第4章

Nosoonersaidthandone。Heapproachedthefirstdonkeyandtriedtomountit。ButthelittleanimalturnedsuddenlyandgavehimsuchaterriblekickinthestomachthatPinocchiowasthrowntothegroundandfellwithhislegsintheair。

Atthisunlooked-forentertainment，thewholecompanyofrunawayslaugheduproariously。

Thelittlefatmandidnotlaugh。Hewentuptotherebelliousanimal，and，stillsmiling，bentoverhimlovinglyandbitoffhalfofhisrightear。

Inthemeantime，Pinocchioliftedhimselfupfromtheground，andwithoneleaplandedonthedonkey’sback。

Theleapwassowelltakenthatalltheboysshouted，"HurrahforPinocchio！"andclappedtheirhandsinheartyapplause。

Suddenlythelittledonkeygaveakickwithhistwohindfeetand，atthisunexpectedmove，thepoorMarionettefoundhimselfonceagainsprawlingrightinthemiddleoftheroad。

Againtheboysshoutedwithlaughter。ButtheLittleMan，insteadoflaughing，becamesolovingtowardthelittleanimalthat，withanotherkiss，hebitoffhalfofhisleftear。

"Youcanmountnow，myboy，"hethensaidtoPinocchio。

"Havenofear。Thatdonkeywasworriedaboutsomething，butIhavespokentohimandnowheseemsquietandreasonable。"

Pinocchiomountedandthewagonstartedonitsway。

Whilethedonkeysgallopedalongthestonyroad，theMarionettefanciedheheardaveryquietvoicewhisperingtohim：

"Poorsilly！Youhavedoneasyouwished。Butyouaregoingtobeasorryboybeforeverylong。"

Pinocchio，greatlyfrightened，lookedabouthimtoseewhencethewordshadcome，buthesawnoone。Thedonkeysgalloped，thewagonrolledonsmoothly，theboysslept（Lamp-Wicksnoredlikeadormouse）andthelittle，fatdriversangsleepilybetweenhisteeth。

Afteramileorso，Pinocchioagainheardthesamefaintvoicewhispering："Remember，littlesimpleton！

Boyswhostopstudyingandturntheirbacksuponbooksandschoolsandteachersinordertogivealltheirtimetononsenseandpleasure，soonerorlatercometogrief。

Oh，howwellIknowthis！HowwellIcanproveittoyou！

Adaywillcomewhenyouwillweepbitterly，evenasI

amweepingnow——butitwillbetoolate！"

Atthesewhisperedwords，theMarionettegrewmoreandmorefrightened。Hejumpedtotheground，ranuptothedonkeyonwhosebackhehadbeenriding，andtakinghisnoseinhishands，lookedathim。Thinkhowgreatwashissurprisewhenhesawthatthedonkeywasweeping——weepingjustlikeaboy！

"Hey，Mr。Driver！"criedtheMarionette。"Doyouknowwhatstrangethingishappeninghere！Thisdonkeyweeps。"

"Lethimweep。Whenhegetsmarried，hewillhavetimetolaugh。"

"Haveyouperhapstaughthimtospeak？"

"No，helearnedtomumbleafewwordswhenhelivedforthreeyearswithabandoftraineddogs。"

"Poorbeast！"

"Come，come，"saidtheLittleMan，"donotlosetimeoveradonkeythatcanweep。Mountquicklyandletusgo。

Thenightiscoolandtheroadislong。"

Pinocchioobeyedwithoutanotherword。Thewagonstartedagain。Towarddawnthenextmorningtheyfinallyreachedthatmuch-longed-forcountry，theLandofToys。

Thisgreatlandwasentirelydifferentfromanyotherplaceintheworld。Itspopulation，largethoughitwas，wascomposedwhollyofboys。Theoldestwereaboutfourteenyearsofage，theyoungest，eight。Inthestreet，therewassucharacket，suchshouting，suchblowingoftrumpets，thatitwasdeafening。Everywheregroupsofboysweregatheredtogether。Someplayedatmarbles，athopscotch，atball。Othersrodeonbicyclesoronwoodenhorses。Someplayedatblindman’sbuff，othersattag。

Hereagroupplayedcircus，thereanothersangandrecited。

Afewturnedsomersaults，otherswalkedontheirhandswiththeirfeetintheair。Generalsinfulluniformleadingregimentsofcardboardsoldierspassedby。Laughter，shrieks，howls，catcalls，hand-clappingfollowedthisparade。Oneboymadeanoiselikeahen，anotherlikearooster，andathirdimitatedalioninhisden。Alltogethertheycreatedsuchapandemoniumthatitwouldhavebeennecessaryforyoutoputcottoninyourears。

Thesquareswerefilledwithsmallwoodentheaters，overflowingwithboysfrommorningtillnight，andonthewallsofthehouses，writtenwithcharcoal，werewordslikethese：HURRAHFORTHELANDOFTOYS！DOWNWITH

ARITHMETIC！NOMORESCHOOL！

Assoonastheyhadsetfootinthatland，Pinocchio，Lamp-Wick，andalltheotherboyswhohadtraveledwiththemstartedoutonatourofinvestigation。Theywanderedeverywhere，theylookedintoeverynookandcorner，houseandtheater。Theybecameeverybody’sfriend。

Whocouldbehappierthanthey？

Whatwithentertainmentsandparties，thehours，thedays，theweekspassedlikelightning。

"Oh，whatabeautifullifethisis！"saidPinocchioeachtimethat，bychance，hemethisfriendLamp-Wick。

"WasIrightorwrong？"answeredLamp-Wick。"Andtothinkyoudidnotwanttocome！TothinkthatevenyesterdaytheideacameintoyourheadtoreturnhometoseeyourFairyandtostartstudyingagain！Iftodayyouarefreefrompencilsandbooksandschool，youoweittome，tomyadvice，tomycare。Doyouadmitit？Onlytruefriendscount，afterall。"

"It’strue，Lamp-Wick，it’strue。IftodayIamareallyhappyboy，itisallbecauseofyou。Andtothinkthattheteacher，whenspeakingofyou，usedtosay，`DonotgowiththatLamp-Wick！Heisabadcompanionandsomedayhewillleadyouastray。’"

"Poorteacher！"answeredtheother，noddinghishead。

"IndeedIknowhowmuchhedislikedmeandhowheenjoyedspeakingillofme。ButIamofagenerousnature，andIgladlyforgivehim。"

"Greatsoul！"saidPinocchio，fondlyembracinghisfriend。

Fivemonthspassedandtheboyscontinuedplayingandenjoyingthemselvesfrommorntillnight，withouteverseeingabook，oradesk，oraschool。But，mychildren，therecameamorningwhenPinocchioawokeandfoundagreatsurpriseawaitinghim，asurprisewhichmadehimfeelveryunhappy，asyoushallsee。

CHAPTER32

Pinocchio’searsbecomelikethoseofaDonkey。

InalittlewhilehechangesintoarealDonkeyandbeginstobrayEveryone，atonetimeoranother，hasfoundsomesurpriseawaitinghim。OfthekindwhichPinocchiohadonthateventfulmorningofhislife，therearebutfew。

Whatwasit？Iwilltellyou，mydearlittlereaders。

Onawakening，Pinocchioputhishanduptohisheadandtherehefound——

Guess！

Hefoundthat，duringthenight，hisearshadgrownatleasttenfullinches！

YoumustknowthattheMarionette，evenfromhisbirth，hadverysmallears，sosmallindeedthattothenakedeyetheycouldhardlybeseen。Fancyhowhefeltwhenhenoticedthatovernightthosetwodaintyorganshadbecomeaslongasshoebrushes！

Hewentinsearchofamirror，butnotfindingany，hejustfilledabasinwithwaterandlookedathimself。

Therehesawwhathenevercouldhavewishedtosee。

Hismanlyfigurewasadornedandenrichedbyabeautifulpairofdonkey’sears。

Ileaveyoutothinkoftheterriblegrief，theshame，thedespairofthepoorMarionette。

Hebegantocry，toscream，toknockhisheadagainstthewall，butthemoreheshrieked，thelongerandthemorehairygrewhisears。

Atthosepiercingshrieks，aDormousecameintotheroom，afatlittleDormouse，wholivedupstairs。SeeingPinocchiosogrief-stricken，sheaskedhimanxiously：

