[PseudonymofCarloLorenzini]
CHAPTER1
HowithappenedthatMastroCherry，carpenter，foundapieceofwoodthatweptandlaughedlikeachildCenturiesagotherelived——
"Aking！"mylittlereaderswillsayimmediately。
No，children，youaremistaken。Onceuponatimetherewasapieceofwood。Itwasnotanexpensivepieceofwood。Farfromit。Justacommonblockoffirewood，oneofthosethick，solidlogsthatareputonthefireinwintertomakecoldroomscozyandwarm。
Idonotknowhowthisreallyhappened，yetthefactremainsthatonefinedaythispieceofwoodfounditselfintheshopofanoldcarpenter。HisrealnamewasMastroAntonio，buteveryonecalledhimMastroCherry，forthetipofhisnosewassoroundandredandshinythatitlookedlikearipecherry。
Assoonashesawthatpieceofwood，MastroCherrywasfilledwithjoy。Rubbinghishandstogetherhappily，hemumbledhalftohimself：
"Thishascomeinthenickoftime。Ishalluseittomakethelegofatable。"
Hegraspedthehatchetquicklytopeeloffthebarkandshapethewood。Butashewasabouttogiveitthefirstblow，hestoodstillwitharmuplifted，forhehadheardawee，littlevoicesayinabeseechingtone："Pleasebecareful！
Donothitmesohard！"
WhatalookofsurpriseshoneonMastroCherry’sface！Hisfunnyfacebecamestillfunnier。
Heturnedfrightenedeyesabouttheroomtofindoutwherethatwee，littlevoicehadcomefromandhesawnoone！Helookedunderthebench——noone！Hepeepedinsidethecloset——noone！Hesearchedamongtheshavings——
noone！Heopenedthedoortolookupanddownthestreet——andstillnoone！
"Oh，Isee！"hethensaid，laughingandscratchinghisWig。
"ItcaneasilybeseenthatIonlythoughtIheardthetinyvoicesaythewords！Well，well——toworkoncemore。"
Hestruckamostsolemnblowuponthepieceofwood。
"Oh，oh！Youhurt！"criedthesamefar-awaylittlevoice。
MastroCherrygrewdumb，hiseyespoppedoutofhishead，hismouthopenedwide，andhistonguehungdownonhischin。
Assoonasheregainedtheuseofhissenses，hesaid，tremblingandstutteringfromfright：
"Wheredidthatvoicecomefrom，whenthereisnoonearound？Mightitbethatthispieceofwoodhaslearnedtoweepandcrylikeachild？Icanhardlybelieveit。Hereitis——apieceofcommonfirewood，goodonlytoburninthestove，thesameasanyother。Yet——
mightsomeonebehiddeninit？Ifso，theworseforhim。
I’llfixhim！"
Withthesewords，hegrabbedthelogwithbothhandsandstartedtoknockitaboutunmercifully。Hethrewittothefloor，againstthewallsoftheroom，andevenuptotheceiling。
Helistenedforthetinyvoicetomoanandcry。
Hewaitedtwominutes——nothing;fiveminutes——nothing;
tenminutes——nothing。
"Oh，Isee，"hesaid，tryingbravelytolaughandrufflinguphiswigwithhishand。"ItcaneasilybeseenIonlyimaginedIheardthetinyvoice！Well，well——toworkoncemore！"
Thepoorfellowwasscaredhalftodeath，sohetriedtosingagaysonginordertogaincourage。
Hesetasidethehatchetandpickeduptheplanetomakethewoodsmoothandeven，butashedrewittoandfro，heheardthesametinyvoice。Thistimeitgiggledasitspoke：
"Stopit！Oh，stopit！Ha，ha，ha！Youticklemystomach。"
ThistimepoorMastroCherryfellasifshot。Whenheopenedhiseyes，hefoundhimselfsittingonthefloor。
Hisfacehadchanged;frighthadturnedeventhetipofhisnosefromredtodeepestpurple。
CHAPTER2
MastroCherrygivesthepieceofwoodtohisfriendGeppetto，whotakesittomakehimselfaMarionettethatwilldance，fence，andturnsomersaultsInthatveryinstant，aloudknocksoundedonthedoor。
"Comein，"saidthecarpenter，nothavinganatomofstrengthleftwithwhichtostandup。
Atthewords，thedooropenedandadapperlittleoldmancamein。HisnamewasGeppetto，buttotheboysoftheneighborhoodhewasPolendina，[1]onaccountofthewighealwaysworewhichwasjustthecolorofyellowcorn。
[1]CornmealmushGeppettohadaverybadtemper。WoetotheonewhocalledhimPolendina！Hebecameaswildasabeastandnoonecouldsoothehim。
"Goodday，MastroAntonio，"saidGeppetto。"Whatareyoudoingonthefloor？"
"IamteachingtheantstheirABC’s。"
"Goodlucktoyou！"
"Whatbroughtyouhere，friendGeppetto？"
"Mylegs。Anditmayflatteryoutoknow，MastroAntonio，thatIhavecometoyoutobegforafavor。"
"HereIam，atyourservice，"answeredthecarpenter，raisinghimselfontohisknees。
"Thismorningafineideacametome。"
"Let’shearit。"
"IthoughtofmakingmyselfabeautifulwoodenMarionette。Itmustbewonderful，onethatwillbeabletodance，fence，andturnsomersaults。WithitIintendtogoaroundtheworld，toearnmycrustofbreadandcupofwine。Whatdoyouthinkofit？"
"Bravo，Polendina！"criedthesametinyvoicewhichcamefromnooneknewwhere。
OnhearinghimselfcalledPolendina，MastroGeppettoturnedthecolorofaredpepperand，facingthecarpenter，saidtohimangrily：
"Whydoyouinsultme？"
"Whoisinsultingyou？"
"YoucalledmePolendina。"
"Ididnot。"
"Isupposeyouthink_I_did！YetIKNOWitwasyou。"
"No！"
"Yes！"
"No！"
"Yes！"
Andgrowingangriereachmoment，theywentfromwordstoblows，andfinallybegantoscratchandbiteandslapeachother。
Whenthefightwasover，MastroAntoniohadGeppetto’syellowwiginhishandsandGeppettofoundthecarpenter’scurlywiginhismouth。
"Givemebackmywig！"shoutedMastroAntonioinasurlyvoice。
"Youreturnmineandwe’llbefriends。"
Thetwolittleoldmen，eachwithhisownwigbackonhisownhead，shookhandsandsworetobegoodfriendsfortherestoftheirlives。
"Wellthen，MastroGeppetto，"saidthecarpenter，toshowheborehimnoillwill，"whatisityouwant？"
"IwantapieceofwoodtomakeaMarionette。Willyougiveittome？"
MastroAntonio，verygladindeed，wentimmediatelytohisbenchtogetthepieceofwoodwhichhadfrightenedhimsomuch。Butashewasabouttogiveittohisfriend，withaviolentjerkitslippedoutofhishandsandhitagainstpoorGeppetto’sthinlegs。
"Ah！Isthisthegentleway，MastroAntonio，inwhichyoumakeyourgifts？Youhavemademealmostlame！"
"IsweartoyouIdidnotdoit！"
"Itwas_I_，ofcourse！"
"It’sthefaultofthispieceofwood。"
"You’reright;butrememberyouweretheonetothrowitatmylegs。"
"Ididnotthrowit！"
"Liar！"
"Geppetto，donotinsultmeorIshallcallyouPolendina。"
"Idiot。"
"Polendina！"
"Donkey！"
"Polendina！"
"Uglymonkey！"
"Polendina！"
