\"Areyoudeaf？Wait，youngman，we’llgetitfromyouinatwinkling！\"
OneofthemgrabbedtheMarionettebythenoseandtheotherbythechin，andtheypulledhimunmercifullyfromsidetosideinordertomakehimopenhismouth。
Allwasofnouse。TheMarionette’slipsmighthavebeennailedtogether。Theywouldnotopen。
IndesperationthesmallerofthetwoAssassinspulledoutalongknifefromhispocket，andtriedtopryPinocchio’smouthopenwithit。
Quickasaflash，theMarionettesankhisteethdeepintotheAssassin’shand，bititoffandspatitout。Fancyhissurprisewhenhesawthatitwasnotahand，butacat’spaw。
Encouragedbythisfirstvictory，hefreedhimselffromtheclawsofhisassailersand，leapingoverthebushesalongtheroad，ranswiftlyacrossthefields。Hispursuerswereafterhimatonce，liketwodogschasingahare。
Afterrunningsevenmilesorso，Pinocchiowaswell-
nighexhausted。Seeinghimselflost，heclimbedupagiantpinetreeandsattheretoseewhathecouldsee。
TheAssassinstriedtoclimbalso，buttheyslippedandfell。
Farfromgivingupthechase，thisonlyspurredthemon。
Theygatheredabundleofwood，pileditupatthefootofthepine，andsetfiretoit。Inatwinklingthetreebegantosputterandburnlikeacandleblownbythewind。Pinocchiosawtheflamesclimbhigherandhigher。NotwishingtoendhisdaysasaroastedMarionette，hejumpedquicklytothegroundandoffhewent，theAssassinsclosetohim，asbefore。
Dawnwasbreakingwhen，withoutanywarningwhatsoever，Pinocchiofoundhispathbarredbyadeeppoolfullofwaterthecolorofmuddycoffee。
Whatwastheretodo？Witha\"One，two，three！\"
hejumpedclearacrossit。TheAssassinsjumpedalso，butnothavingmeasuredtheirdistancewell——splash！！！——
theyfellrightintothemiddleofthepool。Pinocchiowhoheardthesplashandfeltit，too，criedout，laughing，butneverstoppinginhisrace：
\"Apleasantbathtoyou，signori！\"
Hethoughttheymustsurelybedrownedandturnedhisheadtosee。Buttherewerethetwosomberfiguresstillfollowinghim，thoughtheirblacksacksweredrenchedanddrippingwithwater。
CHAPTER15
TheAssassinschasePinocchio，catchhim，andhanghimtothebranchofagiantoaktreeAsheran，theMarionettefeltmoreandmorecertainthathewouldhavetogivehimselfupintothehandsofhispursuers。Suddenlyhesawalittlecottagegleamingwhiteasthesnowamongthetreesoftheforest。
\"IfIhaveenoughbreathleftwithwhichtoreachthatlittlehouse，Imaybesaved，\"hesaidtohimself。
Notwaitinganothermoment，hedartedswiftlythroughthewoods，theAssassinsstillafterhim。
Afterahardraceofalmostanhour，tiredandoutofbreath，Pinocchiofinallyreachedthedoorofthecottageandknocked。Nooneanswered。
Heknockedagain，harderthanbefore，forbehindhimheheardthestepsandthelaboredbreathingofhispersecutors。Thesamesilencefollowed。
Asknockingwasofnouse，Pinocchio，indespair，begantokickandbangagainstthedoor，asifhewantedtobreakit。Atthenoise，awindowopenedandalovelymaidenlookedout。Shehadazurehairandafacewhiteaswax。Hereyeswereclosedandherhandscrossedonherbreast。Withavoicesoweakthatithardlycouldbeheard，shewhispered：
\"Noonelivesinthishouse。Everyoneisdead。\"
\"Won’tyou，atleast，openthedoorforme？\"
criedPinocchioinabeseechingvoice。
\"Ialsoamdead。\"
\"Dead？Whatareyoudoingatthewindow，then？\"
\"Iamwaitingforthecoffintotakemeaway。\"
Afterthesewords，thelittlegirldisappearedandthewindowclosedwithoutasound。
\"Oh，LovelyMaidenwithAzureHair，\"criedPinocchio，\"open，Ibegofyou。TakepityonapoorboywhoisbeingchasedbytwoAssass——\"
Hedidnotfinish，fortwopowerfulhandsgraspedhimbytheneckandthesametwohorriblevoicesgrowledthreateningly：\"Nowwehaveyou！\"
TheMarionette，seeingdeathdancingbeforehim，trembledsohardthatthejointsofhislegsrattledandthecoinstinkledunderhistongue。
\"Well，\"theAssassinsasked，\"willyouopenyourmouthnowornot？Ah！Youdonotanswer？Verywell，thistimeyoushallopenit。\"
Takingouttwolong，sharpknives，theystrucktwoheavyblowsontheMarionette’sback。
Happilyforhim，Pinocchiowasmadeofveryhardwoodandtheknivesbrokeintoathousandpieces。TheAssassinslookedateachotherindismay，holdingthehandlesoftheknivesintheirhands。
\"Iunderstand，\"saidoneofthemtotheother，\"thereisnothinglefttodonowbuttohanghim。\"
\"Tohanghim，\"repeatedtheother。
TheytiedPinocchio’shandsbehindhisshouldersandslippedthenoosearoundhisneck。Throwingtheropeoverthehighlimbofagiantoaktree，theypulledtillthepoorMarionettehungfarupinspace。
Satisfiedwiththeirwork，theysatonthegrasswaitingforPinocchiotogivehislastgasp。ButafterthreehourstheMarionette’seyeswerestillopen，hismouthstillshutandhislegskickedharderthanever。
Tiredofwaiting，theAssassinscalledtohimmockingly：
\"Good-bytilltomorrow。Whenwereturninthemorning，wehopeyou’llbepoliteenoughtoletusfindyoudeadandgoneandwithyourmouthwideopen。\"
Withthesewordstheywent。
Afewminuteswentbyandthenawildwindstartedtoblow。Asitshriekedandmoaned，thepoorlittlesuffererwasblowntoandfrolikethehammerofabell。
Therockingmadehimseasickandthenoose，becomingtighterandtighter，chokedhim。Littlebylittleafilmcoveredhiseyes。
Deathwascreepingnearerandnearer，andtheMarionettestillhopedforsomegoodsoultocometohisrescue，butnooneappeared。Ashewasabouttodie，hethoughtofhispooroldfather，andhardlyconsciousofwhathewassaying，murmuredtohimself：
\"Oh，Father，dearFather！Ifyouwereonlyhere！\"
Thesewerehislastwords。Heclosedhiseyes，openedhismouth，stretchedouthislegs，andhungthere，asifheweredead。
CHAPTER16
TheLovelyMaidenwithAzureHairsendsforthepoorMarionette，putshimtobed，andcallsthreeDoctorstotellherifPinocchioisdeadoraliveIfthepoorMarionettehaddangledtheremuchlonger，allhopewouldhavebeenlost。Luckilyforhim，theLovelyMaidenwithAzureHaironceagainlookedoutofherwindow。Filledwithpityatthesightofthepoorlittlefellowbeingknockedhelplesslyaboutbythewind，sheclappedherhandssharplytogetherthreetimes。
Atthesignal，aloudwhirrofwingsinquickflightwasheardandalargeFalconcameandsettleditselfonthewindowledge。