"Whatisthematter，dearlittleneighbor？"

"Iamsick，mylittleDormouse，very，verysick——andfromanillnesswhichfrightensme！Doyouunderstandhowtofeelthepulse？"

"Alittle。"

"FeelminethenandtellmeifIhaveafever。"

TheDormousetookPinocchio’swristbetweenherpawsand，afterafewminutes，lookedupathimsorrowfullyandsaid：

"Myfriend，Iamsorry，butImustgiveyousomeverysadnews。"

"Whatisit？"

"Youhaveaverybadfever。"

"Butwhatfeverisit？"

"Thedonkeyfever。"

"Idon’tknowanythingaboutthatfever，"answeredtheMarionette，beginningtounderstandeventoowellwhatwashappeningtohim。

"ThenIwilltellyouallaboutit，"saidtheDormouse。

"Knowthenthat，withintwoorthreehours，youwillnolongerbeaMarionette，noraboy。"

"WhatshallIbe？"

"Withintwoorthreehoursyouwillbecomearealdonkey，justliketheonesthatpullthefruitcartstomarket。"

"Oh，whathaveIdone？WhathaveIdone？"criedPinocchio，graspinghistwolongearsinhishandsandpullingandtuggingatthemangrily，justasiftheybelongedtoanother。

"Mydearboy，"answeredtheDormousetocheerhimupabit，"whyworrynow？Whatisdonecannotbeundone，youknow。

Fatehasdecreedthatalllazyboyswhocometohatebooksandschoolsandteachersandspendalltheirdayswithtoysandgamesmustsoonerorlaterturnintodonkeys。"

"Butisitreallyso？"askedtheMarionette，sobbingbitterly。

"Iamsorrytosayitis。Andtearsnowareuseless。

Youshouldhavethoughtofallthisbefore。"

"Butthefaultisnotmine。Believeme，littleDormouse，thefaultisallLamp-Wick’s。"

"AndwhoisthisLamp-Wick？"

"Aclassmateofmine。Iwantedtoreturnhome。Iwantedtobeobedient。Iwantedtostudyandtosucceedinschool，butLamp-Wicksaidtome，`Whydoyouwanttowasteyourtimestudying？Whydoyouwanttogotoschool？ComewithmetotheLandofToys。

Therewe’llneverstudyagain。Therewecanenjoyourselvesandbehappyfrommorntillnight。’"

"Andwhydidyoufollowtheadviceofthatfalsefriend？"

"Why？Because，mydearlittleDormouse，IamaheedlessMarionette——heedlessandheartless。Oh！IfIhadonlyhadabitofheart，IshouldneverhaveabandonedthatgoodFairy，wholovedmesowellandwhohasbeensokindtome！Andbythistime，IshouldnolongerbeaMarionette。Ishouldhavebecomearealboy，likeallthesefriendsofmine！Oh，ifImeetLamp-WickIamgoingtotellhimwhatIthinkofhim——andmore，too！"

Afterthislongspeech，Pinocchiowalkedtothedooroftheroom。Butwhenhereachedit，rememberinghisdonkeyears，hefeltashamedtoshowthemtothepublicandturnedback。Hetookalargecottonbagfromashelf，putitonhishead，andpulleditfardowntohisverynose。

Thusadorned，hewentout。HelookedforLamp-Wickeverywhere，alongthestreets，inthesquares，insidethetheatres，everywhere;buthewasnottobefound。Heaskedeveryonewhomhemetabouthim，butnoonehadseenhim。Indesperation，hereturnedhomeandknockedatthedoor。

"Whoisit？"askedLamp-Wickfromwithin。

"ItisI！"answeredtheMarionette。

"Waitaminute。"

Afterafullhalfhourthedooropened。AnothersurpriseawaitedPinocchio！Thereintheroomstoodhisfriend，withalargecottonbagonhishead，pulledfardowntohisverynose。

Atthesightofthatbag，Pinocchiofeltslightlyhappierandthoughttohimself：

"MyfriendmustbesufferingfromthesamesicknessthatIam！Iwonderifhe，too，hasdonkeyfever？"

Butpretendinghehadseennothing，heaskedwithasmile：

"Howareyou，mydearLamp-Wick？"

"Verywell。LikeamouseinaParmesancheese。"

"Isthatreallytrue？"

"WhyshouldIlietoyou？"

"Ibegyourpardon，myfriend，butwhythenareyouwearingthatcottonbagoveryourears？"

"Thedoctorhasordereditbecauseoneofmykneeshurts。

Andyou，dearMarionette，whyareyouwearingthatcottonbagdowntoyournose？"

"ThedoctorhasordereditbecauseIhavebruisedmyfoot。"

"Oh，mypoorPinocchio！"

"Oh，mypoorLamp-Wick！"

Anembarrassinglylongsilencefollowedthesewords，duringwhichtimethetwofriendslookedateachotherinamockingway。

FinallytheMarionette，inavoicesweetashoneyandsoftasaflute，saidtohiscompanion：

"Tellme，Lamp-Wick，dearfriend，haveyoueversufferedfromanearache？"

"Never！Andyou？"

"Never！Still，sincethismorningmyearhasbeentorturingme。"

"Sohasmine。"

"Yours，too？Andwhichearisit？"

"Bothofthem。Andyours？"

"Bothofthem，too。Iwonderifitcouldbethesamesickness。"

"I’mafraiditis。"

"Willyoudomeafavor，Lamp-Wick？"

"Gladly！Withmywholeheart。"

"Willyouletmeseeyourears？"

"Whynot？ButbeforeIshowyoumine，Iwanttoseeyours，dearPinocchio。"

"No。Youmustshowyoursfirst。"

"No，mydear！Yoursfirst，thenmine。"

"Well，then，"saidtheMarionette，"letusmakeacontract。"

"Let’shearthecontract！"

"Letustakeoffourcapstogether。Allright？"

"Allright。"

"Readythen！"

Pinocchiobegantocount，"One！Two！Three！"

Attheword"Three！"thetwoboyspulledofftheircapsandthrewthemhighinair。

Andthenascenetookplacewhichishardtobelieve，butitisalltootrue。TheMarionetteandhisfriend，Lamp-Wick，whentheysaweachotherbothstrickenbythesamemisfortune，insteadoffeelingsorrowfulandashamed，begantopokefunateachother，andaftermuchnonsense，theyendedbyburstingoutintoheartylaughter。

Theylaughedandlaughed，andlaughedagain——laughedtilltheyached——laughedtilltheycried。

ButallofasuddenLamp-Wickstoppedlaughing。Hetotteredandalmostfell。Paleasaghost，heturnedtoPinocchioandsaid：

"Help，help，Pinocchio！"

"Whatisthematter？"

"Oh，helpme！Icannolongerstandup。"

"Ican’teither，"criedPinocchio;andhislaughterturnedtotearsashestumbledabouthelplessly。

Theyhadhardlyfinishedspeaking，whenbothofthemfellonallfoursandbeganrunningandjumpingaroundtheroom。

Astheyran，theirarmsturnedintolegs，theirfaceslengthenedintosnoutsandtheirbacksbecamecoveredwithlonggrayhairs。

Thiswashumiliationenough，butthemosthorriblemomentwastheoneinwhichthetwopoorcreaturesfelttheirtailsappear。Overcomewithshameandgrief，theytriedtocryandbemoantheirfate。

Butwhatisdonecan’tbeundone！Insteadofmoansandcries，theyburstforthintolouddonkeybrays，whichsoundedverymuchlike，"Haw！Haw！Haw！"

Atthatmoment，aloudknockingwasheardatthedoorandavoicecalledtothem：

"Open！IamtheLittleMan，thedriverofthewagonwhichbroughtyouhere。Open，Isay，orbeware！"

CHAPTER33

Pinocchio，havingbecomeaDonkey，isboughtbytheownerofaCircus，whowantstoteachhimtodotricks。

TheDonkeybecomeslameandissoldtoamanwhowantstousehisskinforadrumheadVerysadanddowncastwerethetwopoorlittlefellowsastheystoodandlookedateachother。Outsidetheroom，theLittleMangrewmoreandmoreimpatient，andfinallygavethedoorsuchaviolentkickthatitflewopen。Withhisusualsweetsmileonhislips，helookedatPinocchioandLamp-Wickandsaidtothem：

