"Goodman，willyoubekindenoughtogiveapennytoapoorboywhoisyawningfromhunger？"
　　"Gladly，"answeredtheBricklayer。"Comewithmeandcarrysomeplaster，andinsteadofonepenny，I’llgiveyoufive。"
　　"Buttheplasterisheavy，"answeredPinocchio，"andtheworktoohardforme。"
　　"Iftheworkistoohardforyou，myboy，enjoyyouryawnsandmaytheybringyouluck！"
　　Inlessthanahalfhour，atleasttwentypeoplepassedandPinocchiobeggedofeachone，buttheyallanswered：
　　"Aren’tyouashamed？Insteadofbeingabeggarinthestreets，whydon’tyoulookforworkandearnyourownbread？"
　　Finallyalittlewomanwentbycarryingtwowaterjugs。
　　"Goodwoman，willyouallowmetohaveadrinkfromoneofyourjugs？"askedPinocchio，whowasburningupwiththirst。
　　"Withpleasure，myboy！"sheanswered，settingthetwojugsonthegroundbeforehim。
　　WhenPinocchiohadhadhisfill，hegrumbled，ashewipedhismouth：
　　"Mythirstisgone。IfIcouldonlyaseasilygetridofmyhunger！"
　　Onhearingthesewords，thegoodlittlewomanimmediatelysaid：
　　"Ifyouhelpmetocarrythesejugshome，I’llgiveyouasliceofbread。"
　　Pinocchiolookedatthejugandsaidneitheryesnorno。
　　"Andwiththebread，I’llgiveyouanicedishofcauliflowerwithwhitesauceonit。"
　　Pinocchiogavethejuganotherlookandsaidneitheryesnorno。
　　"Andafterthecauliflower，somecakeandjam。"
　　Atthislastbribery，Pinocchiocouldnolongerresistandsaidfirmly：
　　"Verywell。I’lltakethejughomeforyou。"
　　Thejugwasveryheavy，andtheMarionette，notbeingstrongenoughtocarryitwithhishands，hadtoputitonhishead。
　　Whentheyarrivedhome，thelittlewomanmadePinocchiositdownatasmalltableandplacedbeforehimthebread，thecauliflower，andthecake。Pinocchiodidnoteat;
　　hedevoured。Hisstomachseemedabottomlesspit。
　　Hishungerfinallyappeased，heraisedhisheadtothankhiskindbenefactress。Buthehadnotlookedatherlongwhenhegaveacryofsurpriseandsattherewithhiseyeswideopen，hisforkintheair，andhismouthfilledwithbreadandcauliflower。
　　"Whyallthissurprise？"askedthegoodwoman，laughing。
　　"Because——"answeredPinocchio，stammeringandstuttering，"because——youlooklike——youremindmeof——yes，yes，thesamevoice，thesameeyes，thesamehair——yes，yes，yes，youalsohavethesameazurehairshehad——Oh，mylittleFairy，mylittleFairy！Tellmethatitisyou！
　　Don’tmakemecryanylonger！Ifyouonlyknew！Ihavecriedsomuch，Ihavesufferedso！"
　　AndPinocchiothrewhimselfonthefloorandclaspedthekneesofthemysteriouslittlewoman。
　　CHAPTER25
　　PinocchiopromisestheFairytobegoodandtostudy，asheisgrowingtiredofbeingaMarionette，andwishestobecomearealboyIfPinocchiocriedmuchlonger，thelittlewomanthoughthewouldmeltaway，soshefinallyadmittedthatshewasthelittleFairywithAzureHair。
　　"YourascalofaMarionette！HowdidyouknowitwasI？"
　　sheasked，laughing。
　　"Myloveforyoutoldmewhoyouwere。"
　　"Doyouremember？YouleftmewhenIwasalittlegirlandnowyoufindmeagrownwoman。Iamsoold，Icouldalmostbeyourmother！"
　　"Iamverygladofthat，forthenIcancallyoumotherinsteadofsister。ForalongtimeIhavewantedamother，justlikeotherboys。Buthowdidyougrowsoquickly？"
　　"That’sasecret！"
　　"Tellittome。Ialsowanttogrowalittle。Lookatme！
　　Ihavenevergrownhigherthanapenny’sworthofcheese。"
　　"Butyoucan’tgrow，"answeredtheFairy。
　　"Whynot？"
　　"BecauseMarionettesnevergrow。TheyarebornMarionettes，theyliveMarionettes，andtheydieMarionettes。"
　　"Oh，I’mtiredofalwaysbeingaMarionette！"criedPinocchiodisgustedly。
　　"It’sabouttimeformetogrowintoamanaseveryoneelsedoes。"
　　"Andyouwillifyoudeserveit——"
　　"Really？WhatcanIdotodeserveit？"
　　"It’saverysimplematter。Trytoactlikeawell-behavedchild。"
　　"Don’tyouthinkIdo？"
　　"Farfromit！Goodboysareobedient，andyou，onthecontrary——"
　　"AndIneverobey。"
　　"Goodboyslovestudyandwork，butyou——"
　　"AndI，onthecontrary，amalazyfellowandatrampallyearround。"
　　"Goodboysalwaystellthetruth。"
　　"AndIalwaystelllies。"
　　"Goodboysgogladlytoschool。"
　　"AndIgetsickifIgotoschool。FromnowonI’llbedifferent。"
　　"Doyoupromise？"
　　"Ipromise。Iwanttobecomeagoodboyandbeacomforttomyfather。
　　Whereismypoorfathernow？"
　　"Idonotknow。"
　　"WillIeverbeluckyenoughtofindhimandembracehimoncemore？"
　　"Ithinkso。Indeed，Iamsureofit。"
　　Atthisanswer，Pinocchio’shappinesswasverygreat。
　　HegraspedtheFairy’shandsandkissedthemsohardthatitlookedasifhehadlosthishead。Thenliftinghisface，helookedatherlovinglyandasked："Tellme，littleMother，itisn’ttruethatyouaredead，isit？"
　　"Itdoesn’tseemso，"answeredtheFairy，smiling。
　　"IfyouonlyknewhowIsufferedandhowIweptwhenIread`Herelies——’"
　　"Iknowit，andforthatIhaveforgivenyou。Thedepthofyoursorrowmademeseethatyouhaveakindheart。
　　Thereisalwayshopeforboyswithheartssuchasyours，thoughtheymayoftenbeverymischievous。ThisisthereasonwhyIhavecomesofartolookforyou。Fromnowon，I’llbeyourownlittlemother。"
　　"Oh！Howlovely！"criedPinocchio，jumpingwithjoy。
　　"YouwillobeymealwaysanddoasIwish？"
　　"Gladly，verygladly，morethangladly！"
　　"Beginningtomorrow，"saidtheFairy，"you’llgotoschooleveryday。"
　　Pinocchio’sfacefellalittle。
　　"Thenyouwillchoosethetradeyoulikebest。"
　　Pinocchiobecamemoreserious。
　　"Whatareyoumumblingtoyourself？"askedtheFairy。
　　"Iwasjustsaying，"whinedtheMarionetteinawhisper，"thatitseemstoolateformetogotoschoolnow。"
