'Oh, I see,' said the Tin Woodman.
'But after all, brains are not the best things in the world.'
'Have you any?' inquired the Scarecrow.
'No, my head is quite empty.' answered the Woodman.
'But once I have brains, and a heart also; so having tried them both, I thould much rather have a heart.'
'And why is that?' asked the Scarecrow.
'I will tell you my story, and then you will know.'
So while they were walking through the forest, the Tin Woodman told the following story:
'I was born the son of a woodman who chopped down trees in the forest and sold the wood for a living.
When I grew up, I too became a woodchpper, and after my father died I took care of my old mother as long as she lived.
Then I made up my mind that instead of living alone I would marry, so that I might not become lonely.
There was one of the Munchkin girls who was so beaitiful that I soon grew to love her with all my heart.
She, on her part, promised to marry me as soon as I could earn enough money to build a better house for her.
so I set to work hearder that ever.
But the girl lived with an old woman who did not want her to marry anyone,
for she was so lazy she wished the girl to remain with her and do the cooking and housework.
So the old woman went to the Wicked Witch of the East,
and promised her two sheep and a cow if she would prevent the marriage.
Thereupon the Wicked Witch enchanted my axe.