"Finework，boys！Youhavebrayedwell，sowellthatIrecognizedyourvoicesimmediately，andhereIam。"

Onhearingthis，thetwoDonkeysbowedtheirheadsinshame，droppedtheirears，andputtheirtailsbetweentheirlegs。

Atfirst，theLittleManpettedandcaressedthemandsmootheddowntheirhairycoats。Thenhetookoutacurrycombandworkedoverthemtilltheyshonelikeglass。

Satisfiedwiththelooksofthetwolittleanimals，hebridledthemandtookthemtoamarketplacefarawayfromtheLandofToys，inthehopeofsellingthematagoodprice。

Infact，hedidnothavetowaitverylongforanoffer。

Lamp-Wickwasboughtbyafarmerwhosedonkeyhaddiedthedaybefore。Pinocchiowenttotheownerofacircus，whowantedtoteachhimtodotricksforhisaudiences。

AndnowdoyouunderstandwhattheLittleMan’sprofessionwas？Thishorridlittlebeing，whosefaceshonewithkindness，wentabouttheworldlookingforboys。

Lazyboys，boyswhohatedbooks，boyswhowantedtorunawayfromhome，boyswhoweretiredofschool——allthesewerehisjoyandhisfortune。HetookthemwithhimtotheLandofToysandletthemenjoythemselvestotheirheart’scontent。When，aftermonthsofallplayandnowork，theybecamelittledonkeys，hesoldthemonthemarketplace。Inafewyears，hehadbecomeamillionaire。

WhathappenedtoLamp-Wick？Mydearchildren，Idonotknow。

Pinocchio，Icantellyou，metwithgreathardshipsevenfromthefirstday。

Afterputtinghiminastable，hisnewmasterfilledhismangerwithstraw，butPinocchio，aftertastingamouthful，spatitout。

Thenthemanfilledthemangerwithhay。

ButPinocchiodidnotlikethatanybetter。

"Ah，youdon’tlikehayeither？"hecriedangrily。

"Wait，myprettyDonkey，I’llteachyounottobesoparticular。"

Withoutmoreado，hetookawhipandgavetheDonkeyaheartyblowacrossthelegs。

Pinocchioscreamedwithpainandashescreamedhebrayed：

"Haw！Haw！Haw！Ican’tdigeststraw！"

"Theneatthehay！"answeredhismaster，whounderstoodtheDonkeyperfectly。

"Haw！Haw！Haw！Haygivesmeaheadache！"

"Doyoupretend，byanychance，thatIshouldfeedyouduckorchicken？"askedthemanagain，and，angrierthanever，hegavepoorPinocchioanotherlashing。

Atthatsecondbeating，Pinocchiobecameveryquietandsaidnomore。

Afterthat，thedoorofthestablewasclosedandhewasleftalone。Itwasmanyhourssincehehadeatenanythingandhestartedtoyawnfromhunger。Asheyawned，heopenedamouthasbigasanoven。

Finally，notfindinganythingelseinthemanger，hetastedthehay。Aftertastingit，hecheweditwell，closedhiseyes，andswallowedit。

"Thishayisnotbad，"hesaidtohimself。"ButhowmuchhappierIshouldbeifIhadstudied！Justnow，insteadofhay，Ishouldbeeatingsomegoodbreadandbutter。Patience！"

Nextmorning，whenheawoke，Pinocchiolookedinthemangerformorehay，butitwasallgone。Hehadeatenitallduringthenight。

Hetriedthestraw，but，ashechewedawayatit，henoticedtohisgreatdisappointmentthatittastedneitherlikericenorlikemacaroni。

"Patience！"herepeatedashechewed。"Ifonlymymisfortunemightserveasalessontodisobedientboyswhorefusetostudy！Patience！Havepatience！"

"Patienceindeed！"shoutedhismasterjustthen，ashecameintothestable。"Doyouthink，perhaps，mylittleDonkey，thatIhavebroughtyouhereonlytogiveyoufoodanddrink？Oh，no！Youaretohelpmeearnsomefinegoldpieces，doyouhear？Comealong，now。Iamgoingtoteachyoutojumpandbow，todanceawaltzandapolka，andeventostandonyourhead。"

PoorPinocchio，whetherhelikeditornot，hadtolearnallthesewonderfulthings;butittookhimthreelongmonthsandcosthimmany，manylashingsbeforehewaspronouncedperfect。

ThedaycameatlastwhenPinocchio’smasterwasabletoannounceanextraordinaryperformance。Theannouncements，postedallaroundthetown，andwritteninlargeletters，readthus：

GREATSPECTACLETONIGHT

LEAPSANDEXERCISESBYTHEGREATARTISTS

ANDTHEFAMOUSHORSES

oftheCOMPANY

FirstPublicAppearanceoftheFAMOUSDONKEY

calledPINOCCHIO

THESTAROFTHEDANCE

————

TheTheaterwillbeasLightasDayThatnight，asyoucanwellimagine，thetheaterwasfilledtooverflowingonehourbeforetheshowwasscheduledtostart。

Notanorchestrachaircouldbehad，notabalconyseat，noragalleryseat;notevenfortheirweightingold。

Theplaceswarmedwithboysandgirlsofallagesandsizes，wrigglinganddancingaboutinafeverofimpatiencetoseethefamousDonkeydance。

Whenthefirstpartoftheperformancewasover，theOwnerandManagerofthecircus，inablackcoat，whitekneebreeches，andpatentleatherboots，presentedhimselftothepublicandinaloud，pompousvoicemadethefollowingannouncement：

"Mosthonoredfriends，GentlemenandLadies！

"Yourhumbleservant，theManagerofthistheater，presentshimselfbeforeyoutonightinordertointroducetoyouthegreatest，themostfamousDonkeyintheworld，aDonkeythathashadthegreathonorinhisshortlifeofperformingbeforethekingsandqueensandemperorsofallthegreatcourtsofEurope。

"Wethankyouforyourattention！"

Thisspeechwasgreetedbymuchlaughterandapplause。AndtheapplausegrewtoaroarwhenPinocchio，thefamousDonkey，appearedinthecircusring。Hewashandsomelyarrayed。Anewbridleofshiningleatherwithbucklesofpolishedbrasswasonhisback;twowhitecamelliasweretiedtohisears;ribbonsandtasselsofredsilkadornedhismane，whichwasdividedintomanycurls。Agreatsashofgoldandsilverwasfastenedaroundhiswaistandhistailwasdecoratedwithribbonsofmanybrilliantcolors。HewasahandsomeDonkeyindeed！

TheManager，whenintroducinghimtothepublic，addedthesewords：

"Mosthonoredaudience！IshallnottakeyourtimetonighttotellyouofthegreatdifficultieswhichIhaveencounteredwhiletryingtotamethisanimal，sinceI

foundhiminthewildsofAfrica。Observe，Ibegofyou，thesavagelookofhiseye。Allthemeansusedbycenturiesofcivilizationinsubduingwildbeastsfailedinthiscase。Ihadfinallytoresorttothegentlelanguageofthewhipinordertobringhimtomywill。Withallmykindness，however，IneversucceededingainingmyDonkey’slove。HeisstilltodayassavageasthedayIfoundhim。Hestillfearsandhatesme。ButIhavefoundinhimonegreatredeemingfeature。Doyouseethislittlebumponhisforehead？Itisthisbumpwhichgiveshimhisgreattalentofdancingandusinghisfeetasnimblyasahumanbeing。Admirehim，Osignori，andenjoyyourselves。Iletyou，now，bethejudgesofmysuccessasateacherofanimals。BeforeIleaveyou，Iwishtostatethattherewillbeanotherperformancetomorrownight。

Iftheweatherthreatensrain，thegreatspectaclewilltakeplaceateleveno’clockinthemorning。"

TheManagerbowedandthenturnedtoPinocchioandsaid：

"Ready，Pinocchio！Beforestartingyourperformance，saluteyouraudience！"

PinocchioobedientlybenthistwokneestothegroundandremainedkneelinguntiltheManager，withthecrackofthewhip，criedsharply："Walk！"

TheDonkeyliftedhimselfonhisfourfeetandwalkedaroundthering。AfewminutespassedandagainthevoiceoftheManagercalled：