　　"No，indeed。Rememberitisnevertoolatetolearn。"
　　"ButIdon’twanteithertradeorprofession。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseworkweariesme！"
　　"Mydearboy，"saidtheFairy，"peoplewhospeakasyoudousuallyendtheirdayseitherinaprisonorinahospital。Aman，remember，whetherrichorpoor，shoulddosomethinginthisworld。Noonecanfindhappinesswithoutwork。Woebetidethelazyfellow！Lazinessisaseriousillnessandonemustcureitimmediately;yes，evenfromearlychildhood。Ifnot，itwillkillyouintheend。"
　　ThesewordstouchedPinocchio’sheart。HeliftedhiseyestohisFairyandsaidseriously：
　　"I’llwork;I’llstudy;I’lldoallyoutellme。
　　Afterall，thelifeofaMarionettehasgrownverytiresometomeandIwanttobecomeaboy，nomatterhowharditis。
　　Youpromisethat，doyounot？"
　　"Yes，Ipromise，andnowitisuptoyou。"
　　CHAPTER26
　　PinocchiogoestotheseashorewithhisfriendstoseetheTerribleSharkInthemorning，brightandearly，Pinocchiostartedforschool。
　　ImaginewhattheboyssaidwhentheysawaMarionetteentertheclassroom！Theylaugheduntiltheycried。Everyoneplayedtricksonhim。Onepulledhishatoff，anothertuggedathiscoat，athirdtriedtopaintamustacheunderhisnose。Oneevenattemptedtotiestringstohisfeetandhishandstomakehimdance。
　　ForawhilePinocchiowasverycalmandquiet。Finally，however，helostallpatienceandturningtohistormentors，hesaidtothemthreateningly：
　　"Careful，boys，Ihaven’tcomeheretobemadefunof。
　　I’llrespectyouandIwantyoutorespectme。"
　　"HurrahforDr。Know-all！Youhavespokenlikeaprintedbook！"howledtheboys，burstingwithlaughter。
　　Oneofthem，moreimpudentthantherest，putouthishandtopulltheMarionette’snose。
　　Buthewasnotquickenough，forPinocchiostretchedhislegunderthetableandkickedhimhardontheshin。
　　"Oh，whathardfeet！"criedtheboy，rubbingthespotwheretheMarionettehadkickedhim。
　　"Andwhatelbows！Theyareevenharderthanthefeet！"
　　shoutedanotherone，who，becauseofsomeothertrick，hadreceivedablowinthestomach。
　　WiththatkickandthatblowPinocchiogainedeverybody’sfavor。
　　Everyoneadmiredhim，dancedattendanceuponhim，pettedandcaressedhim。
　　Asthedayspassedintoweeks，eventheteacherpraisedhim，forhesawhimattentive，hardworking，andwideawake，alwaysthefirsttocomeinthemorning，andthelasttoleavewhenschoolwasover。
　　Pinocchio’sonlyfaultwasthathehadtoomanyfriends。
　　Amongtheseweremanywell-knownrascals，whocarednotajotforstudyorforsuccess。
　　Theteacherwarnedhimeachday，andeventhegoodFairyrepeatedtohimmanytimes：
　　"Takecare，Pinocchio！Thosebadcompanionswillsoonerorlatermakeyouloseyourloveforstudy。
　　Somedaytheywillleadyouastray。"
　　"There’snosuchdanger，"answeredtheMarionette，shrugginghisshouldersandpointingtohisforeheadasiftosay，"I’mtoowise。"
　　Soithappenedthatoneday，ashewaswalkingtoschool，hemetsomeboyswhoranuptohimandsaid：
　　"Haveyouheardthenews？"
　　"No！"
　　"ASharkasbigasamountainhasbeenseenneartheshore。"
　　"Really？IwonderifitcouldbethesameoneIheardofwhenmyfatherwasdrowned？"
　　"Wearegoingtoseeit。Areyoucoming？"
　　"No，notI。Imustgotoschool。"
　　"Whatdoyoucareaboutschool？Youcangotheretomorrow。
　　Withalessonmoreorless，wearealwaysthesamedonkeys。"
　　"Andwhatwilltheteachersay？"
　　"Lethimtalk。Heispaidtogrumblealldaylong。"
　　"Andmymother？"
　　"Mothersdon’tknowanything，"answeredthosescamps。
　　"DoyouknowwhatI’lldo？"saidPinocchio。
　　"Forcertainreasonsofmine，I，too，wanttoseethatShark;
　　butI’llgoafterschool。Icanseehimthenaswellasnow。"
　　"Poorsimpleton！"criedoneoftheboys。"Doyouthinkthatafishofthatsizewillstandtherewaitingforyou？
　　Heturnsandoffhegoes，andnoonewilleverbethewiser。"
　　"Howlongdoesittakefromheretotheshore？"askedtheMarionette。
　　"Onehourthereandback。"
　　"Verywell，then。Let’sseewhogetstherefirst！"criedPinocchio。
　　Atthesignal，thelittletroop，withbooksundertheirarms，dashedacrossthefields。Pinocchioledtheway，runningasifonwings，theothersfollowingasfastastheycould。
　　Nowandagain，helookedbackand，seeinghisfollowershotandtired，andwithtongueshangingout，helaughedoutheartily。Unhappyboy！Ifhehadonlyknownthenthedreadfulthingsthatweretohappentohimonaccountofhisdisobedience！
　　CHAPTER27
　　ThegreatbattlebetweenPinocchioandhisplaymates。
　　Oneiswounded。PinocchioisarrestedGoinglikethewind，Pinocchiotookbutaveryshorttimetoreachtheshore。Heglancedallabouthim，buttherewasnosignofaShark。Theseawasassmoothasglass。
　　"Heythere，boys！Where’sthatShark？"heasked，turningtohisplaymates。
　　"Hemayhavegoneforhisbreakfast，"saidoneofthem，laughing。
　　"Or，perhaps，hewenttobedforalittlenap，"
　　saidanother，laughingalso。
　　Fromtheanswersandthelaughterwhichfollowedthem，Pinocchiounderstoodthattheboyshadplayedatrickonhim。
　　"Whatnow？"hesaidangrilytothem。"What’sthejoke？"
　　"Oh，thejoke’sonyou！"criedhistormentors，laughingmoreheartilythanever，anddancinggaylyaroundtheMarionette。
　　"Andthatis——？"
　　"Thatwehavemadeyoustayoutofschooltocomewithus。Aren’tyouashamedofbeingsuchagoody-goody，andofstudyingsohard？Youneverhaveabitofenjoyment。"
　　"Andwhatisittoyou，ifIdostudy？"
　　"Whatdoestheteacherthinkofus，youmean？"
　　"Why？"
