Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz · Chapter
The Nine Tiny Piglets explained
Ozma declares a holiday in honor of her visitors, featuring a grand procession through the Emerald City and a performance by the Wizard, who delights the crowd with his tricks, including the famous nine tiny piglets.
What happens
Ozma declares a holiday in honor of her visitors, featuring a grand procession through the Emerald City and a performance by the Wizard, who delights the crowd with his tricks, including the famous nine tiny piglets. Afterward, the group enjoys a luncheon and attends games and races, where the Sawhorse defeats Jim the Cab-Horse in a race, earning the title of Prince of Horses from Ozma.
Themes in this chapter
Humbug vs. True Magic
The Wizard's tricks are revealed as sleight-of-hand, yet they bring genuine joy and wonder to the people of Oz, blurring the line between humbug and true magic.
Hospitality and Generosity
Ozma declares a holiday, hosts a lavish luncheon, and rewards the Sawhorse, demonstrating the generous spirit of Oz.
Adventure and Exploration
The chapter celebrates the group's arrival in Oz and their participation in the festivities, marking the end of their underground journey.
Characters to notice
- Princess Ozma
Orders a holiday, rides in the royal chariot, rewards the Sawhorse, and enjoys the Wizard's trick with the piglet.
- Dorothy Gale
Rides with Ozma in the chariot, wearing the Magic Belt.
- The Wizard
Performs the trick of the nine tiny piglets and other feats, delighting the audience.
- Jim the Cab-Horse
Drives the buggy in the procession, loses the race to the Sawhorse, and feels out of place in a fairy country.
- Zeb
Drives Jim in the procession, wrestles and boxes a Munchkin, and agrees with Jim about being lucky to be in Oz.
- The Scarecrow
Rides the Sawhorse in the procession and proposes the race between the Sawhorse and Jim.
- The Sawhorse
Races and defeats Jim, is proclaimed Prince of Horses by Ozma.
- The Cowardly Lion
Draws Ozma's chariot along with the Hungry Tiger, decorated with bows.
Key passages
“declared she was sorry they were gone, for she wanted one of them to pet and play with. So the Wizard pretended to take one of the piglets out of the hair of the Princess (while really he slyly took it from his inside pocket) and Ozma smiled joyously as the creature nestled in her arms, and she promised to have an emerald collar made for its fat neck and to keep the little squealer always at hand to amuse her.”
Ozma expressed regret that the piglets had vanished, wishing to keep one as a pet. The Wizard then pretended to retrieve a piglet from her hair, but actually produced it from his pocket, and Ozma happily accepted it, vowing to adorn it with an emerald collar and keep it for amusement.
Highlights the Wizard's sleight-of-hand and Ozma's delight.
“Afterward it was noticed that the Wizard always performed his famous trick with eight piglets, but it seemed to please the people just as well as if there had been nine of them.”
Later, observers noted that the Wizard's trick consistently used only eight piglets, yet the audience was equally entertained.
Reveals the Wizard's humbug nature and the audience's acceptance.
“Said she: 'My friend, I reward you for your swiftness by proclaiming you Prince of Horses, whether of wood or of flesh; and hereafter all other horses—in the Land of Oz, at least—must be considered imitations, and you the real Champion of your race.'”
Ozma declared the Sawhorse the Prince of Horses, stating that all other horses in Oz are mere imitations, and he is the true champion.
Ozma's proclamation elevates the Sawhorse's status.
