"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。
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