\"Whatdoyoucommand，mycharmingFairy？\"askedtheFalcon，bendinghisbeakindeepreverence（foritmustbeknownthat，afterall，theLovelyMaidenwithAzureHairwasnoneotherthanaverykindFairywhohadlived，formorethanathousandyears，inthevicinityoftheforest）。
\"DoyouseethatMarionettehangingfromthelimbofthatgiantoaktree？\"
\"Iseehim。\"
\"Verywell。Flyimmediatelytohim。Withyourstrongbeak，breaktheknotwhichholdshimtied，takehimdown，andlayhimsoftlyonthegrassatthefootoftheoak。\"
TheFalconflewawayandaftertwominutesreturned，saying，\"Ihavedonewhatyouhavecommanded。\"
\"Howdidyoufindhim？Aliveordead？\"
\"Atfirstglance，Ithoughthewasdead。ButIfoundIwaswrong，forassoonasIloosenedtheknotaroundhisneck，hegavealongsighandmumbledwithafaintvoice，`NowIfeelbetter！’\"
TheFairyclappedherhandstwice。AmagnificentPoodleappeared，walkingonhishindlegsjustlikeaman。Hewasdressedincourtlivery。Atricorntrimmedwithgoldlacewassetatarakishangleoverawigofwhitecurlsthatdroppeddowntohiswaist。Heworeajauntycoatofchocolate-coloredvelvet，withdiamondbuttons，andwithtwohugepocketswhichwerealwaysfilledwithbones，droppedthereatdinnerbyhislovingmistress。
Breechesofcrimsonvelvet，silkstockings，andlow，silver-buckledslipperscompletedhiscostume。Histailwasencasedinabluesilkcovering，whichwastoprotectitfromtherain。
\"Come，Medoro，\"saidtheFairytohim。\"Getmybestcoachreadyandsetouttowardtheforest。Onreachingtheoaktree，youwillfindapoor，half-deadMarionettestretchedoutonthegrass。Lifthimuptenderly，placehimonthesilkencushionsofthecoach，andbringhimheretome。\"
ThePoodle，toshowthatheunderstood，waggedhissilk-coveredtailtwoorthreetimesandsetoffataquickpace。
Inafewminutes，alovelylittlecoach，madeofglass，withliningassoftaswhippedcreamandchocolatepudding，andstuffedwithcanaryfeathers，pulledoutofthestable。Itwasdrawnbyonehundredpairsofwhitemice，andthePoodlesatonthecoachman’sseatandsnappedhiswhipgaylyintheair，asifhewerearealcoachmaninahurrytogettohisdestination。
Inaquarterofanhourthecoachwasback。TheFairy，whowaswaitingatthedoorofthehouse，liftedthepoorlittleMarionetteinherarms，tookhimtoadaintyroomwithmother-of-pearlwalls，puthimtobed，andsentimmediatelyforthemostfamousdoctorsoftheneighborhoodtocometoher。
Oneafteranotherthedoctorscame，aCrow，andOwl，andaTalkingCricket。
\"Ishouldliketoknow，signori，\"saidtheFairy，turningtothethreedoctorsgatheredaboutPinocchio’sbed，\"IshouldliketoknowifthispoorMarionetteisdeadoralive。\"
Atthisinvitation，theCrowsteppedoutandfeltPinocchio’spulse，hisnose，hislittletoe。
Thenhesolemnlypronouncedthefollowingwords：
\"TomymindthisMarionetteisdeadandgone;butif，byanyevilchance，hewerenot，thenthatwouldbeasuresignthatheisstillalive！\"
\"Iamsorry，\"saidtheOwl，\"tohavetocontradicttheCrow，myfamousfriendandcolleague。TomymindthisMarionetteisalive;butif，byanyevilchance，hewerenot，thenthatwouldbeasuresignthatheiswhollydead！\"
\"Anddoyouholdanyopinion？\"theFairyaskedtheTalkingCricket。
\"Isaythatawisedoctor，whenhedoesnotknowwhatheistalkingabout，shouldknowenoughtokeephismouthshut。
However，thatMarionetteisnotastrangertome。
Ihaveknownhimalongtime！\"
Pinocchio，whountilthenhadbeenveryquiet，shudderedsohardthatthebedshook。
\"ThatMarionette，\"continuedtheTalkingCricket，\"isarascaloftheworstkind。\"
Pinocchioopenedhiseyesandclosedthemagain。
\"Heisrude，lazy，arunaway。\"
Pinocchiohidhisfaceunderthesheets。
\"ThatMarionetteisadisobedientsonwhoisbreakinghisfather’sheart！\"
Longshudderingsobswereheard，cries，anddeepsighs。
Thinkhowsurprisedeveryonewaswhen，onraisingthesheets，theydiscoveredPinocchiohalfmeltedintears！
\"Whenthedeadweep，theyarebeginningtorecover，\"
saidtheCrowsolemnly。
\"Iamsorrytocontradictmyfamousfriendandcolleague，\"
saidtheOwl，\"butasfarasI’mconcerned，Ithinkthatwhenthedeadweep，itmeanstheydonotwanttodie。\"
CHAPTER17
Pinocchioeatssugar，butrefusestotakemedicine。
Whentheundertakerscomeforhim，hedrinksthemedicineandfeelsbetter。
Afterwardshetellsalieand，inpunishment，hisnosegrowslongerandlongerAssoonasthethreedoctorshadlefttheroom，theFairywenttoPinocchio’sbedand，touchinghimontheforehead，noticedthathewasburningwithfever。
Shetookaglassofwater，putawhitepowderintoit，and，handingittotheMarionette，saidlovinglytohim：
\"Drinkthis，andinafewdaysyou’llbeupandwell。\"
Pinocchiolookedattheglass，madeawryface，andaskedinawhiningvoice：\"Isitsweetorbitter？\"
\"Itisbitter，butitisgoodforyou。\"
\"Ifitisbitter，Idon’twantit。\"
\"Drinkit！\"
\"Idon’tlikeanythingbitter。\"
\"DrinkitandI’llgiveyoualumpofsugartotakethebittertastefromyourmouth。\"
\"Where’sthesugar？\"
\"Hereitis，\"saidtheFairy，takingalumpfromagoldensugarbowl。
\"Iwantthesugarfirst，thenI’lldrinkthebitterwater。\"
\"Doyoupromise？\"
\"Yes。\"
TheFairygavehimthesugarandPinocchio，afterchewingandswallowingitinatwinkling，said，smackinghislips：
\"Ifonlysugarweremedicine！Ishouldtakeiteveryday。\"
\"Nowkeepyourpromiseanddrinkthesefewdropsofwater。They’llbegoodforyou。\"
Pinocchiotooktheglassinbothhandsandstuckhisnoseintoit。Heliftedittohismouthandoncemorestuckhisnoseintoit。
\"Itistoobitter，muchtoobitter！Ican’tdrinkit。\"
\"Howdoyouknow，whenyouhaven’teventastedit？\"
\"Icanimagineit。Ismellit。Iwantanotherlumpofsugar，thenI’lldrinkit。\"
TheFairy，withallthepatienceofagoodmother，gavehimmoresugarandagainhandedhimtheglass。
\"Ican’tdrinkitlikethat，\"theMarionettesaid，makingmorewryfaces。
\"Why？\"
\"Becausethatfeatherpillowonmyfeetbothersme。\"
TheFairytookawaythepillow。
\"It’snouse。Ican’tdrinkitevennow。\"
\"What’sthematternow？\"
\"Idon’tlikethewaythatdoorlooks。It’shalfopen。\"
TheFairyclosedthedoor。
\"Iwon’tdrinkit，\"criedPinocchio，burstingoutcrying。
\"Iwon’tdrinkthisawfulwater。Iwon’t。Iwon’t！
No，no，no，no！\"
\"Myboy，you’llbesorry。\"
\"Idon’tcare。\"
\"Youareverysick。\"
\"Idon’tcare。\"
