Mitchell’s tears dropped onto his mac and cheese. “We’re not chasing tornados on vacation,” his parents said. They knew they’d let him watch too many storm-chaser shows.

They promised Mitchell an adventure. Just a safer one.

He looked up, bright-eyed: “You mean there’s another way we can get to Oz?”

Elizabeth lives on Long Island, NY, and has a green thumb for African violets. Find her at ElizabethZahn.com.