# The Yellow Hen explained — Ozma of Oz

> Chapter companion for Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

Dorothy awakens in the hen coop adrift at sea and discovers a talking yellow hen named Billina. They discuss the hen's ability to speak, her egg-laying habit, and their shared hunger. They drift to a beautiful but uninhabited shore, where Billina finds a golden key buried in the sand. Dorothy decides to explore the area for breakfast.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

Dorothy and Billina form a quick bond of companionship and mutual support while stranded.

### Resourcefulness and Cleverness

Billina uses her beak to find food and uncovers the golden key, showing cleverness in survival.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy Gale

Awakens in the coop, talks with Billina, lands on shore, and finds a golden key.

### Billina

A yellow hen who can talk, lays an egg, and discovers a golden key in the sand.

## Key lines

> Kut-kut-kut, ka-daw-kut! Kut-kut-kut, ka-daw-kut!

A hen's cackling sound.

_The noise that awakens Dorothy, signaling Billina's presence._

> Why, I've just laid an egg, that's all

I just laid an egg.

_Billina's first spoken words to Dorothy._

> My name is Bill

My name is Bill.

_Billina introduces herself with a masculine name._

> Putting the 'eena' on the end makes it a girl's name, you see.

Adding 'eena' makes it a feminine name.

_Dorothy renames the hen Billina._

> I struck metal, that time, and it nearly broke my beak.

I hit metal and almost broke my beak.

_Billina discovers the golden key._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/ii-the-yellow-hen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters