# XV: Billina Frightens the Nome King explained — Ozma of Oz

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

## What happens

Billina the hen lays an egg in the Nome King's throne room, terrifying him because eggs are poison to Nomes. She bargains for the right to guess the King's enchantments in the palace, and after Dorothy successfully guesses and rescues Prince Evring, the Scarecrow fails and is turned into a gold card-receiver. Billina then insists on taking her turn, despite Dorothy's warnings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Resourcefulness and Cleverness

Billina uses her egg-laying to negotiate a chance to guess the enchantments, showing quick thinking.

### Courage and Adventure

Billina bravely insists on entering the enchanted palace despite the risks, and Dorothy's successful guess demonstrates her courage.

## Character check-ins

### Billina

Lays an egg under the throne, frightening the Nome King, and bargains for the chance to guess the enchantments.

### Nome King

Terrified by the egg, reluctantly allows Billina to guess, and is frustrated by Dorothy's correct guess.

### Scarecrow

Left with the King, learns of Dorothy's success, then fails his guesses and is turned into a gold card-receiver.

### Dorothy Gale

Successfully guesses one enchantment, rescues Prince Evring, and returns to the throne room.

### Prince Evring

Rescued by Dorothy and brought back to the throne room, shy of the Scarecrow.

## Key lines

> The machine man. He won’t need to be wound up any more, for he has now become a very neat ornament. Very neat, indeed.

The Nome King gloats that Tik-Tok has been turned into a decorative ornament, no longer requiring winding.

_The King's satisfaction at transforming Tik-Tok._

> I lay eggs wherever I happen to be

Billina asserts her habit of laying eggs without regard for location.

_Billina's defiance of the King's authority._

> Eggs belong only to the outside world—to the world on the earth’s surface, where you came from. Here, in my underground kingdom, they are rank poison

The Nome King explains that eggs are toxic to Nomes and only exist on the surface.

_The King's fear of eggs due to their poisonous nature to Nomes._

> I always keep my promises, no matter how foolish they are.

The King reluctantly honors his word, even when it seems unwise.

_The King's adherence to his promise despite his displeasure._

> I may not be human, but I’m no fool, if I am a chicken.

Billina asserts her intelligence despite being a fowl.

_Billina's confidence in her ability to guess correctly._

## Links

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