 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sherry Crowther, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi. Translated by Carol Della-Kiesa. Chapter 1 How it happened that Mastro Cherry, carpenter, found a piece of wood that wept and laughed like a child. Centuries ago, there lived... A king, my little readers will say immediately. No children, you are mistaken. Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive piece of wood. Far from it. Just a common block of firewood. One of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire in the winter made cold rooms cozy and warm. I do not know how this really happened, yet the fact remains that one fine day, this piece of wood found itself in the shop of an old carpenter. His name was Mastro Antonio, but everybody called him Mastro Cherry, for the tip of his nose was so round and red and shiny that it looked like a ripe cherry. As soon as he saw that piece of wood, Mastro Cherry was filled with joy, rubbing his hands together happily, he mumbled half to himself, this has come in the nick of time. I shall use it to make the leg of a table. He grasped the hatchet quickly to peel off the bark and shape the wood. But as he was about to give it the first blow, he stood still with arm uplifted, for he had heard a wee little voice say in a beseeching tone, please be careful, do not hit me so hard. With a look of surprise shone on Mastro Cherry's face, his funny face became funnier still. He turned frightened eyes about the room to find out where that wee little voice had come from, and he saw no one. He looked under the bench, no one. He peeped inside the closet, no one. He searched among the shavings, no one. He opened the door to look up and down the street, and still no one. Oh, I see, he said, laughing and scratching his wig. It can easily be seen that I only thought I heard the tiny voice say the words. Well, well, to work once more. He struck a most solemn blow upon the piece of wood. Oh, oh, you hurt! cried the same faraway little voice. Mastro Cherry groaned dumb. His eyes popped out of his head, his mouth wide open, and his tongue hung down on his chin. As soon as he regained the use of his senses, he said trembling and stuttering from fright. Where did that voice come from, when there is no one around? Might it be that this piece of wood has learned to weep and cry like a child? I can hardly believe it. Here it is, a piece of common firewood, good only to burn in the stove, the same as any other, yet might someone be hidden in it? If so, the worse for him. I'll fix him. With these words he grabbed the log with both hands and started to knock it about unmercifully. He threw it to the floor, against the walls of the room, and even up to the ceiling. He listened for the tiny voice to moan and cry. He waited two minutes, nothing. Five minutes, nothing. Ten minutes, nothing. Oh, I see, he said, trying bravely to laugh and ruffling up his wig with his hand. It can easily be seen. I only imagined I heard the tiny voice. Well, well, to work once more. The portfellow was scared half to death, so he tried to sing a gay song in order to gain courage. He set aside the hatchet and picked up the plane to make the wood smooth and even. But as he drew it to and fro, he heard the same tiny voice. This time it giggled as it spoke. Ha, ha, stop it, stop it. Ha, ha, ha, you tickle my stomach. This time poor Mastro Cherry fell as if shot. When he opened his eyes, he found himself sitting on the floor. His face had changed. Fright had turned even the tip of his nose from red to deepest purple. End of chapter one. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sherry Crowther, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi. Translated by Carol Della Chiesa. Chapter two. Mastro Cherry gives the piece of wood to his friend Gepetto, who takes it to make himself a marionette that will dance, fence and turn somersaults. In that very instant, a loud knock sounded on the door. Come in, said the carpenter, not having an atom of strength left with which to stand up. At the words the door opened, and a dapper little old man came in. His name was Gepetto, but to the boys of the neighborhood, he was Polundina. On account of the wake he always wore, which was just the color of yellow corn. Gepetto had a very bad temper. Woe to the one who called him Polundina. He became as wild as a beast and no one could soothe him. Good day, Mastro Antonio, said Gepetto. What are you doing on the floor? I am teaching the ants their ABCs. Good luck to you. What brought you here, friend Gepetto? My legs, and it may flatter you to know, Mastro Antonio, that I have come to beg for a favor. Here I am at your service, answered the carpenter, raising himself onto his knees. This morning a fine idea came to me. Let's hear it. I thought of making myself a beautiful wooden marionette. It must be wonderful, one that will be able to dance, fence, and turn somersaults. With it I intend to go around the world to earn my crust of bread and cup of wine. Bravo, Polundina! cried the same tiny voice which came from no one knew where. On hearing himself called Polundina, Mastro Gepetto turned the color of a red pepper and facing the carpenter said to him angrily, Why do you insult me? Who is insulting you? You called me Polundina. I did not. I suppose you think I did, yet I know it was you. Yes, no, yes, and growing angrier each moment they went from words to blows, and finally began to scratch and bite and slap each other. When the fight was over, Mastro Antonio had Gepetto's yellow wig in his hands and Gepetto found the carpenter's curly wig in his mouth. Give me back my wig! shouted Mastro Antonio in a surly voice. You return mine and we'll be friends. The two little old men, each with his own wig back on his own head, shook hands and swore to be friends for the rest of their lives. Well then, Mastro Gepetto said the carpenter, to show he bore him no ill will. What is it you want? I want a piece of wood to make a marionette. Will you give it to me? Mastro Antonio, very glad indeed, went immediately to his bench to get the piece of wood which had frightened him so much. But as he was about to give it to his friend, with a violent jerk it slipped out of his hands and hit against poor Gepetto's thin legs. Ah, is this the gentle way, Mastro Antonio, in which you make your gifts? You have made me almost lame. I swear to you I did not do it. It was I, of course. It is the fault of this piece of wood. You're right, but remember you were the one to throw it at my legs. I did not throw it. Liar! Gepetto do not insult me or I shall call you Polandina. Idiot! Polandina! Donkey! Polandina! Ugly monkey! Polandina! On hearing himself call Polandina for the third time, Gepetto lost his head with rage and threw himself upon the carpenter. Then and there they gave each other a sound thrashing. After this fight, Mastro Antonio had two more scratches on his nose and Gepetto had two buttons missing from his coat. Thus having settled their accounts they shook hands and swore to be good friends for the rest of their lives. Then Gepetto took the fine piece of wood, zanked Mastro Antonio and limped away towards home. End of chapter 2 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Read and recorded by Betsy Bush Market, Michigan, January 2006 The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi Translated from the Italian by Carol Della Chiesa Chapter 3 As soon as he gets home Gepetto fashions the marionette and calls it Pinocchio, the pranks of the marionette. Little as Gepetto's house was it was neat and comfortable. It was a small room on the ground floor with a tiny window under the stairway. The furniture could not have been much simpler. A very old chair, a rickety old bed, and a tumbledown table. A fireplace full of burning logs was painted on the wall opposite the door. Over the fire there was painted a pot full of something which kept boiling happily away and sending up clouds of what looked like real steam. As soon as he reached home Gepetto took his tools and began to cut and shape the wood into a marionette. What shall I call him? he said to himself. I think I'll call him Pinocchio. This name will make his fortune. I knew a whole family of Pinocchi once. Pinocchio the father, Pinocchia the mother, and Pinocchi the children. And they were all lucky, the richest of them begged for his living. After choosing the name for his marionette, Gepetto set seriously to work to make the hair, the forehead, the eyes. Fancy his surprise when he noticed that these eyes moved and then stared fixedly at him. Gepetto seeing this felt insulted and said in a grieved tone, ugly wooden eyes, why do you stare so? There was no answer. After the eyes Gepetto made the nose, which began to stretch as soon as finished. It stretched and stretched and stretched, till it became so long it seemed endless. Poor Gepetto kept cutting it and cutting it, but the more he cut, the longer grew that impertinent nose. In despair he left it alone. Next he made the mouth. No sooner was it finished then it began to laugh and poke fun at him. Stop laughing, said Gepetto angrily, but he might as well have spoken to the wall. Stop laughing, I say, he roared in a voice of thunder. The mouth stopped laughing, but it stuck out a long tongue. Not wishing to start an argument, Gepetto made believe he saw nothing and went on with his work. After the mouth he made the chin, then the neck, the shoulders, the stomach, the arms, and the hands. As he was about to put the last touches on the fingertips, Gepetto felt his wig being pulled off. He glanced up, and what did he see? His yellow wig was in the marionette's hand. Pinocchio, give me my wig! But instead of giving it back, Pinocchio put it on his own head, which was half swallowed up in it. At that unexpected trick Gepetto became very sad in downcast, more so than he had ever been before. Pinocchio, you wicked boy, he cried out, you are not yet finished and you start out by being impudent to your poor old father. Pinocchio's son very bad, and he wiped away a tear. The legs and feet still had to be made. As soon as they were done Gepetto felt a sharp kick on the tip of his nose. I deserve it, he said to himself. I should have thought of this before I made him. Now it's too late. He took hold of the marionette under the arms and put him on the floor to teach him to walk. Pinocchio's legs were so stiff that he could not move them, and Gepetto held his hand after the other. When his legs were limbered up Pinocchio started walking by himself and ran all around the room. He came to the open door and with one leap he was out into the street, away he flew. Poor Gepetto ran after him but was unable to catch him for Pinocchio ran in leaps and bounds. His two wooden feet, as they beat on the stones of the street making as much noise as twenty peasants in wooden shoes. But the people in the street seeing a wooden marionette running like the wind stood still to stare and to laugh until they cried. At last by sheer luck a carabineer, begin note a military policeman, end note, happened along who, hearing all that noise thought that it might be a runaway cult and stood bravely in the middle of the street with legs wide apart firmly resolved to stop it and prevent any trouble. Pinocchio saw the carabineer from afar and tried his best to escape between the legs of the big fellow but without success. The carabineer grabbed him by the nose it was an extremely long one and seemed made on purpose for that very thing and returned him to maestro Gepetto. The little old man wanted to pull Pinocchio's ears think how he felt when upon searching for them he discovered that he had forgotten to make them. All he could do was grab Pinocchio by the back of the neck and take him home. As he was doing so he shook him two or three times and said to him, Ingerly, we're going home now, when we get home then we'll settle this matter. Pinocchio, on hearing this threw himself on the ground and refused to take another step one person after another gathered around the two some said one thing some another. Gepetto, no doubt, will beat him unmercifully he is so mean and cruel Gepetto looks like a good man added another but with boys he's a real tyrant. If we leave that poor marionette in his hands he may tear him to pieces. They said so much that finally the carabineer ended matters by setting Pinocchio at liberty and dragging Gepetto to prison. The poor old fellow did not know how to defend himself but wept and wailed like a child and said between his sobs I'm a painful boy to think I tried so hard to make you a well-behaved marionette I deserve it however I should have given the matter more thought What happened after this is an almost unbelievable story but you may read it, dear children in the chapters that follow End of Chapter 3 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Read and recorded by Betsy Bush Market Michigan January 2006 The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated from the Italian by Carol Della Chiesa Chapter 4 The Story of Pinocchio and the Talking Cricket in which one sees that bad children do not like to be corrected by those who know more than they do What time did it take to get poor old Gepetto to prison? In the meantime that rascal Pinocchio free now from the clutches of the cariboneer was running wildly across the fields and meadows taking one shortcut after another toward home In his wild flight he leapt over brambles and bushes and across brooks and ponds as if he were a goat or a hare chased by hounds On reaching home he found the house door half open locked the door and threw himself on the floor happy at his escape but his happiness lasted only a short time for just then he heard someone saying Cree, Cree, Cree Who is calling me? asked Pinocchio greatly frightened I am! Pinocchio turned and saw a large cricket crawling slowly up the wall Tell me Cricket, who are you? I am the Talking Cricket and I have been living in this room for more than one hundred years Today, however, this room is mine said the Marionette and if you wish to do me a favor get out now and don't turn around even once I refuse to leave this spot answered the cricket until I have told you a great truth Tell it then and hurry Woe to boys who refuse to obey their parents and run away from home they will never be happy in this world and when they are older they will be very sorry for it but if you wish to please what I know is that tomorrow at dawn I leave this place forever if I stay here the same thing will happen to me which happens to all other boys and girls they are sent to school and whether they want to or not they must study as for me, let me tell you I hate to study it's much more fun I think to chase after butterflies, climb trees and steal bird's nests or little silly you will grow into a perfect donkey and that you will be the loving stock of everyone keep still you ugly cricket, cried Pinocchio but the cricket who was a wise old philosopher instead of being offended at Pinocchio's impudence continued in the same tone if you do not like going to school why don't you at least learn a trade so that you can earn an honest living shall I tell you something asked Pinocchio who was beginning to lose patience of all the trades in the world there was only one that really suits me and what can that be that of eating, drinking, sleeping playing and wandering around from morning till night let me tell you for your own good Pinocchio said the talking cricket in his calm voice that those who follow that trade always end up in the hospital or in prison careful ugly cricket if you make me angry you will be sorry who are Pinocchio I am sorry for you why because you are a marionette and what is much worse you have a wooden head at these last words Pinocchio jumped up in a fury took a hammer from the bench and threw it with all his strength at the talking cricket perhaps he did not think he would strike it but sad to relate my dear children he did hit the cricket straight on its head with a last week the poor cricket fell from the wall dead end of chapter 4 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Marla Diane ForbiddenDragon.blogspot.com The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Calotti translated from the Italian by Carol Della Caessa Chapter 5 Pinocchio is hungry and looks for an egg to cook himself an omelette but to his surprise the omelette flies out the window if the cricket's death scared Pinocchio at all it was only for a few moments for as night came on a queer empty feeling at the pit of his stomach reminded the marionette that he had eaten nothing as yet his appetite grows very fast and in a few moments the queer empty feeling had become hunger and the hunger grew bigger and bigger until soon he was as ravenous as a bear poor Pinocchio ran to the fireplace where the pot was boiling and stretched out his hand to take the cover off but to his amazement the pot was only painted think how he felt his long nose became at least two inches longer he ran about the room dug in all the boxes and drawers and even looked under the bed and searched for a piece of bread hard though it might be or a cookie or perhaps a bit of fish a bone left by a dog would have tasted good to him but he found nothing and meanwhile his hunger grew and grew the only relief poor Pinocchio had was to yawn and he certainly did yawn such a big yawn that a smell stretched out to the tips of his ears soon he became dizzy and faint he wept and wailed to himself the talking cricket was right it was wrong of me to disobey father and to run away from home if he were here now I wouldn't be so hungry oh how horrible it is to be hungry suddenly he saw among the sweepings in the corner something round and white that looked very much like a hen's egg in a jiffy he pounced upon it it was an egg the marionettes joy knew no bounds it is impossible to describe it you must picture it to yourself certain that he was dreaming he turned the egg over and over in his hands fondled it kissed it and talked to it and now shall I cook you shall I make you an omelet no it is better to fry you in a pan or shall I drink you no the best way is to fry you in the pan you will taste better no sooner said than done he placed a little pan over a foot warmer full of hot coals then instead of oil or butter he poured a little