"How did you do that?" asked the Lion.
"Why, it's easy," replied the Octapong. "This wall is made with special bricks. You see, all matter is made of atoms, which are tiny particles of electricity. There are very large spaces between these atoms even though the material appears solid. We have magnetized the atoms in these bricks in such a way that they push away the atoms of any other material that comes in contact with them. So when the atoms of your body come close to the atoms in the bricks, they just step aside so to speak and slide through the empty spaces. It's quite simple, really. And it works very well. So well, in fact, that not one person has ever tried to walk through that wall. They all believe the wall to be solid — so for them, it is."
"Why that's incredible," said Dorothy.
"Now be off with you," said the Octapong. "Before we change our minds."
Dorothy gingerly touched her shoe against the wall and, sure enough, the toe of her shoe disappeared into the wall. With that, they all walked into the wall and disappeared. As they reappeared on the other side of the wall, Dorothy remarked on the strange sensation. "Aunt Em will never believe this!" She would be repeating these words many times during her journey through Oz.
The border of Octapongland was just a short distance away, and they all breathed a sigh of relief when they reached it. After they crossed the border, they all sat down to discuss the situation.
"That was quite an experience," declared the Tin Woodman.
"Indeed it was," answered the Scarecrow. "The Lion was the one who saved us."
"He certainly did," replied Dorothy. "And we're all very proud of you," she said, turning to the Lion.
"Well, quite truthfully," said the Lion, "I didn't feel all that brave inside."