The Lizard of Oz: Chapter Seventeen
Cloud Nine
When the shadow show was over. Mr. Plato led the class to the top of Mount Parnassus. They could tell that they were very high, and they could have seen far in every direction, but clouds got in their way — light fluffy clouds.
Donny stuck his head into a cloud. “Gosh,” he said, “it’s nice in here, all silvery and everything.”
“Yes, every cloud has a silver lining,” explained Mr. Plato. “But the best of them is Cloud Nine. Right over there, kids.”
All the kids went rushing to Cloud Nine.
Mr. Plato turned to Miss Osborne, “I gather that you and the Redcoats aren’t interested in Cloud Nine.”
“No,” she said sadly. “We must be going… wherever it is that we’re going.”
“Well, the path to the right leads to Ome. That to the left leads to Home.”
The Redcoat Sergeant was ecstatic, “Right face!” he ordered. “Forward, double-time, march!”
So the Redcoats went marching quickly down the path to Ome.
“What’s wrong, Miss Osborne?” asked Mr. Plato. “You hesitate. You don’t seem to know where you want to go.”
“It’s all so confusing,” she admitted.
“Then maybe you should try Cloud Nine. If you like, you can stay at the amusement park forever, and not worry about anything at all. In any case, take this package — you may need it.”
The kids and Miss Shelby and Mr.New Man were already inside the cloud. Miss Osborne was curious, so she followed them.
“Come on in,” called Donny. “It’s unreal how much fun it is in here.”
“Yes, come on in,” urged Gaynell. “I’m having a simply marvelous tea party with the Mad Hatter.”
“I need you, Miss Osborne,” pleaded Kathy. “How am I ever going to decide? There are all these Prince Charmings riding around on white chargers, and I can’t make up my mind which one I want to be rescued by.”
Miss Osborne couldn’t resist. She stepped in, and Mr. Carroll followed her. They stood under an apple tree and watched the kids play.
Mr.Carroll said, “I’ve been here before, but I’m not sure when, and I don’t know why I left here. It’s a great place, with none of the cares of the world or the unworld or even the Underworld. The cloud just floats, but it doesn’t matter where the cloud is, because things are always the same inside — always wonderful, protected from sadness by the silver lining.”
They both felt happy inside Cloud Nine.
Then Miss Osborne remembered, “My goodness, how could I be so forgetful? Mr. Plato handed me this package, and I walked off with it, without thanking him or asking what it’s for.”
“Well, open it up,” urged Mr.Carroll. “If Mr. Plato gave you a package, he must have had a good reason.”
Inside she found a couple dozen pairs of sunglasses and a big stick.
Mr. Carroll explained, “The stick is a torch. It catches fire easily. It would come in handy if you go to Ome. But there’s no reason to go to Ome now, or Home either. The kids are having the time of their lives right here. And there’s no point in trying to change the world. Most people are happy with it just as it is. Those who aren’t happy with it can drop out, like you did. There’s no reason for you to worry.”
Miss Osborne looked thoughtful. “I just don’t know,” she muttered softly.
Mr.Carroll noted, “You look like you’re in another world.”
“Or unworld,” she answered. “I’m sorry.”
She smiled and took his hand, and they played together and listened to music that came from all directions. But from time to time, she got a thoughtful look again.
That night while Mr. Carroll was asleep, Miss Osborne got up quietly and gathered the class together. She asked them to be careful not wake Mr. Carroll.
They did as she said, figuring they were going to play hide-and-seek or something like that.
As they passed Mr.Carroll on the way out, Miss Osborne borrowed a forgetmenot from Gaynell and laid it beside him.
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Links to other chapters and the story of how this story was written.