water as soon as the water started to boil tac! he broke the egg shell but in place of the white and the yolk of the egg a little yellow chick fluffy and gay and smiling escaped from it bowing politely to Pinocchio he said to him many many thanks indeed Mr. Pinocchio for having saved me the trouble of breaking my shell goodbye and good luck to you and remember me to the family in the woods he spread out his wings and darting to the open window he flew away into space till he was out of sight the poor marionette stood as it turned to stone with wide eyes, open mouth and the empty halves of the egg shell in his hands when he came to himself he began to cry and shriek at the top of his lungs stamping his feet on the ground and wailing all the while the talking cricket was right if I had not run away from home I was here now, I should not be dying of hunger oh how horrible it is to be hungry and as his stomach kept grumbling more than ever and he had nothing to quiet it with he thought of going out for a walk to the nearby village in the hope of finding some charitable person who might give him a bit of bread End of Chapter 5 Recorded by Marlo Diane January 23rd, 2006 Fisket West Prince Edward Island This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Marlo Diane ForbiddenDrayon.blogspot.com The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colotti Translated from the Italian by Carol Della Caessa Chapter 6 Pinocchio falls asleep with his feet on a foot warmer and awakens the next day with his feet all burned off Pinocchio hated the dark street but he was so hungry that in spite of it he ran out of the house the night was pitch black it thundered and bright flashes of lightning now and again shot across the sky turning it into a sea of fire an angry wind blew cold and raised dense clouds of dust while the trees shook and moaned in a weird way Pinocchio was greatly afraid of thunder and lightning but the hunger he felt was far greater than his fear and a dozen leaps and bounds he came to the village tired out puffing like a whale and with tongue hanging the whole village was dark and deserted the stores were closed the doors the windows in the streets not even a dog was seen it seemed the village of the dead Pinocchio in desperation ran up to a doorway threw himself upon the bell and pulled it wildly saying to himself someone will surely answer that he was right an old man in a night cap opened the window and looked out he called down angrily what do you want at this hour of night will you be good enough to give me a bit of bread wait a minute and I'll come right back answered the old fellow thinking he had to deal with one of those boys who loved to roam around at night ringing people's bells while they are peacefully asleep after a minute or two the same voice cried get under the window and hold out your hat Pinocchio had no hat but he managed to get under the window just in time to fill a shower of ice cold water poured down on his poor wooden head and over his whole body he returned home as wet as a rag and tired out from weariness and hunger as he no longer had any strength left with which to stand he sat down on a little stool and put his two feet on the stove to dry them there he fell asleep and while he slept his wooden feet began to burn slowly, very slowly they blackened and turned to ashes Pinocchio snored away happily as if his feet were not his own at dawn he opened his eyes just as a loud knocking sounded at the door who is it? he called yawning and rubbing his eyes it is I answered a voice it was the voice of Gepetto End of Chapter 6 Recorded by Marlo Diane January 26, 2006 Fisket West Prince Edward Island This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Marlo Diane ForbiddenDrayon.blogspot.com The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Calotti Translated from the Italian world Chapter 7 Gepetto returns home and gives his own breakfast to the marionette The poor marionette who was still half asleep had not yet found out that his two feet were burned and gone as soon as he heard his father's voice he jumped out from his seat to open the door but, as he did so he staggered and fell headlong to the floor in falling he made as much noise as a sack of wood falling from the fifth story of a house Open the door for me Gepetto shouted from the street Father, dear father I can't answered the marionette in despair crying and rolling on the floor Why can't you? Because someone is eating my feet And who is eating them? The cat answered Pinocchio seeing that little animal busily playing with some shavings in the corner of the room Open, I say, repeated Gepetto Can I get in? Father, believe me I can't stand up Oh dear, oh dear, I shall have to walk on my knees all my life Gepetto thinking that all these tears and cries were only other pranks of the marionette climbed up the side of the house and went in through the window At first he was very angry but on seeing Pinocchio stretched out on the floor and really without feet he felt very sad and sorrowful picking him up from the floor He fondled and caressed him talking to him while the tears ran down his cheeks My little Pinocchio my dear little Pinocchio how did you burn your feet? I don't know, Father but believe me, the night has been a terrible one and I still remember it as long as I live The thunder was so noisy and the lightning so bright and I was hungry and then the talking cricket said to me you deserve it, you were bad and I said to him, careful cricket and he said to me, you are a marionette you have a wooden head and I threw the hammer at him and I killed him it was his own fault but I didn't want to kill him and I put the pan on the coals but the chick flew away and said I'll see you again, remember me and the family and my hunger grew and I went out and the old man with the night cap looked out the window and threw water on me and I came home and I put my feet on the stove to dry them because I was still hungry and I fell asleep and now my feet are gone but my hunger isn't oh oh oh so loudly that he could be heard for miles around Gepetto, who had understood nothing of all that jumbled talk except that the marionette was hungry, felt sorry for him and pulling three pairs out of his pocket offered them to him saying these three pairs were for my breakfast but I give them to you gladly eat them and stop weeping if you want me to eat them please peel them for me peel them I was very much surprised I should never have thought, dear boy of mine, that you were so dainty and fussy about your food, bad, very bad in this world, even as children we must accustom ourselves to eat of everything for we never know what life may hold in store for us you may be right answered Pinocchio but I will not eat the pairs if they are not peeled I don't like them and good old Gepetto took out a knife, peeled the three pairs and put the skins on a row in the table Pinocchio ate one pair in a twinkling and started to throw the core away but Gepetto held his arm oh no don't throw it away everything in this world may be of some use but the core I will not eat cried Pinocchio in an angry tone who knows repeated Gepetto calmly and later the three cores were placed on the table next to the skins Pinocchio had eaten the three pairs or rather devoured them then he yawned deeply and wailed I'm still hungry but I have no more to give you really? nothing? nothing? I have only these three cores and these skins very well then said Pinocchio if there is nothing else I'll eat them at first he made a rye face but one after another the skins and the cores disappeared now I feel fine he said after eating the last one you see observed Gepetto that I was right when I told you that one must not be too fussy and too dainy about food my dear we never know what life may have in store for us end of chapter 7 recorded by Marlo Deann February 3rd 2006 Iskid West Prince Edward Island this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Chip in Tampa, Florida on January 25th 2006 The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colody translated by Carol de la Ciesa Chapter 8 Gepetto makes Pinocchio a new pair of feet and sells his coat to buy him an ABC book the marionette as soon as his hunger was appeased started to grumble and cry that he wanted a new pair of feet but Mastro Gepetto in order to punish him for his mischief let him alone the whole morning after dinner he said to him why should I make your feet over again to see you run away from home once more I promise you answered the marionette sobbing I won't be good boys always promise that when they want something said Gepetto I promise to go to school every day to study and to succeed boys always sing that song when they want their own will but I'm not like other boys I am better than all of them and I'll always tell the truth I promise you father that I'll learn a trade and I'll be the comfort and staff of your old age Gepetto though trying to look very stern felt his eyes fill with tears and his heart softened when he saw Pinocchio so unhappy he said no more but taking his tools and two pieces of wood he said to work diligently in less than an hour the feet were finished two slender