OnhearinghimselfcalledPolendinaforthethirdtime，Geppettolosthisheadwithrageandthrewhimselfuponthecarpenter。Thenandtheretheygaveeachotherasoundthrashing。
Afterthisfight，MastroAntoniohadtwomorescratchesonhisnose，andGeppettohadtwobuttonsmissingfromhiscoat。Thushavingsettledtheiraccounts，theyshookhandsandsworetobegoodfriendsfortherestoftheirlives。
ThenGeppettotookthefinepieceofwood，thankedMastroAntonio，andlimpedawaytowardhome。
CHAPTER3
Assoonashegetshome，GeppettofashionstheMarionetteandcallsitPinocchio。ThefirstpranksoftheMarionetteLittleasGeppetto’shousewas，itwasneatandcomfortable。Itwasasmallroomonthegroundfloor，withatinywindowunderthestairway。Thefurniturecouldnothavebeenmuchsimpler：averyoldchair，aricketyoldbed，andatumble-downtable。Afireplacefullofburninglogswaspaintedonthewalloppositethedoor。Overthefire，therewaspaintedapotfullofsomethingwhichkeptboilinghappilyawayandsendingupcloudsofwhatlookedlikerealsteam。
Assoonashereachedhome，GeppettotookhistoolsandbegantocutandshapethewoodintoaMarionette。
"WhatshallIcallhim？"hesaidtohimself。"IthinkI’llcallhimPINOCCHIO。Thisnamewillmakehisfortune。
IknewawholefamilyofPinocchionce——Pinocchiothefather，Pinocchiathemother，andPinocchithechildren——
andtheywerealllucky。Therichestofthembeggedforhisliving。"
AfterchoosingthenameforhisMarionette，Geppettosetseriouslytoworktomakethehair，theforehead，theeyes。Fancyhissurprisewhenhenoticedthattheseeyesmovedandthenstaredfixedlyathim。Geppetto，seeingthis，feltinsultedandsaidinagrievedtone：
"Uglywoodeneyes，whydoyoustareso？"
Therewasnoanswer。
Aftertheeyes，Geppettomadethenose，whichbegantostretchassoonasfinished。Itstretchedandstretchedandstretchedtillitbecamesolong，itseemedendless。
PoorGeppettokeptcuttingitandcuttingit，butthemorehecut，thelongergrewthatimpertinentnose。Indespairheletitalone。
Nexthemadethemouth。
Nosoonerwasitfinishedthanitbegantolaughandpokefunathim。
"Stoplaughing！"saidGeppettoangrily;buthemightaswellhavespokentothewall。
"Stoplaughing，Isay！"heroaredinavoiceofthunder。
Themouthstoppedlaughing，butitstuckoutalongtongue。
Notwishingtostartanargument，Geppettomadebelievehesawnothingandwentonwithhiswork。
Afterthemouth，hemadethechin，thentheneck，theshoulders，thestomach，thearms，andthehands。
Ashewasabouttoputthelasttouchesonthefingertips，Geppettofelthiswigbeingpulledoff。Heglancedupandwhatdidhesee？HisyellowwigwasintheMarionette’shand。"Pinocchio，givememywig！"
Butinsteadofgivingitback，Pinocchioputitonhisownhead，whichwashalfswallowedupinit。
Atthatunexpectedtrick，Geppettobecameverysadanddowncast，moresothanhehadeverbeenbefore。
"Pinocchio，youwickedboy！"hecriedout。"Youarenotyetfinished，andyoustartoutbybeingimpudenttoyourpooroldfather。Verybad，myson，verybad！"
Andhewipedawayatear。
Thelegsandfeetstillhadtobemade。Assoonastheyweredone，Geppettofeltasharpkickonthetipofhisnose。
"Ideserveit！"hesaidtohimself。"IshouldhavethoughtofthisbeforeImadehim。Nowit’stoolate！"
HetookholdoftheMarionetteunderthearmsandputhimonthefloortoteachhimtowalk。
Pinocchio’slegsweresostiffthathecouldnotmovethem，andGeppettoheldhishandandshowedhimhowtoputoutonefootaftertheother。
Whenhislegswerelimberedup，Pinocchiostartedwalkingbyhimselfandranallaroundtheroom。Hecametotheopendoor，andwithoneleaphewasoutintothestreet。Awayheflew！
PoorGeppettoranafterhimbutwasunabletocatchhim，forPinocchioraninleapsandbounds，histwowoodenfeet，astheybeatonthestonesofthestreet，makingasmuchnoiseastwentypeasantsinwoodenshoes。
"Catchhim！Catchhim！"Geppettokeptshouting。
Butthepeopleinthestreet，seeingawoodenMarionetterunninglikethewind，stoodstilltostareandtolaughuntiltheycried。
Atlast，bysheerluck，aCarabineer[2]happenedalong，who，hearingallthatnoise，thoughtthatitmightbearunawaycolt，andstoodbravelyinthemiddleofthestreet，withlegswideapart，firmlyresolvedtostopitandpreventanytrouble。
[2]AmilitarypolicemanPinocchiosawtheCarabineerfromafarandtriedhisbesttoescapebetweenthelegsofthebigfellow，butwithoutsuccess。
TheCarabineergrabbedhimbythenose（itwasanextremelylongoneandseemedmadeonpurposeforthatverything）andreturnedhimtoMastroGeppetto。
ThelittleoldmanwantedtopullPinocchio’sears。
Thinkhowhefeltwhen，uponsearchingforthem，hediscoveredthathehadforgottentomakethem！
AllhecoulddowastoseizePinocchiobythebackoftheneckandtakehimhome。Ashewasdoingso，heshookhimtwoorthreetimesandsaidtohimangrily：
"We’regoinghomenow。Whenwegethome，thenwe’llsettlethismatter！"
Pinocchio，onhearingthis，threwhimselfonthegroundandrefusedtotakeanotherstep。Onepersonafteranothergatheredaroundthetwo。
Somesaidonething，someanother。
"PoorMarionette，"calledoutaman。"Iamnotsurprisedhedoesn’twanttogohome。Geppetto，nodoubt，willbeathimunmercifully，heissomeanandcruel！"
"Geppettolookslikeagoodman，"addedanother，"butwithboyshe’sarealtyrant。IfweleavethatpoorMarionetteinhishandshemaytearhimtopieces！"
Theysaidsomuchthat，finally，theCarabineerendedmattersbysettingPinocchioatlibertyanddraggingGeppettotoprison。Thepooroldfellowdidnotknowhowtodefendhimself，butweptandwailedlikeachildandsaidbetweenhissobs：
"Ungratefulboy！TothinkItriedsohardtomakeyouawell-behavedMarionette！Ideserveit，however！Ishouldhavegiventhemattermorethought。"
Whathappenedafterthisisanalmostunbelievablestory，butyoumayreadit，dearchildren，inthechaptersthatfollow。
CHAPTER4
ThestoryofPinocchioandtheTalkingCricket，inwhichoneseesthatbadchildrendonotliketobecorrectedbythosewhoknowmorethantheydoVerylittletimedidittaketogetpooroldGeppettotoprison。Inthemeantimethatrascal，Pinocchio，freenowfromtheclutchesoftheCarabineer，wasrunningwildlyacrossfieldsandmeadows，takingoneshortcutafteranothertowardhome。Inhiswildflight，heleapedoverbramblesandbushes，andacrossbrooksandponds，asifhewereagoatoraharechasedbyhounds。
