Волшебство страны Оз

           Buttherewerealsofountainsthatweredelightfullyperfumed,andfountainsofdeliciousnectar,coolandrichlyflavored,whereallwerewelcometorefreshthemselves.

           Aroundthepalacegroundswasagreatwall,thicklyencrustedwithglitteringemeralds,butthegatesstoodopenandnoonewasforbiddenentrance.OnholidaysthepeopleoftheEmeraldCityoftentooktheirchildrentoseethewondersofOzma’sgardens,andevenenteredtheRoyalPalace,iftheyfeltsoinclined,fortheyknewthattheyandtheirRulerwerefriends,andthatOzmadelightedtogivethempleasure.

           Whenallthisisconsidered,youwillnotbesurprisedthatthepeoplethroughouttheLandofOz,aswellasOzma’smostintimatefriendsandherroyalcourtiers,wereeagertocelebrateherbirthday,andmadepreparationsforthefestivalweeksinadvance.Allthebrassbandspracticedtheirnicesttunes,fortheyweretomarchinthenumerousprocessionstobemadeintheWinkieCountry,theGillikinCountry,theMunchkinCountryandtheQuadlingCountry,aswellasintheEmeraldCity.NotallthepeoplecouldgotocongratulatetheirRuler,butallcouldcelebrateherbirthday,inonewayoranother,howeverfardistantfromherpalacetheymightbe.EveryhomeandbuildingthroughouttheLandofOzwastobedecoratedwithbannersandbunting,andthereweretobegames,andplays,andageneralgoodtimeforeveryone.

           ItwasOzma’scustomonherbirthdaytogiveagrandfeastatthepalace,towhichallherclosestfriendswereinvited.