nimble little feet strong and quick modeled as if by an artist's hands close your eyes and sleep Gepetto then said to the marionette Pinocchio closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep while Gepetto stuck on the two feet with a bit of glue melted in an eggshell doing his work so well that the joint could hardly be seen as soon as the marionette felt his new feet he gave one leap from the table and started to skip and jump around as if he had lost his head from very joy to show you how great I am to you father I'll go to school now but to go to school I need a suit of clothes Gepetto did not have a penny in his pocket so he made his son a little suit of flowered paper a pair of shoes from the bark of a tree and a tiny cap from a bit of dough Pinocchio ran to look at himself in a bowl of water and he felt so happy that he said proudly now I look like a gentleman truly answered Gepetto but remember that fine clothes do not make the man unless they are neat and clean very true answered Pinocchio but in order to go to school I still need something very important what is it an ABC book to be sure but how shall we get it that's easy we'll go to the bookstore and buy it and the money I have none neither have I Pinocchio though a happy boy always became sad and downcast at these words when poverty shows itself even mischievous boys understand what it means what does it matter after all cried Gepetto all at once as he jumped up from his chair putting on his old coat full of darns and patches he ran out of the house without another word after a while he returned in his hands he had the ABC book for his son but the old coat was gone the poor fellow was in his shirt sleeves and the day was cold where's your coat father I have sold it why did you sell your coat it was too warm Pinocchio understood the answer in a twinkling and unable to restrain his tears he jumped on his father's neck and kissed him over and over so ends Chapter 8 of Pinocchio this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Chip in Tampa, Florida on January 25th, 2006 The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colody translated by Carol de la Chiesa Chapter 9 Pinocchio sells his ABC book to pay his way into the Marionette Theatre See Pinocchio hurrying off to school with his new ABC book under his arm as he walked along his brain was busy planning hundreds of wonderful things building hundreds of castles in the air talking to himself he said in school today I'll learn to read, tomorrow to write day after tomorrow I'll do arithmetic then clever as I am I can earn a lot of money with the very first pennies I make I'll buy father a new cloth coat cloth did I say? no it shall be a golden silver with diamond buttons that poor man deserves it for after all isn't he in his shirt sleeves because he was good enough to buy a book for me on this cold day too fathers are indeed good to their children as he talked to himself he heard sounds of pipes and drums coming from a distance peep peep peep peep peep zoom zoom zoom zoom he stopped to listen those sounds came from a little street that led to a small village along the shore what can that noise be? what a nuisance that I have to go to school otherwise then he stopped very much puzzled he felt he had to make up his mind either one thing or another should he go to school or should he follow the pipes today I'll follow the pipes and tomorrow I'll go to school there's always plenty of time to go to school decided the little rascal at last shrugging his shoulders no sooner said than done he started down the street going like the wind on he ran and louder grew the sounds of pipe and drum peep peep peep peep peep peep zoom zoom zoom zoom suddenly he found himself in a large square full of people standing in front of a little wooden building painted in brilliant colors what is that house? Pinocchio asked the little boy near him read the sign and you'll know I'd like to read but somehow I can't today oh really? and I'll read it to you know then that written in letters of fire I see the words great marionette theater when did the show start? it's starting now and how much does one pay to get in? four pennies Pinocchio who was wild with curiosity to know what was going on inside lost all his pride and said to the boy shamelessly will you give me four pennies until tomorrow I'd give them to you gladly answered the other poking fun at him but just now I can't give them to you for the price of four pennies I'll sell you my coat if it rains what shall I do with a coat of flowered paper I could not take it off again do you want to buy my shoes? they are only good enough to light a fire with what about my hat fine bargain indeed a cap of dough the mice might come and eat it from my head Pinocchio was almost in tears he was just about to make one last offer but he lacked the courage to do so he hesitated he wondered he could not make up his mind at last he said will you give me four pennies for the book I am a boy and I buy nothing from boys said the little fellow with far more common sense than the marionette I'll give you four pennies for your ABC book said a ragpicker who stood by then and there the book changed hands and to think that poor old Gepetto sat at home in his shirt sleeve shivering with cold having sold his coat to buy that little book for his son so ends chapter nine of Pinocchio this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Chip in Tampa, Florida on January 25th, 2006 the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colotti translated by Carol de la Ciesa chapter 10 the marionettes recognize their brother Pinocchio and greet him with loud cheers but the director fire eater happens along and poor Pinocchio almost loses his life quick as a flash Pinocchio disappeared into the marionette theater and then something happened which almost caused a riot the curtain was up and the performance had started Harlequin and Puccinella were reciting on the stage and as usual they were threatening each other with sticks and blows the theater was full of people enjoying the spectacle and laughing till they cried at the antics of the two marionettes the play continued for a few minutes and suddenly without any warning Harlequin stopped talking turning toward the audience he pointed to the rear of the orchestra yelling wildly at the same time look look am I asleep or awake do I really see Pinocchio there yes yes it is Pinocchio screamed Puccinella it is it is shrieked Signora Rosora peeking from the side of the stage it is Pinocchio it is Pinocchio yelled all the marionettes pouring out of the wings it is Pinocchio it is our brother Pinocchio hurrah for Pinocchio Pinocchio come up to me shouted Harlequin come to the arms of your wooden brothers at such a loving invitation Pinocchio with one leap from the back of the orchestra found himself in the front rows with another leap he was on the orchestra leader's head with a third he landed on the stage it is impossible to describe the shrieks of joy the warm embraces the knocks and the friendly greetings with which that strange company of dramatic actors and actresses received Pinocchio it was a heart-rending spectacle but the audience seeing that the play had stopped became angry and began to yell the play the play we want the play the yelling was of no use for the marionettes instead of going on with their act make twice as much racket as before and lifting up Pinocchio on their shoulders carried him around the stage in triumph at that very moment the director came out of his room he had such a fearful appearance that one look at him would fill you with horror his beard was black as pitch and so long that it reached from his chin down to his feet his mouth was as wide as an oven his teeth like yellow fangs and his eyes two glowing red coals in his huge hairy hands a long whip made of green snakes and black cat's tails twisted together switched through the air in a dangerous way at the unexpected apparition no one even dared breathe one could almost hear a fly go by those poor marionettes one and all trembled like leaves in a storm why have you brought such excitement into my theater the huge fellow asked Pinocchio with the voice of an ogre suffering from a cold believe me your honor the fault was not mine enough be quiet I'll take care of you later as soon as the play was over the director went to the kitchen where a fine big lamb was slowly turning on the spit more wood was needed to finish cooking it he called Harlequin and Puccinella and said to them bring that marionette to me he looks as if he were made of well seasoned wood he'd make a fine fire for this spit Harlequin and Puccinella hesitated a bit then frightened by a look from their master they left the kitchen to obey him a few minutes later they returned carrying poor Pinocchio who was wriggling and squirming like an eel and crying pitifully father save me I don't want to die I don't want to die so ends chapter 10 of Pinocchio this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Alessia Savone the Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Collodi translated by Carol Velaquesa chapter 11 fire either sneezes and forgives Pinocchio who saves