Onreachinghome，hefoundthehousedoorhalfopen。
Heslippedintotheroom，lockedthedoor，andthrewhimselfonthefloor，happyathisescape。
Buthishappinesslastedonlyashorttime，forjustthenheheardsomeonesaying：
"Cri-cri-cri！"
"Whoiscallingme？"askedPinocchio，greatlyfrightened。
"Iam！"
Pinocchioturnedandsawalargecricketcrawlingslowlyupthewall。
"Tellme，Cricket，whoareyou？"
"IamtheTalkingCricketandIhavebeenlivinginthisroomformorethanonehundredyears。"
"Today，however，thisroomismine，"saidtheMarionette，"andifyouwishtodomeafavor，getoutnow，anddon’tturnaroundevenonce。"
"Irefusetoleavethisspot，"answeredtheCricket，"untilIhavetoldyouagreattruth。"
"Tellit，then，andhurry。"
"Woetoboyswhorefusetoobeytheirparentsandrunawayfromhome！Theywillneverbehappyinthisworld，andwhentheyareoldertheywillbeverysorryforit。"
"Singon，Cricketmine，asyouplease。WhatIknowis，thattomorrow，atdawn，Ileavethisplaceforever。IfI
stayherethesamethingwillhappentomewhichhappenstoallotherboysandgirls。Theyaresenttoschool，andwhethertheywanttoornot，theymuststudy。Asforme，letmetellyou，Ihatetostudy！It’smuchmorefun，Ithink，tochaseafterbutterflies，climbtrees，andstealbirds’nests。"
"Poorlittlesilly！Don’tyouknowthatifyougoonlikethat，youwillgrowintoaperfectdonkeyandthatyou’llbethelaughingstockofeveryone？"
"Keepstill，youuglyCricket！"criedPinocchio。
ButtheCricket，whowasawiseoldphilosopher，insteadofbeingoffendedatPinocchio’simpudence，continuedinthesametone：
"Ifyoudonotlikegoingtoschool，whydon’tyouatleastlearnatrade，sothatyoucanearnanhonestliving？"
"ShallItellyousomething？"askedPinocchio，whowasbeginningtolosepatience。"Ofallthetradesintheworld，thereisonlyonethatreallysuitsme。"
"Andwhatcanthatbe？"
"Thatofeating，drinking，sleeping，playing，andwanderingaroundfrommorningtillnight。"
"Letmetellyou，foryourowngood，Pinocchio，"saidtheTalkingCricketinhiscalmvoice，"thatthosewhofollowthattradealwaysendupinthehospitalorinprison。"
"Careful，uglyCricket！Ifyoumakemeangry，you’llbesorry！"
"PoorPinocchio，Iamsorryforyou。"
"Why？"
"BecauseyouareaMarionetteand，whatismuchworse，youhaveawoodenhead。"
Attheselastwords，Pinocchiojumpedupinafury，tookahammerfromthebench，andthrewitwithallhisstrengthattheTalkingCricket。
Perhapshedidnotthinkhewouldstrikeit。But，sadtorelate，mydearchildren，hedidhittheCricket，straightonitshead。
Withalastweak"cri-cri-cri"thepoorCricketfellfromthewall，dead！
CHAPTER5
Pinocchioishungryandlooksforaneggtocookhimselfanomelet;
but，tohissurprise，theomeletfliesoutofthewindowIftheCricket’sdeathscaredPinocchioatall，itwasonlyforaveryfewmoments。For，asnightcameon，aqueer，emptyfeelingatthepitofhisstomachremindedtheMarionettethathehadeatennothingasyet。
Aboy’sappetitegrowsveryfast，andinafewmomentsthequeer，emptyfeelinghadbecomehunger，andthehungergrewbiggerandbigger，untilsoonhewasasravenousasabear。
PoorPinocchiorantothefireplacewherethepotwasboilingandstretchedouthishandtotakethecoveroff，buttohisamazementthepotwasonlypainted！Thinkhowhefelt！Hislongnosebecameatleasttwoincheslonger。
Heranabouttheroom，duginalltheboxesanddrawers，andevenlookedunderthebedinsearchofapieceofbread，hardthoughitmightbe，oracookie，orperhapsabitoffish。
Aboneleftbyadogwouldhavetastedgoodtohim！
Buthefoundnothing。
Andmeanwhilehishungergrewandgrew。TheonlyreliefpoorPinocchiohadwastoyawn;andhecertainlydidyawn，suchabigyawnthathismouthstretchedouttothetipsofhisears。Soonhebecamedizzyandfaint。
Heweptandwailedtohimself："TheTalkingCricketwasright。ItwaswrongofmetodisobeyFatherandtorunawayfromhome。Ifhewereherenow，Iwouldn’tbesohungry！Oh，howhorribleitistobehungry！"
Suddenly，hesaw，amongthesweepingsinacorner，somethingroundandwhitethatlookedverymuchlikeahen’segg。Inajiffyhepounceduponit。Itwasanegg。
TheMarionette’sjoyknewnobounds。Itisimpossibletodescribeit，youmustpictureittoyourself。Certainthathewasdreaming，heturnedtheeggoverandoverinhishands，fondledit，kissedit，andtalkedtoit：
"Andnow，howshallIcookyou？ShallImakeanomelet？No，itisbettertofryyouinapan！
OrshallIdrinkyou？No，thebestwayistofryyouinthepan。Youwilltastebetter。"
Nosoonersaidthandone。Heplacedalittlepanoverafootwarmerfullofhotcoals。Inthepan，insteadofoilorbutter，hepouredalittlewater。Assoonasthewaterstartedtoboil——tac！——hebroketheeggshell。Butinplaceofthewhiteandtheyolkoftheegg，alittleyellowChick，fluffyandgayandsmiling，escapedfromit。BowingpolitelytoPinocchio，hesaidtohim：
"Many，manythanks，indeed，Mr。Pinocchio，forhavingsavedmethetroubleofbreakingmyshell！Good-byandgoodlucktoyouandremembermetothefamily！"
Withthesewordshespreadouthiswingsand，dartingtotheopenwindow，heflewawayintospacetillhewasoutofsight。
ThepoorMarionettestoodasifturnedtostone，withwideeyes，openmouth，andtheemptyhalvesoftheegg-
shellinhishands。Whenhecametohimself，hebegantocryandshriekatthetopofhislungs，stampinghisfeetonthegroundandwailingallthewhile：
"TheTalkingCricketwasright！IfIhadnotrunawayfromhomeandifFatherwereherenow，Ishouldnotbedyingofhunger。Oh，howhorribleitistobehungry！"
Andashisstomachkeptgrumblingmorethaneverandhehadnothingtoquietitwith，hethoughtofgoingoutforawalktothenear-byvillage，inthehopeoffindingsomecharitablepersonwhomightgivehimabitofbread。
CHAPTER6
Pinocchiofallsasleepwithhisfeetonafootwarmer，andawakensthenextdaywithhisfeetallburnedoffPinocchiohatedthedarkstreet，buthewassohungrythat，inspiteofit，heranoutofthehouse。Thenightwaspitchblack。Itthundered，andbrightflashesoflightningnowandagainshotacrossthesky，turningitintoaseaoffire。Anangrywindblewcoldandraiseddensecloudsofdust，whilethetreesshookandmoanedinaweirdway。
Pinocchiowasgreatlyafraidofthunderandlightning，butthehungerhefeltwasfargreaterthanhisfear。Inadozenleapsandbounds，hecametothevillage，tiredout，puffinglikeawhale，andwithtonguehanging。
