Because today is the 3rd Tuesday of April, so today's blog posting is brought to you by the letter N!
In L. Frank Baum's 4th book about the Land of Oz entitled: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz and written in 1904, the Wizard of Oz returns from his adventures back in the Great Outside, which is what the citizens of Oz call our world.
As you can see from the book cover, which was illustrated by John R. Neill, the Wizard of Oz has nine little piglets on his person.
Quoting the Oz Wikia website, which is a fountain of great information about Oz;
"The Piglets are small and white, and are no bigger than mice. They are from the Island of Teenty-Weent where everything is small. The Wizard acquired them from a sailor in Los Angeles in exchange for nine tickets to the circus.
Princess Ozma was so enamoured of the Tiny Piglets that the Wizard gave her one as a pet. (Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz)
However, Professor and Mrs. Swine, the parents of the nine piglets, met the Tin Woodman and told him that they had given their nine children to the Wizard of Oz so he would care for them and educate them. (The Tin Woodman of Oz)
The Wizard's account to Dorothy may have been a playful exaggeration."
Within the book, there is even a chapter (17) devoted to these fine little piglets.
And, as the Oz Wikia states, Princess ozma recieves one as a pet.
Every time I see an illustration of the Wizard, he is wearing some fine, stylin' clothes, but his hairstyle leaves a lot to be desired.
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison of Oz
Yes, the wizard's hair definitely leaves a lot to be desired. Great pictures from the land of Oz.
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