The Cowardly Lion of Oz, the seventeenth book in L. Frank Baum's Oz series, follows the adventures of the iconic lion as he encounters a cast of peculiar characters, including Mustafa of Mudge, Bob Up, and Notta Bit More. On his journey through Oz, the Cowardly Lion grapples with his fear and seeks a solution to his lack of courage. Along the way, he meets a mysterious stone man who offers him a transformation into stone, promising an end to his fear. As the Cowardly Lion contemplates this offer, he must confront the true nature of courage and decide whether embracing his identity is the key to overcoming his fears.