"Help me, someone. Please help!" Dorothy cried.
As she called out for help, the witches' images began to fade; the screaming to diminish. In their place a shining metallic substance appeared. It spun around her so fast it seemed like a solid sheet of metal. Whatever it was, it appeared to slow her fall.
Gradually, the spinning object slowed. As it did, her image was reflected each time it passed in front of her. Suddenly she saw two dangling arms and legs attached to the spinning form, and a shiny face grinning at her.
"Nick Chopper!" she cried, recognizing the Tin Woodman and lunging toward him with her arms outstretched.
CLUNK! There was a dull thud as the soft material of her body made contact with the woodman's metal body. They both fell the last few feet to the ground, laughing uproariously.
"You know," Dorothy said, when their laughter subsided, "before I realized who you were, I kept seeing my face reflected as you spun by me. It is reflected now on your chest, right where your heart is."
"Oh, Dorothy!" said the Tin Woodman, starting to cry. "I'm so happy to see you."
"Now don't you cry," said Dorothy, wiping his eyes with her handkerchief, "you'll rust up again."
"It's wonderful to have a heart," the Tin Woodman said, "and to have all the feelings that a human has; but a heart can grow very heavy when someone you love has to go away. Of course, it enables you to be filled with joy when they return. That is why I am crying, because I am so happy."
"I know how you feel," replied Dorothy, her own eyes beginning to mist. She held him tightly for a long time.