//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: The Apple Trees and the Road Through the Forest // Story: My Little Wizard of Oz // by BlueBioWolf //------------------------------// After a few hours the road began to be rough and the walking grew so difficult that Bartleby often stumbled over the yellow bricks, which were here very uneven. “We’re going in the right direction, aren’t we, Sunset?” Fluttershy asked nervously. “Considering this is literally the only form of pavement,” Sunset said. “We must be. Though, around here, the brick work is pretty shoddy.” Sometimes, indeed, they were broken or missing altogether, leaving holes that Toto jumped across and Dorothy and the others walked around. As for Bartleby, having no brains, he walked straight ahead and so stepped into the holes and fell at full length on the hard bricks. It never hurt him, however and Dorothy or one of the others would pick him up and set him upon his feet again, while he joined some of them in laughing merrily at his own mishap. This didn’t sit well with Fluttershy. “I know it’s a little unsettling,” Twilight said gently. “But, we’ll make sure you’re alright, Fluttershy.” “I’m more worried about Bartleby being laughed at for his mishap,” Fluttershy said. “Don’t worry about it,” Bartleby said. “I can’t feel pain, being stuffed with straw. And I can agree that I must look quite silly, so, I don’t mind the laughter.” Presently, Applejack saw some apple trees and was getting rather hungry. “Those apples look mighty ripe,” Applejack said as she approached one tree. “How ‘bout ah kick down some n’ we can have a snack ‘fore we carry on?” “Applejack, wait, don’t!” Sunset said. But, she was too late. Applejack had already kicked the tree. “OW!!!” a gruff voice said. “Huh?!” Applejack looked around, looking for the source of the voice. “Did ah accidentally kick a farmer?! Ah’m so so–” She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as a branch from the tree grabbed her and began shaking her like a ragdoll. “What do you think you’re doing?!” the tree demanded angrily, using a knothole as a mouth. “Uh, ah was tryin’ ta get some of the apples growin’ off yer branches,” Applejack explained, albeit nervously. “Ah was hungry n’ ah wanted ta share with mah friends.” “She was hungry!” the tree said, throwing her to the ground. “D’oh!” Applejack groaned with pain. “Well,” the tree said angrily. “How would you like it if someone came along and kicked you?” Bartleby helped Applejack up. “Come along, Applejack,” he said. “You don’t want to eat those apples.” Applejack gave a soft groan for she was still clearly in pain. The trees heard Bartleby insult their fruit. “What’s that?” the first tree growled. “You dare insult our fruit?! Are you saying they aren’t what they ought to be?!” “I should say not!” Bartleby retorted. “They may look pretty and shiny, but, I’ll bet they’re all rotted on the inside or filled with worms and caterpillars!” “Why you–!!!” the tree roared. The trees were so angry they started to pick the apples off of their branches and throw them at the scarecrow. This gave him the opportunity to catch them as they got close to him. He also made sure to protect Applejack from getting more hurt from the apple projectiles. Being made of straw, the apples weren’t bruised when they hit him. Once the apples were plucked off of the trees, Fluttershy dressed Applejack’s wounds and they got a good distance away from the trees. “I have to say, Bartleby,” Spike said. “That was pretty smart.” “Hey, Sunset,” Applejack said sadly. “Ah’m powerful sorry ah didn’t hear yer warnin’ sooner. Ah was so hungry that ah was more focused on fillin’ mah belly’n listenin’ ta reason.” “It’s okay, Applejack,” Sunset said. “We all know how you feel about apples. You were born and raised on an apple farm, after all.” “Yeah,” Applejack said. “Still, with this bein’ a magic land, ah shoulda figgered the flora here’d be just as magical.” “Aren’t there trees like that in Equestria?” Dorothy asked. “Apple trees, yes,” Applejack said. “Trees that attack, also yes. Those two in one that can talk, no.” “I see,” Dorothy said. “We should rest a bit so you can recover, Applejack.” The farms were not nearly so well cared for here as they were farther back. There were fewer houses and fewer fruit trees and the farther they went the more dismal and lonesome the country became. And so, as they snacked, they sat down by the roadside near a little brook and Dorothy opened her basket and got out some bread. She offered a piece to Bartleby, but, he refused. "I am never hungry," he said. "And it is a lucky thing I am not, for my mouth is only painted and if I should cut a hole in it so I could eat, the straw I am stuffed with would come out and that would spoil the shape of my head." Dorothy nodded understandably. "Tell me something about yourselves and the countries you came from," said the scarecrow when they had finished their dinner. So, they told him all about Kansas and how gray everything was there, Equestria and how different it was, and how the cyclone had carried them to this queer Land of Oz. Bartleby listened carefully and said, "I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas." Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest, Sunset said internally. "That is because you have no brains," answered the girl. "No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home." “I suppose I understand a little bit,” Bartleby said. He then sighed. "Who am I fooling? Of course I cannot understand it," he said. "If your heads were stuffed with straw, like mine, you would probably all live in the beautiful places and then Kansas would have no people at all. It is fortunate for Kansas that you have brains." “How about you tell us a story while we’re resting,” Sunset suggested. Bartleby looked at her reproachfully and answered: "My life has been so short that I really know nothing whatever. I was only made day before yesterday. What happened in the world before that time is all unknown to me. Luckily, when the farmer made my head, one of the first things he did was to paint my ears, so that I heard what was going on. There was another Munchkin with him and the first thing I heard was the farmer saying, `How do you like those ears?' `They aren't straight,' answered the other. `Never mind,' said the farmer. `They are ears just the same,' which was true enough. `Now I'll make the eyes,' said the farmer. So, he painted my right eye and as soon as it was finished I found myself looking at him and at everything around me with a great deal of curiosity, for this was my first glimpse of the world.” “That Powder of Life stuff must work really well,” Spike said. “You had senses as soon as parts of your face were made.” “Even if you aren’t able to eat,” Starlight said. “I don’t know if you have a tongue, so, I don’t know if you have a sense of taste either.” “I couldn’t have a real tongue,” Bartleby said. “For my mouth is painted on, as I’ve said.” “Right,” Starlight said. “Anyway, you had your first glimpse of the world.” “Oh, right,” Bartleby said. "`That's a rather pretty eye,' remarked the Munchkin who was watching the farmer. `Blue paint is just the color for eyes.' `I think I'll make the other a little bigger,' said the farmer. And when the second eye was done, I could see much better than before. Then he made my nose and my mouth. But, I did not speak, because, at that time, I didn't know what a mouth was for. I had the fun of watching them make my body and my arms and legs. And, when they fastened on my head, at last, I felt very proud, for I thought I was just as good a man as anyone. `This fellow will scare the crows fast enough,' said the farmer. `He looks just like a man.' `Why, he is a man,' said the other and I quite agreed with him. The farmer carried me under his arm to the cornfield and set me up on a tall stick where you all found me. He and his friend soon after walked away and left me alone.” “That must have been so lonely for you,” Fluttershy said. Bartleby nodded. "I did not like to be deserted this way. So, I tried to walk after them. But, my feet would not touch the ground and I was forced to stay on that pole. It was a lonely life to lead, for I had nothing to think of, having been made such a little while before. Many crows and other birds flew into the cornfield, but, as soon as they saw me they flew away again, thinking I was a Munchkin.” “That’s so sad,” Trixie said. “This pleased me and made me feel that I was quite an important person,” Bartleby said. “By and by an old crow flew near me, and after looking at me carefully he perched upon my shoulder and said, `I wonder if that farmer thought to fool me in this clumsy manner. Any crow of sense could see that you are only stuffed with straw.' Then, he hopped down at my feet and ate all the corn he wanted. The other birds, seeing he was not harmed by me, came to eat the corn, too, so, in a short time there was a great flock of them about me.” “Oh, boy,” Rainbow said dismally. “Who would’ve guessed I’d feel sorry for what’s essentially a giant ragdoll. Uh, no offense.” “What’s there to be offended about?” Bartleby asked. “One thing I knew from the start is that I’m less than the Munchkin who made me.” “Well,” Applejack said. “Ya mean a lot ta us n’ that’s what’s important. Back ta yer story.” “Right,” Bartleby said. "I felt sad at this situation, for it showed I was not such a good Scarecrow after all, but, the old crow comforted me, saying, `If you only had brains in your head you would be as good a man as any of them and a better man than some of them. Brains are the only things worth having in this world, no matter whether one is a crow or a man.' After the crows had gone I thought this over and decided I would try hard to get some brains. By good luck you all came along and pulled me off the stake and from what you say, I am sure the Great Oz will give me brains as soon as we get to the Emerald City." “I’m sure he will,” Dorothy said. “Just as he will help me get home to Kansas. You sure seem