\"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。
