"The correct question is" the Wizard advised.  "What do you want to do about it?"

This was really more than I could bear.  I had been hijacked, kidnapped, made to travel through a strange place looking for this even stranger man and now he asked what I wanted?  Suddenly, I felt a surge of myself return and I turned to him with a sarcastic expression.

"Oh wise Prospero, master manipulator and wizard, what is it that you have decreed I must do about it?  It is you and not I, after all, who is in control.  I wouldn't dare make a move without your consent and advice."

To my surprise the Wizard greeted my statement with laughter.  I expected anger, perhaps even invited it. Instead he reacted with amusement at my annoyance and this angered me even more.

"A little lunch seems to have done you some good", he said.  "Perhaps there was a tempest in that teapot", he added with a wink.  

At that I laughed in spite of myself. An imposing figure this wizard was not.  I had judged him haughty in the beginning, his accusations stung me.   Perhaps I was feeling a little better for having eaten.  Or perhaps it was what he did next that made me see him in a different light.

He produced a bound book and a pen and handing them to the scarecrow said "My friend, this is for you.   It is no good your having your thoughts scattered about you.  I want you to write them here, in this book.  We'll have no more of loose thoughts hanging out all over.  Put them here on these pages and when you have filled the book then we shall all have a read."

The scarecrow's face filled with delight as he fingered the crisp, blank sheets of the book.
He greedily took the pen in hand.

"This is the nicest gift I ever received", he said, smiling up at the wizard.  "In fact, I think it is the only gift I have ever received.  I must write that down".

 Immediately he began to write in his gift. Occasionally he would stop and tap the tip of the pen against his chin, then having more inspiration he would begin to write again. I was amazed at the way the Wizard seemed to handle the boys.  They listened to his every word and obeyed his commands, which I will admit were given with a soft voice that conveyed a certain concern and care.  The wizard rose from the table and extended a hand.

"Come my dear", he invited.  "We have more business to attend to".

My fear and distrust dissipated, I took his hand and rose to accompany him, this time without demanding an explanation.