"Quickstep！"andPinocchioobedientlychangedhisstep。

"Gallop！"andPinocchiogalloped。

"Fullspeed！"andPinocchioranasfastashecould。

Asheranthemasterraisedhisarmandapistolshotrangintheair。

Attheshot，thelittleDonkeyfelltothegroundasifhewerereallydead。

AshowerofapplausegreetedtheDonkeyashearosetohisfeet。

Criesandshoutsandhandclappingswereheardonallsides。

Atallthatnoise，Pinocchioliftedhisheadandraisedhiseyes。There，infrontofhim，inaboxsatabeautifulwoman。Aroundhernecksheworealonggoldchain，fromwhichhungalargemedallion。OnthemedallionwaspaintedthepictureofaMarionette。

"Thatpictureisofme！ThatbeautifulladyismyFairy！"

saidPinocchiotohimself，recognizingher。Hefeltsohappythathetriedhisbesttocryout：

"Oh，myFairy！MyownFairy！"

Butinsteadofwords，aloudbrayingwasheardinthetheater，soloudandsolongthatallthespectators——men，women，andchildren，butespeciallythechildren——burstoutlaughing。

Then，inordertoteachtheDonkeythatitwasnotgoodmannerstobraybeforethepublic，theManagerhithimonthenosewiththehandleofthewhip。

ThepoorlittleDonkeystuckoutalongtongueandlickedhisnoseforalongtimeinanefforttotakeawaythepain。

Andwhatwashisgriefwhenonlookinguptowardtheboxes，hesawthattheFairyhaddisappeared！

Hefelthimselffainting，hiseyesfilledwithtears，andheweptbitterly。Nooneknewit，however，leastofalltheManager，who，crackinghiswhip，criedout：

"Bravo，Pinocchio！Nowshowushowgracefullyyoucanjumpthroughtherings。"

Pinocchiotriedtwoorthreetimes，buteachtimehecamenearthering，hefounditmoretohistastetogounderit。Thefourthtime，atalookfromhismasterheleapedthroughit，butashedidsohishindlegscaughtintheringandhefelltothefloorinaheap。

Whenhegotup，hewaslameandcouldhardlylimpasfarasthestable。

"Pinocchio！WewantPinocchio！WewantthelittleDonkey！"

criedtheboysfromtheorchestra，saddenedbytheaccident。

NoonesawPinocchioagainthatevening。

Thenextmorningtheveterinary——thatis，theanimaldoctor——

declaredthathewouldbelamefortherestofhislife。

"WhatdoIwantwithalamedonkey？"saidtheManagertothestableboy。"Takehimtothemarketandsellhim。"

Whentheyreachedthesquare，abuyerwassoonfound。

"HowmuchdoyouaskforthatlittlelameDonkey？"heasked。

"Fourdollars。"

"I’llgiveyoufourcents。Don’tthinkI’mbuyinghimforwork。Iwantonlyhisskin。ItlooksverytoughandIcanuseittomakemyselfadrumhead。IbelongtoamusicalbandinmyvillageandIneedadrum。"

Ileaveittoyou，mydearchildren，topicturetoyourselfthegreatpleasurewithwhichPinocchioheardthathewastobecomeadrumhead！

Assoonasthebuyerhadpaidthefourcents，theDonkeychangedhands。Hisnewownertookhimtoahighcliffoverlookingthesea，putastonearoundhisneck，tiedaropetooneofhishindfeet，gavehimapush，andthrewhimintothewater。

Pinocchiosankimmediately。Andhisnewmastersatonthecliffwaitingforhimtodrown，soastoskinhimandmakehimselfadrumhead。

CHAPTER34

Pinocchioisthrownintothesea，eatenbyfishes，andbecomesaMarionetteoncemore。Asheswimstoland，heisswallowedbytheTerribleSharkDownintothesea，deeperanddeeper，sankPinocchio，andfinally，afterfiftyminutesofwaiting，themanonthecliffsaidtohimself：

"BythistimemypoorlittlelameDonkeymustbedrowned。UpwithhimandthenIcangettoworkonmybeautifuldrum。"

HepulledtheropewhichhehadtiedtoPinocchio’sleg——pulledandpulledandpulledand，atlast，hesawappearonthesurfaceofthewater——Canyouguesswhat？

Insteadofadeaddonkey，hesawaverymuchaliveMarionette，wrigglingandsquirminglikeaneel。

SeeingthatwoodenMarionette，thepoormanthoughthewasdreamingandsattherewithhismouthwideopenandhiseyespoppingoutofhishead。

Gatheringhiswitstogether，hesaid：

"AndtheDonkeyIthrewintothesea？"

"IamthatDonkey，"answeredtheMarionettelaughing。

"You？"

"I。"

"Ah，youlittlecheat！Areyoupokingfunatme？"

"Pokingfunatyou？Notatall，dearMaster。

Iamtalkingseriously。"

"But，then，howisitthatyou，whoafewminutesagowereadonkey，arenowstandingbeforemeawoodenMarionette？"

"Itmaybetheeffectofsaltwater。Theseaisfondofplayingthesetricks。"

"Becareful，Marionette，becareful！Don’tlaughatme！

Woebetoyou，ifIlosemypatience！"

"Well，then，myMaster，doyouwanttoknowmywholestory？

UntiemylegandIcantellittoyoubetter。"

Theoldfellow，curioustoknowthetruestoryoftheMarionette’slife，immediatelyuntiedtheropewhichheldhisfoot。

Pinocchio，feelingfreeasabirdoftheair，beganhistale：

"Know，then，that，onceuponatime，IwasawoodenMarionette，justasIamtoday。OnedayIwasabouttobecomeaboy，arealboy，butonaccountofmylazinessandmyhatredofbooks，andbecauseIlistenedtobadcompanions，Iranawayfromhome。Onebeautifulmorning，Iawoketofindmyselfchangedintoadonkey——longears，graycoat，evenatail！Whatashamefuldayforme！

Ihopeyouwillneverexperienceonelikeit，dearMaster。

IwastakentothefairandsoldtoaCircusOwner，whotriedtomakemedanceandjumpthroughtherings。Onenight，duringaperformance，Ihadabadfallandbecamelame。Notknowingwhattodowithalamedonkey，theCircusOwnersentmetothemarketplaceandyouboughtme。"

"IndeedIdid！AndIpaidfourcentsforyou。

Nowwhowillreturnmymoneytome？"

"Butwhydidyoubuyme？Youboughtmetodomeharm——tokillme——tomakeadrumheadoutofme！"

"IndeedIdid！AndnowwhereshallIfindanotherskin？"

"Nevermind，dearMaster。Therearesomanydonkeysinthisworld。"

"Tellme，impudentlittlerogue，doesyourstoryendhere？"

"Onemoreword，"answeredtheMarionette，"andIamthrough。

Afterbuyingme，youbroughtmeheretokillme。Butfeelingsorryforme，youtiedastonetomyneckandthrewmetothebottomofthesea。ThatwasverygoodandkindofyoutowantmetosufferaslittleaspossibleandIshallrememberyoualways。AndnowmyFairywilltakecareofme，evenifyou——"

"YourFairy？Whoisshe？"

"Sheismymother，and，likeallothermotherswholovetheirchildren，sheneverlosessightofme，eventhoughIdonotdeserveit。AndtodaythisgoodFairyofmine，assoonasshesawmeindangerofdrowning，sentathousandfishestothespotwhereIlay。TheythoughtIwasreallyadeaddonkeyandbegantoeatme。

Whatgreatbitestheytook！Oneatemyears，anothermynose，athirdmyneckandmymane。Somewentatmylegsandsomeatmyback，andamongtheothers，therewasonetinyfishsogentleandpolitethathedidmethegreatfavorofeatingevenmytail。"

"Fromnowon，"saidtheman，horrified，"IswearIshallneveragaintastefish。HowIshouldenjoyopeningamulletorawhitefishjusttofindtherethetailofadeaddonkey！"