\"Inafewhoursthefeverwilltakeyoufarawaytoanotherworld。\"
\"Idon’tcare。\"
\"Aren’tyouafraidofdeath？\"
\"Notabit。I’dratherdiethandrinkthatawfulmedicine。\"
Atthatmoment，thedooroftheroomflewopenandincamefourRabbitsasblackasink，carryingasmallblackcoffinontheirshoulders。
\"Whatdoyouwantfromme？\"askedPinocchio。
\"Wehavecomeforyou，\"saidthelargestRabbit。
\"Forme？ButI’mnotdeadyet！\"
\"No，notdeadyet;butyouwillbeinafewmomentssinceyouhaverefusedtotakethemedicinewhichwouldhavemadeyouwell。\"
\"Oh，Fairy，myFairy，\"theMarionettecriedout，\"givemethatglass！Quick，please！Idon’twanttodie！
No，no，notyet——notyet！\"
Andholdingtheglasswithhistwohands，heswallowedthemedicineatonegulp。
\"Well，\"saidthefourRabbits，\"thistimewehavemadethetripfornothing。\"
Andturningontheirheels，theymarchedsolemnlyoutoftheroom，carryingtheirlittleblackcoffinandmutteringandgrumblingbetweentheirteeth。
Inatwinkling，Pinocchiofeltfine。Withoneleaphewasoutofbedandintohisclothes。
TheFairy，seeinghimrunandjumparoundtheroomgayasabirdonwing，saidtohim：
\"Mymedicinewasgoodforyou，afterall，wasn’tit？\"
\"Goodindeed！Ithasgivenmenewlife。\"
\"Why，then，didIhavetobegyousohardtomakeyoudrinkit？\"
\"I’maboy，yousee，andallboyshatemedicinemorethantheydosickness。\"
\"Whatashame！Boysoughttoknow，afterall，thatmedicine，takenintime，cansavethemfrommuchpainandevenfromdeath。\"
\"NexttimeIwon’thavetobebeggedsohard。I’llrememberthoseblackRabbitswiththeblackcoffinontheirshouldersandI’lltaketheglassandpouf！——downitwillgo！\"
\"ComeherenowandtellmehowitcameaboutthatyoufoundyourselfinthehandsoftheAssassins。\"
\"IthappenedthatFireEatergavemefivegoldpiecestogivetomyFather，butontheway，ImetaFoxandaCat，whoaskedme，`Doyouwantthefivepiecestobecometwothousand？’AndIsaid，`Yes。’Andtheysaid，`ComewithustotheFieldofWonders。’AndIsaid，`Let’sgo。’Thentheysaid，`LetusstopattheInnoftheRedLobsterfordinnerandaftermidnightwe’llsetoutagain。’Weateandwenttosleep。WhenIawoketheyweregoneandIstartedoutinthedarknessallalone。OntheroadImettwoAssassinsdressedinblackcoalsacks，whosaidtome，`Yourmoneyoryourlife！’andIsaid，`Ihaven’tanymoney’;for，yousee，Ihadputthemoneyundermytongue。OneofthemtriedtoputhishandinmymouthandIbititoffandspatitout;butitwasn’tahand，itwasacat’spaw。AndtheyranaftermeandI
ranandran，tillatlasttheycaughtmeandtiedmyneckwitharopeandhangedmetoatree，saying，`Tomorrowwe’llcomebackforyouandyou’llbedeadandyourmouthwillbeopen，andthenwe’lltakethegoldpiecesthatyouhavehiddenunderyourtongue。’\"
\"Wherearethegoldpiecesnow？\"theFairyasked。
\"Ilostthem，\"answeredPinocchio，buthetoldalie，forhehadtheminhispocket。
Ashespoke，hisnose，longthoughitwas，becameatleasttwoincheslonger。
\"Andwheredidyoulosethem？\"
\"Inthewoodnearby。\"
Atthissecondlie，hisnosegrewafewmoreinches。
\"Ifyoulosttheminthenear-bywood，\"saidtheFairy，\"we’lllookforthemandfindthem，foreverythingthatislostthereisalwaysfound。\"
\"Ah，nowIremember，\"repliedtheMarionette，becomingmoreandmoreconfused。\"Ididnotlosethegoldpieces，butIswallowedthemwhenIdrankthemedicine。\"
Atthisthirdlie，hisnosebecamelongerthanever，solongthathecouldnoteventurnaround。Ifheturnedtotheright，heknockeditagainstthebedorintothewindowpanes;ifheturnedtotheleft，hestruckthewallsorthedoor;ifheraiseditabit，healmostputtheFairy’seyesout。
TheFairysatlookingathimandlaughing。
\"Whydoyoulaugh？\"theMarionetteaskedher，worriednowatthesightofhisgrowingnose。
\"Iamlaughingatyourlies。\"
\"HowdoyouknowIamlying？\"
\"Lies，myboy，areknowninamoment。Therearetwokindsoflies，lieswithshortlegsandlieswithlongnoses。
Yours，justnow，happentohavelongnoses。\"
Pinocchio，notknowingwheretohidehisshame，triedtoescapefromtheroom，buthisnosehadbecomesolongthathecouldnotgetitoutofthedoor。
CHAPTER18
PinocchiofindstheFoxandtheCatagain，andgoeswiththemtosowthegoldpiecesintheFieldofWondersCryingasifhisheartwouldbreak，theMarionettemournedforhoursoverthelengthofhisnose。Nomatterhowhetried，itwouldnotgothroughthedoor。TheFairyshowednopitytowardhim，asshewastryingtoteachhimagoodlesson，sothathewouldstoptellinglies，theworsthabitanyboymayacquire。Butwhenshesawhim，palewithfrightandwithhiseyeshalfoutofhisheadfromterror，shebegantofeelsorryforhimandclappedherhandstogether。AthousandwoodpeckersflewinthroughthewindowandsettledthemselvesonPinocchio’snose。Theypeckedandpeckedsohardatthatenormousnosethatinafewmoments，itwasthesamesizeasbefore。
\"Howgoodyouare，myFairy，\"saidPinocchio，dryinghiseyes，\"andhowmuchIloveyou！\"
\"Iloveyou，too，\"answeredtheFairy，\"andifyouwishtostaywithme，youmaybemylittlebrotherandI’llbeyourgoodlittlesister。\"
\"Ishouldliketostay——butwhataboutmypoorfather？\"
\"Ihavethoughtofeverything。Yourfatherhasbeensentforandbeforenighthewillbehere。\"
\"Really？\"criedPinocchiojoyfully。\"Then，mygoodFairy，ifyouarewilling，Ishouldliketogotomeethim。
Icannotwaittokissthatdearoldman，whohassufferedsomuchformysake。\"
\"Surely;goahead，butbecarefulnottoloseyourway。
Takethewoodpathandyou’llsurelymeethim。\"
Pinocchiosetout，andassoonashefoundhimselfinthewood，heranlikeahare。Whenhereachedthegiantoaktreehestopped，forhethoughtheheardarustleinthebrush。Hewasright。TherestoodtheFoxandtheCat，thetwotravelingcompanionswithwhomhehadeatenattheInnoftheRedLobster。
\"HerecomesourdearPinocchio！\"criedtheFox，huggingandkissinghim。\"Howdidyouhappenhere？\"
\"Howdidyouhappenhere？\"repeatedtheCat。
\"Itisalongstory，\"saidtheMarionette。\"Letmetellittoyou。Theothernight，whenyouleftmealoneattheInn，ImettheAssassinsontheroad——\"
\"TheAssassins？Oh，mypoorfriend！Andwhatdidtheywant？\"
\"Theywantedmygoldpieces。\"
\"Rascals！\"saidtheFox。
\"Theworstsortofrascals！\"addedtheCat。
\"ButIbegantorun，\"continuedtheMarionette，\"andtheyafterme，untiltheyovertookmeandhangedmetothelimbofthatoak。\"
