"I suppose a good many laws seem foolish to those people who do not understand them," she said; "but no law is ever made without some purpose, and that purpose is usually to protect all the people and guard their welfare.As you are a stranger, I will explain this Law which to you seems so foolish.Years ago there were many Witches and Magicians in the Land of Oz, and one of the things they often used in making their magic charms and transformations was a six-leaved clover.These Witches and Magicians caused so much trouble among my people, often using their powers for evil rather than good, that I decided to forbid anyone to practice magic or sorcery except Glinda the Good and her assistant, the Wizard of Oz, both of whom I can trust to use their arts only to benefit my people and to make them happier.Since I issued that Law the Land of Oz has been far more peaceful and quiet; but Ilearned that some of the Witches and Magicians were still practicing magic on the sly and using the six-leaved clovers to make their potions and charms.Therefore I made another Law forbidding anyone from plucking a six-leaved clover or from gathering other plants and herbs which the Witches boil in their kettles to work magic with.That has almost put an end to wicked sorcery in our land, so you see the Law was not a foolish one, but wise and just; and, in any event, it is wrong to disobey a Law."Ojo knew she was right and felt greatly mortified to realize he had acted and spoken so ridiculously.But he raised his head and looked Ozma in the face, saying:
"I am sorry I have acted wrongly and broken your Law.I did it to save Unc Nunkie, and thought I would not be found out.But I am guilty of this act and whatever punishment you think I deserve I will suffer willingly."Ozma smiled more brightly, then, and nodded graciously.
"You are forgiven," she said."For, although you have committed a serious fault, you are now penitent and I think you have been punished enough.Soldier, release Ojo the Lucky and--""I beg your pardon; I'm Ojo the Unlucky,"said the boy.
"At this moment you are lucky," said she.
"Release him, Soldier, and let him go free."The people were glad to hear Ozma's decree and murmured their approval.As the royal audience was now over, they began to leave the Throne Room and soon there were none remaining except Ojo and his friends and Ozma and her favorites.
The girl Ruler now asked Ojo to sit down and tell her all his story, which he did, beginning at the time he had left his home in the forest and ending with his arrival at the Emerald City and his arrest.Ozma listened attentively and was thoughtful for some moments after the boy had finished speaking.Then she said:
"The Crooked Magician was wrong to make the Glass Cat and the Patchwork Girl, for it was against the Law.And if he had not unlawfully kept the bottle of Liquid of Petrifaction standing on his shelf, the accident to his wife Margolotte and to Unc Nunkie could not have occurred.I can understand, however, that Ojo, who loves his uncle, will be unhappy unless he can save him.