　　"Don’tyousee？Ifyoustudyandwedon’t，wepayforit。Afterall，it’sonlyfairtolookoutforourselves。"
　　"Whatdoyouwantmetodo？"
　　"Hateschoolandbooksandteachers，aswealldo。Theyareyourworstenemies，youknow，andtheyliketomakeyouasunhappyastheycan。"
　　"AndifIgoonstudying，whatwillyoudotome？"
　　"You’llpayforit！"
　　"Really，youamuseme，"answeredtheMarionette，noddinghishead。
　　"Hey，Pinocchio，"criedthetallestofthemall，"thatwilldo。
　　Wearetiredofhearingyoubraggingaboutyourself，youlittleturkeycock！Youmaynotbeafraidofus，butrememberwearenotafraidofyou，either！
　　Youarealone，youknow，andweareseven。"
　　"Likethesevensins，"saidPinocchio，stilllaughing。
　　"Didyouhearthat？Hehasinsultedusall。Hehascalledussins。"
　　"Pinocchio，apologizeforthat，orlookout！"
　　"Cuck——oo！"saidtheMarionette，mockingthemwithhisthumbtohisnose。
　　"You’llbesorry！"
　　"Cuck——oo！"
　　"We’llwhipyousoundly！"
　　"Cuck——oo！"
　　"You’llgohomewithabrokennose！"
　　"Cuck——oo！"
　　"Verywell，then！Takethat，andkeepitforyoursupper，"
　　calledouttheboldestofhistormentors。
　　Andwiththewords，hegavePinocchioaterribleblowonthehead。
　　Pinocchioansweredwithanotherblow，andthatwasthesignalforthebeginningofthefray。Inafewmoments，thefightragedhotandheavyonbothsides。
　　Pinocchio，althoughalone，defendedhimselfbravely。
　　Withthosetwowoodenfeetofhis，heworkedsofastthathisopponentskeptatarespectfuldistance。
　　Wherevertheylanded，theylefttheirpainfulmarkandtheboyscouldonlyrunawayandhowl。
　　EnragedatnotbeingabletofighttheMarionetteatclosequarters，theystartedtothrowallkindsofbooksathim。
　　Readers，geographies，histories，grammarsflewinalldirections。
　　ButPinocchiowaskeenofeyeandswiftofmovement，andthebooksonlypassedoverhishead，landedinthesea，anddisappeared。
　　Thefish，thinkingtheymightbegoodtoeat，cametothetopofthewateringreatnumbers。Sometookanibble，sometookabite，butnosoonerhadtheytastedapageortwo，thantheyspatthemoutwithawryface，asiftosay：
　　"Whatahorridtaste！Ourownfoodissomuchbetter！"
　　Meanwhile，thebattlewaxedmoreandmorefurious。
　　Atthenoise，alargeCrabcrawledslowlyoutofthewaterand，withavoicethatsoundedlikeatrombonesufferingfromacold，hecriedout：
　　"Stopfighting，yourascals！Thesebattlesbetweenboysrarelyendwell。Troubleissuretocometoyou！"
　　PoorCrab！Hemightaswellhavespokentothewind。
　　Insteadoflisteningtohisgoodadvice，Pinocchioturnedtohimandsaidasroughlyasheknewhow：
　　"Keepquiet，uglyGab！Itwouldbebetterforyoutochewafewcoughdropstogetridofthatcoldyouhave。
　　Gotobedandsleep！Youwillfeelbetterinthemorning。"
　　Inthemeantime，theboys，havingusedalltheirbooks，lookedaroundfornewammunition。SeeingPinocchio’sbundlelyingidlenear-by，theysomehowmanagedtogetholdofit。
　　Oneofthebookswasaverylargevolume，anarithmetictext，heavilyboundinleather。ItwasPinocchio’spride。
　　Amongallhisbooks，helikedthatonethebest。
　　Thinkingitwouldmakeafinemissile，oneoftheboystookholdofitandthrewitwithallhisstrengthatPinocchio’shead。
　　ButinsteadofhittingtheMarionette，thebookstruckoneoftheotherboys，who，aspaleasaghost，criedoutfaintly：
　　"Oh，Mother，help！I’mdying！"andfellsenselesstotheground。
　　Atthesightofthatpalelittlecorpse，theboysweresofrightenedthattheyturnedtailandran。Inafewmoments，allhaddisappeared。
　　AllexceptPinocchio。Althoughscaredtodeathbythehorrorofwhathadbeendone，herantotheseaandsoakedhishandkerchiefinthecoolwaterandwithitbathedtheheadofhispoorlittleschoolmate。Sobbingbitterly，hecalledtohim，saying：
　　"Eugene！MypoorEugene！Openyoureyesandlookatme！
　　Whydon’tyouanswer？Iwasnottheonewhohityou，youknow。Believeme，Ididn’tdoit。Openyoureyes，Eugene？Ifyoukeepthemshut，I’lldie，too。Oh，dearme，howshallIevergohomenow？HowshallIeverlookatmylittlemotheragain？Whatwillhappentome？WhereshallIgo？WhereshallIhide？Oh，howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeen，athousandtimesbetter，ifonlyIhadgonetoschool！WhydidIlistentothoseboys？Theyalwayswereabadinfluence！Andtothinkthattheteacherhadtoldme——andmymother，too！——`Bewareofbadcompany！’That’swhatshesaid。ButI’mstubbornandproud。Ilisten，butalwaysIdoasIwish。AndthenIpay。
　　I’veneverhadamoment’speacesinceI’vebeenborn！Oh，dear！Whatwillbecomeofme？Whatwillbecomeofme？"
　　Pinocchiowentoncryingandmoaningandbeatinghishead。Againandagainhecalledtohislittlefriend，whensuddenlyheheardheavystepsapproaching。
　　HelookedupandsawtwotallCarabineersnearhim。
　　"Whatareyoudoingstretchedoutontheground？"
　　theyaskedPinocchio。
　　"I’mhelpingthisschoolfellowofmine。"
　　"Hashefainted？"
　　"Ishouldsayso，"saidoneoftheCarabineers，bendingtolookatEugene。"Thisboyhasbeenwoundedonthetemple。Whohashurthim？"
　　"NotI，"stammeredtheMarionette，whohadhardlyabreathleftinhiswholebody。
　　"Ifitwasn’tyou，whowasit，then？"
　　"NotI，"repeatedPinocchio。
　　"Andwithwhatwashewounded？"
　　"Withthisbook，"andtheMarionettepickedupthearithmetictexttoshowittotheofficer。
　　"Andwhosebookisthis？"
　　"Mine。"
　　"Enough。"
　　"Notanotherword！Getupasquicklyasyoucanandcomealongwithus。"
　　"ButI——"
　　"Comewithus！"
　　"ButIaminnocent。"
　　"Comewithus！"
　　Beforestartingout，theofficerscalledouttoseveralfishermenpassingbyinaboatandsaidtothem：