Pinocchiopointedtothegiantoaknearby。
\"Couldanythingbeworse？\"saidtheFox。
\"Whatanawfulworldtolivein！Whereshallwefindasafeplaceforgentlemenlikeourselves？\"
AstheFoxtalkedthus，PinocchionoticedthattheCatcarriedhisrightpawinasling。
\"Whathappenedtoyourpaw？\"heasked。
TheCattriedtoanswer，buthebecamesoterriblytwistedinhisspeechthattheFoxhadtohelphimout。
\"Myfriendistoomodesttoanswer。I’llanswerforhim。Aboutanhourago，wemetanoldwolfontheroad。
Hewashalfstarvedandbeggedforhelp。Havingnothingtogivehim，whatdoyouthinkmyfrienddidoutofthekindnessofhisheart？Withhisteeth，hebitoffthepawofhisfrontfootandthrewitatthatpoorbeast，sothathemighthavesomethingtoeat。\"
Ashespoke，theFoxwipedoffatear。
Pinocchio，almostintearshimself，whisperedintheCat’sear：
\"Ifallthecatswerelikeyou，howluckythemicewouldbe！\"
\"Andwhatareyoudoinghere？\"theFoxaskedtheMarionette。
\"Iamwaitingformyfather，whowillbehereatanymomentnow。\"
\"Andyourgoldpieces？\"
\"Istillhavetheminmypocket，exceptonewhichI
spentattheInnoftheRedLobster。\"
\"Tothinkthatthosefourgoldpiecesmightbecometwothousandtomorrow。Whydon’tyoulistentome？
Whydon’tyousowthemintheFieldofWonders？\"
\"Todayitisimpossible。I’llgowithyousomeothertime。\"
\"Anotherdaywillbetoolate，\"saidtheFox。
\"Why？\"
\"Becausethatfieldhasbeenboughtbyaveryrichman，andtodayisthelastdaythatitwillbeopentothepublic。\"
\"HowfaristhisFieldofWonders？\"
\"Onlytwomilesaway。Willyoucomewithus？We’llbethereinhalfanhour。Youcansowthemoney，and，afterafewminutes，youwillgatheryourtwothousandcoinsandreturnhomerich。Areyoucoming？\"
Pinocchiohesitatedamomentbeforeanswering，forherememberedthegoodFairy，oldGeppetto，andtheadviceoftheTalkingCricket。Thenheendedbydoingwhatallboysdo，whentheyhavenoheartandlittlebrain。
HeshruggedhisshouldersandsaidtotheFoxandtheCat：
\"Letusgo！Iamwithyou。\"
Andtheywent。
TheywalkedandwalkedforahalfadayatleastandatlasttheycametothetowncalledtheCityofSimpleSimons。Assoonastheyenteredthetown，Pinocchionoticedthatallthestreetswerefilledwithhairlessdogs，yawningfromhunger;withshearedsheep，tremblingwithcold;withcomblesschickens，beggingforagrainofwheat;withlargebutterflies，unabletousetheirwingsbecausetheyhadsoldalltheirlovelycolors;withtaillesspeacocks，ashamedtoshowthemselves;andwithbedraggledpheasants，scuttlingawayhurriedly，grievingfortheirbrightfeathersofgoldandsilver，losttothemforever。
Throughthiscrowdofpaupersandbeggars，abeautifulcoachpassednowandagain。WithinitsateitheraFox，aHawk，oraVulture。
\"WhereistheFieldofWonders？\"askedPinocchio，growingtiredofwaiting。
\"Bepatient。Itisonlyafewmorestepsaway。\"
Theypassedthroughthecityand，justoutsidethewalls，theysteppedintoalonelyfield，whichlookedmoreorlesslikeanyotherfield。
\"Hereweare，\"saidtheFoxtotheMarionette。
\"Digaholehereandputthegoldpiecesintoit。\"
TheMarionetteobeyed。Hedugthehole，putthefourgoldpiecesintoit，andcoveredthemupverycarefully。
\"Now，\"saidtheFox，\"gotothatnear-bybrook，bringbackapailfullofwater，andsprinkleitoverthespot。\"
Pinocchiofollowedthedirectionsclosely，but，ashehadnopail，hepulledoffhisshoe，filleditwithwater，andsprinkledtheearthwhichcoveredthegold。Thenheasked：
\"Anythingelse？\"
\"Nothingelse，\"answeredtheFox。\"Nowwecango。
Returnherewithintwentyminutesandyouwillfindthevinegrownandthebranchesfilledwithgoldpieces。\"
Pinocchio，besidehimselfwithjoy，thankedtheFoxandtheCatmanytimesandpromisedthemeachabeautifulgift。
\"Wedon’twantanyofyourgifts，\"answeredthetworogues。\"Itisenoughforusthatwehavehelpedyoutobecomerichwithlittleornotrouble。Forthisweareashappyaskings。\"
Theysaidgood-bytoPinocchioand，wishinghimgoodluck，wentontheirway。
CHAPTER19
Pinocchioisrobbedofhisgoldpiecesand，inpunishment，issentencedtofourmonthsinprisonIftheMarionettehadbeentoldtowaitadayinsteadoftwentyminutes，thetimecouldnothaveseemedlongertohim。HewalkedimpatientlytoandfroandfinallyturnedhisnosetowardtheFieldofWonders。
Andashewalkedwithhurriedsteps，hisheartbeatwithanexcitedtic，tac，tic，tac，justasifitwereawallclock，andhisbusybrainkeptthinking：
\"Whatif，insteadofathousand，Ishouldfindtwothousand？Orif，insteadoftwothousand，Ishouldfindfivethousand——oronehundredthousand？I’llbuildmyselfabeautifulpalace，withathousandstablesfilledwithathousandwoodenhorsestoplaywith，acellaroverflowingwithlemonadeandicecreamsoda，andalibraryofcandiesandfruits，cakesandcookies。\"
Thusamusinghimselfwithfancies，hecametothefield。
Therehestoppedtoseeif，byanychance，avinefilledwithgoldcoinswasinsight。Buthesawnothing！Hetookafewstepsforward，andstillnothing！Hesteppedintothefield。Hewentuptotheplacewherehehaddugtheholeandburiedthegoldpieces。Againnothing！
Pinocchiobecameverythoughtfuland，forgettinghisgoodmannersaltogether，hepulledahandoutofhispocketandgavehisheadathoroughscratching。
Ashedidso，heheardaheartyburstoflaughterclosetohishead。Heturnedsharply，andthere，justabovehimonthebranchofatree，satalargeParrot，busilypreeninghisfeathers。
\"Whatareyoulaughingat？\"Pinocchioaskedpeevishly。
\"Iamlaughingbecause，inpreeningmyfeathers，I
tickledmyselfunderthewings。\"
TheMarionettedidnotanswer。Hewalkedtothebrook，filledhisshoewithwater，andoncemoresprinkledthegroundwhichcoveredthegoldpieces。
Anotherburstoflaughter，evenmoreimpertinentthanthefirst，washeardinthequietfield。
\"Well，\"criedtheMarionette，angrilythistime，\"mayIknow，Mr。Parrot，whatamusesyouso？\"
\"Iamlaughingatthosesimpletonswhobelieveeverythingtheyhearandwhoallowthemselvestobecaughtsoeasilyinthetrapssetforthem。\"
\"Doyou，perhaps，meanme？\"
\"Icertainlydomeanyou，poorPinocchio——youwhoaresuchalittlesillyastobelievethatgoldcanbesowninafieldjustlikebeansorsquash。I，too，believedthatonceandtodayIamverysorryforit。Today（buttoolate！）
