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！\"