　　"Takecareofthislittlefellowwhohasbeenhurt。
　　Takehimhomeandbindhiswounds。Tomorrowwe’llcomeafterhim。"
　　TheythentookholdofPinocchioand，puttinghimbetweenthem，saidtohiminaroughvoice："March！
　　Andgoquickly，oritwillbetheworseforyou！"
　　Theydidnothavetorepeattheirwords。TheMarionettewalkedswiftlyalongtheroadtothevillage。Butthepoorfellowhardlyknewwhathewasabout。Hethoughthehadanightmare。Hefeltill。Hiseyessaweverythingdouble，hislegstrembled，histonguewasdry，and，tryashemight，hecouldnotutterasingleword。Yet，inspiteofthisnumbnessoffeeling，hesufferedkeenlyatthethoughtofpassingunderthewindowsofhisgoodlittleFairy’shouse。WhatwouldshesayonseeinghimbetweentwoCarabineers？
　　Theyhadjustreachedthevillage，whenasuddengustofwindblewoffPinocchio’scapandmadeitgosailingfardownthestreet。
　　"Wouldyouallowme，"theMarionetteaskedtheCarabineers，"torunaftermycap？"
　　"Verywell，go;buthurry。"
　　TheMarionettewent，pickeduphiscap——butinsteadofputtingitonhishead，hestuckitbetweenhisteethandthenracedtowardthesea。
　　Hewentlikeabulletoutofagun。
　　TheCarabineers，judgingthatitwouldbeverydifficulttocatchhim，sentalargeMastiffafterhim，onethathadwonfirstprizeinallthedograces。PinocchioranfastandtheDogranfaster。Atsomuchnoise，thepeoplehungoutofthewindowsorgatheredinthestreet，anxioustoseetheendofthecontest。Buttheyweredisappointed，fortheDogandPinocchioraisedsomuchdustontheroadthat，afterafewmoments，itwasimpossibletoseethem。
　　CHAPTER28
　　PinocchiorunsthedangerofbeingfriedinapanlikeafishDuringthatwildchase，Pinocchiolivedthroughaterriblemomentwhenhealmostgavehimselfupaslost。
　　ThiswaswhenAlidoro（thatwastheMastiff’sname），inafrenzyofrunning，camesonearthathewasontheverypointofreachinghim。
　　TheMarionetteheard，closebehindhim，thelaboredbreathingofthebeastwhowasfastonhistrail，andnowandagainevenfelthishotbreathblowoverhim。
　　Luckily，bythistime，hewasveryneartheshore，andtheseawasinsight;infact，onlyafewshortstepsaway。
　　Assoonashesetfootonthebeach，Pinocchiogavealeapandfellintothewater。Alidorotriedtostop，butashewasrunningveryfast，hecouldn’t，andhe，too，landedfaroutinthesea。Strangethoughitmayseem，theDogcouldnotswim。Hebeatthewaterwithhispawstoholdhimselfup，buttheharderhetried，thedeeperhesank。
　　Ashestuckhisheadoutoncemore，thepoorfellow’seyeswerebulgingandhebarkedoutwildly，"Idrown！Idrown！"
　　"Drown！"answeredPinocchiofromafar，happyathisescape。
　　"Help，Pinocchio，dearlittlePinocchio！Savemefromdeath！"
　　Atthosecriesofsuffering，theMarionette，whoafterallhadaverykindheart，wasmovedtocompassion。
　　Heturnedtowardthepooranimalandsaidtohim：
　　"ButifIhelpyou，willyoupromisenottobothermeagainbyrunningafterme？"
　　"Ipromise！Ipromise！Onlyhurry，forifyouwaitanothersecond，I’llbedeadandgone！"
　　Pinocchiohesitatedstillanotherminute。Then，rememberinghowhisfatherhadoftentoldhimthatakinddeedisneverlost，heswamtoAlidoroand，catchingholdofhistail，draggedhimtotheshore。
　　ThepoorDogwassoweakhecouldnotstand。Hehadswallowedsomuchsaltwaterthathewasswollenlikeaballoon。However，Pinocchio，notwishingtotrusthimtoomuch，threwhimselfonceagainintothesea。Asheswamaway，hecalledout：
　　"Good-by，Alidoro，goodluckandremembermetothefamily！"
　　"Good-by，littlePinocchio，"answeredtheDog。
　　"Athousandthanksforhavingsavedmefromdeath。
　　Youdidmeagoodturn，and，inthisworld，whatisgivenisalwaysreturned。Ifthechancecomes，Ishallbethere。"
　　Pinocchiowentonswimmingclosetoshore。Atlasthethoughthehadreachedasafeplace。Glancingupanddownthebeach，hesawtheopeningofacaveoutofwhichroseaspiralofsmoke。
　　"Inthatcave，"hesaidtohimself，"theremustbeafire。
　　Somuchthebetter。I’lldrymyclothesandwarmmyself，andthen——well——"
　　Hismindmadeup，Pinocchioswamtotherocks，butashestartedtoclimb，hefeltsomethingunderhimliftinghimuphigherandhigher。Hetriedtoescape，buthewastoolate。Tohisgreatsurprise，hefoundhimselfinahugenet，amidacrowdoffishofallkindsandsizes，whowerefightingandstrugglingdesperatelytofreethemselves。
　　Atthesametime，hesawaFishermancomeoutofthecave，aFishermansouglythatPinocchiothoughthewasaseamonster。Inplaceofhair，hisheadwascoveredbyathickbushofgreengrass。Greenwastheskinofhisbody，greenwerehiseyes，greenwasthelong，longbeardthatreacheddowntohisfeet。Helookedlikeagiantlizardwithlegsandarms。
　　WhentheFishermanpulledthenetoutofthesea，hecriedoutjoyfully：
　　"BlessedProvidence！OncemoreI’llhaveafinemealoffish！"
　　"ThankHeaven，I’mnotafish！"saidPinocchiotohimself，tryingwiththesewordstofindalittlecourage。
　　TheFishermantookthenetandthefishtothecave，adark，gloomy，smokyplace。Inthemiddleofit，apanfullofoilsizzledoverasmokyfire，sendingoutarepellingodoroftallowthattookawayone’sbreath。
　　"Now，let’sseewhatkindoffishwehavecaughttoday，"saidtheGreenFisherman。Heputahandasbigasaspadeintothenetandpulledoutahandfulofmullets。
　　"Finemullets，these！"hesaid，afterlookingatthemandsmellingthemwithpleasure。Afterthat，hethrewthemintoalarge，emptytub。
　　Manytimesherepeatedthisperformance。Ashepulledeachfishoutofthenet，hismouthwateredwiththethoughtofthegooddinnercoming，andhesaid：
　　"Finefish，thesebass！"