Ihavereachedtheconclusionthat，inordertocomebymoneyhonestly，onemustworkandknowhowtoearnitwithhandorbrain。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，\"saidtheMarionette，whowasbeginningtotremblewithfear。
\"Toobad！I’llexplainmyselfbetter，\"saidtheParrot。
\"WhileyouwereawayinthecitytheFoxandtheCatreturnedhereinagreathurry。Theytookthefourgoldpieceswhichyouhaveburiedandranawayasfastasthewind。
Ifyoucancatchthem，you’reabraveone！\"
Pinocchio’smouthopenedwide。HewouldnotbelievetheParrot’swordsandbegantodigawayfuriouslyattheearth。Hedugandhedugtilltheholewasasbigashimself，butnomoneywasthere。Everypennywasgone。
Indesperation，herantothecityandwentstraighttothecourthousetoreporttherobberytothemagistrate。
TheJudgewasaMonkey，alargeGorillavenerablewithage。Aflowingwhitebeardcoveredhischestandheworegold-rimmedspectaclesfromwhichtheglasseshaddroppedout。Thereasonforwearingthese，hesaid，wasthathiseyeshadbeenweakenedbytheworkofmanyyears。
Pinocchio，standingbeforehim，toldhispitifultale，wordbyword。Hegavethenamesandthedescriptionsoftherobbersandbeggedforjustice。
TheJudgelistenedtohimwithgreatpatience。Akindlookshoneinhiseyes。Hebecameverymuchinterestedinthestory;hefeltmoved;healmostwept。WhentheMarionettehadnomoretosay，theJudgeputouthishandandrangabell。
Atthesound，twolargeMastiffsappeared，dressedinCarabineers’uniforms。
Thenthemagistrate，pointingtoPinocchio，saidinaverysolemnvoice：
\"Thispoorsimpletonhasbeenrobbedoffourgoldpieces。
Takehim，therefore，andthrowhimintoprison。\"
TheMarionette，onhearingthissentencepasseduponhim，wasthoroughlystunned。Hetriedtoprotest，butthetwoofficersclappedtheirpawsonhismouthandhustledhimawaytojail。
Therehehadtoremainforfourlong，wearymonths。
Andifithadnotbeenforaveryluckychance，heprobablywouldhavehadtostaytherelonger。For，mydearchildren，youmustknowthatithappenedjustthenthattheyoungemperorwhoruledovertheCityofSimpleSimonshadgainedagreatvictoryoverhisenemy，andincelebrationthereof，hehadorderedilluminations，fireworks，showsofallkinds，and，bestofall，theopeningofallprisondoors。
\"Iftheothersgo，Igo，too，\"saidPinocchiototheJailer。
\"Notyou，\"answeredtheJailer。\"Youareoneofthose——\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"interruptedPinocchio，\"I，too，amathief。\"
\"Inthatcaseyoualsoarefree，\"saidtheJailer。Takingoffhiscap，hebowedlowandopenedthedooroftheprison，andPinocchioranoutandaway，withneveralookbackward。
CHAPTER20
Freedfromprison，PinocchiosetsouttoreturntotheFairy;
butonthewayhemeetsaSerpentandlateriscaughtinatrapFancythehappinessofPinocchioonfindinghimselffree！
Withoutsayingyesorno，hefledfromthecityandsetoutontheroadthatwastotakehimbacktothehouseofthelovelyFairy。
Ithadrainedformanydays，andtheroadwassomuddythat，attimes，Pinocchiosankdownalmosttohisknees。
Buthekeptonbravely。
Tormentedbythewishtoseehisfatherandhisfairysisterwithazurehair，heracedlikeagreyhound。Asheran，hewassplashedwithmudevenuptohiscap。
\"HowunhappyIhavebeen，\"hesaidtohimself。\"AndyetIdeserveeverything，forIamcertainlyverystubbornandstupid！Iwillalwayshavemyownway。Iwon’tlistentothosewholovemeandwhohavemorebrainsthanI。Butfromnowon，I’llbedifferentandI’lltrytobecomeamostobedientboy。Ihavefoundout，beyondanydoubtwhatever，thatdisobedientboysarecertainlyfarfromhappy，andthat，inthelongrun，theyalwaysloseout。IwonderifFatheriswaitingforme。WillI
findhimattheFairy’shouse？Itissolong，poorman，sinceIhaveseenhim，andIdosowanthisloveandhiskisses。AndwilltheFairyeverforgivemeforallIhavedone？ShewhohasbeensogoodtomeandtowhomI
owemylife！CantherebeaworseormoreheartlessboythanIamanywhere？\"
Ashespoke，hestoppedsuddenly，frozenwithterror。
Whatwasthematter？AnimmenseSerpentlaystretchedacrosstheroad——aSerpentwithabrightgreenskin，fieryeyeswhichglowedandburned，andapointedtailthatsmokedlikeachimney。
HowfrightenedwaspoorPinocchio！Heranbackwildlyforhalfamile，andatlastsettledhimselfatopaheapofstonestowaitfortheSerpenttogoonhiswayandleavetheroadclearforhim。
Hewaitedanhour;twohours;threehours;buttheSerpentwasalwaysthere，andevenfromafaronecouldseetheflashofhisredeyesandthecolumnofsmokewhichrosefromhislong，pointedtail。
Pinocchio，tryingtofeelverybrave，walkedstraightuptohimandsaidinasweet，soothingvoice：
\"Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Serpent，wouldyoubesokindastostepasidetoletmepass？\"
Hemightaswellhavetalkedtoawall。TheSerpentnevermoved。
Oncemore，inthesamesweetvoice，hespoke：
\"Youmustknow，Mr。Serpent，thatIamgoinghomewheremyfatheriswaitingforme。ItissolongsinceI
haveseenhim！WouldyoumindverymuchifIpassed？\"
Hewaitedforsomesignofananswertohisquestions，buttheanswerdidnotcome。Onthecontrary，thegreenSerpent，whohadseemed，untilthen，wideawakeandfulloflife，becamesuddenlyveryquietandstill。Hiseyesclosedandhistailstoppedsmoking。
\"Ishedead，Iwonder？\"saidPinocchio，rubbinghishandstogetherhappily。Withoutamoment’shesitation，hestartedtostepoverhim，buthehadjustraisedonelegwhentheSerpentshotuplikeaspringandtheMarionettefellheadoverheelsbackward。Hefellsoawkwardlythathisheadstuckinthemud，andtherehestoodwithhislegsstraightupintheair。
AtthesightoftheMarionettekickingandsquirminglikeayoungwhirlwind，theSerpentlaughedsoheartilyandsolongthatatlastheburstanarteryanddiedonthespot。
PinocchiofreedhimselffromhisawkwardpositionandoncemorebegantoruninordertoreachtheFairy’shousebeforedark。Ashewent，thepangsofhungergrewsostrongthat，unabletowithstandthem，hejumpedintoafieldtopickafewgrapesthattemptedhim。Woetohim！
Nosoonerhadhereachedthegrapevinethan——crack！
wenthislegs。
ThepoorMarionettewascaughtinatrapsettherebyaFarmerforsomeWeaselswhichcameeverynighttostealhischickens。
CHAPTER21