Thewholevillagewasdarkanddeserted。Thestoreswereclosed，thedoors，thewindows。Inthestreets，notevenadogcouldbeseen。ItseemedtheVillageoftheDead。
Pinocchio，indesperation，ranuptoadoorway，threwhimselfuponthebell，andpulleditwildly，sayingtohimself：
"Someonewillsurelyanswerthat！"
Hewasright。Anoldmaninanightcapopenedthewindowandlookedout。Hecalleddownangrily：
"Whatdoyouwantatthishourofnight？"
"Willyoubegoodenoughtogivemeabitofbread？
Iamhungry。"
"WaitaminuteandI’llcomerightback，"answeredtheoldfellow，thinkinghehadtodealwithoneofthoseboyswholovetoroamaroundatnightringingpeople’sbellswhiletheyarepeacefullyasleep。
Afteraminuteortwo，thesamevoicecried：
"Getunderthewindowandholdoutyourhat！"
Pinocchiohadnohat，buthemanagedtogetunderthewindowjustintimetofeelashowerofice-coldwaterpourdownonhispoorwoodenhead，hisshoulders，andoverhiswholebody。
Hereturnedhomeaswetasarag，andtiredoutfromwearinessandhunger。
Ashenolongerhadanystrengthleftwithwhichtostand，hesatdownonalittlestoolandputhistwofeetonthestovetodrythem。
Therehefellasleep，andwhileheslept，hiswoodenfeetbegantoburn。Slowly，veryslowly，theyblackenedandturnedtoashes。
Pinocchiosnoredawayhappilyasifhisfeetwerenothisown。Atdawnheopenedhiseyesjustasaloudknockingsoundedatthedoor。
"Whoisit？"hecalled，yawningandrubbinghiseyes。
"ItisI，"answeredavoice。
ItwasthevoiceofGeppetto。
CHAPTER7
GeppettoreturnshomeandgiveshisownbreakfasttotheMarionetteThepoorMarionette，whowasstillhalfasleep，hadnotyetfoundoutthathistwofeetwereburnedandgone。AssoonasheheardhisFather’svoice，hejumpedupfromhisseattoopenthedoor，but，ashedidso，hestaggeredandfellheadlongtothefloor。
Infalling，hemadeasmuchnoiseasasackofwoodfallingfromthefifthstoryofahouse。
"Openthedoorforme！"Geppettoshoutedfromthestreet。
"Father，dearFather，Ican’t，"answeredtheMarionetteindespair，cryingandrollingonthefloor。
"Whycan’tyou？"
"Becausesomeonehaseatenmyfeet。"
"Andwhohaseatenthem？"
"Thecat，"answeredPinocchio，seeingthatlittleanimalbusilyplayingwithsomeshavingsinthecorneroftheroom。
"Open！Isay，"repeatedGeppetto，"orI’llgiveyouasoundwhippingwhenIgetin。"
"Father，believeme，Ican’tstandup。Oh，dear！
Oh，dear！Ishallhavetowalkonmykneesallmylife。"
Geppetto，thinkingthatallthesetearsandcrieswereonlyotherpranksoftheMarionette，climbedupthesideofthehouseandwentinthroughthewindow。
Atfirsthewasveryangry，butonseeingPinocchiostretchedoutonthefloorandreallywithoutfeet，hefeltverysadandsorrowful。Pickinghimupfromthefloor，hefondledandcaressedhim，talkingtohimwhilethetearsrandownhischeeks：
"MylittlePinocchio，mydearlittlePinocchio！
Howdidyouburnyourfeet？"
"Idon’tknow，Father，butbelieveme，thenighthasbeenaterribleoneandIshallrememberitaslongasIlive。
Thethunderwassonoisyandthelightningsobright——
andIwashungry。AndthentheTalkingCricketsaidtome，`Youdeserveit;youwerebad;’andIsaidtohim，`Careful，Cricket;’andhesaidtome，`YouareaMarionetteandyouhaveawoodenhead;’andIthrewthehammerathimandkilledhim。Itwashisownfault，forIdidn’twanttokillhim。AndIputthepanonthecoals，buttheChickflewawayandsaid，`I’llseeyouagain！Remembermetothefamily。’Andmyhungergrew，andIwentout，andtheoldmanwithanightcaplookedoutofthewindowandthrewwateronme，andIcamehomeandputmyfeetonthestovetodrythembecauseIwasstillhungry，andIfellasleepandnowmyfeetaregonebutmyhungerisn’t！
Oh！——Oh！——Oh！"AndpoorPinocchiobegantoscreamandcrysoloudlythathecouldbeheardformilesaround。
Geppetto，whohadunderstoodnothingofallthatjumbledtalk，exceptthattheMarionettewashungry，feltsorryforhim，andpullingthreepearsoutofhispocket，offeredthemtohim，saying：
"Thesethreepearswereformybreakfast，butIgivethemtoyougladly。Eatthemandstopweeping。"
"Ifyouwantmetoeatthem，pleasepeelthemforme。"
"Peelthem？"askedGeppetto，verymuchsurprised。"I
shouldneverhavethought，dearboyofmine，thatyouweresodaintyandfussyaboutyourfood。Bad，verybad！
Inthisworld，evenaschildren，wemustaccustomourselvestoeatofeverything，forweneverknowwhatlifemayholdinstoreforus！"
"Youmayberight，"answeredPinocchio，"butIwillnoteatthepearsiftheyarenotpeeled。Idon’tlikethem。"
AndgoodoldGeppettotookoutaknife，peeledthethreepears，andputtheskinsinarowonthetable。
Pinocchioateonepearinatwinklingandstartedtothrowthecoreaway，butGeppettoheldhisarm。
"Oh，no，don’tthrowitaway！Everythinginthisworldmaybeofsomeuse！"
"ButthecoreIwillnoteat！"criedPinocchioinanangrytone。
"Whoknows？"repeatedGeppettocalmly。
Andlaterthethreecoreswereplacedonthetablenexttotheskins。
Pinocchiohadeatenthethreepears，orratherdevouredthem。
Thenheyawneddeeply，andwailed：
"I’mstillhungry。"
"ButIhavenomoretogiveyou。"
"Really，nothing——nothing？"
"Ihaveonlythesethreecoresandtheseskins。"
"Verywell，then，"saidPinocchio，"ifthereisnothingelseI’lleatthem。"
Atfirsthemadeawryface，but，oneafteranother，theskinsandthecoresdisappeared。
"Ah！NowIfeelfine！"hesaidaftereatingthelastone。
"Yousee，"observedGeppetto，"thatIwasrightwhenItoldyouthatonemustnotbetoofussyandtoodaintyaboutfood。Mydear，weneverknowwhatlifemayhaveinstoreforus！"
CHAPTER8
GeppettomakesPinocchioanewpairoffeet，andsellshiscoattobuyhimanA-B-CbookTheMarionette，assoonashishungerwasappeased，startedtogrumbleandcrythathewantedanewpairoffeet。
ButMastroGeppetto，inordertopunishhimforhismischief，lethimalonethewholemorning。Afterdinnerhesaidtohim：
"WhyshouldImakeyourfeetoveragain？Toseeyourunawayfromhomeoncemore？"
"Ipromiseyou，"answeredtheMarionette，sobbing，"thatfromnowonI’llbegood——"
"Boysalwayspromisethatwhentheywantsomething，"
saidGeppetto。
"Ipromisetogotoschooleveryday，tostudy，andtosucceed——"
"Boysalwayssingthatsongwhentheywanttheirownwill。"
"ButIamnotlikeotherboys！IambetterthanallofthemandIalwaystellthetruth。Ipromiseyou，Father，thatI’lllearnatrade，andI’llbethecomfortandstaffofyouroldage。"
