Chapter 16

The following day Taylor went to the Wizard for his brains.

"I will need to take off your head, do you mind?"

"No, no. So long as you put me back together again."

"Oh, I will." He smiled.

So the Wizard took off Taylor's head, and out of that took some of the straw. Then into Taylor's head he put a mixture of bran, pins and needles. He replaced some of the straw and then put the head back onto Taylor's body.

Taylor was very happy on his return to the others.

"I haven't learn how to use them yet, but when I do, I'll be the smartest, ahh... person in Oz."

**********

Isaac was the next to see the Wizard that day. The Wizard asked if he might cut a hole in his chest, and Isaac agreed. After the hole was cut, the Wizard pulled out a heart that was made from silk and stuffing.

"Ooh." Isaac cooed delightedly.

The Wizard smiled as he placed the heart into Isaac's chest. Then he patched the hole.

"There is your heart my friend." Said the Wizard.

"Oh thank you! Thank you!"

**********

Then it was Zac's turn. When he arrived the Wizard pulled a bottle from his shelf and poured it into a bowl for him.

"Drink this."

"What is it?" Zac asked, giving it a suspicious sniff.

"Courage. Or it would be if it were inside of you, since courage must be inside of someone for it to do any good."

"Oh."

There was only a moments hesitation before Zac drank it all up.

**********

It wasn't until three days later that the Wizard had worked out what do to with Daria.

"You sent for me?" Daria asked, entering the throne room.

"Ahh yes."

"Then... then you know how to send me home?"

"That I do - and I'll be coming with you. I've played the Wizard too long." He replied with a rueful smile. "I'm - we're - going to make a balloon."

"A balloon?"

"A hot air balloon. That is how I got here after all."

And the two began working on the balloon.

Chapter 17