PinocchioiscaughtbyaFarmer，whouseshimasawatchdogforhischickencoopPinocchio，asyoumaywellimagine，begantoscreamandweepandbeg;butallwasofnouse，fornohousesweretobeseenandnotasoulpassedbyontheroad。
Nightcameon。
Alittlebecauseofthesharppaininhislegs，alittlebecauseoffrightatfindinghimselfaloneinthedarknessofthefield，theMarionettewasabouttofaint，whenhesawatinyGlowwormflickeringby。Hecalledtoherandsaid：
\"DearlittleGlowworm，willyousetmefree？\"
\"Poorlittlefellow！\"repliedtheGlowworm，stoppingtolookathimwithpity。\"Howcameyoutobecaughtinthistrap？\"
\"Isteppedintothislonelyfieldtotakeafewgrapesand——\"
\"Arethegrapesyours？\"
\"No。\"
\"Whohastaughtyoutotakethingsthatdonotbelongtoyou？\"
\"Iwashungry。\"
\"Hunger，myboy，isnoreasonfortakingsomethingwhichbelongstoanother。\"
\"It’strue，it’strue！\"criedPinocchiointears。\"Iwon’tdoitagain。\"
Justthen，theconversationwasinterruptedbyapproachingfootsteps。Itwastheownerofthefield，whowascomingontiptoestoseeif，bychance，hehadcaughttheWeaselswhichhadbeeneatinghischickens。
Greatwashissurprisewhen，onholdinguphislantern，hesawthat，insteadofaWeasel，hehadcaughtaboy！
\"Ah，youlittlethief！\"saidtheFarmerinanangryvoice。\"Soyouaretheonewhostealsmychickens！\"
\"NotI！No，no！\"criedPinocchio，sobbingbitterly。
\"Icamehereonlytotakeaveryfewgrapes。\"
\"Hewhostealsgrapesmayveryeasilystealchickensalso。
Takemywordforit，I’llgiveyoualessonthatyou’llrememberforalongwhile。\"
Heopenedthetrap，grabbedtheMarionettebythecollar，andcarriedhimtothehouseasifhewereapuppy。
Whenhereachedtheyardinfrontofthehouse，heflunghimtotheground，putafootonhisneck，andsaidtohimroughly：\"Itislatenowandit’stimeforbed。
Tomorrowwe’llsettlematters。Inthemeantime，sincemywatchdogdiedtoday，youmaytakehisplaceandguardmyhenhouse。\"
Nosoonersaidthandone。HeslippedadogcollararoundPinocchio’sneckandtighteneditsothatitwouldnotcomeoff。Alongironchainwastiedtothecollar。
Theotherendofthechainwasnailedtothewall。
\"Iftonightitshouldhappentorain，\"saidtheFarmer，\"youcansleepinthatlittledoghousenear-by，whereyouwillfindplentyofstrawforasoftbed。IthasbeenMelampo’sbedforthreeyears，anditwillbegoodenoughforyou。Andif，byanychance，anythievesshouldcome，besuretobark！\"
Afterthislastwarning，theFarmerwentintothehouseandclosedthedoorandbarredit。
PoorPinocchiohuddledclosetothedoghousemoredeadthanalivefromcold，hunger，andfright。Nowandagainhepulledandtuggedatthecollarwhichnearlychokedhimandcriedoutinaweakvoice：
\"Ideserveit！Yes，Ideserveit！Ihavebeennothingbutatruantandavagabond。IhaveneverobeyedanyoneandIhavealwaysdoneasIpleased。IfIwereonlylikesomanyothersandhadstudiedandworkedandstayedwithmypooroldfather，Ishouldnotfindmyselfherenow，inthisfieldandinthedarkness，takingtheplaceofafarmer’swatchdog。Oh，ifIcouldstartalloveragain！
Butwhatisdonecan’tbeundone，andImustbepatient！\"
Afterthislittlesermontohimself，whichcamefromtheverydepthsofhisheart，Pinocchiowentintothedoghouseandfellasleep。
CHAPTER22
Pinocchiodiscoversthethievesand，asarewardforfaithfulness，heregainshislibertyEventhoughaboymaybeveryunhappy，heveryseldomlosessleepoverhisworries。TheMarionette，beingnoexceptiontothisrule，sleptonpeacefullyforafewhourstillwellalongtowardmidnight，whenhewasawakenedbystrangewhisperingsandstealthysoundscomingfromtheyard。Hestuckhisnoseoutofthedoghouseandsawfourslender，hairyanimals。TheywereWeasels，smallanimalsveryfondofbotheggsandchickens。Oneofthemlefthercompanionsand，goingtothedoorofthedoghouse，saidinasweetvoice：
\"Goodevening，Melampo。\"
\"MynameisnotMelampo，\"answeredPinocchio。
\"Whoareyou，then？\"
\"IamPinocchio。\"
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
\"I’mthewatchdog。\"
\"ButwhereisMelampo？Whereistheolddogwhousedtoliveinthishouse？\"
\"Hediedthismorning。\"
\"Died？Poorbeast！Hewassogood！Still，judgingbyyourface，Ithinkyou，too，areagood-natureddog。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，Iamnotadog！\"
\"Whatareyou，then？\"
\"IamaMarionette。\"
\"Areyoutakingtheplaceofthewatchdog？\"
\"I’msorrytosaythatIam。I’mbeingpunished。\"
\"Well，IshallmakethesametermswithyouthatwehadwiththedeadMelampo。Iamsureyouwillbegladtohearthem。\"
\"Andwhataretheterms？\"
\"Thisisourplan：We’llcomeonceinawhile，asinthepast，topayavisittothishenhouse，andwe’lltakeawayeightchickens。Ofthese，sevenareforus，andoneforyou，provided，ofcourse，thatyouwillmakebelieveyouaresleepingandwillnotbarkfortheFarmer。\"
\"DidMelamporeallydothat？\"askedPinocchio。
\"Indeedhedid，andbecauseofthatwewerethebestoffriends。Sleepawaypeacefully，andrememberthatbeforewegoweshallleaveyouanicefatchickenallreadyforyourbreakfastinthemorning。Isthatunderstood？\"
\"Eventoowell，\"answeredPinocchio。Andshakinghisheadinathreateningmanner，heseemedtosay，\"We’lltalkthisoverinafewminutes，myfriends。\"
AssoonasthefourWeaselshadtalkedthingsover，theywentstraighttothechickencoopwhichstoodclosetothedoghouse。Diggingbusilywithteethandclaws，theyopenedthelittledoorandslippedin。Buttheywerenosoonerinthantheyheardthedoorclosewithasharpbang。
TheonewhohaddonethetrickwasPinocchio，who，notsatisfiedwiththat，draggedaheavystoneinfrontofit。Thatdone，hestartedtobark。Andhebarkedasifhewerearealwatchdog：\"Bow，wow，wow！Bow，wow！\"
TheFarmerheardtheloudbarksandjumpedoutofbed。
Takinghisgun，heleapedtothewindowandshouted：
\"What’sthematter？\"
\"Thethievesarehere，\"answeredPinocchio。
\"Wherearethey？\"
\"Inthechickencoop。\"
\"I’llcomedowninasecond。\"
And，infact，hewasdownintheyardinatwinklingandrunningtowardthechickencoop。
Heopenedthedoor，pulledouttheWeaselsonebyone，and，aftertyingtheminabag，saidtotheminahappyvoice：
\"You’reinmyhandsatlast！Icouldpunishyounow，butI’llwait！Inthemorningyoumaycomewithmetotheinnandthereyou’llmakeafinedinnerforsomehungrymortal。Itisreallytoogreatanhonorforyou，oneyoudonotdeserve;but，asyousee，IamreallyaverykindandgenerousmanandIamgoingtodothisforyou！\"