"Ithinkasyoudo，"answeredtheMarionette，laughing。"Still，youmustknowthatwhenthefishfinishedeatingmydonkeycoat，whichcoveredmefromheadtofoot，theynaturallycametothebones——orrather，inmycase，tothewood，forasyouknow，Iammadeofveryhardwood。Afterthefirstfewbites，thosegreedyfishfoundoutthatthewoodwasnotgoodfortheirteeth，and，afraidofindigestion，theyturnedandranhereandtherewithoutsayinggood-byorevenasmuchasthankyoutome。Here，dearMaster，youhavemystory。YouknownowwhyyoufoundaMarionetteandnotadeaddonkeywhenyoupulledmeoutofthewater。"

"Ilaughatyourstory！"criedthemanangrily。"IknowthatIspentfourcentstogetyouandIwantmymoneyback。

DoyouknowwhatIcando;Iamgoingtotakeyoutothemarketoncemoreandsellyouasdryfirewood。"

"Verywell，sellme。Iamsatisfied，"saidPinocchio。

Butashespoke，hegaveaquickleapanddivedintothesea。Swimmingawayasfastashecould，hecriedout，laughing：

"Good-by，Master。Ifyoueverneedaskinforyourdrum，rememberme。"

Heswamonandon。Afterawhile，heturnedaroundagainandcalledlouderthanbefore：

"Good-by，Master。Ifyoueverneedapieceofgooddryfirewood，rememberme。"

Inafewsecondshehadgonesofarhecouldhardlybeseen。

Allthatcouldbeseenofhimwasaverysmallblackdotmovingswiftlyonthebluesurfaceofthewater，alittleblackdotwhichnowandthenliftedalegoranarmintheair。

OnewouldhavethoughtthatPinocchiohadturnedintoaporpoiseplayinginthesun。

Afterswimmingforalongtime，Pinocchiosawalargerockinthemiddleofthesea，arockaswhiteasmarble。

HighontherockstoodalittleGoatbleatingandcallingandbeckoningtotheMarionettetocometoher。

TherewassomethingverystrangeaboutthatlittleGoat。Hercoatwasnotwhiteorblackorbrownasthatofanyothergoat，butazure，adeepbrilliantcolorthatremindedoneofthehairofthelovelymaiden。

Pinocchio’sheartbeatfast，andthenfasterandfaster。

Heredoubledhiseffortsandswamashardashecouldtowardthewhiterock。Hewasalmosthalfwayover，whensuddenlyahorribleseamonsterstuckitsheadoutofthewater，anenormousheadwithahugemouth，wideopen，showingthreerowsofgleamingteeth，themeresightofwhichwouldhavefilledyouwithfear。

Doyouknowwhatitwas？

ThatseamonsterwasnootherthantheenormousShark，whichhasoftenbeenmentionedinthisstoryandwhich，onaccountofitscruelty，hadbeennicknamed"TheAttilaoftheSea"bybothfishandfishermen。

PoorPinocchio！Thesightofthatmonsterfrightenedhimalmosttodeath！Hetriedtoswimawayfromhim，tochangehispath，toescape，butthatimmensemouthkeptcomingnearerandnearer。

"Hasten，Pinocchio，Ibegyou！"bleatedthelittleGoatonthehighrock。

AndPinocchioswamdesperatelywithhisarms，hisbody，hislegs，hisfeet。

"Quick，Pinocchio，themonsteriscomingnearer！"

Pinocchioswamfasterandfaster，andharderandharder。

"Faster，Pinocchio！Themonsterwillgetyou！Thereheis！

Thereheis！Quick，quick，oryouarelost！"

Pinocchiowentthroughthewaterlikeashot——swifterandswifter。

Hecameclosetotherock。TheGoatleanedoverandgavehimoneofherhoofstohelphimupoutofthewater。

Alas！Itwastoolate。ThemonsterovertookhimandtheMarionettefoundhimselfinbetweentherowsofgleamingwhiteteeth。Onlyforamoment，however，fortheSharktookadeepbreathand，ashebreathed，hedrankintheMarionetteaseasilyashewouldhavesuckedanegg。ThenheswallowedhimsofastthatPinocchio，fallingdownintothebodyofthefish，laystunnedforahalfhour。

WhenherecoveredhissensestheMarionettecouldnotrememberwherehewas。Aroundhimallwasdarkness，adarknesssodeepandsoblackthatforamomenthethoughthehadputhisheadintoaninkwell。Helistenedforafewmomentsandheardnothing。Onceinawhileacoldwindblewonhisface。Atfirsthecouldnotunderstandwherethatwindwascomingfrom，butafterawhileheunderstoodthatitcamefromthelungsofthemonster。

IforgottotellyouthattheSharkwassufferingfromasthma，sothatwheneverhebreathedastormseemedtoblow。

Pinocchioatfirsttriedtobebrave，butassoonashebecameconvincedthathewasreallyandtrulyintheShark’sstomach，heburstintosobsandtears。"Help！

Help！"hecried。"Oh，poorme！Won’tsomeonecometosaveme？"

"Whoistheretohelpyou，unhappyboy？"saidaroughvoice，likeaguitaroutoftune。

"Whoistalking？"askedPinocchio，frozenwithterror。

"ItisI，apoorTunnyswallowedbytheSharkatthesametimeasyou。Andwhatkindofafishareyou？"

"Ihavenothingtodowithfishes。IamaMarionette。"

"Ifyouarenotafish，whydidyouletthismonsterswallowyou？"

"Ididn’tlethim。Hechasedmeandswallowedmewithoutevena`byyourleave’！Andnowwhatarewetodohereinthedark？"

"WaituntiltheSharkhasdigestedusboth，Isuppose。"

"ButIdon’twanttobedigested，"shoutedPinocchio，startingtosob。

"NeitherdoI，"saidtheTunny，"butIamwiseenoughtothinkthatifoneisbornafish，itismoredignifiedtodieunderthewaterthaninthefryingpan。"

"Whatnonsense！"criedPinocchio。

"Mineisanopinion，"repliedtheTunny，"andopinionsshouldberespected。"

"ButIwanttogetoutofthisplace。Iwanttoescape。"

"Go，ifyoucan！"

"IsthisSharkthathasswallowedusverylong？"askedtheMarionette。

"Hisbody，notcountingthetail，isalmostamilelong。"

Whiletalkinginthedarkness，Pinocchiothoughthesawafaintlightinthedistance。

"Whatcanthatbe？"hesaidtotheTunny。

"Someotherpoorfish，waitingaspatientlyaswetobedigestedbytheShark。"

"Iwanttoseehim。Hemaybeanoldfishandmayknowsomewayofescape。"

"Iwishyouallgoodluck，dearMarionette。"

"Good-by，Tunny。"

"Good-by，Marionette，andgoodluck。"

"WhenshallIseeyouagain？"

"Whoknows？Itisbetternottothinkaboutit。"

CHAPTER35

IntheShark’sbodyPinocchiofindswhom？

Readthischapter，mychildren，andyouwillknowPinocchio，assoonashehadsaidgood-bytohisgoodfriend，theTunny，totteredawayinthedarknessandbegantowalkaswellashecouldtowardthefaintlightwhichglowedinthedistance。

Ashewalkedhisfeetsplashedinapoolofgreasyandslipperywater，whichhadsuchaheavysmelloffishfriedinoilthatPinocchiothoughtitwasLent。

Thefartheronhewent，thebrighterandclearergrewthetinylight。Onandonhewalkedtillfinallyhefound——Igiveyouathousandguesses，mydearchildren！Hefoundalittletablesetfordinnerandlightedbyacandlestuckinaglassbottle;andnearthetablesatalittleoldman，whiteasthesnow，eatinglivefish。Theywriggledsothat，nowandagain，oneofthemslippedoutoftheoldman’smouthandescapedintothedarknessunderthetable。

Atthissight，thepoorMarionettewasfilledwithsuchgreatandsuddenhappinessthathealmostdroppedinafaint。Hewantedtolaugh，hewantedtocry，hewantedtosayathousandandonethings，butallhecoulddowastostandstill，stutteringandstammeringbrokenly。Atlast，withagreateffort，hewasabletoletoutascreamofjoyand，openingwidehisarmshethrewthemaroundtheoldman’sneck。

"Oh，Father，dearFather！HaveIfoundyouatlast？

NowIshallnever，neverleaveyouagain！"

"Aremyeyesreallytellingmethetruth？"answeredtheoldman，rubbinghiseyes。"AreyoureallymyowndearPinocchio？"

