The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | A Short Bedtime Story For Kids

Once upon a time, in Kansas, there lived a little girl named Dorothy with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Dorothy had a little dog named Toto, and they were best friends. One day, a terrible cyclone swept through Kansas, picking up Dorothy’s house and carrying her and Toto far away to the magical land of Oz.

The Arrival in Oz

When Dorothy landed in Oz, she was greeted by the Munchkins and the Good Witch of the North. They were grateful to Dorothy because her house had landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, defeating her and freeing the Munchkins. The Good Witch gave Dorothy a pair of magical silver shoes (ruby in some versions) and told her the only way to return home was to visit the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City.

The Journey to the Emerald City

Dorothy set off on the yellow brick road toward the Emerald City. Along the way, she made three friends:

1. The Scarecrow, who wanted a brain to think.
2. The Tin Man, who longed for a heart to feel emotions.
3. The Cowardly Lion, who desperately wished for courage.

Together, they journeyed to the Emerald City, each hoping that the Wizard of Oz could grant their wishes.

The Wizard’s Challenge

When they arrived, the Wizard of Oz agreed to help but only if they defeated the Wicked Witch of the West. Determined, Dorothy and her friends traveled to the witch’s castle. The Wicked Witch tried many tricks to stop them, but eventually, Dorothy threw a bucket of water on her, melting her away.

Granting the Wishes

With the Wicked Witch gone, they returned to the Emerald City. The Wizard revealed that he was not a real wizard but a kind man from Kansas, just like Dorothy. He helped the Scarecrow realize he had always been smart, the Tin Man that he had always had a kind heart, and the Cowardly Lion that he was already brave.

Dorothy’s Return Home

Finally, the Good Witch of the South (Glinda) appeared and told Dorothy that the magic shoes she had been wearing could take her home anytime. Dorothy clicked her heels three times, saying, “There’s no place like home.” In an instant, she was back in Kansas, safe with Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and Toto.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Where did Dorothy live before the cyclone?
2. Who did Dorothy meet in the magical land of Oz?
3. What did the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion each wish for?
4. How did Dorothy defeat the Wicked Witch of the West?
5. What magical item did Dorothy use to return home?

Moral of the Story:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz teaches us the importance of self-belief. Each character already possessed the qualities they wished for, but it took their journey to realize it. The story also highlights that true happiness lies in appreciating what we already have.

Important Note:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic children’s novel written by L. Frank Baum, first published in 1900. We have rewritten the story in simple words to make it easier for children to read and understand. Our goal is to present the story in a way that is easy to imagine and to clearly convey the moral lessons it offers.