ThenhewentuptoPinocchioandbegantopetandcaresshim。
\"Howdidyoueverfindthemoutsoquickly？AndtothinkthatMelampo，myfaithfulMelampo，neversawtheminalltheseyears！\"
TheMarionettecouldhavetold，thenandthere，allheknewabouttheshamefulcontractbetweenthedogandtheWeasels，butthinkingofthedeaddog，hesaidtohimself：\"Melampoisdead。Whatistheuseofaccusinghim？
Thedeadaregoneandtheycannotdefendthemselves。
Thebestthingtodoistoleavetheminpeace！\"
\"Wereyouawakeorasleepwhentheycame？\"continuedtheFarmer。
\"Iwasasleep，\"answeredPinocchio，\"buttheyawakenedmewiththeirwhisperings。Oneofthemevencametothedoorofthedoghouseandsaidtome，`Ifyoupromisenottobark，wewillmakeyouapresentofoneofthechickensforyourbreakfast。’Didyouhearthat？Theyhadtheaudacitytomakesuchapropositionasthattome！
Foryoumustknowthat，thoughIamaverywickedMarionettefulloffaults，stillIneverhavebeen，norevershallbe，bribed。\"
\"Fineboy！\"criedtheFarmer，slappinghimontheshoulderinafriendlyway。\"Yououghttobeproudofyourself。AndtoshowyouwhatIthinkofyou，youarefreefromthisinstant！\"
Andheslippedthedogcollarfromhisneck。
CHAPTER23
PinocchioweepsuponlearningthattheLovelyMaidenwithAzureHairisdead。HemeetsaPigeon，whocarrieshimtotheseashore。HethrowshimselfintotheseatogototheaidofhisfatherAssoonasPinocchionolongerfelttheshamefulweightofthedogcollararoundhisneck，hestartedtorunacrossthefieldsandmeadows，andneverstoppedtillhecametothemainroadthatwastotakehimtotheFairy’shouse。
Whenhereachedit，helookedintothevalleyfarbelowhimandtherehesawthewoodwhereunluckilyhehadmettheFoxandtheCat，andthetalloaktreewherehehadbeenhanged;butthoughhesearchedfarandnear，hecouldnotseethehousewheretheFairywiththeAzureHairlived。
Hebecameterriblyfrightenedand，runningasfastashecould，hefinallycametothespotwhereithadoncestood。
Thelittlehousewasnolongerthere。Initsplacelayasmallmarbleslab，whichborethissadinscription：
HERELIES
THELOVELYFAIRYWITHAZUREHAIR
WHODIEDOFGRIEF
WHENABANDONEDBY
HERLITTLEBROTHERPINOCCHIO
ThepoorMarionettewasheartbrokenatreadingthesewords。Hefelltothegroundand，coveringthecoldmarblewithkisses，burstintobittertears。Hecriedallnight，anddawnfoundhimstillthere，thoughhistearshaddriedandonlyhard，drysobsshookhiswoodenframe。Buttheseweresoloudthattheycouldbeheardbythefarawayhills。
Ashesobbedhesaidtohimself：
\"Oh，myFairy，mydear，dearFairy，whydidyoudie？
WhydidInotdie，whoamsobad，insteadofyou，whoaresogood？Andmyfather——wherecanhebe？PleasedearFairy，tellmewhereheisandIshallnever，neverleavehimagain！Youarenotreallydead，areyou？Ifyouloveme，youwillcomeback，aliveasbefore。Don’tyoufeelsorryforme？I’msolonely。IfthetwoAssassinscome，they’llhangmeagainfromthegiantoaktreeandIwillreallydie，thistime。WhatshallIdoaloneintheworld？
Nowthatyouaredeadandmyfatherislost，whereshallIeat？WhereshallIsleep？Whowillmakemynewclothes？Oh，Iwanttodie！Yes，Iwanttodie！Oh，oh，oh！\"
PoorPinocchio！Heeventriedtotearhishair，butasitwasonlypaintedonhiswoodenhead，hecouldnotevenpullit。
JustthenalargePigeonflewfarabovehim。SeeingtheMarionette，hecriedtohim：
\"Tellme，littleboy，whatareyoudoingthere？\"
\"Can’tyousee？I’mcrying，\"criedPinocchio，liftinghisheadtowardthevoiceandrubbinghiseyeswithhissleeve。
\"Tellme，\"askedthePigeon，\"doyoubychanceknowofaMarionette，Pinocchiobyname？\"
\"Pinocchio！DidyousayPinocchio？\"repliedtheMarionette，jumpingtohisfeet。\"Why，IamPinocchio！\"
Atthisanswer，thePigeonflewswiftlydowntotheearth。
Hewasmuchlargerthanaturkey。
\"ThenyouknowGeppettoalso？\"
\"DoIknowhim？He’smyfather，mypoor，dearfather！
Hashe，perhaps，spokentoyouofme？Willyoutakemetohim？
Ishestillalive？Answerme，please！Ishestillalive？\"
\"Ilefthimthreedaysagoontheshoreofalargesea。\"
\"Whatwashedoing？\"
\"Hewasbuildingalittleboatwithwhichtocrosstheocean。
Forthelastfourmonths，thatpoormanhasbeenwanderingaroundEurope，lookingforyou。Nothavingfoundyouyet，hehasmadeuphismindtolookforyouintheNewWorld，faracrosstheocean。\"
\"Howfarisitfromheretotheshore？\"askedPinocchioanxiously。
\"Morethanfiftymiles。\"
\"Fiftymiles？Oh，dearPigeon，howIwishIhadyourwings！\"
\"Ifyouwanttocome，I’lltakeyouwithme。\"
\"How？\"
\"Astridemyback。Areyouveryheavy？\"
\"Heavy？Notatall。I’monlyafeather。\"
\"Verywell。\"
Sayingnothingmore，PinocchiojumpedonthePigeon’sbackand，ashesettledhimself，hecriedoutgayly：
\"Gallopon，gallopon，myprettysteed！I’minagreathurry。\"
ThePigeonflewaway，andinafewminuteshehadreachedtheclouds。TheMarionettelookedtoseewhatwasbelowthem。HisheadswamandhewassofrightenedthatheclutchedwildlyatthePigeon’snecktokeephimselffromfalling。
Theyflewallday。TowardeveningthePigeonsaid：
\"I’mverythirsty！\"
\"AndI’mveryhungry！\"saidPinocchio。
\"Letusstopafewminutesatthatpigeoncoopdownthere。
Thenwecangoonandbeattheseashoreinthemorning。\"
Theywentintotheemptycoopandtheretheyfoundnothingbutabowlofwaterandasmallbasketfilledwithchick-peas。
TheMarionettehadalwayshatedchick-peas。Accordingtohim，theyhadalwaysmadehimsick;butthatnightheatethemwitharelish。Ashefinishedthem，heturnedtothePigeonandsaid：
\"Inevershouldhavethoughtthatchick-peascouldbesogood！\"
\"Youmustremember，myboy，\"answeredthePigeon，\"thathungeristhebestsauce！\"
Afterrestingafewminuteslonger，theysetoutagain。
Thenextmorningtheywereattheseashore。
PinocchiojumpedoffthePigeon’sback，andthePigeon，notwantinganythanksforakinddeed，flewawayswiftlyanddisappeared。
Theshorewasfullofpeople，shriekingandtearingtheirhairastheylookedtowardthesea。
\"Whathashappened？\"askedPinocchioofalittleoldwoman。
\"Apooroldfatherlosthisonlysonsometimeagoandtodayhebuiltatinyboatforhimselfinordertogoinsearchofhimacrosstheocean。Thewaterisveryroughandwe’reafraidhewillbedrowned。\"
\"Whereisthelittleboat？\"
