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！"