Fudge's Furry Tales - The Lizard of Oz

When we were just wee puppies, our Mom used to tell us bedtime stories to help us sleep. It's been a long time but I have an excellent memory and I'd like to share some with you.  Some of you may know the stories already, but I'll tell them as I remember them. The first one is a favorite of ours called The Lizard Of Oz.

Once upon a time in the land of Woos, lived a scruffy little dog named Toto. He lived with his peep, Dorcus, or something like that.

One day Toto and Dorcus were playing in the yard and a thundering storm blew in with lots of boomers and flashes. Dorcus was afraid and she and Toto started running toward the house, but they fell into a rabbit hole. They tumbled down and down and when they finally came to the bottom, they were in Oz.

It was a beautiful place and Toto and Dorcus wandered around looking at the lovely flowers and trees, but they really wanted to go home to Woos. Toto came up with a totally brilliant idea. If they fell back into the hole, they'd come out the other end and be home again. They started looking for the rabbit hole, but they couldn't find it.

Toto told Dorcus that they needed help so they stopped the first creature they saw. It was a scary crow, named Scary Crow. They told him their problem and asked if he'd help them find the rabbit hole. He said he'd be happy to help but his eye sight was bad and he needed glasses. Unfortunately he had broken his glasses and needed new frames. If they'd help him find some frames, he'd help them locate the rabbit hole. They agreed.

The three of them started walking around looking for something to use for frames when they came across a tin can lying in the grass. They started to pass by when they heard the can sobbing, so they stopped and asked what was wrong. The tin can told them that he was very unhappy because his label was missing so nobody wanted hm anymore. They asked how they could help and he said if they would help him find his art, he'd help them get back home. They invited the tin can, who they called Tin Can, to join them.

The foursome started walking on when they were approached by a large individual who looked as if he needed help. They called out to him and he came up to them and told them his name was Captain Kangaroo. He said that he had to get up so early everyday that he hadn't had breakfast in years and needed some porridge. Could they help him find some porridge? They agreed that he should join the little group and they hurried on.

Well, to make a long story a little less long, they met some flying pieces of the color wheel.

They got threatened by the wicked water creature of the wets, but Toto showing the bravery that all us dogs have within us, barked at that wicked water creature of the wets and frightened her away.

Then they finally found the Lizard of Oz. They told him their problems and he fixed them all up.

 Scary Crow asked the Lizard if he could help him find a frame and the Lizard said "Of course, all we need is a hanger and some mallard tape."

He bent the hanger and wrapped it with tape and Scary Crow had his frame and he could see to fly again.

Next Tin Can asked if the Lizard could help him find his art. "Sure, follow me" said the Lizard and they all walked  down the street to a nearby museum. "See that painting? It has lots of art, more than it needs. It won't miss one small can." He tore a corner off the painting and with his handy roll of mallard tape, he stuck the art on Tin Can. Now Tin Can had an art.

Captain Kangaroo asked if the Lizard could help him find some porridge. "Oh you silly kangaroo, if you get up too early to eat porridge, you need some that you can eat any time. Here, fill your pouch with this and whenever you get hungry, just reach in your pouch and have some." He poured a big pile of Cheerios in Captain Kangaroo's pouch and stuck one in his mouth. Poor starving Captain Kangaroo smiled and munched away.

Then Toto asked the Lizard if he could help him and Dorcus get back home to Woos. "That's the easiest one of all," the Lizard of Oz said. "You've had the power all the time. Just go into a field with lots of bushes around it and bark three times. Rabbits will stick their heads up out of their holes and ask one if you can borrow his hole."

Toto and Dorcus thanked the Lizard and hugged their friends Scary Crow, Tin Can and Captain Kangaroo and hurried to a nearby field. Toto barked three times and rabbits popped up out of their holes to see what was going on. 

Toto walked up to a rabbit and asked politely if he and Dorcus could borrow his hole to get back to Woos. The rabbit said it was OK with him and jumped out. 

Toto and Dorcus waved to everyone and jumped into the hole. They spun and tumbled for a long time, then they saw light at the end of the tunnel and there they were in Woos again with Phantom and Thunder and Ciara and Lightning looking at them. 

Toto and Dorcus were so happy to see their friends that they started singing and howling. Toto hugged Ciara and said "There's no face like home." The end.

So that's the story Mom used to tell us, or something like that. Now goodnight everyone.
Your Pal, Fudge