The Cowardly Lion of Oz

In Short

When a clown's magic trick unexpectedly teleports him and an orphan boy to the tyrannical realm of Mudge, its whiskered monarch forces them to hunt down Oz's famed Cowardly Lion. Reluctantly embarking on the quest, the travelers wander through a succession of surreal lands, including a floating island of nonsensical inhabitants and a kingdom of sentient jars. Meanwhile, the Cowardly Lion wanders out of the Emerald City in search of a brave man to eat, hoping it will make him feel courageous. Their misadventures converge in a confrontation that ultimately secures the travelers a permanent home in Oz.

The Story

The trouble begins at an American circus, where Notta Bit More, a hard-working clown desperate to entertain a bored crowd, recites an absurd rhyme while holding a young red-headed orphan named Bob Up. The jingle unexpectedly acts as a secret magical transport code, instantly vanishing both of them from the circus ring and dropping them straight into the isolated, authoritarian country of Mudge.

Mudge is ruled by Mustafa, a cruel, blue-whiskered monarch obsessed with collecting ten thousand lions. Short by just half a lion, Mustafa discovers that the newcomers have accidentally stumbled upon his country’s secret transformation formula. He threatens them with a magic ring that turns victims blue and freezes them solid unless they travel into the heart of Oz to capture the iconic Cowardly Lion for his royal menagerie.

Unaware of this plot, the Cowardly Lion is experiencing an identity crisis of his own on the veranda of Ozma’s palace in the Emerald City. Surrounded by calm, fearless animals, he mourns his perpetual fearfulness. Believing that eating a truly brave man will finally grant him inner courage, the Lion slips away into the wilderness on a desperate quest to find and devour one.

Notta and Bob set out into the wild fairy forests of Oz, using the clown's collection of odd disguises to navigate the perilous terrain. Along the way, they pick up Snorer, a bird equipped with a peculiar "radio ear." Their journey takes them through a series of absurd, magical territories, including the floating sky-island of Un, where the nonsensical inhabitants spend their days wishing, fishing, and fighting.

Eventually, the paths of the wanderers cross. The Cowardly Lion confronts Notta and Bob, but upon realizing that Notta has deliberately chosen to disobey Mustafa's order out of kindness—risking the blue magic curse rather than capturing an innocent creature—the Lion recognizes the clown as the bravest man in Oz. Horrified by the realization that his quest demands he devour his newfound friend, the Lion tearfully confesses his intentions, and the trio instead form a close alliance.

Mustafa’s magic ring strikes, turning Bob blue and freezing Notta mid-somersault. Joined by Crunch, a vengeful Stone Man who seeks to turn the Lion into granite, the villains attempt to claim their prize. However, through quick thinking, magical aid from Glinda and Ozma, and the unbreakable bond forged among the travelers, the threats are defeated. Mustafa’s plans are foiled, and the magical curse is broken. Returning in triumph to the Emerald City, Notta, Bob, and Snorer are granted citizenship by Queen Ozma, settling down to run a cozy, joyful circus tent on the city's outskirts.

How It Unfolds

The magic rhyme backfires Struggling to enliven a dull circus audience, Notta the clown chants a silly verse that unexpectedly whisks him and an orphan boy named Bob Up into the middle of Mudge.

An audience with Mustafa The blue-whiskered ruler of Mudge demands that the intruders catch his ten-thousandth lion. He threatens to use his magic ring to turn them blue and freeze them solid if they refuse to obey.

The Lion’s guilt Distressed by his own persistent cowardice, the Cowardly Lion sneaks away from the Emerald City, convinced that the only way to feel genuinely brave is to locate and devour a truly courageous man.

Trapped in the skyle of Un Notta, Bob, and their new bird companion Snorer find themselves stranded on a floating island populated by the peculiar Uns, escaping only by stealing the royal Flyaboutabus.

An unusual confession When the Cowardly Lion meets the travelers, he realizes Notta’s refusal to capture him is an act of extreme bravery. The Lion confesses his intent to eat a brave man, but chooses friendship over his dark quest.

