my stories.

These ideas are often clever. They are also logical and interesting.
So I have used them whenever I could find an opportunity, and it is but
just that I acknowledge my indebtedness to my little friends.

My, what imaginations these children have developed! Sometimes I am
fairly astounded by their daring and genius. There will be no lack of
fairy-tale authors in the future, I am sure. My readers have told me
what to do with Dorothy, and Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, and I have obeyed
their mandates. They have also given me a variety of subjects to write
about in the future: enough, in fact, to keep me busy for some time. I
am very proud of this alliance. Children love these stories because
children have helped to create them. My readers know what they want
and realize that I try to please them. The result is very satisfactory
to the publishers, to me, and (I am quite sure) to the children.

I hope, my dears, it will be a long time before we are obliged to
dissolve partnership.

L. FRANK BAUM.

Coronado, 1910

1. How the Nome King Became Angry

The Nome King was in an angry mood, and at such times he was very
disagreeable. Every one kept away from him, even his Chief Steward
Kaliko.

Therefore the King stormed and raved all by himself, walking up and
down in his jewel-studded cavern and getting angrier all the time.
Then he remembered that it was no fun being angry unless he had some
one to frighten and make miserable, and he rushed to his big gong and
made it clatter as loud as he could.

In came the Chief Steward, trying not to show the Nome King how
frightened he was.

"Send the Chief Counselor here!" shouted the angry monarch.

Kaliko ran out as fast as his spindle legs could carry his fat, round
body, and soon the Chief Counselor entered the cavern. The King
scowled and said to him:

"I'm in great trouble over the loss of my Magic Belt. Every little
while I want to do something magical, and find I can't because the Belt
is gone. That makes me angry, and when I'm angry I can't have a good
time. Now, what do you advise?"

"Some people," said the Chief Counselor, "enjoy getting angry."

"But not all the time," declared the King. "To be angry once in a
while is really good fun, because it makes others so miserable. But to
be angry morning, noon and night, as I am, grows monotonous and
prevents my gaining any other pleasure in life. Now what do you
advise?"

"Why, if y