Geppetto，thoughtryingtolookverystern，felthiseyesfillwithtearsandhisheartsoftenwhenhesawPinocchiosounhappy。Hesaidnomore，buttakinghistoolsandtwopiecesofwood，hesettoworkdiligently。
Inlessthananhourthefeetwerefinished，twoslender，nimblelittlefeet，strongandquick，modeledasifbyanartist’shands。
"Closeyoureyesandsleep！"GeppettothensaidtotheMarionette。
Pinocchioclosedhiseyesandpretendedtobeasleep，whileGeppettostuckonthetwofeetwithabitofgluemeltedinaneggshell，doinghisworksowellthatthejointcouldhardlybeseen。
AssoonastheMarionettefelthisnewfeet，hegaveoneleapfromthetableandstartedtoskipandjumparound，asifhehadlosthisheadfromveryjoy。
"ToshowyouhowgratefulIamtoyou，Father，I’llgotoschoolnow。ButtogotoschoolIneedasuitofclothes。"
Geppettodidnothaveapennyinhispocket，sohemadehissonalittlesuitoffloweredpaper，apairofshoesfromthebarkofatree，andatinycapfromabitofdough。
Pinocchiorantolookathimselfinabowlofwater，andhefeltsohappythathesaidproudly：
"NowIlooklikeagentleman。"
"Truly，"answeredGeppetto。"Butrememberthatfineclothesdonotmakethemanunlesstheybeneatandclean。"
"Verytrue，"answeredPinocchio，"but，inordertogotoschool，Istillneedsomethingveryimportant。"
"Whatisit？"
"AnA-B-Cbook。"
"Tobesure！Buthowshallwegetit？"
"That’seasy。We’llgotoabookstoreandbuyit。"
"Andthemoney？"
"Ihavenone。"
"NeitherhaveI，"saidtheoldmansadly。
Pinocchio，althoughahappyboyalways，becamesadanddowncastatthesewords。Whenpovertyshowsitself，evenmischievousboysunderstandwhatitmeans。
"Whatdoesitmatter，afterall？"criedGeppettoallatonce，ashejumpedupfromhischair。Puttingonhisoldcoat，fullofdarnsandpatches，heranoutofthehousewithoutanotherword。
Afterawhilehereturned。InhishandshehadtheA-B-Cbookforhisson，buttheoldcoatwasgone。Thepoorfellowwasinhisshirtsleevesandthedaywascold。
"Where’syourcoat，Father？"
"Ihavesoldit。"
"Whydidyousellyourcoat？"
"Itwastoowarm。"
Pinocchiounderstoodtheanswerinatwinkling，and，unabletorestrainhistears，hejumpedonhisfather’sneckandkissedhimoverandover。
CHAPTER9
PinocchiosellshisA-B-CbooktopayhiswayintotheMarionetteTheaterSeePinocchiohurryingofftoschoolwithhisnewA-B-C
bookunderhisarm！Ashewalkedalong，hisbrainwasbusyplanninghundredsofwonderfulthings，buildinghundredsofcastlesintheair。Talkingtohimself，hesaid：
"Inschooltoday，I’lllearntoread，tomorrowtowrite，andthedayaftertomorrowI’lldoarithmetic。Then，cleverasIam，Icanearnalotofmoney。WiththeveryfirstpenniesImake，I’llbuyFatheranewclothcoat。Cloth，didIsay？No，itshallbeofgoldandsilverwithdiamondbuttons。Thatpoormancertainlydeservesit;for，afterall，isn’theinhisshirtsleevesbecausehewasgoodenoughtobuyabookforme？Onthiscoldday，too！Fathersareindeedgoodtotheirchildren！"
Ashetalkedtohimself，hethoughtheheardsoundsofpipesanddrumscomingfromadistance：pi-pi-pi，pi-pi-pi……zum，zum，zum，zum。
Hestoppedtolisten。Thosesoundscamefromalittlestreetthatledtoasmallvillagealongtheshore。
"Whatcanthatnoisebe？WhatanuisancethatIhavetogotoschool！Otherwise……"
Therehestopped，verymuchpuzzled。Hefelthehadtomakeuphismindforeitheronethingoranother。
Shouldhegotoschool，orshouldhefollowthepipes？
"TodayI’llfollowthepipes，andtomorrowI’llgotoschool。There’salwaysplentyoftimetogotoschool，"
decidedthelittlerascalatlast，shrugginghisshoulders。
Nosoonersaidthandone。Hestarteddownthestreet，goinglikethewind。Onheran，andloudergrewthesoundsofpipeanddrum：pi-pi-pi，pi-pi-pi，pi-pi-pi……zum，zum，zum，zum。
Suddenly，hefoundhimselfinalargesquare，fullofpeoplestandinginfrontofalittlewoodenbuildingpaintedinbrilliantcolors。
"Whatisthathouse？"Pinocchioaskedalittleboynearhim。
"Readthesignandyou’llknow。"
"I’dliketoread，butsomehowIcan’ttoday。"
"Oh，really？ThenI’llreadittoyou。Know，then，thatwritteninlettersoffireIseethewords：
GREATMARIONETTETHEATER。
"Whendidtheshowstart？"
"Itisstartingnow。"
"Andhowmuchdoesonepaytogetin？"
"Fourpennies。"
Pinocchio，whowaswildwithcuriositytoknowwhatwasgoingoninside，lostallhisprideandsaidtotheboyshamelessly：
"Willyougivemefourpenniesuntiltomorrow？"
"I’dgivethemtoyougladly，"answeredtheother，pokingfunathim，"butjustnowIcan’tgivethemtoyou。"
"Forthepriceoffourpennies，I’llsellyoumycoat。"
"Ifitrains，whatshallIdowithacoatoffloweredpaper？Icouldnottakeitoffagain。"
"Doyouwanttobuymyshoes？"
"Theyareonlygoodenoughtolightafirewith。"
"Whataboutmyhat？"
"Finebargain，indeed！Acapofdough！Themicemightcomeandeatitfrommyhead！"
Pinocchiowasalmostintears。Hewasjustabouttomakeonelastoffer，buthelackedthecouragetodoso。
Hehesitated，hewondered，hecouldnotmakeuphismind。
Atlasthesaid：
"Willyougivemefourpenniesforthebook？"
"IamaboyandIbuynothingfromboys，"saidthelittlefellowwithfarmorecommonsensethantheMarionette。
"I’llgiveyoufourpenniesforyourA-B-Cbook，"saidaragpickerwhostoodby。
Thenandthere，thebookchangedhands。AndtothinkthatpooroldGeppettosatathomeinhisshirtsleeves，shiveringwithcold，havingsoldhiscoattobuythatlittlebookforhisson！
CHAPTER10
TheMarionettesrecognizetheirbrotherPinocchio，andgreethimwithloudcheers;buttheDirector，FireEater，happensalongandpoorPinocchioalmostloseshislifeQuickasaflash，PinocchiodisappearedintotheMarionetteTheater。Andthensomethinghappenedwhichalmostcausedariot。
Thecurtainwasupandtheperformancehadstarted。
HarlequinandPulcinellawererecitingonthestageand，asusual，theywerethreateningeachotherwithsticksandblows。
Thetheaterwasfullofpeople，enjoyingthespectacleandlaughingtilltheycriedattheanticsofthetwoMarionettes。
Theplaycontinuedforafewminutes，andthensuddenly，withoutanywarning，Harlequinstoppedtalking。
Turningtowardtheaudience，hepointedtotherearoftheorchestra，yellingwildlyatthesametime：
"Look，look！AmIasleeporawake？OrdoIreallyseePinocchiothere？"
