The Marvelous Land of Oz: A Retelling for Curious Readers

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The opening of The Marvelous Land of Oz: A Retelling for Curious Readers, free to read.

1. 

   Tip dug his knife into a fat pumpkin and carved it a huge grin. “That will give her a fright!” he laughed. He meant old Mombi, who was away. Tip could not remember his parents. He had always lived with Mombi in the purple Gillikin Country of Oz, doing her chores. She worked magic in secret, and Tip did not like her one bit.

2. 

   Tip gave his pumpkin a body of bark and wooden arms and legs. He dressed it in a red shirt, purple trousers, and a spotted pink vest. “I will call you Jack Pumpkinhead!” he cried, and stood Jack where the road curved. But Mombi came home early. She had traded secrets with a crooked wizard for a pepper-box of Powder of Life.

3. 

   Mombi was not scared at all. “A chance to test my new powder!” she said. Peeking through the hedge, Tip watched her shake it over Jack like pepper on a potato and cry three magic words: “Weaugh! Teaugh! Peaugh!” “Don’t yell like that!” said Jack. “Do you think I’m deaf?” “He lives!” shrieked Mombi. Tip laughed so hard that she caught him.