"Yes，yes，yes！ItisI！Lookatme！Andyouhaveforgivenme，haven’tyou？Oh，mydearFather，howgoodyouare！AndtothinkthatI——Oh，butifyouonlyknewhowmanymisfortuneshavefallenonmyheadandhowmanytroublesIhavehad！JustthinkthatonthedayyousoldyouroldcoattobuymemyA-B-C

booksothatIcouldgotoschool，IranawaytotheMarionetteTheaterandtheproprietorcaughtmeandwantedtoburnmetocookhisroastlamb！Hewastheonewhogavemethefivegoldpiecesforyou，butImettheFoxandtheCat，whotookmetotheInnoftheRedLobster。TheretheyatelikewolvesandIlefttheInnaloneandImettheAssassinsinthewood。Iranandtheyranafterme，alwaysafterme，tilltheyhangedmetothebranchofagiantoaktree。ThentheFairyoftheAzureHairsentthecoachtorescuemeandthedoctors，afterlookingatme，said，`Ifheisnotdead，thenheissurelyalive，’andthenItoldalieandmynosebegantogrow。

Itgrewanditgrew，tillIcouldn’tgetitthroughthedooroftheroom。AndthenIwentwiththeFoxandtheCattotheFieldofWonderstoburythegoldpieces。TheParrotlaughedatmeand，insteadoftwothousandgoldpieces，Ifoundnone。WhentheJudgeheardIhadbeenrobbed，hesentmetojailtomakethethieveshappy;andwhenIcameawayIsawafinebunchofgrapeshangingonavine。ThetrapcaughtmeandtheFarmerputacollaronmeandmademeawatchdog。HefoundoutIwasinnocentwhenIcaughttheWeaselsandheletmego。TheSerpentwiththetailthatsmokedstartedtolaughandaveininhischestbrokeandsoIwentbacktotheFairy’shouse。Shewasdead，andthePigeon，seeingmecrying，saidtome，`I

haveseenyourfatherbuildingaboattolookforyouinAmerica，’andIsaidtohim，`Oh，ifIonlyhadwings！’andhesaidtome，`Doyouwanttogotoyourfather？’andI

said，`Perhaps，buthow？’andhesaid，`Getonmyback。I’lltakeyouthere。’Weflewallnightlong，andnextmorningthefishermenwerelookingtowardthesea，crying，`Thereisapoorlittlemandrowning，’andIknewitwasyou，becausemyhearttoldmesoandIwavedtoyoufromtheshore——"

"Iknewyoualso，"putinGeppetto，"andIwantedtogotoyou;buthowcouldI？Theseawasroughandthewhitecapsoverturnedtheboat。ThenaTerribleSharkcameupoutoftheseaand，assoonashesawmeinthewater，swamquicklytowardme，putouthistongue，andswallowedmeaseasilyasifIhadbeenachocolatepeppermint。"

"Andhowlonghaveyoubeenshutawayinhere？"

"Fromthatdaytothis，twolongwearyyears——twoyears，myPinocchio，whichhavebeenliketwocenturies。"

"Andhowhaveyoulived？Wheredidyoufindthecandle？Andthematcheswithwhichtolightit——wheredidyougetthem？"

"Youmustknowthat，inthestormwhichswampedmyboat，alargeshipalsosufferedthesamefate。Thesailorswereallsaved，buttheshipwentrighttothebottomofthesea，andthesameTerribleSharkthatswallowedme，swallowedmostofit。"

"What！Swallowedaship？"askedPinocchioinastonishment。

"Atonegulp。Theonlythinghespatoutwasthemain-

mast，foritstuckinhisteeth。Tomyowngoodluck，thatshipwasloadedwithmeat，preservedfoods，crackers，bread，bottlesofwine，raisins，cheese，coffee，sugar，waxcandles，andboxesofmatches。Withalltheseblessings，I

havebeenabletolivehappilyonfortwowholeyears，butnowIamattheverylastcrumbs。Todaythereisnothingleftinthecupboard，andthiscandleyouseehereisthelastoneIhave。"

"Andthen？"

"Andthen，mydear，we’llfindourselvesindarkness。"

"Then，mydearFather，"saidPinocchio，"thereisnotimetolose。Wemusttrytoescape。"

"Escape！How？"

"WecanrunoutoftheShark’smouthanddiveintothesea。"

"Youspeakwell，butIcannotswim，mydearPinocchio。"

"Whyshouldthatmatter？YoucanclimbonmyshouldersandI，whoamafineswimmer，willcarryyousafelytotheshore。"

"Dreams，myboy！"answeredGeppetto，shakinghisheadandsmilingsadly。"DoyouthinkitpossibleforaMarionette，ayardhigh，tohavethestrengthtocarrymeonhisshouldersandswim？"

"Tryitandsee！Andinanycase，ifitiswrittenthatwemustdie，weshallatleastdietogether。"

Notaddinganotherword，Pinocchiotookthecandleinhishandandgoingaheadtolighttheway，hesaidtohisfather：

"Followmeandhavenofear。"

TheywalkedalongdistancethroughthestomachandthewholebodyoftheShark。Whentheyreachedthethroatofthemonster，theystoppedforawhiletowaitfortherightmomentinwhichtomaketheirescape。

IwantyoutoknowthattheShark，beingveryoldandsufferingfromasthmaandhearttrouble，wasobligedtosleepwithhismouthopen。Becauseofthis，Pinocchiowasabletocatchaglimpseoftheskyfilledwithstars，ashelookedupthroughtheopenjawsofhisnewhome。

"Thetimehascomeforustoescape，"hewhispered，turningtohisfather。"TheSharkisfastasleep。Theseaiscalmandthenightisasbrightasday。Followmeclosely，dearFather，andweshallsoonbesaved。"

Nosoonersaidthandone。Theyclimbedupthethroatofthemonstertilltheycametothatimmenseopenmouth。

Theretheyhadtowalkontiptoes，foriftheytickledtheShark’slongtonguehemightawaken——andwherewouldtheybethen？Thetonguewassowideandsolongthatitlookedlikeacountryroad。ThetwofugitiveswerejustabouttodiveintotheseawhentheSharksneezedverysuddenlyand，ashesneezed，hegavePinocchioandGeppettosuchajoltthattheyfoundthemselvesthrownontheirbacksanddashedoncemoreandveryunceremoniouslyintothestomachofthemonster。

Tomakemattersworse，thecandlewentoutandfatherandsonwereleftinthedark。

"Andnow？"askedPinocchiowithaseriousface。

"Nowwearelost。"

"Whylost？Givemeyourhand，dearFather，andbecarefulnottoslip！"

"Wherewillyoutakeme？"

"Wemusttryagain。Comewithmeanddon’tbeafraid。"

WiththesewordsPinocchiotookhisfatherbythehandand，alwayswalkingontiptoes，theyclimbedupthemonster’sthroatforasecondtime。Theythencrossedthewholetongueandjumpedoverthreerowsofteeth。Butbeforetheytookthelastgreatleap，theMarionettesaidtohisfather：

"Climbonmybackandholdontightlytomyneck。

I’lltakecareofeverythingelse。"

AssoonasGeppettowascomfortablyseatedonhisshoulders，Pinocchio，verysureofwhathewasdoing，divedintothewaterandstartedtoswim。Theseawaslikeoil，themoonshoneinallsplendor，andtheSharkcontinuedtosleepsosoundlythatnotevenacannonshotwouldhaveawakenedhim。

CHAPTER36

PinocchiofinallyceasestobeaMarionetteandbecomesaboy"MydearFather，wearesaved！"criedtheMarionette。

"Allwehavetodonowistogettotheshore，andthatiseasy。"

Withoutanotherword，heswamswiftlyawayinanefforttoreachlandassoonaspossible。AllatoncehenoticedthatGeppettowasshiveringandshakingasifwithahighfever。

Washeshiveringfromfearorfromcold？Whoknows？

Perhapsalittleofboth。ButPinocchio，thinkinghisfatherwasfrightened，triedtocomforthimbysaying：

"Courage，Father！Inafewmomentsweshallbesafeonland。"

"Butwhereisthatblessedshore？"askedthelittleoldman，moreandmoreworriedashetriedtopiercethefarawayshadows。

"HereIamsearchingonallsidesandIseenothingbutseaandsky。"