"Yes，yes！ItisPinocchio！"screamedPulcinella。
"Itis！Itis！"shriekedSignoraRosaura，peekinginfromthesideofthestage。
"ItisPinocchio！ItisPinocchio！"yelledalltheMarionettes，pouringoutofthewings。"ItisPinocchio。ItisourbrotherPinocchio！HurrahforPinocchio！"
"Pinocchio，comeuptome！"shoutedHarlequin。"Cometothearmsofyourwoodenbrothers！"
Atsuchalovinginvitation，Pinocchio，withoneleapfromthebackoftheorchestra，foundhimselfinthefrontrows。Withanotherleap，hewasontheorchestraleader’shead。Withathird，helandedonthestage。
Itisimpossibletodescribetheshrieksofjoy，thewarmembraces，theknocks，andthefriendlygreetingswithwhichthatstrangecompanyofdramaticactorsandactressesreceivedPinocchio。
Itwasaheart-rendingspectacle，buttheaudience，seeingthattheplayhadstopped，becameangryandbegantoyell：
"Theplay，theplay，wewanttheplay！"
Theyellingwasofnouse，fortheMarionettes，insteadofgoingonwiththeiract，madetwiceasmuchracketasbefore，and，liftingupPinocchioontheirshoulders，carriedhimaroundthestageintriumph。
Atthatverymoment，theDirectorcameoutofhisroom。Hehadsuchafearfulappearancethatonelookathimwouldfillyouwithhorror。Hisbeardwasasblackaspitch，andsolongthatitreachedfromhischindowntohisfeet。Hismouthwasaswideasanoven，histeethlikeyellowfangs，andhiseyes，twoglowingredcoals。Inhishuge，hairyhands，alongwhip，madeofgreensnakesandblackcats’tailstwistedtogether，swishedthroughtheairinadangerousway。
Attheunexpectedapparition，noonedaredeventobreathe。Onecouldalmosthearaflygoby。ThosepoorMarionettes，oneandall，trembledlikeleavesinastorm。
"Whyhaveyoubroughtsuchexcitementintomytheater;"thehugefellowaskedPinocchiowiththevoiceofanogresufferingwithacold。
"Believeme，yourHonor，thefaultwasnotmine。"
"Enough！Bequiet！I’lltakecareofyoulater。"
Assoonastheplaywasover，theDirectorwenttothekitchen，whereafinebiglambwasslowlyturningonthespit。Morewoodwasneededtofinishcookingit。
HecalledHarlequinandPulcinellaandsaidtothem：
"BringthatMarionettetome！Helooksasifheweremadeofwell-seasonedwood。He’llmakeafinefireforthisspit。"
HarlequinandPulcinellahesitatedabit。Then，frightenedbyalookfromtheirmaster，theyleftthekitchentoobeyhim。Afewminuteslatertheyreturned，carryingpoorPinocchio，whowaswrigglingandsquirminglikeaneelandcryingpitifully：
"Father，saveme！Idon’twanttodie！Idon’twanttodie！"
CHAPTER11
FireEatersneezesandforgivesPinocchio，whosaveshisfriend，Harlequin，fromdeathInthetheater，greatexcitementreigned。
FireEater（thiswasreallyhisname）wasveryugly，buthewasfarfrombeingasbadashelooked。Proofofthisisthat，whenhesawthepoorMarionettebeingbroughtintohim，strugglingwithfearandcrying，"I
don’twanttodie！Idon’twanttodie！"hefeltsorryforhimandbeganfirsttowaverandthentoweaken。Finally，hecouldcontrolhimselfnolongerandgavealoudsneeze。
Atthatsneeze，Harlequin，whountilthenhadbeenassadasaweepingwillow，smiledhappilyandleaningtowardtheMarionette，whisperedtohim：
"Goodnews，brothermine！FireEaterhassneezedandthisisasignthathefeelssorryforyou。
Youaresaved！"
Forbeitknown，that，whileotherpeople，whensadandsorrowful，weepandwipetheireyes，FireEater，ontheotherhand，hadthestrangehabitofsneezingeachtimehefeltunhappy。Thewaywasjustasgoodasanyothertoshowthekindnessofhisheart。
Aftersneezing，FireEater，uglyasever，criedtoPinocchio：
"Stopcrying！Yourwailsgivemeafunnyfeelingdownhereinmystomachand——E——tchee！——E——tchee！"
Twoloudsneezesfinishedhisspeech。
"Godblessyou！"saidPinocchio。
"Thanks！Areyourfatherandmotherstillliving？"
demandedFireEater。
"Myfather，yes。MymotherIhaveneverknown。"
"YourpoorfatherwouldsufferterriblyifIweretouseyouasfirewood。Pooroldman！Ifeelsorryforhim！E——tchee！E——tchee！E——tchee！"Threemoresneezessounded，louderthanever。
"Godblessyou！"saidPinocchio。
"Thanks！However，Ioughttobesorryformyself，too，justnow。Mygooddinnerisspoiled。Ihavenomorewoodforthefire，andthelambisonlyhalfcooked。
Nevermind！InyourplaceI’llburnsomeotherMarionette。
Heythere！Officers！"
Atthecall，twowoodenofficersappeared，longandthinasayardofrope，withqueerhatsontheirheadsandswordsintheirhands。
FireEateryelledattheminahoarsevoice：
"TakeHarlequin，tiehim，andthrowhimonthefire。
Iwantmylambwelldone！"
ThinkhowpoorHarlequinfelt！Hewassoscaredthathislegsdoubledupunderhimandhefelltothefloor。
Pinocchio，atthatheartbreakingsight，threwhimselfatthefeetofFireEaterand，weepingbitterly，askedinapitifulvoicewhichcouldscarcelybeheard：
"Havepity，Ibegofyou，signore！"
"Therearenosignorihere！"
"Havepity，kindsir！"
"Therearenosirshere！"
"Havepity，yourExcellency！"
OnhearinghimselfaddressedasyourExcellency，theDirectoroftheMarionetteTheatersatupverystraightinhischair，strokedhislongbeard，andbecomingsuddenlykindandcompassionate，smiledproudlyashesaidtoPinocchio：
"Well，whatdoyouwantfrommenow，Marionette？"
"Ibegformercyformypoorfriend，Harlequin，whohasneverdonetheleastharminhislife。"
"Thereisnomercyhere，Pinocchio。Ihavesparedyou。Harlequinmustburninyourplace。Iamhungryandmydinnermustbecooked。"
"Inthatcase，"saidPinocchioproudly，ashestoodupandflungawayhiscapofdough，"inthatcase，mydutyisclear。Come，officers！Tiemeupandthrowmeonthoseflames。No，itisnotfairforpoorHarlequin，thebestfriendthatIhaveintheworld，todieinmyplace！"
Thesebravewords，saidinapiercingvoice，madealltheotherMarionettescry。Eventheofficers，whoweremadeofwoodalso，criedliketwobabies。
FireEateratfirstremainedhardandcoldasapieceofice;butthen，littlebylittle，hesoftenedandbegantosneeze。Andafterfourorfivesneezes，heopenedwidehisarmsandsaidtoPinocchio：
"Youareabraveboy！Cometomyarmsandkissme！"
Pinocchiorantohimandscurryinglikeasquirrelupthelongblackbeard，hegaveFireEateralovingkissonthetipofhisnose。
"Haspardonbeengrantedtome？"askedpoorHarlequinwithavoicethatwashardlyabreath。