　　"Verytasty，thesewhitefish！"
　　"Deliciousflounders，these！"
　　"Whatsplendidcrabs！"
　　"Andthesedearlittleanchovies，withtheirheadsstillon！"
　　Asyoucanwellimagine，thebass，theflounders，thewhitefish，andeventhelittleanchoviesallwenttogetherintothetubtokeepthemulletscompany。ThelasttocomeoutofthenetwasPinocchio。
　　AssoonastheFishermanpulledhimout，hisgreeneyesopenedwidewithsurprise，andhecriedoutinfear：
　　"Whatkindoffishisthis？Idon’trememberevereatinganythinglikeit。"
　　Helookedathimcloselyandafterturninghimoverandover，hesaidatlast：
　　"Iunderstand。Hemustbeacrab！"
　　Pinocchio，mortifiedatbeingtakenforacrab，saidresentfully：
　　"Whatnonsense！Acrabindeed！Iamnosuchthing。
　　Bewarehowyoudealwithme！IamaMarionette，Iwantyoutoknow。"
　　"AMarionette？"askedtheFisherman。"ImustadmitthataMarionettefishis，forme，anentirelynewkindoffish。
　　Somuchthebetter。I’lleatyouwithgreaterrelish。"
　　"Eatme？Butcan’tyouunderstandthatI’mnotafish？
　　Can’tyouhearthatIspeakandthinkasyoudo？"
　　"It’strue，"answeredtheFisherman;"butsinceIseethatyouareafish，wellabletotalkandthinkasIdo，I’lltreatyouwithallduerespect。"
　　"Andthatis——"
　　"That，asasignofmyparticularesteem，I’llleavetoyouthechoiceofthemannerinwhichyouaretobecooked。Doyouwishtobefriedinapan，ordoyouprefertobecookedwithtomatosauce？"
　　"Totellyouthetruth，"answeredPinocchio，"ifImustchoose，IshouldmuchrathergofreesoImayreturnhome！"
　　"Areyoufooling？DoyouthinkthatIwanttolosetheopportunitytotastesuchararefish？AMarionettefishdoesnotcomeveryoftentotheseseas。Leaveittome。
　　I’llfryyouinthepanwiththeothers。Iknowyou’lllikeit。
　　It’salwaysacomforttofindoneselfingoodcompany。"
　　TheunluckyMarionette，hearingthis，begantocryandwailandbeg。Withtearsstreamingdownhischeeks，hesaid：
　　"Howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeenformetogotoschool！
　　IdidlistentomyplaymatesandnowIampayingforit！
　　Oh！Oh！Oh！"
　　Andashestruggledandsquirmedlikeaneeltoescapefromhim，theGreenFishermantookastoutcordandtiedhimhandandfoot，andthrewhimintothebottomofthetubwiththeothers。
　　Thenhepulledawoodenbowlfullofflouroutofacupboardandstartedtorollthefishintoit，onebyone。
　　Whentheywerewhitewithit，hethrewthemintothepan。
　　Thefirsttodanceinthehotoilwerethemullets，thebassfollowed，thenthewhitefish，theflounders，andtheanchovies。Pinocchio’sturncamelast。Seeinghimselfsoneartodeath（andsuchahorribledeath！）hebegantotremblesowithfrightthathehadnovoiceleftwithwhichtobegforhislife。
　　Thepoorboybeseechedonlywithhiseyes。ButtheGreenFisherman，notevennoticingthatitwashe，turnedhimoverandoverintheflouruntilhelookedlikeaMarionettemadeofchalk。
　　Thenhetookhimbytheheadand——
　　CHAPTER29
　　PinocchioreturnstotheFairy’shouseandshepromiseshimthat，onthemorrow，hewillceasetobeaMarionetteandbecomeaboy。
　　Awonderfulpartyofcoffee-and-milktocelebratethegreateventMindfulofwhattheFishermanhadsaid，Pinocchioknewthatallhopeofbeingsavedhadgone。Heclosedhiseyesandwaitedforthefinalmoment。
　　Suddenly，alargeDog，attractedbytheodoroftheboilingoil，camerunningintothecave。
　　"Getout！"criedtheFishermanthreateninglyandstillholdingontotheMarionette，whowasallcoveredwithflour。
　　ButthepoorDogwasveryhungry，andwhiningandwagginghistail，hetriedtosay：
　　"GivemeabiteofthefishandI’llgoinpeace。"
　　"Getout，Isay！"repeatedtheFisherman。
　　AndhedrewbackhisfoottogivetheDogakick。
　　ThentheDog，who，beingreallyhungry，wouldtakenorefusal，turnedinaragetowardtheFishermanandbaredhisterriblefangs。Andatthatmoment，apitifullittlevoicewasheardsaying："Saveme，Alidoro;ifyoudon’t，Ifry！"
　　TheDogimmediatelyrecognizedPinocchio’svoice。
　　Greatwashissurprisetofindthatthevoicecamefromthelittleflour-coveredbundlethattheFishermanheldinhishand。
　　Thenwhatdidhedo？Withonegreatleap，hegraspedthatbundleinhismouthand，holdingitlightlybetweenhisteeth，ranthroughthedooranddisappearedlikeaflash！
　　TheFisherman，angryatseeinghismealsnatchedfromunderhisnose，ranaftertheDog，butabadfitofcoughingmadehimstopandturnback。
　　Meanwhile，Alidoro，assoonashehadfoundtheroadwhichledtothevillage，stoppedanddroppedPinocchiosoftlytotheground。
　　"HowmuchIdothankyou！"saidtheMarionette。
　　"Itisnotnecessary，"answeredtheDog。"Yousavedmeonce，andwhatisgivenisalwaysreturned。Weareinthisworldtohelponeanother。"
　　"Buthowdidyougetinthatcave？"
　　"Iwaslyinghereonthesandmoredeadthanalive，whenanappetizingodoroffriedfishcametome。ThatodortickledmyhungerandIfollowedit。Oh，ifIhadcomeamomentlater！"
　　"Don’tspeakaboutit，"wailedPinocchio，stilltremblingwithfright。"Don’tsayaword。Ifyouhadcomeamomentlater，Iwouldbefried，eaten，anddigestedbythistime。Brrrrrr！Ishiveratthemerethoughtofit。"
　　AlidorolaughinglyheldouthispawtotheMarionette，whoshookitheartily，feelingthatnowheandtheDogweregoodfriends。Thentheybideachothergood-byandtheDogwenthome。
　　Pinocchio，leftalone，walkedtowardalittlehutnearby，whereanoldmansatatthedoorsunninghimself，andasked：
　　"Tellme，goodman，haveyouheardanythingofapoorboywithawoundedhead，whosenamewasEugene？"
　　"Theboywasbroughttothishutandnow——"
