This book contains the following stories:
The Wizard of Oz
When young Dorothy and her dog Toto are caught in a cyclone, their Kansas farmhouse is carried off to the magical Land of Oz. Dorothy really wants to return home, but is told the only chance is to get the Wizard of Oz to help her so she follows the yellow brick road to his home in the Emerald City. Along the way she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion who join her on the quest: the Scarecrow wishes for brains, the Tin Man for a heart and the Cowardly Lion for some courage. The Wizard of Oz agrees to help them all if they vanquish the Wicked Witch, so the gang troop off to her palace. Despite running into the witch’s flying monkeys, Dorothy is able to melt the witch with a big bucket of water. On return the Wizard gives the scarecrow a handful of pins, the Tin Man a heart shaped cushion and the lion a bottle marked courage. For Dorothy he has a hot air balloon to take her home but unfortunately it takes off with the Wizard in it but before Dorothy can climb in herself. It takes advice from Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, for Dorothy to learn that she has her own way of returning home. Dorothy clicks together the heels of her silver shoes and wishes to return home, and is soon running across the fields at Kansas.
Published in 1898, "Moonfleet" is an adventure story set in an 18th-century English coastal village. A tale of smuggling and mystery on the Dorset coast as told by John Trenchard, a boy obsessed with discovering the secret of Colonel 'Blackbeard' Mohune's hidden treasure. One night, trapped in the Mohune family vault beneath the church, John finds a locket round the Colonel's neck which contains verses from the Psalms of David. What could it mean?
Plot Summary:
"Moonfleet" is a coming-of-age adventure that follows the journey of a young orphan named John Trenchard. The story is set in the village of Moonfleet on the coast of Dorset, England, during the 18th century.
John Trenchard, a teenager, lives with his aunt in Moonfleet. He becomes entwined in a series of events when he accidentally uncovers a hidden treasure map belonging to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. The map leads to the lost diamond of the Mohunes, a treasure that has been coveted for generations.
Elzevir Block, landlord of the local public house and once a smuggler himself, who has lost his son in the contraband wars, befriends John and together they struggle to find the secret of Blackbeard's buried wealth. As they search for the diamond, they encounter various challenges, including treacherous landscapes, secret tunnels, and deadly traps.
The story also touches on the conflict between smugglers and the law, as Moonfleet is known for its smuggling activities. The characters' loyalty and moral choices are put to the test as they navigate the dangers of their surroundings.
Throughout their journey, John and Elzevir form a strong bond, and John matures from a naive young boy into a courageous and resourceful young man. The themes of friendship, honor, and bravery are central to the narrative.
As they get closer to the treasure, John and Elzevir's lives are put in grave danger. The climax of the story involves a suspenseful confrontation and a daring escape. The novel explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the allure of buried treasure.
"Moonfleet" is a classic adventure tale that captures the spirit of exploration, camaraderie, and discovery. John Meade Falkner's writing brings to life the atmospheric coastal setting and the challenges faced by its characters. The novel remains a popular work of historical fiction that resonates with readers of all ages.