"Pardonisyours！"answeredFireEater;andsighingandwagginghishead，headded："Well，tonightIshallhavetoeatmylambonlyhalfcooked，butbewarethenexttime，Marionettes。"
Atthenewsthatpardonhadbeengiven，theMarionettesrantothestageand，turningonallthelights，theydancedandsangtilldawn。
CHAPTER12
FireEatergivesPinocchiofivegoldpiecesforhisfather，Geppetto;
buttheMarionettemeetsaFoxandaCatandfollowsthemThenextdayFireEatercalledPinocchioasideandaskedhim：
"Whatisyourfather’sname？"
"Geppetto。"
"Andwhatishistrade？"
"He’sawoodcarver。"
"Doesheearnmuch？"
"Heearnssomuchthatheneverhasapennyinhispockets。Justthinkthat，inordertobuymeanA-B-C
bookforschool，hehadtoselltheonlycoatheowned，acoatsofullofdarnsandpatchesthatitwasapity。"
"Poorfellow！Ifeelsorryforhim。Here，takethesefivegoldpieces。Go，givethemtohimwithmykindestregards。"
Pinocchio，asmayeasilybeimagined，thankedhimathousandtimes。HekissedeachMarionetteinturn，eventheofficers，and，besidehimselfwithjoy，setoutonhishomewardjourney。
HehadgonebarelyhalfamilewhenhemetalameFoxandablindCat，walkingtogetherliketwogoodfriends。ThelameFoxleanedontheCat，andtheblindCatlettheFoxleadhimalong。
"Goodmorning，Pinocchio，"saidtheFox，greetinghimcourteously。
"Howdoyouknowmyname？"askedtheMarionette。
"Iknowyourfatherwell。"
"Wherehaveyouseenhim？"
"Isawhimyesterdaystandingatthedoorofhishouse。"
"Andwhatwashedoing？"
"Hewasinhisshirtsleevestremblingwithcold。"
"PoorFather！But，aftertoday，Godwilling，hewillsuffernolonger。"
"Why？"
"BecauseIhavebecomearichman。"
"You，arichman？"saidtheFox，andhebegantolaughoutloud。TheCatwaslaughingalso，buttriedtohideitbystrokinghislongwhiskers。
"Thereisnothingtolaughat，"criedPinocchioangrily。
"Iamverysorrytomakeyourmouthwater，butthese，asyouknow，arefivenewgoldpieces。"
AndhepulledoutthegoldpieceswhichFireEaterhadgivenhim。
Atthecheerfultinkleofthegold，theFoxunconsciouslyheldouthispawthatwassupposedtobelame，andtheCatopenedwidehistwoeyestilltheylookedlikelivecoals，butheclosedthemagainsoquicklythatPinocchiodidnotnotice。
"AndmayIask，"inquiredtheFox，"whatyouaregoingtodowithallthatmoney？"
"Firstofall，"answeredtheMarionette，"Iwanttobuyafinenewcoatformyfather，acoatofgoldandsilverwithdiamondbuttons;afterthat，I’llbuyanA-B-C
bookformyself。"
"Foryourself？"
"Formyself。Iwanttogotoschoolandstudyhard。"
"Lookatme，"saidtheFox。"Forthesillyreasonofwantingtostudy，Ihavelostapaw。"
"Lookatme，"saidtheCat。"Forthesamefoolishreason，Ihavelostthesightofbotheyes。"
Atthatmoment，aBlackbird，perchedonthefencealongtheroad，calledoutsharpandclear：
"Pinocchio，donotlistentobadadvice。Ifyoudo，you’llbesorry！"
PoorlittleBlackbird！Ifhehadonlykepthiswordstohimself！Inthetwinklingofaneyelid，theCatleapedonhim，andatehim，feathersandall。
Aftereatingthebird，hecleanedhiswhiskers，closedhiseyes，andbecameblindoncemore。
"PoorBlackbird！"saidPinocchiototheCat。
"Whydidyoukillhim？"
"Ikilledhimtoteachhimalesson。Hetalkstoomuch。
Nexttimehewillkeephiswordstohimself。"
Bythistimethethreecompanionshadwalkedalongdistance。Suddenly，theFoxstoppedinhistracksand，turningtotheMarionette，saidtohim：
"Doyouwanttodoubleyourgoldpieces？"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Doyouwantonehundred，athousand，twothousandgoldpiecesforyourmiserablefive？"
"Yes，buthow？"
"Thewayisveryeasy。Insteadofreturninghome，comewithus。"
"Andwherewillyoutakeme？"
"TotheCityofSimpleSimons。"
Pinocchiothoughtawhileandthensaidfirmly：
"No，Idon’twanttogo。Homeisnear，andI’mgoingwhereFatheriswaitingforme。HowunhappyhemustbethatIhavenotyetreturned！Ihavebeenabadson，andtheTalkingCricketwasrightwhenhesaidthatadisobedientboycannotbehappyinthisworld。Ihavelearnedthisatmyownexpense。Evenlastnightinthetheater，whenFireEater……Brrrr！！！！！……
Theshiversrunupanddownmybackatthemerethoughtofit。"
"Well，then，"saidtheFox，"ifyoureallywanttogohome，goahead，butyou’llbesorry。"
"You’llbesorry，"repeatedtheCat。
"Thinkwell，Pinocchio，youareturningyourbackonDameFortune。"
"OnDameFortune，"repeatedtheCat。
"Tomorrowyourfivegoldpieceswillbetwothousand！"
"Twothousand！"repeatedtheCat。
"Buthowcantheypossiblybecomesomany？"askedPinocchiowonderingly。
"I’llexplain，"saidtheFox。"Youmustknowthat，justoutsidetheCityofSimpleSimons，thereisablessedfieldcalledtheFieldofWonders。Inthisfieldyoudigaholeandintheholeyouburyagoldpiece。Aftercoveringuptheholewithearthyouwateritwell，sprinkleabitofsaltonit，andgotobed。Duringthenight，thegoldpiecesprouts，grows，blossoms，andnextmorningyoufindabeautifultree，thatisloadedwithgoldpieces。"
"SothatifIweretoburymyfivegoldpieces，"criedPinocchiowithgrowingwonder，"nextmorningIshouldfind——howmany？"
"Itisverysimpletofigureout，"answeredtheFox。
"Why，youcanfigureitonyourfingers！Grantedthateachpiecegivesyoufivehundred，multiplyfivehundredbyfive。Nextmorningyouwillfindtwenty-fivehundrednew，sparklinggoldpieces。"
"Fine！Fine！"criedPinocchio，dancingaboutwithjoy。
"AndassoonasIhavethem，IshallkeeptwothousandformyselfandtheotherfivehundredI’llgivetoyoutwo。"
"Agiftforus？"criedtheFox，pretendingtobeinsulted。
"Why，ofcoursenot！"
"Ofcoursenot！"repeatedtheCat。
"Wedonotworkforgain，"answeredtheFox。
"Weworkonlytoenrichothers。"
"Toenrichothers！"repeatedtheCat。
"Whatgoodpeople，"thoughtPinocchiotohimself。
Andforgettinghisfather，thenewcoat，theA-B-Cbook，andallhisgoodresolutions，hesaidtotheFoxandtotheCat：
"Letusgo。Iamwithyou。"
CHAPTER13
TheInnoftheRedLobsterCatandFoxandMarionettewalkedandwalkedandwalked。
Atlast，towardevening，deadtired，theycametotheInnoftheRedLobster。
"Letusstophereawhile，"saidtheFox，"toeatabiteandrestforafewhours。Atmidnightwe’llstartoutagain，foratdawntomorrowwemustbeattheFieldofWonders。"
TheywentintotheInnandallthreesatdownatthesametable。However，notoneofthemwasveryhungry。
