the Mayor needed that to be reinforced Dorothy said,“I certain will,” and smiled warmly at the Mayor.

“It was lovely to meet you all,” the Mayor said, eyeing each of the group and looking slightly uneasy as her gaze fell on Terrybubble. When he waved at her, she moved-rather quickly-back up the path.

Terry smiled, “The Mayor must be feeling very dythrambic, she scooted away like a Protoceratops with a Velociraptor after it.”

“Perhaps she had work to attend to,” B said quickly. “After all a mayor is generally a very busy person.”

Terry nodded, and Scraps pushed Brian. “Go ahead, Ojo,” she giggled. “Knock at the door of your old friend Bini.”

Brian blushed, “I never said he was my old friend.” But, nevertheless, the boy went up the porch and knocked at the former sorcerer’s door.

There was a sound of someone moving with quick steps inside the house; and then the door opened. Since no one in OZ grows any older than they’d like, and then stops, Bini appeared to be a sprightly grandfatherly Hyup with blue eyes that were round and sparkled like the eyes of a young boy. There was something about those round, bright eyes that gave you the feeling that Bini Aru was both a wise and inquisitive person.

B Rover, as leader of the group, stepped forward, “Hello Mr. Aru. My name is B Rover, and I think you might know Ojo and his father Ree Alla Bad. Ojo’s Unc Nunkie was good friends of Dr. Pipt.” Ree stepped forward to shake Bini Aru’s hand and Brian thought, I don’t like lying about who I am, but I guess it’s for a very good cause, so I just have to carry on being Ojo for a while.

B Rover went on to introduce the rest of their company. “I am B Rover, once crown prince of Coventry, and we are honored to have the Princess Dorothy of OZ traveling with us.

Bini offered Dorothy a respectful bow. “Ah, Princess Dorothy,” he said. “I have long hoped to make your acquaintance, and I see you are wearing…” the bright blue eyes opened a little wider, “… the famous magic belt.”

Dorothy wondered if Bini Aru knew about the magic belt from the days when he practiced magic or whether Ozma’s eagle had carried the story of how she had rescued the belt from the Gnome King.

“And these are the rest of our friends,” B Rover said and he introduced Scraps. “She was brought to life by your friend Dr. Pipt, and Terrybubble…” Bini Aru stared at the enormous, living dinosaur skeleton, “… was brought to life by a magical geyser in the United State, and carried to Umbrella Island with his dear friend, a boy named Speedy.”

“Yes,” said Terry, “and I miss Speedy every minute of every day.” The fossil sniffled which was quite an accomplishment considering the limitations of his bony nose. Then he brightened up and said to Bini Aru, “Do you happen to know Speedy. He looks very much like Ojo.”

“I’m afraid I don’t,” Bini said. “I’ve never heard that name before.”

Terrybubble’s head drooped and he mumbled, “Oh, Speedy, where can you be?”

Scraps put one hand on Terry’s shoulder bone and said to Bini Aru, “Terry, here, won’t fit in your door, so I’ll just stay outside with him and we’ll just enjoy your lovely garden.”

The others went inside and quickly found that Bini Aru’s house looked extremely cozy. There were plump armchairs in his living room and bookshelves all about brimming with brightly colored volumes. There were also neat stacks of books beside every chair as if inviting guests to settle and begin reading.

“Have you actually reads all these books?” B Rover asked Bini Aru.

“Several times,” the former sorcerer said casually, “but I don’t look at them anymore. They are mostly books about the magic arts and have no further interest for me.”

Bini invited them all to sit and asked the reason for their visit. B said, “We know that you no longer practice magic, but we thought that, perhaps, you might still be able to offer some advice about two serious problems we have.”

B went on to tell Bini Aru about Coventry and Malmagnus and their current quest to find the lost kingdom. “We wondered Bini Aru, if you might be able to assist us in our quest. Perhaps you’ve heard of Malmagnus since you once practiced magic as he still does, contrary to the laws of Ozma of OZ and Glinda the Good.”

“I have never heard of Malmagnus, but it seems very coincidental…”

The friends exchanged quick glances at that familiar word. “…that a magician named Mooj once tried to take over Sebania and that a wizard with the slightly similar name of Malmagnus did the same terrible trick to your Coventry.” Bini tapped his cheekbone with one finger. “You wouldn’t think that they could possibly be the same person, especially since Mooj was turned into a drop of water and was banished to the Nonestic Ocean. Nevertheless, it is extremely curious that two differentmen tried the same terrible trick with two different countries. However, in the history of OZ, there seems to have been several evil-doers, Mombi the Witch was one and Ruggedo the Nome King was another, who were vanquished only to return to cause more trouble before being permanently defeated.”

“Permanently doesn’t seem very permanent in OZ,” Brian said.

When we leave you, we plan to journey to the Forest of Gugu where Malmagnus has hidden Coventry,” B said. “Is there anything you might be able to tell us to help us on our adventure? Could you possibly tell us, or show us, the word that might be able to transform Coventry back to its original size and visibility.”

Bini’s eyes opened wide and he began to tremble. “I cannot do that. I obey the royal Ozma and Glinda the Good. I no longer practice magic. My son, Kiki, once disobeyed and caused a great deal of trouble as a result. However, I hear that he has since reformed and, at Ozma’s gracious will, now works as a gardener in the Royal Palace in the Emerald City. However, I can give you something which might help you if you used it at just the right moment. Come with me.”