his friend Harlequin from death in the theater great excitement reigned fire either this was really his name was very ugly but he was far from being as bad as he looked proof of this is that when he saw the poor marionette being brought into him struggling with fear and crying I don't want to die I don't want to die he felt sorry for him and began first to waiver and then to wake him finally he could control himself no longer and gave a loud sneeze at that sneeze Harlequin who until then had been as sad as a weeping willow smiled happily and leaning toward the marionette whispered to him good news brother mine fire either has sneezed and this is a sign that he feels sorry for you you are safe for being known that while other people went sad and sorrowful weep and wipe their eyes fire either on the other hand had the strange habit of sneezing each time he felt unhappy the way was just as good as any other to show the kindness of his heart after sneezing fire either always as ever cried to Pinocchio stop crying your ways give me a funny feeling down here in my stomach and itchy two loud sneezes finished his speech God bless you said Pinocchio thanks are your father mother still living demanded fire either my father yes my mother I have never known your poor father will suffer terribly if I were to use you as a firewood poor old man I feel sorry for him itchy itchy three more sneezes sounded louder than ever God bless you said Pinocchio thanks however I ought to be sorry for myself too just now my good dinner is spoiled I have no more wood for the fire and the lamb is only hot pooped never mind in your place I'll grow some other marnette hey there officers at the call two wooden officers appeared long and thin as a yard of rope with queer hats on their heads and swords in their hands fire either yelled at them in a hoarse voice take Harlequin, tie him and throw him on the fire I want my lamb well done think how far Harlequin felt he was so scared that his legs double up under him and he fell to the floor Pinocchio at that heartbreaking side threw himself at the feet of fire eater and weeping bitterly asked in a pitiful voice which could scarcely be heard have pity I beg of you signore there are no signore here have pity concert there are no signs here have pity Your Excellency unhearing himself addressed as Your Excellency the director of the marinette theater sat up very straight in his chair struck his long beard and becoming suddenly kind and compassionate smiled proudly as he said to Pinocchio well what do you want from me now marinette I beg for mercy for my poor friend Harlequin who has never done the least harm in his life there is no mercy here Pinocchio I have spared you Harlequin must burn in your plate I am hungry and my dinner must be cooked in that case said Pinocchio proudly as he stood up and flung away his cup of dough in that case my view is clear Count officers tie me up and throw me on those planes no it is no fair for poor Harlequin the best friend that I have in the world to die in my place these brave words said in a piercing voice made all the other marinettes cry even the officers who were made of wood also cried like two babies fire either at first remained hard and cold as a piece of ice but then little by little he softened and began to sneeze and after four or five sneezes he opened wide his arms and said to Pinocchio you are a brave boy come to my arms and kiss me Pinocchio ran to him and scurried like a squirrel up the long black beard he gave fire either a loving kiss on the tip of his nose has pardon been granted to me as poor Harlequin with a voice that was hardly a breath pardon is yours answer fire either and sigh and wagon his head he added well, tonight I shall have to eat my lamb only half cooked but beware the next time marinettes at the news that pardon had been given the marinettes ran to the stage and turning on all the lights they danced and sang to Don end of chapter 11 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org I'm young The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colody translated by Carol de la Chiesa chapter 12 fire eater gives Pinocchio five gold pieces for his father Gepetto but the marionette meets a fox and a cat and follows them the next day fire eater called Pinocchio aside and asked him what is your father's name Gepetto and what is his trade he's a woodcarver in his pockets just think that in order to buy me an ABC book for school he had to sell the only coat he owned a coat so full of darns and patches that it was a pity poor fellow I feel sorry for him here take these five gold pieces go give them to him with my kindest regards Pinocchio as may easily be imagined thanked him a thousand times he kissed each marionette in turn even the officers and beside himself with joy set out on his homeward journey he had gone barely half a mile when he met a lame fox and a blind cat walking together like two good friends the lame fox leaned on the cat and the blind cat let the fox lead him along good morning Pinocchio so the fox greeting him courtesy how do you know my name as the marionette I know your father well where have you seen him I saw him yesterday standing at the door of his house what was he doing he was in his shirt sleeves trembling with cold poor father but after today God willing he will suffer no longer why because I have become a rich man you a rich man so the fox and he began to laugh out loud the cat was laughing also but tried to hide it by stroking his long whiskers there is nothing to laugh at cried Pinocchio angrily I am very sorry to make your mouth water but these as you know are five new gold pieces and he pulled out the gold pieces which fire eater had given him at the cheerful tingle of gold the fox unconsciously held out his paw that was supposed to be lame and the cat opened wide his two eyes till they looked like live coals but the Pinocchio did not notice and may I ask what you were going to do with all that money first of all into the marionette I want to buy a fine new coat for my father a coat of gold and silver with diamond buttons after that I'll buy an ABC book for myself for yourself for myself I want to go to school and study hard look at me said the fox for the silly reason of wanting to study I have lost a paw look at me said the cat for the same foolish reason I have lost the sight of both eyes at that moment a black bird perched on the fence along the road called out sharp and clear Pinocchio do not listen to bad advice if you do you'll be sorry poor little black bird if you'd only kept his words to himself in the twinkling of an eyelid the cat left on him and ate him feathers and all after eating the bird he cleaned his whiskers closed his eyes and became blind once more poor black bird said Pinocchio to the cat why did you kill him I killed him to teach him a lesson he talks too much next time you will keep his words to himself by this time the three companions had walked a long distance suddenly the fox stopped in his tracks and turning to the marionette said to him do you want to double your gold pieces what do you mean do you want 100, 1000, 2000 gold pieces for your miserable five yes but how the way is very easy instead of returning home come with us and where will you take me to the city of simple simons Pinocchio thought a while and then said firmly no I don't want to go home is near and I'm going where father is waiting for me how unhappy he must be that I have not yet returned I have been a bad son and the talking cricket was right when he said that a disobedient boy could not be happy in this world I have learned this at my own expense even last night in the theater when a fire eater the shivers ran up and down my back at the mere thought of it well then said fox if you really want to go home go ahead but you'll be sorry you'll be sorry repeated the cat think well Pinocchio you are turning your back on dame fortune on dame fortune repeated the cat tomorrow your five gold pieces will be 2000 2000 repeated the cat but how can they possibly become so many asked Pinocchio wonderingly all explained said the fox you must know that just outside the city of simple simons there is a blessed field called the field of wonders in this field you dig a hole and in the hole you bury a gold piece covering up the hole with earth you water it well sprinkle a bit of salt on it and go to bed during the night the gold piece sprouts grows blossoms and next morning you find a beautiful tree that is loaded with gold pieces so that if I were to bury my five gold pieces cried Pinocchio with growing wonder next morning I should find how many? it is very simple to figure out answered the fox why you can figure it on your fingers granted that each piece gives you 500 until I 500 by 5 next morning you will find 2500 new sparkling gold pieces fine fine cried Pinocchio dancing about with joy at as soon as I have them I should keep 2000 for myself and the other 500 I'll give to you too a gift for us cried the fox pretending to be insulted why of course not of course not repeated the cat we do not work for gain answered the fox we work only to enrich others do enrich others repeated the cat the good