Once upon a time, in a small farmhouse nestled in the rolling plains of Kansas, lived a girl named Dorothy. She wore her hair in two braids and loved running barefoot through the fields with her little dog, Toto. One breezy afternoon, the sky turned an eerie shade of green. A distant rumble grew louder, and before Dorothy could blink, a spinning funnel of wind lifted her house high into the clouds. When the house finally landed with a thud, Dorothy opened the door to a world unlike anything she’d ever seen. 
The grass was emerald green, the sky a brilliant blue, and flowers bloomed in colors she couldn’t name. But Dorothy’s wonder turned to worry. “How do I get home, Toto?” she whispered. A group of tiny people in shimmering clothes approached, cheering and bowing. “Thank you!” they cried. “You’ve defeated the Wicked Witch of the East!” Dorothy gasped—under the house lay a pair of striped stockings and pointy silver shoes.
A wise woman with a crown of stars stepped forward. “I am Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. To return home, follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. The Wizard of Oz can help you.” Dorothy slipped on the silver shoes, tucked Toto into her basket, and set off.
Soon, she met a Scarecrow dangling from a pole. “Oh dear!” he sighed. “I’d give anything for a brain!” Dorothy helped him down. “Come with me,” she said. “The Wizard might grant your wish!” The Scarecrow’s painted smile widened.
Next, they heard a rhythmic clank-clank. A Tin Woodman stood frozen, axe raised. Dorothy oiled his joints, and he twirled joyfully. “If only I had a heart,” he said sadly. “Join us!” Dorothy urged. The Tin Man’s eyes gleamed.
As they entered a dark forest, a roar echoed. A trembling Lion leaped out—then burst into tears. “I’m a coward!” he wailed. Dorothy giggled. “Real courage means facing fears. Walk with us!” The Lion puffed his chest and joined the group.
Their journey wasn’t easy. The Wicked Witch of the West sent wolves, crows, and bees to stop them, but the Tin Man chopped, the Scarecrow scattered, and the Lion roared bravely. When the Witch trapped Dorothy in her tower, Toto sneaked out to fetch help. Together, the friends stormed the castle, tossing a bucket of water to melt the Witch into a puddle.
At last, they reached the Emerald City. The Wizard, a floating green head with fiery eyes, demanded they destroy the Witch first. “But we already did!” Dorothy said. The Wizard stammered, “Come back tomorrow!”
Toto tugged a curtain, revealing a kind old man pulling levers. “I’m just a balloonist from Omaha,” he admitted. “But maybe I can help.” To the Scarecrow, he gave a diploma: “You’ve always been clever—you just needed confidence.” For the Tin Man, a velvet heart: “Your kindness is your heart.” To the Lion, a medal: “True courage is doing what’s right, even when scared.”
Dorothy’s eyes filled with tears. “What about me?” The old man smiled. “Your silver shoes can take you home. Close your eyes, click your heels three times, and think of Kansas.”
With hugs and promises to never forget each other, Dorothy did as told. A whirlwind carried her back to Kansas, where Aunt Em and Uncle Henry hugged her tightly. “Was it all a dream?” Dorothy wondered, spotting Toto’s muddy pawprints on her dress.
And so, children, remember: home isn’t just a place—it’s where love lives. Brains, hearts, and courage grow when we believe in ourselves. And sometimes, the most magical journeys teach us that what we seek is already inside us.
Now, snuggle under your blankets, close your eyes, and imagine your own Yellow Brick Road. Who knows what adventures await in your dreams? Goodnight, little travelers. ✨