　　"Nowheisdead？"Pinocchiointerruptedsorrowfully。
　　"No，heisnowaliveandhehasalreadyreturnedhome。"
　　"Really？Really？"criedtheMarionette，jumpingaroundwithjoy。"Thenthewoundwasnotserious？"
　　"Butitmighthavebeen——andevenmortal，"answeredtheoldman，"foraheavybookwasthrownathishead。"
　　"Andwhothrewit？"
　　"Aschoolmateofhis，acertainPinocchio。"
　　"AndwhoisthisPinocchio？"askedtheMarionette，feigningignorance。
　　"Theysayheisamischief-maker，atramp，astreeturchin——"
　　"Calumnies！Allcalumnies！"
　　"DoyouknowthisPinocchio？"
　　"Bysight！"answeredtheMarionette。
　　"Andwhatdoyouthinkofhim？"askedtheoldman。
　　"Ithinkhe’saverygoodboy，fondofstudy，obedient，kindtohisFather，andtohiswholefamily——"
　　Ashewastellingalltheseenormousliesabouthimself，Pinocchiotouchedhisnoseandfoundittwiceaslongasitshouldbe。Scaredoutofhiswits，hecriedout：
　　"Don’tlistentome，goodman！AllthewonderfulthingsIhavesaidarenottrueatall。IknowPinocchiowellandheisindeedaverywickedfellow，lazyanddisobedient，whoinsteadofgoingtoschool，runsawaywithhisplaymatestohaveagoodtime。"
　　Atthisspeech，hisnosereturnedtoitsnaturalsize。
　　"Whyareyousopale？"theoldmanaskedsuddenly。
　　"Letmetellyou。Withoutknowingit，Irubbedmyselfagainstanewlypaintedwall，"helied，ashamedtosaythathehadbeenmadereadyforthefryingpan。
　　"Whathaveyoudonewithyourcoatandyourhatandyourbreeches？"
　　"Imetthievesandtheyrobbedme。Tellme，mygoodman，haveyounot，perhaps，alittlesuittogiveme，sothatImaygohome？"
　　"Myboy，asforclothes，IhaveonlyabaginwhichI
　　keephops。Ifyouwantit，takeit。Thereitis。"
　　Pinocchiodidnotwaitforhimtorepeathiswords。
　　Hetookthebag，whichhappenedtobeempty，andaftercuttingabigholeatthetopandtwoatthesides，heslippedintoitasifitwereashirt。Lightlycladashewas，hestartedouttowardthevillage。
　　Alongthewayhefeltveryuneasy。Infacthewassounhappythathewentalongtakingtwostepsforwardandoneback，andashewenthesaidtohimself：
　　"HowshallIeverfacemygoodlittleFairy？Whatwillshesaywhensheseesme？Willsheforgivethislasttrickofmine？Iamsureshewon’t。Oh，no，shewon’t。
　　AndIdeserveit，asusual！ForIamarascal，fineonpromiseswhichIneverkeep！"
　　Hecametothevillagelateatnight。Itwassodarkhecouldseenothinganditwasrainingpitchforks。
　　PinocchiowentstraighttotheFairy’shouse，firmlyresolvedtoknockatthedoor。
　　Whenhefoundhimselfthere，helostcourageandranbackafewsteps。Asecondtimehecametothedoorandagainheranback。Athirdtimeherepeatedhisperformance。Thefourthtime，beforehehadtimetolosehiscourage，hegraspedtheknockerandmadeafaintsoundwithit。
　　Hewaitedandwaitedandwaited。Finally，afterafullhalfhour，atop-floorwindow（thehousehadfourstories）
　　openedandPinocchiosawalargeSnaillookout。Atinylightglowedontopofherhead。"Whoknocksatthislatehour？"shecalled。
　　"IstheFairyhome？"askedtheMarionette。
　　"TheFairyisasleepanddoesnotwishtobedisturbed。
　　Whoareyou？"
　　"ItisI。"
　　"Who’sI？"
　　"Pinocchio。"
　　"WhoisPinocchio？"
　　"TheMarionette;theonewholivesintheFairy’shouse。"
　　"Oh，Iunderstand，"saidtheSnail。"Waitformethere。
　　I’llcomedowntoopenthedoorforyou。"
　　"Hurry，Ibegofyou，forIamdyingofcold。"
　　"Myboy，Iamasnailandsnailsareneverinahurry。"
　　Anhourpassed，twohours;andthedoorwasstillclosed。
　　Pinocchio，whowastremblingwithfearandshiveringfromthecoldrainonhisback，knockedasecondtime，thistimelouderthanbefore。
　　Atthatsecondknock，awindowonthethirdflooropenedandthesameSnaillookedout。
　　"DearlittleSnail，"criedPinocchiofromthestreet。
　　"Ihavebeenwaitingtwohoursforyou！Andtwohoursonadreadfulnightlikethisareaslongastwoyears。
　　Hurry，please！"
　　"Myboy，"answeredtheSnailinacalm，peacefulvoice，"mydearboy，Iamasnailandsnailsareneverinahurry。"Andthewindowclosed。
　　Afewminuteslatermidnightstruck;thenoneo’clock——twoo’clock。Andthedoorstillremainedclosed！
　　ThenPinocchio，losingallpatience，grabbedtheknockerwithbothhands，fullydeterminedtoawakenthewholehouseandstreetwithit。Assoonashetouchedtheknocker，however，itbecameaneelandwiggledawayintothedarkness。
　　"Really？"criedPinocchio，blindwithrage。"Iftheknockerisgone，Icanstillusemyfeet。"
　　Hesteppedbackandgavethedooramostsolemnkick。
　　Hekickedsohardthathisfootwentstraightthroughthedoorandhislegfollowedalmosttotheknee。Nomatterhowhepulledandtugged，hecouldnotpullitout。Therehestayedasifnailedtothedoor。
　　PoorPinocchio！Therestofthenighthehadtospendwithonefootthroughthedoorandtheotheroneintheair。
　　Asdawnwasbreaking，thedoorfinallyopened。Thatbravelittleanimal，theSnail，hadtakenexactlyninehourstogofromthefourthfloortothestreet。Howshemusthaveraced！
　　"Whatareyoudoingwithyourfootthroughthedoor？"
　　sheaskedtheMarionette，laughing。
　　"Itwasamisfortune。Won’tyoutry，prettylittleSnail，tofreemefromthisterribletorture？"
　　"Myboy，weneedacarpenterhereandIhaveneverbeenone。"
　　"AsktheFairytohelpme！"
　　"TheFairyisasleepanddoesnotwanttobedisturbed。"
　　"Butwhatdoyouwantmetodo，nailedtothedoorlikethis？"
　　"Enjoyyourselfcountingtheantswhicharepassingby。"
　　"Bringmesomethingtoeat，atleast，forIamfaintwithhunger。"
　　"Immediately！"
　　Infact，afterthreehoursandahalf，Pinocchiosawherreturnwithasilvertrayonherhead。Onthetraytherewasbread，roastchicken，fruit。