people thought Pinocchio to himself and forgetting his father the new coat the ABC book and all his good resolutions he said to the fox and the cat let us go I am with you end of chapter 12 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Christa Girl The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Calodi translated by Carol de la Quesa Chapter 13 The Inn of the Red Lobster Cat and fox and marionette walked and walked and walked at last toward evening dead tired they came to the inn of the red lobster let us stop here for a while said the fox to eat a bite and rest for a few hours at midnight we'll start out again for at dawn tomorrow we must be at the field of wonders they went into the inn and all three sat down at the same table however not one of them was very hungry the poor cat felt very weak and he was able to eat only 35 mullets with tomato sauce and four portions of tripe with cheese moreover as he was so in need of strength he had to have four more helpings of butter and cheese the fox after a great deal of coaxing tried his best to eat a little the doctor had put him on a diet and he had to be satisfied with the small hair dressed with a dozen young and tender spring chickens after the hair he ordered some partridges a few pheasants a couple of rabbits and a dozen frogs and lizards that was all he felt ill he said and could not eat another bite Pinocchio ate least of all he asked for a bite of bread and a few nuts and then hardly touched them the poor fellow with his mind on the field of wonders was suffering from a gold piece in digestion supper over the fox said to the innkeeper give us two rooms one for Mr. Pinocchio and the other for me and my friend before starting out we'll take a little nap remember to call us at midnight sharp for we must continue on our journey yes sir answered the innkeeper winking in a knowing way at the fox and the cat as if to say I understand as soon as Pinocchio was in bed he fell fast asleep and began to dream he dreamed he was in the middle of the field the field was full of vines heavy with grapes the grapes were no other than gold coins which tinkled merrily as they swayed in the wind they seem to say let him who wants us take us just as Pinocchio stretched out his hand to take a handful of them he was awakened by three loud knocks at the door it was the innkeeper who had come to tell him that midnight had struck are my friends ready the marionette asked him indeed yes they went two hours ago why in such a hurry unfortunately the cat received a telegram which said that his firstborn was suffering from chillblades and was on the point of death he could not even wait to say goodbye to you did they pay for the supper how could they do such a thing being people of great refinement they did not want to offend you so deeply as not to allow you the honor of paying the bill too bad that offense would have been more than pleasing where did my good friend say they would wait for me he added at the field of wonders at sunrise tomorrow morning Pinocchio paid a gold piece for the three suppers and started on his way toward the field that was to make him a rich man he walked on not knowing where he was going for it was dark so dark that not a thing was visible round about him not a leaf stirred a few bats skimmed his nose now and again and scared him half to death once or twice he shouted who goes there and the far away hills echoed back to him who goes there who goes there who goes as he walked Pinocchio noticed a tiny insect glimmering on the trunk of a tree a small being the glowed with a pale soft light who are you he asked I am the ghost of the talking cricket answered the little being in a faint voice it sounded as if it came from a far away world what do you want asked the marionette I want to give you a few words of good advice return home and give the four gold pieces you have left to your poor old father who's weeping because he has not seen you for many a day tomorrow my father will be a rich man for these four gold pieces will become two thousand don't listen to those who promise you wealth overnight my boy as a rule they are either fools or swindlers listen to me and go home but I want to go on the hour is late I want to go on the night the night is very dark I want to go on the road is dangerous I want to go on remember the boys who insist on having their own way sooner or later come to grief the same nonsense goodbye cricket good night Pinocchio and may heaven preserve you from the assassins there was silence for a minute and the light of the talking cricket disappeared suddenly just as if someone had stuffed it out once again the road was plunged in darkness end of chapter 13 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Chip in Tampa, Florida on February 2nd, 2006 the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol de la Chiesa chapter 14 Pinocchio, not having listened to the good advice of the talking cricket falls into the hands of the assassins dear oh dear when I come to think of it said the marionette to himself as he once more set out on his journey we boys are really very unlucky everybody scolds us everybody gives us advice everybody warns us if we were to allow it everyone would try to be father and mother to us everyone even the talking cricket take me for example just because I would not listen to that bothersome cricket who knows how many misfortunes may be awaiting me assassins indeed at least I have never believed in them nor ever will to talk sensibly I think assassins have been invented by fathers and mothers to frighten children who want to run away at night and then even if I were to meet them on the road what matter I'll just run up to them and say well scenery what do you want remember that you can't fool with me run along and mind your business at such a speech I can almost see those poor fellows running like the wind but in case they don't run away I can always run myself Pinocchio was not given time to argue any longer for he thought he heard a slight rustle among the leaves behind him he turned to look and behold there in the blackness stood two big black shadows wrapped from head to foot in black sacks the two figures leap toward him as softly as if they were ghosts here they come Pinocchio said to himself and not knowing where to hide the gold pieces he stuck all four of them under his tongue he tried to run away but hardly had taken a step when he felt his arms grasped and heard two horrible deep voices say to him your money or your life on account of the gold pieces in his mouth Pinocchio could not say a word so he tried with head and hands and body to show as best he could that he was only a poor marionette without a penny in his pocket come on less nonsense and out with your money cried the two thieves in threatening voices once more Pinocchio's head and hands said I haven't a penny out with that money or you're a dead man said the taller of the two assassins dead man repeated the other and after having killed you we will kill your father also your father also no no not my father he cried Pinocchio wild with terror but as he screamed the gold pieces tinkled together in his mouth ah you rascal so that's the game you have the money hidden under your tongue out with it but Pinocchio was as stubborn as ever are you deaf wait young man we'll get it from you in a twinkling one of them grabbed the marionette by the nose the other by the chin and they pulled him unmercifully from side to side in order to make him open his mouth no use the marionette's lips might have been nailed together they would not open in desperation the smaller of the two assassins pulled out a long knife from his pocket and tried to pry Pinocchio's mouth open with it quick as a flash the marionette sank his deep deep into the assassins hand bit it off and spat it out fancy is surprised when he saw that it was not a hand but a cat's paw encouraged by this first victory he freed himself from the claws of his assailors and leaping over the bushes along the road and swiftly across the fields his pursuers were after him at once like two dogs chasing a hare after running several miles or so Pinocchio was well now exhausted seeing himself lost he climbed up a giant pine tree and sat there to see what he could see the assassins tried to climb also but they slipped and fell far from giving up the chase this only spurred them on furthered a bundle of wood piled it up high at the foot of the pine and set fire to it in a twinkling the tree began to sputter and burn like a candle blown by the wind Pinocchio saw the flames climb higher and higher not wishing to end his days as a roasted marionette he climbed quickly to the ground and off he went the assassins close to him as before dawn was breaking when without any warning whatsoever Pinocchio found his path barred by a deep pool full of water full of color of muddy coffee what was there to do with a one two three he jumped clear across it the assassins jumped also but not having measured their distance well splash they fell right into the middle of the pool Pinocchio who heard the splash and felt it too cried out laughing but never stopping in his race a pleasant bath to you senore