"Iseetheshore，"saidtheMarionette。"Remember，Father，thatIamlikeacat。Iseebetteratnightthanbyday。"

PoorPinocchiopretendedtobepeacefulandcontented，buthewasfarfromthat。Hewasbeginningtofeeldiscouraged，hisstrengthwasleavinghim，andhisbreathingwasbecomingmoreandmorelabored。Hefelthecouldnotgoonmuchlonger，andtheshorewasstillfaraway。

Heswamafewmorestrokes。ThenheturnedtoGeppettoandcriedoutweakly：

"Helpme，Father！Help，forIamdying！"

Fatherandsonwerereallyabouttodrownwhentheyheardavoicelikeaguitaroutoftunecallfromthesea：

"Whatisthetrouble？"

"ItisIandmypoorfather。"

"Iknowthevoice。YouarePinocchio。"

"Exactly。Andyou？"

"IamtheTunny，yourcompanionintheShark’sstomach。"

"Andhowdidyouescape？"

"Iimitatedyourexample。Youaretheonewhoshowedmethewayandafteryouwent，Ifollowed。"

"Tunny，youarrivedattherightmoment！Iimploreyou，fortheloveyoubearyourchildren，thelittleTunnies，tohelpus，orwearelost！"

"Withgreatpleasureindeed。Hangontomytail，bothofyou，andletmeleadyou。Inatwinklingyouwillbesafeonland。"

GeppettoandPinocchio，asyoucaneasilyimagine，didnotrefusetheinvitation;indeed，insteadofhangingontothetail，theythoughtitbettertoclimbontheTunny’sback。

"Arewetooheavy？"askedPinocchio。

"Heavy？Notintheleast。Youareaslightassea-shells，"

answeredtheTunny，whowasaslargeasatwo-year-oldhorse。

Assoonastheyreachedtheshore，Pinocchiowasthefirsttojumptothegroundtohelphisoldfather。

Thenheturnedtothefishandsaidtohim：

"Dearfriend，youhavesavedmyfather，andIhavenotenoughwordswithwhichtothankyou！Allowmetoembraceyouasasignofmyeternalgratitude。"

TheTunnystuckhisnoseoutofthewaterandPinocchiokneltonthesandandkissedhimmostaffectionatelyonhischeek。Atthiswarmgreeting，thepoorTunny，whowasnotusedtosuchtenderness，weptlikeachild。

Hefeltsoembarrassedandashamedthatheturnedquickly，plungedintothesea，anddisappeared。

Inthemeantimedayhaddawned。

PinocchioofferedhisarmtoGeppetto，whowassoweakhecouldhardlystand，andsaidtohim：

"Leanonmyarm，dearFather，andletusgo。Wewillwalkvery，veryslowly，andifwefeeltiredwecanrestbythewayside。"

"Andwherearewegoing？"askedGeppetto。

"Tolookforahouseorahut，wheretheywillbekindenoughtogiveusabiteofbreadandabitofstrawtosleepon。"

Theyhadnottakenahundredstepswhentheysawtworough-lookingindividualssittingonastonebeggingforalms。

ItwastheFoxandtheCat，butonecouldhardlyrecognizethem，theylookedsomiserable。TheCat，afterpretendingtobeblindforsomanyyearshadreallylostthesightofbotheyes。AndtheFox，old，thin，andalmosthairless，hadevenlosthistail。Thatslythiefhadfallenintodeepestpoverty，andonedayhehadbeenforcedtosellhisbeautifultailforabitetoeat。

"Oh，Pinocchio，"hecriedinatearfulvoice。"Giveussomealms，webegofyou！Weareold，tired，andsick。"

"Sick！"repeatedtheCat。

"Addio，falsefriends！"answeredtheMarionette。

"Youcheatedmeonce，butyouwillnevercatchmeagain。"

"Believeus！Todaywearetrulypoorandstarving。"

"Starving！"repeatedtheCat。

"Ifyouarepoor;youdeserveit！Remembertheoldproverbwhichsays：`Stolenmoneyneverbearsfruit。’

Addio，falsefriends。"

"Havemercyonus！"

"Onus。"

"Addio，falsefriends。Remembertheoldproverbwhichsays：

`Badwheatalwaysmakespoorbread！’"

"Donotabandonus。"

"Abandonus，"repeatedtheCat。

"Addio，falsefriends。Remembertheoldproverb：

`Whoeverstealshisneighbor’sshirt，usuallydieswithouthisown。’"

Wavinggood-bytothem，PinocchioandGeppettocalmlywentontheirway。Afterafewmoresteps，theysaw，attheendofalongroadnearaclumpoftrees，atinycottagebuiltofstraw。

"Someonemustliveinthatlittlehut，"saidPinocchio。

"Letusseeforourselves。"

Theywentandknockedatthedoor。

"Whoisit？"saidalittlevoicefromwithin。

"Apoorfatherandapoorerson，withoutfoodandwithnorooftocoverthem，"answeredtheMarionette。

"Turnthekeyandthedoorwillopen，"saidthesamelittlevoice。

Pinocchioturnedthekeyandthedooropened。Assoonastheywentin，theylookedhereandthereandeverywherebutsawnoone。

"Oh——ho，whereistheownerofthehut？"criedPinocchio，verymuchsurprised。

"HereIam，uphere！"

Fatherandsonlookeduptotheceiling，andthereonabeamsattheTalkingCricket。

"Oh，mydearCricket，"saidPinocchio，bowingpolitely。

"Oh，nowyoucallmeyourdearCricket，butdoyourememberwhenyouthrewyourhammeratmetokillme？"

"Youareright，dearCricket。Throwahammeratmenow。

Ideserveit！Butsparemypooroldfather。"

"Iamgoingtospareboththefatherandtheson。Ihaveonlywantedtoremindyouofthetrickyoulongagoplayeduponme，toteachyouthatinthisworldofourswemustbekindandcourteoustoothers，ifwewanttofindkindnessandcourtesyinourowndaysoftrouble。"

"Youareright，littleCricket，youaremorethanright，andIshallrememberthelessonyouhavetaughtme。Butwillyoutellhowyousucceededinbuyingthisprettylittlecottage？"

"ThiscottagewasgiventomeyesterdaybyalittleGoatwithbluehair。"

"AndwheredidtheGoatgo？"askedPinocchio。

"Idon’tknow。"

"Andwhenwillshecomeback？"

"Shewillnevercomeback。Yesterdayshewentawaybleatingsadly，anditseemedtomeshesaid：`PoorPinocchio，Ishallneverseehimagain……theSharkmusthaveeatenhimbythistime。’"

"Werethoseherrealwords？Thenitwasshe——itwas——

mydearlittleFairy，"criedoutPinocchio，sobbingbitterly。

Afterhehadcriedalongtime，hewipedhiseyesandthenhemadeabedofstrawforoldGeppetto。HelaidhimonitandsaidtotheTalkingCricket：

"Tellme，littleCricket，whereshallIfindaglassofmilkformypoorFather？"

"ThreefieldsawayfromherelivesFarmerJohn。Hehassomecows。Gothereandhewillgiveyouwhatyouwant。"

PinocchioranallthewaytoFarmerJohn’shouse。TheFarmersaidtohim：

"Howmuchmilkdoyouwant？"

"Iwantafullglass。"

"Afullglasscostsapenny。Firstgivemethepenny。"

"Ihavenopenny，"answeredPinocchio，sadandashamed。

"Verybad，myMarionette，"answeredtheFarmer，"verybad。Ifyouhavenopenny，Ihavenomilk。"

"Toobad，"saidPinocchioandstartedtogo。

"Waitamoment，"saidFarmerJohn。"Perhapswecancometoterms。

Doyouknowhowtodrawwaterfromawell？"

"Icantry。"

"Thengotothatwellyouseeyonderanddrawonehundredbucketfulsofwater。"

"Verywell。"

"Afteryouhavefinished，Ishallgiveyouaglassofwarmsweetmilk。"

"Iamsatisfied。"

FarmerJohntooktheMarionettetothewellandshowedhimhowtodrawthewater。Pinocchiosettoworkaswellasheknewhow，butlongbeforehehadpulleduptheonehundredbuckets，hewastiredoutanddrippingwithperspiration。Hehadneverworkedsohardinhislife。

