beth@umcp-cs.UUCP (06/28/84)
I finally remembered to check how the Scarecrow's degree was awarded in
the book, "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, copyright 1944 by the Bobbs-
Merrill Company. (original cp. 1900 by Baum and W.W. Denslow)
------
The Scarecrow went in and found the little man sitting down by the window,
engaged in deep thought.
"I have come for my brains," remarked the Scarecrow, a little uneasily.
"Oh, yes. Sit down in that chair, please," replied Oz. "You must excuse
me for taking your head off, but I shall have to do it in order to put your
brains in their proper place."
"That's all right," said the Scarecrow. "You are quite welcome to take my
head off, as long as it will be a better one when you put it on again."
So the Wizard unfastened his head and emptied out the straw. Then he entered
the back room and took up a measure of bran, which he mixed with a great many
pins and needles. Having shaken them together thoroughly, he filled the top
of the Scarecrow's head with the mixture and stuffed the rest of the space
with straw, to hold it in place.
When he had fastened the Scarecrow's head on his body again he said to him,
"Hereafter you will be a great man, for I have given you a lot of bran-new
brains."
The Scarecrow was both pleased and proud at the fulfilment of his greatest
wish, and having thanked Oz warmly he went back to his friends.
Dorothy looked at him curiously. His head was quite bulged out at the top
with brains.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"I feel wise indeed," he answered earnestly. "When I get used to my brains
I shall know everything."
"Why are those needles and pins sticking out of your head?" asked the Tin
Woodman.
"That is proof that he is sharp," remarked the Lion.
------
Later on, the Scarecrow becomes the ruler of Oz because he is so smart. The
scene with taking the Scarecrow's head off would have been a bit difficult
without using special visual effects.
Beth Katz
{seismo,rlgvax}!umcp-cs!beth