he thought they must surely be drowned and turned his head to sea but there were the two somber figures still following him though their black sacks were drenched and dripping with water so ends chapter 14 of Pinocchio this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Chip in Tapa, Florida on February 2nd, 2006 the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colotti translated by Carol de la Chiesa Chapter 15 the assassins chase Pinocchio catch him and hang him to the branch of a giant oak tree as he ran the marionette felt more and more certain that he would have to give himself up into the hands of his pursuers suddenly he saw a little cottage gleaming white as the snow among the trees of the forest if I have enough breath left with which to reach that little house I may be saved he said to himself not waiting another moment he darted swiftly through the woods the assassins still after him after a hard race of almost an hour tired and out of breath Pinocchio finally reached the door of the cottage and knocked no one answered he knocked again harder than before for behind him he heard the steps and the labored breathing of his persecutors the same silence followed as knocking was of no use Pinocchio in despair began to kick and bang against the doors if he wanted to break it at the noise a window opened and a lovely maiden looked out she had azure hair and a face white as wax her eyes were closed and her hands crossed upon her breast with a voice so weak it could hardly be heard she whispered no one lives in this house everyone is dead won't you at least open the door for me cried Pinocchio in a beseeching voice I am also dead dead what are you doing at the window then I am waiting for the coffin to take me away after these words the little girl disappeared and the window closed without a sound oh lovely maiden with azure hair cried Pinocchio open I beg of you take pity on a poor boy who is being chased by two assassins he did not finish for two powerful hands gripped him by the neck and the same two horrible voices growled threateningly now we have you the marionette seeing death dancing before him trembled so hard that the joints of his legs rattled and the coins tinkled under his tongue well the assassins asked will you open your mouth now or not ah you do not answer very well this time you shall open it taking out two long sharp knives they struck two heavy blows on the marionette's back happily for him Pinocchio was made of very hard wood and the knives broke into a thousand pieces the assassins looked at each other in dismay holding the handles of their knives in their hands I understand said one of them to the other there is nothing left to do now but to hang him to hang him repeated the other they tied Pinocchio's hands behind his shoulders and slipped the noose around his neck throwing the rope over the high limb of a giant oak tree they pulled until the poor marionette hung far up in space satisfied with their work they sat on the grass waiting for Pinocchio but after three hours the marionette's eyes were still open his mouth still shut and his legs kicked harder than ever tired of waiting the assassins called to him mockingly goodbye till tomorrow when we return in the morning we hope you'll be polite enough to let us find you dead and gone with your mouth wide open with these words they went a few minutes went by the wind started to blow as it shrieked and moans the poor little sufferer was blown to and fro like the hammer of the bell the rocking made him seasick and the noose becoming tighter and tighter choked him little by little a film covered his eyes death was creeping nearer and nearer and the marionette still hoped for some good soul to come to his rescue but no one appeared as he was about to die he thought of his poor old father and hardly conscious of what he was saying murmured to himself oh father dear father if you were only here these were his last words he closed his eyes opened his mouth stretched out his legs and hung there as if he were dead so ends chapter 15 of Pinocchio this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Chip in Temple, Florida on February 2nd, 2006 The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol de la Chiesa Chapter 16 The lovely maiden with azure hair sends for the poor marionette puts him to bed and calls three doctors to tell her if Pinocchio is dead or alive if the poor marionette had dangled there much longer all hope would have been lost luckily for him the lovely maiden with azure hair once again looked out of her window filled with pity at the sight of the poor little fellow being knocked helplessly about by the wind she clapped her hands sharply together three times at the signal a loud whir of wings in quick flight was heard and a large falcon came and settled itself on the window ledge what do you command my charming fairy asked the falcon bending his beak in deep reverence for it must be known that after all the lovely maiden with azure hair was none other than a very kind fairy who had lived for more than a thousand years in the vicinity of the forest do you see that marionette hanging from the limb of that giant oak tree I see him very well fly immediately to him with your strong beak break the knot which holds him tied take him down and lay him softly on the grass at the foot of the oak the falcon flew away and after two minutes returned saying I have done what you commanded how did you find him alive or dead at first glance I thought he was dead but I found I was wrong for as soon as I loosened the knot around his neck he gave a long sigh and mumbled with a faint voice now I feel better the fairy clapped her hands twice a magnificent poodle appeared walking on his hind legs just like a man he was dressed in court livery with gold lace was set at a rakish angle over a wig of white curls that dropped down to his waist he wore a jaunty coat of chocolate-colored velvet with diamond buttons and with two huge pockets which were always filled with bones dropped there at dinner by his loving mistress breaches of prims and velvet silk stockings and low silver-buckled slippers completed his costume his tail was encased in a blue silk covering which was to protect it from the rain come, Maduro said the fairy to him get my best coach ready and set out toward the forest on reaching the oak tree you will find a poor half-dead marionette stretched out on the grass lift him up tenderly place him on the silk and cushions of the coach and bring him here to me the poodle to show that he understood wagged his silk-covered tail two or three times and set off at a quick pace in a few minutes a lovely little coach made of glass with lining as soft as whipped cream and chocolate pudding and stuffed with canary feathers pulled out of the stable it was drawn by one hundred pairs of white mice and the poodle sat on the coachman's seat and snapped his whip gaily in the air as if he were a real coachman to get to his destination in a quarter of an hour the coach was back the fairy who was waiting at the door of the house lifted the poor little marionette in her arms took him to a dainty room with mother of pearl walls put him to bed and sent immediately for the most famous doctors of the neighborhood to come to her one after another the doctors came a crow an owl and a talking cricket I should like to know, senor said the fairy turning to the three doctors gathered about Pinocchio's bed I should like to know if this poor marionette is dead or alive at this invitation the crow stepped out and felt Pinocchio's pulse his nose, his little toe then he solemnly pronounced the following words to my mind this marionette is dead and gone but if by any evil chance he were not then that would be a sure sign that he is still alive I am sorry said the owl to have to contradict the crow my famous friend and colleague to my mind this marionette is alive but if by any evil chance he were not then that would be a sure sign that he is and do you hold any opinion the fairy asked the talking cricket I say that a wise doctor when he does not know what he is talking about should know enough to keep his mouth shut however that marionette is not a stranger to me I have known him a long time Pinocchio who until then had been very quiet shuddered so hard that the bed shook that marionette continued the talking cricket the first kind Pinocchio opened his eyes and closed them again he is rude, lazy a runaway Pinocchio hid his face under the sheets that marionette is a disobedient son who is breaking his father's heart long shuddering sobs were heard cries and deep sighs think how surprised everyone was when on raising the sheets they discovered Pinocchio half melted in tears when the dead weep they are beginning to recover said the crow solemnly I am sorry to contradict my famous friend and colleague said the owl but as far as I am concerned I think that when the dead weep it means they do not want to die so ends Chapter 16 of Pinocchio This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recorded by Gazino The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi Translated by Carol de la Chiesa Chapter 17 Pinocchio eats sugar but refuses to