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