Mustafa’s revenge and defeat Mustafa activates his magic ring to freeze the travelers, while Crunch the Stone Man closes in. Through the intervention of Oz’s rulers and the travelers' resourcefulness, the villains are overcome, and the blue spell is lifted.

A new tent in Oz Queen Ozma invites Notta, Bob, and Snorer to stay forever in Oz. Notta sets up a circus tent near the Emerald City, securing a happy, peaceful future for the little boy and himself.

The People

• The Cowardly Lion: A self-conscious beast who longs to feel as brave on the inside as he acts on the outside. Burdened by his perceived flaw, he leaves home to find a brave man to eat, but his innate kindness prevents him from harming his friends, leading him to accept himself.
• Notta Bit More: A warm-hearted circus clown whose primary goal is to bring joy to others and protect young Bob Up. Despite being thrust into strange kingdoms and threatened by magical curses, his resourcefulness, loyalty, and humor prove that he possesses genuine bravery.
• Bob Up: A solemn young orphan from Philadelphia who finds a father figure in Notta. He adapts quickly to the magical hazards of Oz, maintaining a gentle curiosity that earns him the affection of both the clown and the beasts they encounter.
• Mustafa of Mudge: A short-tempered, blue-whiskered monarch who wants to complete his collection of ten thousand lions. Driven by vanity and spite, he uses a magic ring to enforce his will, but his greed ultimately leads to his own undoing.
• Snorer (Nickadoodle): A loyal, odd bird with a detachable, radio-like nose. He joins the travelers during their airborne misadventures, offering flight and warnings to keep the group safe.

In Its Own Voice

"Udge! Budge! / Go to Mudge! / Udger budger, / You're a Mudger!"

The clown recited the nonsense rhyme in the circus ring, unintentionally triggering the ancient secret transformation formula that instantly vanished him and Bob to a distant land.

"I, of all creatures in Oz, am the only cowardly one."

Pacing the palace veranda, the Cowardly Lion lamented his internal fears while watching the other royal pets play without a care.

"You feel cowardly and act bravely. I feel brave and act cowardly."

The Soldier with the Green Whiskers offered this pragmatic perspective to the Lion, pointing out that true courage lies in actions rather than feelings.

"First be nice and then be natural. How's that for a rule?"

Scraps the Patchwork Girl blurted out this cheerful advice when Notta confessed his fear of showing his true self without a clown disguise.

What It's Really About

Beneath its whirlwind of whimsical encounters and magical travel, the story examines the true definition of courage and self-worth. The Cowardly Lion believes bravery is a physical trait that can be acquired by consuming someone else, failing to see that his willingness to fight for others despite his terror is the very definition of fortitude. Conversely, Notta the clown considers himself a simple performer of little consequence, yet his selfless refusal to betray a fellow creature demonstrates profound moral strength. The narrative suggests that identity is not defined by external disguises or self-imposed labels, but by how one treats others when faced with danger. Real bravery turns out to be an act of love rather than an absence of fear.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic, imaginative fairy tales with high-tempo adventures will enjoy this entry in the Oz canon. Ruth Plumly Thompson captures the vibrant, theatrical spirit of early twentieth-century juvenile fiction, offering a story rich with bizarre landscapes, absurd puns, and endearingly quirky companions. The prose moves at a brisk pace, leaping rapidly from circus rings to sky-islands, floating fiddles, and enchanted forests.

Modern readers should be prepared for the episodic structure typical of the period, as well as lighthearted nonsense logic that prioritizes fun over strict realism. Some readers may find the clown's constant rhyming and the villain’s cartoonish threats simple by modern fantasy standards, but these elements contribute directly to the book's nostalgic charm. What remains with the reader is the gentle, comforting warmth of its central relationships—particularly the bond between the protective clown and the orphan boy—and the enduring lesson that real heart and courage often reside in those who believe themselves to be the most ordinary.