Queen Zixi of Ix facts for kids
First book edition
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| Author | L. Frank Baum |
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| Illustrator | Frederick Richardson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Oz books |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Set in | Forest of Burzee, Noland, Ix |
| Publisher | St. Nicholas The Century Company (book) |
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Publication date
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November 1904 – October 1905 |
| Media type | Print (Serial) |
Queen Zixi of Ix, or The Story of the Magic Cloak is a fun children's book written by L. Frank Baum. He is famous for creating the Land of Oz stories. This book was illustrated by Frederick Richardson.
The story first appeared in a magazine called St. Nicholas. It was published in parts from November 1904 to October 1905. Later in 1905, it came out as a full book. The story takes place in two nearby lands: Noland and Ix. These lands are close to the Land of Oz. L. Frank Baum himself thought this was his best book. He said it felt more like an "old-fashioned" fairy tale than his other works.
Even though the book's story is not set in Oz, a movie based on it was made in 1914. It was called The Magic Cloak of Oz. By then, the Oz stories were very popular. The book Queen Zixi of Ix is now in the public domain. This means anyone can share or use it freely.
Contents
The Story of the Magic Cloak
A Magical Gift from Fairies
One night, fairies are dancing in the Forest of Burzee. Their queen, Lulea, decides they need a new game. They choose to make a special magic cloak. This cloak can grant one wish to the person wearing it. But there's a rule: the wish won't work if the cloak is stolen.
After the fairies finish the golden cloak, a fairy named Ereol arrives. She learns that the king of Noland has just died. The Man in the Moon tells Ereol to take the magic cloak to Noland. She must give it to the first unhappy person she meets there.
A New King and Princess
In Noland, the king's advisors need to pick a new ruler. They check the old laws of Noland. The law says the 47th person to enter Nole's eastern gate at sunrise will be the new king or queen.
The next day, the advisors wait at the gate. The 47th person is a boy named Timothy, but everyone calls him "Bud." He is an orphan and lives with his sister, Meg (nicknamed "Fluff"). They are with their strict Aunt Rivette.
On their way to Nole, Ereol meets Fluff. Fluff is sad because of how Aunt Rivette treats Bud. So, Ereol gives Fluff the magic cloak. Fluff wishes to be happy again, and her wish comes true! Bud becomes King Bud, and Fluff becomes Princess Fluff. They move into the royal palace.
Wishes Come True
Aunt Rivette is given a room in the palace. She wants to tell her friends about her new good luck. She asks Fluff if she can wear the magic cloak. Aunt Rivette gets tired while walking and wishes she could fly. Suddenly, two wings grow from her back! She is scared at first but quickly learns to fly well.
The cloak then passes to other people, like the king's advisors and his valet. Each person gets their wish granted right away.
Queen Zixi's Secret Plan
Across the mountains from Noland is the land of Ix. Its ruler is Queen Zixi. She is 683 years old, but her magic makes her look like she's 16. However, her reflection in a mirror always shows her true old age. Queen Zixi hears about the magic cloak. She wants to use it to make her reflection look young too.
Zixi knows Princess Fluff won't just give her the cloak. So, Zixi disguises herself and opens a magic school in Noland. Princess Fluff comes to the school, but she wears a different cloak. Zixi tries to trick her into wearing the magic cloak. But Zixi is found out!
Next, Zixi leads her army to attack Noland. But the advisors of Noland use their wishes to push Zixi's army back.
The Cloak is Lost
Zixi tries again. She disguises herself as a maid and gets a job in Princess Fluff's palace. When she is alone, Zixi makes a fake magic cloak. She swaps it with the real one. Zixi is not caught. But when she tries to use the stolen cloak, it doesn't work. Remember, the cloak's power fails if it's stolen!
Thinking the cloak is useless, Zixi leaves it in the forest. She feels sad. But then she meets an alligator who wants to climb a tree, an owl who wants to swim, and a girl who wants to be a man. Zixi realizes she was silly to be unhappy with herself.
The Roly-Rogues Invade
High above Noland and Ix live the Roly-Rogues. They are ball-shaped people. One of them bounces into Noland and sees the city of Nole. The Roly-Rogues decide to conquer Noland.
King Bud's advisors try to fight them. They use their wishes, like one general wishing to be ten feet tall. But the Roly-Rogues are too strong. King Bud, Princess Fluff, Aunt Rivette, and the lord high steward Tallydab (whose dog Ruffles can now talk) escape. They plan to get the magic cloak from the palace.
Aunt Rivette flies Bud and Fluff back to the palace. Bud puts on the cloak and wishes the Roly-Rogues away. But nothing happens! The cloak is the fake one. Aunt Rivette quickly flies her niece and nephew to Ix.
Finding the Pieces
Queen Zixi welcomes them. She admits she stole the real magic cloak. Princess Fluff promises Zixi can use it after the Roly-Rogues are defeated. They go to the forest where Zixi left the cloak, but it's gone!
They search for it. Along the way, Zixi sees the alligator, owl, and girl again. They are now happy with who they are. The cloak was found by a shepherd named Edi. He took it to a seamstress, Dame Dingle. The seamstress cut the cloak in half! She used one half and gave the other away.
Zixi, Bud, Fluff, Rivette, Tallydab, and Ruffles track down the pieces. But one piece is missing! A woman sewed it into a necktie for her sailor son. He won't be home for a year.
Victory and a Final Wish
Without the complete cloak, Bud can't wish the Roly-Rogues away. So, Queen Zixi uses a special liquid from a Silver Vial. She mixes it into the Roly-Rogues' soup. This makes them sleep for ten hours. While they are asleep, Zixi and her army tie them up. The Roly-Rogues pull in their heads, arms, and feet when they sleep or roll. The army sends them floating down the river.
King Bud and his friends take back Nole. Noland and Ix become lasting friends.
Later that year, the sailor with the last piece of the cloak comes home. He gives King Bud a necktie that looks like the missing piece. But he lost the real one at sea! King Bud is very angry.
Just then, Queen Lulea of the fairies appears. She takes the cloak away because it caused so much trouble. She undoes the silly wishes the cloak granted. But she leaves the wise wishes alone. Lulea lets Bud make one last wish: "that I may become the best king that Noland has ever had!"
Lulea does not grant Zixi's wish to see her own beauty. This is because fairies don't like witchcraft. Queen Zixi returns to her kingdom. She rules with kindness and fairness. But she must always be careful around mirrors!
Film Adaptation
In 1914, a movie version of Queen Zixi of Ix was made. It was called The Magic Cloak of Oz. The movie was released in 1917.
