# XI: Johnny Dooit Does It explained — The Road to Oz

> Chapter companion for The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

The travelers, stranded at the edge of the Deadly Desert, are unable to cross due to the deadly sands. After a night of rest, Dorothy asks Polychrome if she can do magic, but she cannot. The Shaggy Man uses the Love Magnet to summon Johnny Dooit, a skilled worker who builds a sand-boat with sails and runners to carry them across the desert. Johnny Dooit works quickly with his magic tools, completes the boat, and then disappears.

## Themes in this chapter

### Journey and Discovery

The travelers face the challenge of crossing the Deadly Desert, leading to the discovery of a solution through Johnny Dooit's sand-boat.

### Hospitality and Generosity

Johnny Dooit generously offers his skills and builds the sand-boat without hesitation, helping the group continue their journey.

### Magic and Wonder

Johnny Dooit's magic tools and rapid construction of the sand-boat evoke a sense of wonder and magical craftsmanship.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy

Dorothy leads the group and asks Polychrome about magic, then eagerly summons Johnny Dooit through the Shaggy Man.

### Shaggy Man

The Shaggy Man uses the Love Magnet to call Johnny Dooit, who builds a sand-boat to cross the desert.

### Polychrome

Polychrome explains she cannot do magic, as clouds have no use for it, and wishes her father would come for her.

### Button-Bright

Button-Bright is hungry and weary, but watches with interest as Johnny Dooit builds the sand-boat.

### Johnny Dooit

Johnny Dooit is summoned by the Shaggy Man and quickly builds a sand-boat using his magic tools, then disappears.

### Toto

Toto is present with the group, wagging his tail and barking when the Shaggy Man looks at him.

## Key lines

> The only way to do a thing Is do it when you can, And do it cheerfully, and sing And work and think and plan.

The best approach to any task is to tackle it promptly and with a positive attitude, combining effort, thought, and planning.

_Johnny Dooit's work song emphasizes his philosophy of cheerful and immediate action._

> I may not be able to do magic myself, but I can call to us a powerful friend who loves me because I own the Love Magnet, and this friend surely will be able to help us.

Although I lack magical abilities, I can summon a friend who is drawn to me by the Love Magnet and who will certainly assist us.

_The Shaggy Man explains his plan to summon Johnny Dooit using the Love Magnet._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_road_to_oz_se/chapters/xi-johnny-dooit-does-it
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_road_to_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_road_to_oz_se/chapters