Dorothy lived on a small farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. She had a little black dog named Toto, and they played together every day. One afternoon, a powerful tornado appeared on the horizon. Aunt Em shouted, 'Quick! Run to the cellar!' But Dorothy could not find Toto anywhere. She ran back inside the house to look for him. Suddenly, the tornado lifted the house high into the sky. The house spun around and around in the dark clouds. Dorothy held Toto close and waited, feeling very scared. After a long time, the house landed with a loud crash. Dorothy opened the door and gasped at what she saw. Everything outside was bright and colorful, not like Kansas at all. Beautiful flowers grew everywhere, and the sky was the deepest blue. A group of very small people gathered around the house. They wore funny blue clothes and tiny pointed hats. 'Welcome to the Land of Oz!' said a kind woman in a white dress. She explained that Dorothy's house had landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. The witch was dead, and the small people, called Munchkins, were finally free. Dorothy felt terrible about killing someone, even a wicked witch. 'How do I get back home to Kansas?' she asked desperately. The good witch smiled and said, 'Only the great Wizard of Oz can help you.' 'He lives in the Emerald City. Follow the yellow brick road.' Dorothy thanked her and started walking on the golden path. Along the way, she met a scarecrow standing in a farmer's field. 'If I only had a brain,' the Scarecrow said sadly. Dorothy invited him to come with her to ask the Wizard for help. Next, they found a tin man standing completely still in the forest. He could not move because his joints had rusted. Dorothy oiled his arms and legs, and he could move again. 'If I only had a heart,' the Tin Man sighed. He joined Dorothy and the Scarecrow on their journey. Later, a big lion jumped out from behind the trees. He roared loudly, but then he started to cry. 'I am not really brave,' the Lion admitted. 'I am a coward.' 'Come with us!' said Dorothy. 'Maybe the Wizard can give you courage.' The four friends walked together down the yellow brick road. After many days, they finally saw the Emerald City in the distance. The city walls shone green like precious gemstones. A guard at the gate gave them special glasses to protect their eyes. Inside the palace, they met the great and powerful Oz. He appeared as a giant floating head surrounded by fire and smoke. 'Bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West,' Oz commanded. The friends were afraid, but they set out to find the witch. The Wicked Witch sent her flying monkeys to capture them. Dorothy threw a bucket of water on the witch, and she melted away. They returned to Oz with the broomstick, feeling victorious. But they discovered that Oz was just an ordinary man behind a curtain. 'You already have what you seek,' the man told them kindly. The Scarecrow had shown wisdom, the Tin Man had shown compassion, and the Lion had shown courage. 'But how will I get home?' Dorothy asked with tears in her eyes. Oz could not help her, but the good witch appeared again. She pointed at Dorothy's silver shoes. 'Click your heels three times.' Dorothy closed her eyes and said, 'There is no place like home.' When she opened her eyes, she was back in Kansas. Aunt Em and Uncle Henry hugged her tightly. Dorothy smiled and knew that she would never forget her wonderful adventure.
English Story (A2)The Wizard of Oz
This A2 English story is designed for elementarys learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Dorothy and her dog Toto are swept away from Kansas by a tornado to the magical Land of Oz. To find her way home, she must follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City and meet the great Wizard. Along the way, she befriends a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. Together they face the Wicked Witch of the West, only to discover that Oz is just an ordinary man and that they already possessed what they were seeking all along.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was the name of Dorothy's dog?
2
What happened to Dorothy's house during the tornado?
3
What did the Wizard ask Dorothy and her friends to bring him?
4
How did Dorothy defeat the Wicked Witch?
Vocabulary
30 words from this story