　　"HereisthebreakfasttheFairysendstoyou，"saidtheSnail。
　　Atthesightofallthesegoodthings，theMarionettefeltmuchbetter。
　　Whatwashisdisgust，however，whenontastingthefood，hefoundthebreadtobemadeofchalk，thechickenofcardboard，andthebrilliantfruitofcoloredalabaster！
　　Hewantedtocry，hewantedtogivehimselfuptodespair，hewantedtothrowawaythetrayandallthatwasonit。Instead，eitherfrompainorweakness，hefelltothefloorinadeadfaint。
　　Whenheregainedhissenses，hefoundhimselfstretchedoutonasofaandtheFairywasseatednearhim。
　　"ThistimealsoIforgiveyou，"saidtheFairytohim。
　　"Butbecarefulnottogetintomischiefagain。"
　　Pinocchiopromisedtostudyandtobehavehimself。
　　Andhekepthiswordfortheremainderoftheyear。Attheendofit，hepassedfirstinallhisexaminations，andhisreportwassogoodthattheFairysaidtohimhappily：
　　"Tomorrowyourwishwillcometrue。"
　　"Andwhatisit？"
　　"TomorrowyouwillceasetobeaMarionetteandwillbecomearealboy。"
　　Pinocchiowasbesidehimselfwithjoy。Allhisfriendsandschoolmatesmustbeinvitedtocelebratethegreatevent！TheFairypromisedtopreparetwohundredcupsofcoffee-and-milkandfourhundredslicesoftoastbutteredonbothsides。
　　Thedaypromisedtobeaverygayandhappyone，but——
　　Unluckily，inaMarionette’slifethere’salwaysaBUT
　　whichisapttospoileverything。
　　CHAPTER30
　　Pinocchio，insteadofbecomingaboy，runsawaytotheLandofToyswithhisfriend，Lamp-WickComingatlastoutofthesurpriseintowhichtheFairy’swordshadthrownhim，Pinocchioaskedforpermissiontogiveouttheinvitations。
　　"Indeed，youmayinviteyourfriendstotomorrow’sparty。
　　Onlyremembertoreturnhomebeforedark。Doyouunderstand？"
　　"I’llbebackinonehourwithoutfail，"answeredtheMarionette。
　　"Takecare，Pinocchio！Boysgivepromisesveryeasily，buttheyaseasilyforgetthem。"
　　"ButIamnotlikethoseothers。WhenIgivemywordIkeepit。"
　　"Weshallsee。Incaseyoudodisobey，youwillbetheonetosuffer，notanyoneelse。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Becauseboyswhodonotlistentotheireldersalwayscometogrief。"
　　"Icertainlyhave，"saidPinocchio，"butfromnowon，Iobey。"
　　"Weshallseeifyouaretellingthetruth。"
　　Withoutaddinganotherword，theMarionettebadethegoodFairygood-by，andsinginganddancing，heleftthehouse。
　　Inalittlemorethananhour，allhisfriendswereinvited。Someacceptedquicklyandgladly。Othershadtobecoaxed，butwhentheyheardthatthetoastwastobebutteredonbothsides，theyallendedbyacceptingtheinvitationwiththewords，"We’llcometopleaseyou。"
　　Nowitmustbeknownthat，amongallhisfriends，Pinocchiohadonewhomhelovedmostofall。
　　Theboy’srealnamewasRomeo，buteveryonecalledhimLamp-Wick，forhewaslongandthinandhadawoebegonelookabouthim。
　　Lamp-Wickwasthelaziestboyintheschoolandthebiggestmischief-maker，butPinocchiolovedhimdearly。
　　Thatday，hewentstraighttohisfriend’shousetoinvitehimtotheparty，butLamp-Wickwasnotathome。Hewentasecondtime，andagainathird，butstillwithoutsuccess。
　　Wherecouldhebe？Pinocchiosearchedhereandthereandeverywhere，andfinallydiscoveredhimhidingnearafarmer’swagon。
　　"Whatareyoudoingthere？"askedPinocchio，runninguptohim。
　　"Iamwaitingformidnighttostriketogo——"
　　"Where？"
　　"Far，faraway！"
　　"AndIhavegonetoyourhousethreetimestolookforyou！"
　　"Whatdidyouwantfromme？"
　　"Haven’tyouheardthenews？Don’tyouknowwhatgoodluckismine？"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"TomorrowIendmydaysasaMarionetteandbecomeaboy，likeyouandallmyotherfriends。"
　　"Mayitbringyouluck！"
　　"ShallIseeyouatmypartytomorrow？"
　　"ButI’mtellingyouthatIgotonight。"
　　"Atwhattime？"
　　"Atmidnight。"
　　"Andwhereareyougoing？"
　　"Toarealcountry——thebestintheworld——awonderfulplace！"
　　"Whatisitcalled？"
　　"ItiscalledtheLandofToys。Whydon’tyoucome，too？"
　　"I？Oh，no！"
　　"Youaremakingabigmistake，Pinocchio。Believeme，ifyoudon’tcome，you’llbesorry。Wherecanyoufindaplacethatwillagreebetterwithyouandme？Noschools，noteachers，nobooks！Inthatblessedplacethereisnosuchthingasstudy。Here，itisonlyonSaturdaysthatwehavenoschool。IntheLandofToys，everyday，exceptSunday，isaSaturday。VacationbeginsonthefirstofJanuaryandendsonthelastdayofDecember。Thatistheplaceforme！Allcountriesshouldbelikeit！
　　Howhappyweshouldallbe！"
　　"ButhowdoesonespendthedayintheLandofToys？"
　　"Daysarespentinplayandenjoymentfrommorntillnight。Atnightonegoestobed，andnextmorning，thegoodtimesbeginalloveragain。Whatdoyouthinkofit？"
　　"H’m——！"saidPinocchio，noddinghiswoodenhead，asiftosay，"It’sthekindoflifewhichwouldagreewithmeperfectly。"
　　"Doyouwanttogowithme，then？Yesorno？Youmustmakeupyourmind。"
　　"No，no，andagainno！IhavepromisedmykindFairytobecomeagoodboy，andIwanttokeepmyword。Justsee：ThesunissettingandImustleaveyouandrun。
　　Good-byandgoodlucktoyou！"
　　"Whereareyougoinginsuchahurry？"
　　"Home。MygoodFairywantsmetoreturnhomebeforenight。"
　　"Waittwominutesmore。"
　　"It’stoolate！"
　　"Onlytwominutes。"
　　"AndiftheFairyscoldsme？"
　　"Letherscold。Aftershegetstired，shewillstop，"saidLamp-Wick。
　　"Areyougoingaloneorwithothers？"
　　"Alone？Therewillbemorethanahundredofus！"
　　"Willyouwalk？"