ThepoorCatfeltveryweak，andhewasabletoeatonlythirty-fivemulletswithtomatosauceandfourportionsoftripewithcheese。Moreover，ashewassoinneedofstrength，hehadtohavefourmorehelpingsofbutterandcheese。
TheFox，afteragreatdealofcoaxing，triedhisbesttoeatalittle。Thedoctorhadputhimonadiet，andhehadtobesatisfiedwithasmallharedressedwithadozenyoungandtenderspringchickens。Afterthehare，heorderedsomepartridges，afewpheasants，acoupleofrabbits，andadozenfrogsandlizards。Thatwasall。
Hefeltill，hesaid，andcouldnoteatanotherbite。
Pinocchioateleastofall。Heaskedforabiteofbreadandafewnutsandthenhardlytouchedthem。Thepoorfellow，withhismindontheFieldofWonders，wassufferingfromagold-pieceindigestion。
Supperover，theFoxsaidtotheInnkeeper：
"Giveustwogoodrooms，oneforMr。Pinocchioandtheotherformeandmyfriend。Beforestartingout，we’lltakealittlenap。Remembertocallusatmidnightsharp，forwemustcontinueonourjourney。"
"Yes，sir，"answeredtheInnkeeper，winkinginaknowingwayattheFoxandtheCat，asiftosay，"Iunderstand。"
AssoonasPinocchiowasinbed，hefellfastasleepandbegantodream。Hedreamedhewasinthemiddleofafield。Thefieldwasfullofvinesheavywithgrapes。
Thegrapeswerenootherthangoldcoinswhichtinkledmerrilyastheyswayedinthewind。Theyseemedtosay，"Lethimwhowantsustakeus！"
JustasPinocchiostretchedouthishandtotakeahandfulofthem，hewasawakenedbythreeloudknocksatthedoor。ItwastheInnkeeperwhohadcometotellhimthatmidnighthadstruck。
"Aremyfriendsready？"theMarionetteaskedhim。
"Indeed，yes！Theywenttwohoursago。"
"Whyinsuchahurry？"
"UnfortunatelytheCatreceivedatelegramwhichsaidthathisfirst-bornwassufferingfromchilblainsandwasonthepointofdeath。Hecouldnotevenwaittosaygood-bytoyou。"
"Didtheypayforthesupper？"
"Howcouldtheydosuchathing？Beingpeopleofgreatrefinement，theydidnotwanttooffendyousodeeplyasnottoallowyouthehonorofpayingthebill。"
"Toobad！Thatoffensewouldhavebeenmorethanpleasingtome，"saidPinocchio，scratchinghishead。
"Wheredidmygoodfriendssaytheywouldwaitforme？"headded。
"AttheFieldofWonders，atsunrisetomorrowmorning。"
Pinocchiopaidagoldpieceforthethreesuppersandstartedonhiswaytowardthefieldthatwastomakehimarichman。
Hewalkedon，notknowingwherehewasgoing，foritwasdark，sodarkthatnotathingwasvisible。Roundabouthim，notaleafstirred。Afewbatsskimmedhisnosenowandagainandscaredhimhalftodeath。Onceortwiceheshouted，"Whogoesthere？"andthefar-awayhillsechoedbacktohim，"Whogoesthere？Whogoesthere？Whogoes……？"
Ashewalked，Pinocchionoticedatinyinsectglimmeringonthetrunkofatree，asmallbeingthatglowedwithapale，softlight。
"Whoareyou？"heasked。
"IamtheghostoftheTalkingCricket，"answeredthelittlebeinginafaintvoicethatsoundedasifitcamefromafar-awayworld。
"Whatdoyouwant？"askedtheMarionette。
"Iwanttogiveyouafewwordsofgoodadvice。
Returnhomeandgivethefourgoldpiecesyouhavelefttoyourpooroldfatherwhoisweepingbecausehehasnotseenyouformanyaday。"
"Tomorrowmyfatherwillbearichman，forthesefourgoldpieceswillbecometwothousand。"
"Don’tlistentothosewhopromiseyouwealthovernight，myboy。Asaruletheyareeitherfoolsorswindlers！
Listentomeandgohome。"
"ButIwanttogoon！"
"Thehourislate！"
"Iwanttogoon。"
"Thenightisverydark。"
"Iwanttogoon。"
"Theroadisdangerous。"
"Iwanttogoon。"
"Rememberthatboyswhoinsistonhavingtheirownway，soonerorlatercometogrief。"
"Thesamenonsense。Good-by，Cricket。"
"Goodnight，Pinocchio，andmayHeavenpreserveyoufromtheAssassins。"
TherewassilenceforaminuteandthelightoftheTalkingCricketdisappearedsuddenly，justasifsomeonehadsnuffeditout。Onceagaintheroadwasplungedindarkness。
CHAPTER14
Pinocchio，nothavinglistenedtothegoodadviceoftheTalkingCricket，fallsintothehandsoftheAssassins"Dear，oh，dear！WhenIcometothinkofit，"saidtheMarionettetohimself，asheoncemoresetoutonhisjourney，"weboysarereallyveryunlucky。Everybodyscoldsus，everybodygivesusadvice，everybodywarnsus。
Ifweweretoallowit，everyonewouldtrytobefatherandmothertous;everyone，eventheTalkingCricket。
Takeme，forexample。JustbecauseIwouldnotlistentothatbothersomeCricket，whoknowshowmanymisfortunesmaybeawaitingme！Assassinsindeed！AtleastIhaveneverbelievedinthem，noreverwill。Tospeaksensibly，Ithinkassassinshavebeeninventedbyfathersandmotherstofrightenchildrenwhowanttorunawayatnight。Andthen，evenifIweretomeetthemontheroad，whatmatter？I’lljustrunuptothem，andsay，`Well，signori，whatdoyouwant？Rememberthatyoucan’tfoolwithme！Runalongandmindyourbusiness。’
Atsuchaspeech，Icanalmostseethosepoorfellowsrunninglikethewind。Butincasetheydon’trunaway，Icanalwaysrunmyself……"
Pinocchiowasnotgiventimetoargueanylonger，forhethoughtheheardaslightrustleamongtheleavesbehindhim。
Heturnedtolookandbehold，thereinthedarknessstoodtwobigblackshadows，wrappedfromheadtofootinblacksacks。Thetwofiguresleapedtowardhimassoftlyasiftheywereghosts。
"Heretheycome！"Pinocchiosaidtohimself，and，notknowingwheretohidethegoldpieces，hestuckallfourofthemunderhistongue。
Hetriedtorunaway，buthardlyhadhetakenastep，whenhefelthisarmsgraspedandheardtwohorrible，deepvoicessaytohim："Yourmoneyoryourlife！"
Onaccountofthegoldpiecesinhismouth，Pinocchiocouldnotsayaword，sohetriedwithheadandhandsandbodytoshow，asbesthecould，thathewasonlyapoorMarionettewithoutapennyinhispocket。
"Come，come，lessnonsense，andoutwithyourmoney！"
criedthetwothievesinthreateningvoices。
Oncemore，Pinocchio’sheadandhandssaid，"Ihaven’tapenny。"
"Outwiththatmoneyoryou’readeadman，"saidthetallerofthetwoAssassins。
"Deadman，"repeatedtheother。
"Andafterhavingkilledyou，wewillkillyourfatheralso。"
"Yourfatheralso！"
"No，no，no，notmyFather！"criedPinocchio，wildwithterror;
butashescreamed，thegoldpiecestinkledtogetherinhismouth。
"Ah，yourascal！Sothat’sthegame！Youhavethemoneyhiddenunderyourtongue。Outwithit！"
ButPinocchiowasasstubbornasever。