Bini Aru led them out of his living room, down a short hallway that ended in a great oak door covered with tiny carvings of trees and birds and strange little creatures. The door had a large lock on it that Bini touched. The lock dropped off and the door opened. They followed Bini down a stairwell into a room lit by round lamps hanging from the wooden ceiling. The room was round and had a large circular table in the center. On the table was a box that both Dorothy and Brian could have climbed into with ease. At Bini’s touch, the box opened and as far as the friends could see, it was filled with nothing but darkness. Bini reached into the box and withdrew a butterfly net that was at least three times the size of the box.

“How did it fit in there?” Brian asked.

Bini opened his eyes wide, gave his head a little shake and put one finger over his lips. Both B Rover and Ree nodded their heads in understanding. Brian looked over at Dorothy who smiled and nodded her head at him. He knew that Bini was signaling that there was magic at work, perhaps old magic before Ozma’s and Glinda’s law, and they mustn’t speak of it.

Bini handed the net to B and said, “I never practice magic, but this box contains some utensils that were created before Ozma’s and Glinda’s edict. I never use them myself.

The forest of Gugu is a very dangerous place, and you must be very careful when you enter it. But, if you find Malmagnus, you must quickly throw this net over him. The net will instantly absorb all of his power and render him an ordinary man. When that happens, the spell on Coventry will be broken. and you will have little difficulty finding your kingdom.”

“How can we thank you?” B asked.

“When you return to the Emerald City, will you find my son Kiki and tell him that his father sends his love?”

“I surely will,” Dorothy said. “Kiki is a good boy now, and an excellent gardener. Perhaps, if you would like to, you can come and visit Kiki yourself. I’m sure that Princess Ozma would welcome you.”

“Perhaps someday,” Bini said and offered a weak smile. B put his hand on the former sorcerer’s shoulder and patted it. “If our mission is successful, we’ll tell Ozma how helpful you were, but that you didn’t do any magic,” he added quickly.

“We don’t want to take any more of your valuable time,” B said, “but

we have an admission and a question.” B turned to Brian and the boy stepped forward at once knowing what he needed to do.

“I know that I look like the famous Ojo the Lucky, and I’m dressed in Munchkin costume, but my name is Brian David Butler and I’m only recently arrived in OZ. Our friend Ree…” Brian turned to Ree and he stepped forward and put an arm around Brian’s shoulder in a supportive way. “…our friend Ree has something important to ask you.”

Ree stepped forward and told Bini about the real Ojo and his disappearance. It only took a moment for Ree to tell his story and ask Bini if he could help in any way, but when he was done, Bini stood in silence with his finger once more across his lips. He stood that way so long that Brian found himself quietly hoping from one foot to another as he grew nervous with waiting.

Finally, Bini lowered his finger and said, “I don’t know where your boy Ojo might be, but…” he paused, “…you have told me several stories and they are all about the most amazing coincidences.” Bini took a notebook out of the dark box and laid it on the table. He also reached in and took out a long pen that had the blue feather of a Munchkin Guronji bird at the end of it.

He held out the pen to Dorothy and said, “Write down all the coincidental events that have happened to you, so far, in this adventure that you’re all engaged in.

There was silence in the room as Dorothy started writing. Dorothy numbered each of the items and then rolled up what turned out to be a long list.

“Keep that list with you,” Bini said, “I think you will find it helpful.”

Bini led them to his front door, and once they got there he said, “I have enjoyed your visit. I don’t have much company, so if you ever visit the Hyups again I hope you will come and see me.”

Dorothy took a step forward and gave Bini a hug, “You are a very kind man,” she said. “If we fly up here again, we will certainly come and see you.”

Outside, Terry and Scraps were busy entertaining a little Hypup girl named Shippina and her brother, Dobie. Shippina was dancing with Scraps and Dobie was shrieking with laughter as Terry swung him up onto his back and then danced a jig with the boy bouncing about, holding tightly to Terry’s tailbackbone and laughing merrily.

Shippina and Dobie begged the Patchwork Girl and Terrybubble to stay and come live with them. Terrybubble was very touched and hugged each child very gently. Scraps’ hugs were deliciously plushy, and the children waved goodbye as our friends headed up the slope to the top of the dish-shaped Hyup land where their Scalawagon awaited them. As they climbed in, Dorothy tucked her list into the Pick-A-Pack.

“I suggest that we fly down from Mount Munch and have a good lunch before we decide what we want to do next.”

“Are we going to visit Dr. Pipt?” Ree asked. “Perhaps he know something about Ojo.”

“Let make that the first thing we talk about,” B said, then he called out the window, “Mr. Topper, will you take us down to the bottom of Mount Munch and to some private spot where we can settle and have our lunch and a good talk.”

“I am at your service, Sir Rover,” Mr. Topper said in a most respectful voice, and with that the Scalawagon rose straight up and headed away from the Country of the Hyups.

(to be continued in Ch. 6: A Cyclotronic Delivery)

^[1] As told about in THE MAGIC OF OZ by L. Frank Baum