"Untiltoday，"saidtheFarmer，"mydonkeyhasdrawnthewaterforme，butnowthatpooranimalisdying。"

"Willyoutakemetoseehim？"saidPinocchio。

"Gladly。"

AssoonasPinocchiowentintothestable，hespiedalittleDonkeylyingonabedofstrawinthecornerofthestable。Hewaswornoutfromhungerandtoomuchwork。

Afterlookingathimalongtime，hesaidtohimself：

"IknowthatDonkey！Ihaveseenhimbefore。"

Andbendinglowoverhim，heasked："Whoareyou？"

Atthisquestion，theDonkeyopenedweary，dyingeyesandansweredinthesametongue："IamLamp-Wick。"

Thenheclosedhiseyesanddied。

"Oh，mypoorLamp-Wick，"saidPinocchioinafaintvoice，ashewipedhiseyeswithsomestrawhehadpickedupfromtheground。

"Doyoufeelsosorryforalittledonkeythathascostyounothing？"

saidtheFarmer。"WhatshouldIdo——I，whohavepaidmygoodmoneyforhim？"

"But，yousee，hewasmyfriend。"

"Yourfriend？"

"Aclassmateofmine。"

"What，"shoutedFarmerJohn，burstingoutlaughing。

"What！Youhaddonkeysinyourschool？Howyoumusthavestudied！"

TheMarionette，ashamedandhurtbythosewords，didnotanswer，buttakinghisglassofmilkreturnedtohisfather。

Fromthatdayon，formorethanfivemonths，Pinocchiogotupeverymorningjustasdawnwasbreakingandwenttothefarmtodrawwater。Andeverydayhewasgivenaglassofwarmmilkforhispooroldfather，whogrewstrongerandbetterdaybyday。Buthewasnotsatisfiedwiththis。Helearnedtomakebasketsofreedsandsoldthem。Withthemoneyhereceived，heandhisfatherwereabletokeepfromstarving。

Amongotherthings，hebuiltarollingchair，strongandcomfortable，totakehisoldfatheroutforanairingonbright，sunnydays。

IntheeveningtheMarionettestudiedbylamplight。

Withsomeofthemoneyhehadearned，heboughthimselfasecondhandvolumethathadafewpagesmissing，andwiththathelearnedtoreadinaveryshorttime。Asfaraswritingwasconcerned，heusedalongstickatoneendofwhichhehadwhittledalong，finepoint。Inkhehadnone，soheusedthejuiceofblackberriesorcherries。

Littlebylittlehisdiligencewasrewarded。Hesucceeded，notonlyinhisstudies，butalsoinhiswork，andadaycamewhenheputenoughmoneytogethertokeephisoldfathercomfortableandhappy。Besidesthis，hewasabletosavethegreatamountoffiftypennies。Withithewantedtobuyhimselfanewsuit。

Onedayhesaidtohisfather：

"Iamgoingtothemarketplacetobuymyselfacoat，acap，andapairofshoes。WhenIcomebackI’llbesodressedup，youwillthinkIamarichman。"

Heranoutofthehouseanduptheroadtothevillage，laughingandsinging。Suddenlyheheardhisnamecalled，andlookingaroundtoseewhencethevoicecame，henoticedalargesnailcrawlingoutofsomebushes。

"Don’tyourecognizeme？"saidtheSnail。

"Yesandno。"

"DoyouremembertheSnailthatlivedwiththeFairywithAzureHair？Doyounotrememberhowsheopenedthedoorforyouonenightandgaveyousomethingtoeat？"

"Iremembereverything，"criedPinocchio。"Answermequickly，prettySnail，wherehaveyouleftmyFairy？

Whatisshedoing？Hassheforgivenme？Doessherememberme？Doesshestillloveme？Issheveryfarawayfromhere？MayIseeher？"

Atallthesequestions，tumblingoutoneafteranother，theSnailanswered，calmasever：

"MydearPinocchio，theFairyislyingillinahospital。"

"Inahospital？"

"Yes，indeed。Shehasbeenstrickenwithtroubleandillness，andshehasn’tapennyleftwithwhichtobuyabiteofbread。"

"Really？Oh，howsorryIam！Mypoor，dearlittleFairy！

IfIhadamillionIshouldruntoherwithit！ButI

haveonlyfiftypennies。Heretheyare。Iwasjustgoingtobuysomeclothes。Here，takethem，littleSnail，andgivethemtomygoodFairy。"

"Whataboutthenewclothes？"

"Whatdoesthatmatter？IshouldliketoselltheseragsIhaveontohelphermore。Go，andhurry。ComebackherewithinacoupleofdaysandIhopetohavemoremoneyforyou！UntiltodayIhaveworkedformyfather。

NowIshallhavetoworkformymotheralso。Good-by，andIhopetoseeyousoon。"

TheSnail，muchagainstherusualhabit，begantorunlikealizardunderasummersun。

WhenPinocchioreturnedhome，hisfatheraskedhim：

"Andwhereisthenewsuit？"

"Icouldn’tfindonetofitme。Ishallhavetolookagainsomeotherday。"

Thatnight，Pinocchio，insteadofgoingtobedatteno’clockwaiteduntilmidnight，andinsteadofmakingeightbaskets，hemadesixteen。

Afterthathewenttobedandfellasleep。Asheslept，hedreamedofhisFairy，beautiful，smiling，andhappy，whokissedhimandsaidtohim，"Bravo，Pinocchio！Inrewardforyourkindheart，Iforgiveyouforallyouroldmischief。Boyswholoveandtakegoodcareoftheirparentswhentheyareoldandsick，deservepraiseeventhoughtheymaynotbeheldupasmodelsofobedienceandgoodbehavior。Keepondoingsowell，andyouwillbehappy。"

Atthatverymoment，Pinocchioawokeandopenedwidehiseyes。

Whatwashissurpriseandhisjoywhen，onlookinghimselfover，hesawthathewasnolongeraMarionette，butthathehadbecomearealliveboy！Helookedallabouthimandinsteadoftheusualwallsofstraw，hefoundhimselfinabeautifullyfurnishedlittleroom，theprettiesthehadeverseen。Inatwinkling，hejumpeddownfromhisbedtolookonthechairstandingnear。

There，hefoundanewsuit，anewhat，andapairofshoes。

Assoonashewasdressed，heputhishandsinhispocketsandpulledoutalittleleatherpurseonwhichwerewrittenthefollowingwords：

TheFairywithAzureHairreturnsfiftypenniestoherdearPinocchiowithmanythanksforhiskindheart。

TheMarionetteopenedthepursetofindthemoney，andbehold——therewerefiftygoldcoins！

Pinocchiorantothemirror。Hehardlyrecognizedhimself。

Thebrightfaceofatallboylookedathimwithwide-awakeblueeyes，darkbrownhairandhappy，smilinglips。

Surroundedbysomuchsplendor，theMarionettehardlyknewwhathewasdoing。Herubbedhiseyestwoorthreetimes，wonderingifhewerestillasleeporawakeanddecidedhemustbeawake。

"AndwhereisFather？"hecriedsuddenly。Heranintothenextroom，andtherestoodGeppetto，grownyearsyoungerovernight，spickandspaninhisnewclothesandgayasalarkinthemorning。HewasoncemoreMastroGeppetto，thewoodcarver，hardatworkonalovelypictureframe，decoratingitwithflowersandleaves，andheadsofanimals。

"Father，Father，whathashappened？Tellmeifyoucan，"

criedPinocchio，asheranandjumpedonhisFather’sneck。

"Thissuddenchangeinourhouseisallyourdoing，mydearPinocchio，"answeredGeppetto。

"WhathaveItodowithit？"

"Justthis。Whenbadboysbecomegoodandkind，theyhavethepowerofmakingtheirhomesgayandnewwithhappiness。"

"IwonderwheretheoldPinocchioofwoodhashiddenhimself？"

"Thereheis，"answeredGeppetto。AndhepointedtoalargeMarionetteleaningagainstachair，headturnedtooneside，armshanginglimp，andlegstwistedunderhim。

Afteralong，longlook，Pinocchiosaidtohimselfwithgreatcontent：

"HowridiculousIwasasaMarionette！AndhowhappyIam，nowthatIhavebecomearealboy！"