Young In Heart
I am fortunate. I am married to an honest, caring and kind writer. He doesn’t always share his ideas with me before he writes them down, but when he does, I know he’s excited about it. I know it means something important to him. What I didn’t realise was…it would mean something big for me too.
He told me about an idea that had been on his mind for quite a while. I don’t know how else to say this. It’s like…he made a decision…and he’s not asking me for my permission, but his mind is set on it. He was going for it and was committed to telling this story to its end.
I was a little uncertain at first, I’ll admit. He gave me a handful of ideas, but I wasn’t actually sure what it would look like. I was certainly on board, but I wasn’t sure how I was feeling about it. That is…until after I read the first chapter.
It’s no secret Michael had a difficult childhood. I had a lot of loneliness in mine. Movies, musicals and books (some more than others) helped show me that beyond the loneliness, there was colour, a vibrance to life. The movie that stood out for me, and for Michael, was The Wizard of Oz. The switch from sepia to technicolour literally encapsulated the vibrance I felt I was lacking.
Michael planned twelve chapters for his blog in the early days of the Covid pandemic that plagued 2020. He released a chapter every two weeks so that people had an escape from the real world. It harkened back to a traditional comfort. Something to look forward to, as L. Frank Baum did with his series for his readers. It was a great parallel. For me, it felt like a security blanket. I knew I was going to be reading something heartwarming and something that promoted inclusivity. This story let me feel seen, in a world and during a time where I wasn’t feeling seen. Michael’s creation is his own take on the story, merging the lore of the books and the movie. Our shared love of the movie became a stand out for me.
In the first shots of The Wizard of Oz, the movie version, the film makers leave the viewers a short and sweet message that reads:
“For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return…and to the Young in Heart—we dedicate this picture.”
I always read that message as a love letter. What really stood out for me was the concept of “the Young in Heart”. Deep down, we all are young at heart. So this love letter was written for all of us. And as Michael Stoneburner neared his 40th year, he made a decision to write a fan fiction.
And I got to read it first.
Three main themes are at the core of Michael’s take on L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic: Friendship, love and acceptance. But there’s more to this story than that. It’s more than just a fan fiction. It’s a thank you. It’s a statement. It’s a call to normalcy to the innocence and magic of the world and somewhere over the rainbow.
It’s a love letter, too.
If I Only Had A Brain
Friendship is a major theme in the original novel, as well as the musical. As Michael explores the lore of Oz, he expands on the importance of friendship.
“I have beautiful patches. They’re all very different and very unique. The one who made me thought to make fun of me, but thanks to my friends, I know that I am beautiful no matter what my creator said.”
Michael doesn’t just introduce Scarecrow as ‘The Scarecrow’. Michael gives him a history and a backstory, going deeper into his creation and brings a deeper meaning to his existence. The Scarecrow may not think he has a brain, but he doesn’t need to ‘think’ about how to be a friend. It’s less making a choice and more like, it is. Scarecrow is a friend. Even knowing that he was created by witches, he is still kind in the face of cruelty.
Tinman, seemingly unaware of his enormous capacity for compassion, tries to come across as lacking that very thing. When he second guesses himself, he actually isn’t. He thinks he has no feelings, but there is always a threat of rusting because he cries so often. In comparison, he thinks more of having a heart and yet his friendship to the others comes easily.
Just like Scarecrow and Tinman, Michael doesn’t overthink how to be kind to others, he just is. He wears his heart on his sleeve and cares about the wellbeing of others. Just some of the reasons I love him, and this story.
After several books, L. Frank Baum eventually gave Toto the ability to talk when visiting Oz. In a major difference, Michael gives Toto his voice almost immediately. It comes as a surprise to Toto, not realising his own power. He realises that even the smallest voices are still voices. Through flashback, we learn about the deep friendship and loyalty he has with Dorothy. Toto’s friendship with the three companions really shines, without giving spoilers, when he makes some startling revelations towards the end of Michael’s adaptation and the bond he forms with the Lion.
If I Only Had A Heart
Love is another major theme in Michael’s adaptation of the Wizard of Oz. To quote The Wizard of Oz:
“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.”
Michael has many moments of this kind of love throughout his story, through flashbacks of Toto and Dorothy in Kansas, but Tinman really shines here. Even though the man made out of tin feels he cannot convey love, there are many instances in which he does just that. Stepping on a beetle and killing it by accident. Cutting down trees with a purpose. Tinman constantly weeping over his friends when he is worried or overwhelmed. His sentimentality is forefront in Michael’s story and works well with Scarecrow’s unconditional love for his friends, which is matched by Dorothy’s love in which she just embodies.
Dorothy develops a strong love for her companions as she journeys through the land of Oz. She cares for them as much as they do her and truly care that each one reach the Wizard so that they can feel complete. They are always there for each other, even if it means sacrificing their greatest desires.
The love that The Lion has for himself doesn’t come naturally. It’s not until they join Dorothy that they discover their capacity for love, or that he even deserves it. This love deeply connects with his acceptance of who he really is.
For me, lion’s story is about minorities and marginalised communities who struggle to love themselves. But there are people out there who will match their hairstyle with their manes or correct anyone who tries to misgender or define who they feel the minority or marginalised person should be. The Lion is me, I have the courage.
If I Only Had The Nerve
It’s not a secret that many people felt that the Cowardly Lion was part of a marginalised community and in Michael’s version he makes a clear depiction of the struggle an LGBT+ person faces with diversity, gender roles, and social expectations. The Lion is able to create a world of inclusion for themselves, even before coming across his faithful friends. The Lion does not see himself as the lioness, but that he was born to be a lion. By creating a mane and decorating it, he begins the transition to match the outside to what he feels is on the inside.
Tinman, Dorothy, Toto and Scarecrow are quick to pick up on the Lion’s views and accept him automatically, even going as far as to correct anyone who misidentifies The Lion. The Lion needs his courage not just to convey strength so that others would kowtow to his every need. No, in fact, even though that his view on how a King of the Forest should be, it’s not why he needs it.
“Why does it seem I need courage in order to get some?”
By having bravery, he is not only accepting himself for the type of Lion he is going to be but showing others that by accepting the unknown or the things that challenge our view on normalcy is the biggest sign of absolute courage.
There’s No Place Like Home
Of the three companions, I identified most with the Lion. My childhood loneliness derived from being bullied and marginalised. Like The Lion, it wasn’t until I was much older before I finally accepted myself. And like Toto, I have discovered that I have a voice that matters, and like him, I am still finding ways to use it. Michael, of course, embodies all of the best traits of the characters. He is full of a sense of wonder, he uses his voice for good, he is kind, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he is one of the bravest people I know. I love him so much.
When he was putting the story together, Michael studied more than just the original book. He researched L. Frank Baum. He researched what was happening in the world when the book was written, and when the film was made. He used it to give his version an extra layer to enhance his story. He watched the movie. He watched it again. The house was full of music, full of life and full of love. And so is Michael’s story.
If you haven’t already, check out his story here: Wonderful
Michael works hard week by week to post here on his website. He’s released multiple titles here. If you have it in you, please donate here to help him reach his goal.