\"There。Straightdownthere，\"answeredthelittleoldwoman，pointingtoatinyshadow，nobiggerthananutshell，floatingonthesea。
Pinocchiolookedcloselyforafewminutesandthengaveasharpcry：
\"It’smyfather！It’smyfather！\"
Meanwhile，thelittleboat，tossedaboutbytheangrywaters，appearedanddisappearedinthewaves。AndPinocchio，standingonahighrock，tiredoutwithsearching，wavedtohimwithhandandcapandevenwithhisnose。
ItlookedasifGeppetto，thoughfarawayfromtheshore，recognizedhisson，forhetookoffhiscapandwavedalso。Heseemedtobetryingtomakeeveryoneunderstandthathewouldcomebackifhewereable，buttheseawassoheavythathecoulddonothingwithhisoars。
Suddenlyahugewavecameandtheboatdisappeared。
Theywaitedandwaitedforit，butitwasgone。
\"Poorman！\"saidthefisherfolkontheshore，whisperingaprayerastheyturnedtogohome。
Justthenadesperatecrywasheard。Turningaround，thefisherfolksawPinocchiodiveintotheseaandheardhimcryout：
\"I’llsavehim！I’llsavemyfather！\"
TheMarionette，beingmadeofwood，floatedeasilyalongandswamlikeafishintheroughwater。Nowandagainhedisappearedonlytoreappearoncemore。Inatwinkling，hewasfarawayfromland。Atlasthewascompletelylosttoview。
\"Poorboy！\"criedthefisherfolkontheshore，andagaintheymumbledafewprayers，astheyreturnedhome。
CHAPTER24
PinocchioreachestheIslandoftheBusyBeesandfindstheFairyoncemorePinocchio，spurredonbythehopeoffindinghisfatherandofbeingintimetosavehim，swamallnightlong。
Andwhatahorriblenightitwas！Itpouredrain，ithailed，itthundered，andthelightningwassobrightthatitturnedthenightintoday。
Atdawn，hesaw，notfarawayfromhim，alongstretchofsand。Itwasanislandinthemiddleofthesea。
Pinocchiotriedhisbesttogetthere，buthecouldn’t。
Thewavesplayedwithhimandtossedhimaboutasifhewereatwigorabitofstraw。Atlast，andluckilyforhim，atremendouswavetossedhimtotheveryspotwherehewantedtobe。Theblowfromthewavewassostrongthat，ashefelltotheground，hisjointscrackedandalmostbroke。
But，nothingdaunted，hejumpedtohisfeetandcried：
\"OncemoreIhaveescapedwithmylife！\"
Littlebylittletheskycleared。Thesuncameoutinfullsplendorandtheseabecameascalmasalake。
ThentheMarionettetookoffhisclothesandlaidthemonthesandtodry。Helookedoverthewaterstoseewhetherhemightcatchsightofaboatwithalittlemaninit。Hesearchedandhesearched，buthesawnothingexceptseaandskyandfarawayafewsails，sosmallthattheymighthavebeenbirds。
\"IfonlyIknewthenameofthisisland！\"hesaidtohimself。
\"IfIevenknewwhatkindofpeopleIwouldfindhere！
ButwhomshallIask？Thereisnoonehere。\"
Theideaoffindinghimselfinsolonesomeaspotmadehimsosadthathewasabouttocry，butjustthenhesawabigFishswimmingnear-by，withhisheadfaroutofthewater。
Notknowingwhattocallhim，theMarionettesaidtohim：
\"Heythere，Mr。Fish，mayIhaveawordwithyou？\"
\"Eventwo，ifyouwant，\"answeredthefish，whohappenedtobeaverypoliteDolphin。
\"Willyoupleasetellmeif，onthisisland，thereareplaceswhereonemayeatwithoutnecessarilybeingeaten？\"
\"Surely，thereare，\"answeredtheDolphin。\"Infactyou’llfindonenotfarfromthisspot。\"
\"AndhowshallIgetthere？\"
\"Takethatpathonyourleftandfollowyournose。Youcan’tgowrong。\"
\"Tellmeanotherthing。Youwhotraveldayandnightthroughthesea，didyounotperhapsmeetalittleboatwithmyfatherinit？\"
\"Andwhoisyoufather？\"
\"Heisthebestfatherintheworld，evenasIamtheworstsonthatcanbefound。\"
\"Inthestormoflastnight，\"answeredtheDolphin，\"thelittleboatmusthavebeenswamped。\"
\"Andmyfather？\"
\"Bythistime，hemusthavebeenswallowedbytheTerribleShark，which，forthelastfewdays，hasbeenbringingterrortothesewaters。\"
\"IsthisSharkverybig？\"askedPinocchio，whowasbeginningtotremblewithfright。
\"Ishebig？\"repliedtheDolphin。\"Justtogiveyouanideaofhissize，letmetellyouthatheislargerthanafivestorybuildingandthathehasamouthsobigandsodeep，thatawholetrainandenginecouldeasilygetintoit。\"
\"Mothermine！\"criedtheMarionette，scaredtodeath;
anddressinghimselfasfastashecould，heturnedtotheDolphinandsaid：
\"Farewell，Mr。Fish。Pardonthebother，andmanythanksforyourkindness。\"
Thissaid，hetookthepathatsoswiftagaitthatheseemedtofly，andateverysmallsoundheheard，heturnedinfeartoseewhethertheTerribleShark，fivestorieshighandwithatraininhismouth，wasfollowinghim。
Afterwalkingahalfhour，hecametoasmallcountrycalledtheLandoftheBusyBees。Thestreetswerefilledwithpeoplerunningtoandfroabouttheirtasks。Everyoneworked，everyonehadsomethingtodo。Evenifoneweretosearchwithalantern，notoneidlemanoronetrampcouldhavebeenfound。
\"Iunderstand，\"saidPinocchioatoncewearily，\"thisisnoplaceforme！Iwasnotbornforwork。\"
Butinthemeantime，hebegantofeelhungry，foritwastwenty-fourhourssincehehadeaten。
Whatwastobedone？
Therewereonlytwomeanslefttohiminordertogetabitetoeat。Hehadeithertoworkortobeg。
Hewasashamedtobeg，becausehisfatherhadalwayspreachedtohimthatbeggingshouldbedoneonlybythesickortheold。Hehadsaidthattherealpoorinthisworld，deservingofourpityandhelp，wereonlythosewho，eitherthroughageorsickness，hadlostthemeansofearningtheirbreadwiththeirownhands。Allothersshouldwork，andiftheydidn’t，andwenthungry，somuchtheworseforthem。
Justthenamanpassedby，wornoutandwetwithperspiration，pulling，withdifficulty，twoheavycartsfilledwithcoal。
Pinocchiolookedathimand，judginghimbyhislookstobeakindman，saidtohimwitheyesdowncastinshame：
\"Willyoubesogoodastogivemeapenny，forIamfaintwithhunger？\"
\"Notonlyonepenny，\"answeredtheCoalMan。\"I’llgiveyoufourifyouwillhelpmepullthesetwowagons。\"
\"Iamsurprised！\"answeredtheMarionette，verymuchoffended。
\"IwishyoutoknowthatIneverhavebeenadonkey，norhaveIeverpulledawagon。\"
\"Somuchthebetterforyou！\"answeredtheCoalMan。
\"Then，myboy，ifyouarereallyfaintwithhunger，eattwoslicesofyourpride;andIhopetheydon’tgiveyouindigestion。\"
Afewminutesafter，aBricklayerpassedby，carryingapailfullofplasteronhisshoulder。