anxious to get brains.” "Oh, yes, I am anxious," returned Bartleby. "It is such an uncomfortable feeling to know one is a fool." “We don’t think you’re a fool,” Spike said. “You tricked those trees into giving us their apples.” “Indeed,” Rarity said. “That was most clever.” “And you can spin such a beautiful yarn,” Sunset said. “People no older than you aren’t nearly as articulate.” “Even with all of the books I’ve read,” Twilight said. “Hearing you say all of these things is truly captivating.” “You’re only two days old,” Trixie said. “And you have an understanding of the world most don’t get until they’re years old. Clearly, you’re smarter than you think, with or without brains.” “It is nice of you all to say,” Bartleby said. “But, I still would like a brain regardless. If only to have something in my head other than straw.” “If you’re so certain on that,” Sunset said. “Then, I guess we can’t stop you.” Applejack had been eating apples for the entire duration. The vitamins in the fruit helped to heal her wounds. She inspected her body and was surprised to discover she didn’t feel sore anymore. “Hey,” she said in a pleasantly surprised voice. “Ah’m all better now!” “Can I scan you really quick?” Sunset asked. “Go ahead,” Applejack said. “Scan?” Dorothy said. “What does that mean?” Sunset lit up her horn and bathed Applejack in a cascading light that went up and down her body. Afterwards, Sunset doused her horn. “Huh,” she said. “Not an injury to be found.” “The fruit in this magical land must be just as magical as the trees,” Rarity ventured. “That would account for the magical energy I picked up in Applejack’s stomach,” Sunset said. “That is incredible,” Twilight said with astonishment. “I’ve heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” Spike said. “But, this is ridiculous.” “She must have eaten enough apples to keep a whole hospital away!” Pinkie quipped. “Ah left enough fer each o’ y’all ta have at least one,” Applejack said. “Ah ain’t that greedy with apples.” “Thanks, AJ,” Sunset said. “Although, we might want to be careful with these considering their healing properties. And we don’t know if all apples in Oz have these same healing properties.” “Y’all’d better carry the rest o’ the apples,” Applejack said before patting her belly. “Y’all know how ah get with apples.” “Good idea,” Spike said. He began picking up the remaining apples. “Should I ask?” Dorothy said. “Basically,” Rainbow said. “No matter how much Applejack’s eaten recently, all it takes is thinking about apples to make her hungry again.” “I suppose that does make sense,” Dorothy said. “I suppose there’s no point trying to figure it out?” “You can try,” Spike said. “But, it may take a while.” "Well," said the girl. "Let us go." And she handed the basket to Bartleby. “Yes, indeed,” Bartleby said. There were no fences at all by the roadside now and the land was rough and untilled. Toward evening they came to a great forest, where the trees grew so big and close together that their branches met over the road of yellow brick. It was almost dark under the trees, for the branches shut out the daylight, but, the travelers did not stop and went on into the forest. "If this road goes in, it must come out," said the scarecrow. "And, as the Emerald City is at the other end of the road, we must go wherever it leads us." The unicorns and alicorns used their horns to illuminate the way to make sure they weren’t going towards any dangerous places. "Anyone would know that," said Rainbow. "Certainly. That is why I know it," returned Bartleby. "If it required brains to figure it out, I never should have said it." After an hour or so the natural light faded away. The alicorns and unicorns kept their horns glowing until they saw a small cottage built of logs and branches. “Do you think anyone is living in that cottage over there?” Twilight asked. “There is,” Sunset whispered to Twilight. “But, we’ll need shelter for the night.” Dorothy and Spike let out yawns. “I’m too tired to worry about that right now,” Spike said. “As am I,” Dorothy said, rubbing one of her eyes. “If anyone was in there, I hope we won’t be too much trouble.” The owner of the cottage will be grateful we came, period, Sunset said internally. Dorothy entered the cottage and found a bed of dried leaves in one corner. She lay down at once and with Toto beside her soon fell into a sound sleep. Spike was about to join Dorothy before Rarity stopped him by wrapping a hoof around him. “Oh, no you don’t, Spikey-Wikey,” she said. “I’m not letting my sweet dragon sleep on dry, crinkly leaves. You’ll feel much more comfortable on my back.” “Oh, thanks, Rarity,” Spike said after a yawn escaped his lips. Rarity got down on her belly with her legs curled up and she used her magic to guide Spike until he flopped down onto her soft back. To the dragon, Rarity was as soft as a pillow, lulling him to sleep faster. The other ponies went for places around the room to sleep in. Bartleby, who couldn’t feel tired, decided to keep watch over the others.