　　"Atmidnightthewagonpassesherethatistotakeuswithintheboundariesofthatmarvelouscountry。"
　　"HowIwishmidnightwouldstrike！"
　　"Why？"
　　"Toseeyouallsetouttogether。"
　　"Stayhereawhilelongerandyouwillseeus！"
　　"No，no。Iwanttoreturnhome。"
　　"Waittwomoreminutes。"
　　"Ihavewaitedtoolongasitis。TheFairywillbeworried。"
　　"PoorFairy！Issheafraidthebatswilleatyouup？"
　　"Listen，Lamp-Wick，"saidtheMarionette，"areyoureallysurethattherearenoschoolsintheLandofToys？"
　　"Noteventheshadowofone。"
　　"Notevenoneteacher？"
　　"Notone。"
　　"Andonedoesnothavetostudy？"
　　"Never，never，never！"
　　"Whatagreatland！"saidPinocchio，feelinghismouthwater。
　　"Whatabeautifulland！Ihaveneverbeenthere，butIcanwellimagineit。"
　　"Whydon’tyoucome，too？"
　　"Itisuselessforyoutotemptme！ItoldyouIpromisedmygoodFairytobehavemyself，andIamgoingtokeepmyword。"
　　"Good-by，then，andremembermetothegrammarschools，tothehighschools，andeventothecollegesifyoumeetthemontheway。"
　　"Good-by，Lamp-Wick。Haveapleasanttrip，enjoyyourself，andrememberyourfriendsonceinawhile。"
　　Withthesewords，theMarionettestartedonhiswayhome。Turningoncemoretohisfriend，heaskedhim：
　　"Butareyousurethat，inthatcountry，eachweekiscomposedofsixSaturdaysandoneSunday？"
　　"Verysure！"
　　"AndthatvacationbeginsonthefirstofJanuaryandendsonthethirty-firstofDecember？"
　　"Very，verysure！"
　　"Whatagreatcountry！"repeatedPinocchio，puzzledastowhattodo。
　　Then，insuddendetermination，hesaidhurriedly：
　　"Good-byforthelasttime，andgoodluck。"
　　"Good-by。"
　　"Howsoonwillyougo？"
　　"Withintwohours。"
　　"Whatapity！Ifitwereonlyonehour，Imightwaitforyou。"
　　"AndtheFairy？"
　　"BythistimeI’mlate，andonehourmoreorlessmakesverylittledifference。"
　　"PoorPinocchio！AndiftheFairyscoldsyou？"
　　"Oh，I’llletherscold。Aftershegetstired，shewillstop。"
　　Inthemeantime，thenightbecamedarkeranddarker。
　　Allatonceinthedistanceasmalllightflickered。A
　　queersoundcouldbeheard，softasalittlebell，andfaintandmuffledlikethebuzzofafar-awaymosquito。
　　"Thereitis！"criedLamp-Wick，jumpingtohisfeet。
　　"What？"whisperedPinocchio。
　　"Thewagonwhichiscomingtogetme。Forthelasttime，areyoucomingornot？"
　　"Butisitreallytruethatinthatcountryboysneverhavetostudy？"
　　"Never，never，never！"
　　"Whatawonderful，beautiful，marvelouscountry！Oh——h——h！！"
　　CHAPTER31
　　Afterfivemonthsofplay，PinocchiowakesuponefinemorningandfindsagreatsurpriseawaitinghimFinallythewagonarrived。Itmadenonoise，foritswheelswereboundwithstrawandrags。
　　Itwasdrawnbytwelvepairofdonkeys，allofthesamesize，butallofdifferentcolor。Someweregray，otherswhite，andstillothersamixtureofbrownandblack。
　　Hereandtherewereafewwithlargeyellowandbluestripes。
　　Thestrangestthingofallwasthatthosetwenty-fourdonkeys，insteadofbeingiron-shodlikeanyotherbeastofburden，hadontheirfeetlacedshoesmadeofleather，justliketheonesboyswear。
　　Andthedriverofthewagon？
　　Imaginetoyourselvesalittle，fatman，muchwiderthanhewaslong，roundandshinyasaballofbutter，withafacebeaminglikeanapple，alittlemouththatalwayssmiled，andavoicesmallandwheedlinglikethatofacatbeggingforfood。
　　Nosoonerdidanyboyseehimthanhefellinlovewithhim，andnothingsatisfiedhimbuttobeallowedtorideinhiswagontothatlovelyplacecalledtheLandofToys。
　　Infactthewagonwassocloselypackedwithboysofallagesthatitlookedlikeaboxofsardines。Theywereuncomfortable，theywerepiledoneontopoftheother，theycouldhardlybreathe;yetnotonewordofcomplaintwasheard。Thethoughtthatinafewhourstheywouldreachacountrywheretherewerenoschools，nobooks，noteachers，madetheseboyssohappythattheyfeltneitherhunger，northirst，norsleep，nordiscomfort。
　　NosoonerhadthewagonstoppedthanthelittlefatmanturnedtoLamp-Wick。Withbowsandsmiles，heaskedinawheedlingtone：
　　"Tellme，myfineboy，doyoualsowanttocometomywonderfulcountry？"
　　"IndeedIdo。"
　　"ButIwarnyou，mylittledear，there’snomoreroominthewagon。Itisfull。"
　　"Nevermind，"answeredLamp-Wick。"Ifthere’snoroominside，Icansitonthetopofthecoach。"
　　Andwithoneleap，heperchedhimselfthere。
　　"Whataboutyou，mylove？"askedtheLittleMan，turningpolitelytoPinocchio。"Whatareyougoingtodo？
　　Willyoucomewithus，ordoyoustayhere？"
　　"Istayhere，"answeredPinocchio。"Iwanttoreturnhome，asIprefertostudyandtosucceedinlife。"
　　"Maythatbringyouluck！"
　　"Pinocchio！"Lamp-Wickcalledout。"Listentome。
　　Comewithusandwe’llalwaysbehappy。"
　　"No，no，no！"
　　"Comewithusandwe’llalwaysbehappy，"criedfourothervoicesfromthewagon。
　　"Comewithusandwe’llalwaysbehappy，"shoutedtheonehundredandmoreboysinthewagon，alltogether。
　　"AndifIgowithyou，whatwillmygoodFairysay？"
　　askedtheMarionette，whowasbeginningtowaverandweakeninhisgoodresolutions。
　　"Don’tworrysomuch。Onlythinkthatwearegoingtoalandwhereweshallbeallowedtomakealltheracketwelikefrommorningtillnight。"
　　Pinocchiodidnotanswer，butsigheddeeplyonce——
　　twice——athirdtime。Finally，hesaid：
　　"Makeroomforme。Iwanttogo，too！"
　　"Theseatsareallfilled，"answeredtheLittleMan，"buttoshowyouhowmuchIthinkofyou，takemyplaceascoachman。"
　　"Andyou？"
　　"I’llwalk。"
　　"No，indeed。Icouldnotpermitsuchathing。Imuchpreferridingoneofthesedonkeys，"criedPinocchio。