take medicine when the undertakers come for him he drinks the medicine and feels better afterwards he tells a lie and in punishment his nose grows longer and longer as soon as the three doctors had left the room the fairy went to Pinocchio's bed and touching him on the forehead noticed that he was burning with fever she took a glass of water put a white powder into it and handing it to the marionette said lovingly to him drink this and in a few days you'll be up and well Pinocchio looked at the glass made a wry face and asked in the winding voice is it sweet or bitter it is bitter but it is good for you if it is bitter I don't want it drink it I don't like anything bitter drink it and I'll give you a lump of sugar to take the bitter taste from your mouth where's the sugar here it is said the fairy taking a lump from a golden sugar bowl I want the sugar first then I'll drink the bitter water do you promise yes the fairy gave him the sugar and Pinocchio after chewing and swallowing it in a twinkling said smacking his lips if only sugar were medicine I should take it every day now keep your promise and drink these few drops of water they'll be good for you Pinocchio took the glass in both hands and stuck his nose into it he lifted it to his mouth and once more stuck his nose into it it is too bitter much too bitter I can't drink it how do you know when you haven't even tasted it I can imagine it I smell it I want another lump of sugar then I'll drink it the fairy with all the patience of a good mother gave him more sugar and again handed him the glass I can't drink it like that the marionette said making more rye faces why because that feather pillow on my feet bothers me the fairy took away the pillow it's no use I can't drink it even now what's the matter now I don't like the way that door looks it's half open the fairy closed the door I won't drink it cried Pinocchio bursting out crying I won't drink this awful water I won't I won't no no no my boy you'll be sorry I don't care you are very sick I don't care in a few hours the fever will take you far away to another world I don't care aren't you afraid of death not a bit I'd rather die than drink that awful medicine at that moment the door of the room flew open and in came four rabbits as black as ink carrying a small black coffin on their shoulders what do you want from me asked Pinocchio we have come for you said the largest rabbit for me but I'm not dead yet no not dead yet but you will be in a few moments since you have refused to take the medicine which would have made you well oh fairy my fairy the marionette cried out give me that glass quick please I don't want to die no no not yet not yet and holding the glass with his two hands he swallowed the medicine at one gulp well said the four rabbits this time we have made the trip for nothing and turning on their heels they marched solemnly out of the room carrying their little black coffin and muttering and grumbling between their teeth in a twinkling Pinocchio felt fine with one leap he was out of bed and into his clothes the fairy seeing him run and jump around the room gay as a bird on a wing said to him my medicine was good for you after all wasn't it good indeed it has given me new life why then did I have to beg you so hard to make you drink it I'm a boy you see and all boys hate medicine more than they do sickness what a shame boys ought to know after all that medicine taken in time can save them from much pain and even from death next time I won't have to be begged so hard I'll remember those black rabbits with the black coffin on their shoulders and I'll take the glass and poof down it will go come here now and tell me how it came about that you found yourself in the hands of the assassins it happened that fire eater gave me five gold pieces to give to my father but on the way I met a fox and a cat who asked me do you want the five pieces to become two thousand and I said yes and they said come with us to the field of wonders and I said let's go then they said let us stop at the inn of the red lobster for dinner and after midnight we'll set out again we ate and went to sleep when I awoke they were gone and I started out in the darkness all alone on the road I met two assassins dressed in black cold sacks who said to me your money or your life and I said I haven't any money for you see I put my money under my tongue one of them tried to put his hand in my mouth and I bit it off and spat it out but it wasn't a hand it was a cat's paw and they ran after me and I ran and ran till at last they caught me and tied my neck with a rope and hanged me to a tree saying tomorrow we'll come back for you and you'll be dead and your mouse will be open and then we'll take the gold pieces that you have hidden under your tongue where are the gold pieces now the fairy asked I lost them answered Pinocchio but he told a lie for he had them in his pocket as he spoke his nose long though it was became at least two inches longer and where did you lose them in the wood nearby at this second lie his nose grew a few more inches if you lost them in the nearby wood said the fairy we'll look for them and find them for everything that is lost there is always found ah now I remember replied the marionette becoming more and more confused I did not lose the gold pieces but I swallowed them when I drank the medicine at this third lie his nose became longer than ever so long that he could not even turn around if he turned to the right he knocked it against the bed or into the window panes if he turned to the left he struck the walls or the door if he raised it a bit he almost put the fairy's eyes out the fairy sat looking at him and laughing why do you laugh the marionette asked her worried now at the sight of his growing nose I am laughing at your lies how do you know I'm lying lies my boy are known in a moment there are two kinds of lies lies with short legs and lies with long noses yours just now happen to have long noses Pinocchio not knowing where to hide his shame tried to escape from the room but his nose had become so long that he could not get it out of the door end of chapter 17 read by the fairy the fairy said read by Gesine in Valletta January 2006 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Kara Schellenberg www.kray.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Della Chiesa Chapter 18 Pinocchio finds the fox and the cat again and goes with them to sow the gold pieces in the field of wonders crying as if his heart would break the marionette mourned for hours over the length of his nose no matter how he tried it would not go through the door the fairy showed no pity toward him as she was trying to teach him a good lesson so that he would stop telling lies the worst habit any boy may acquire but when she saw him pale with fright and with his eyes half out of his head from terror she began to feel sorry for him and clapped her hands together a thousand woodpeckers flew in through the window and settled themselves on Pinocchio's nose they pecked and pecked so hard at that enormous nose that in a few moments it was the same size as before how good you are my fairy said Pinocchio, drying his eyes and how much I love you I love you too answered the fairy and if you wish to stay with me you may be my little brother and I'll be your good little sister I should like to stay but what about my poor father I have thought of everything your father has been sent for and before night he will be here really? cried Pinocchio joyfully then my good fairy said to him I cannot wait to kiss that dear old man who has suffered so much for my sake surely go ahead but be careful not to lose your way take the wood path and you'll surely meet him Pinocchio set out and as soon as he found himself in the wood he ran like a hare when he reached the giant oak tree he stopped for he thought he heard a rustle in the brush he was right travelling companions with whom he had eaten at the inn of the red lobster here comes our dear Pinocchio cried the fox hugging and kissing him how did you happen here how did you happen here repeated the cat it is a long story said the marionette let me tell it to you the other night when you left me alone at the inn I met the assassins on the road the assassins oh my poor friend and what did they want they wanted my gold pieces rascals said the fox the worst sort of rascals added the cat but I began to run continued the marionette and they after me until they overtook me and hanged me to the limb of that oak Pinocchio pointed to the giant oak nearby could anything be worse said the fox what an awful world to live in where shall we find a safe place for a gentleman like ourselves as the fox talked to us Pinocchio noticed that the cat carried his right paw in a sling what happened to your paw he asked the cat tried to answer but he became so terribly twisted in his speech that the fox had to help him out my friend is too modest to answer I'll answer for him about an hour ago there was a wolf on the road he was half-starved and begged for help having nothing to give him what do you think my friend did out of the kindness of his heart with his teeth he bit off the paw of his front foot and threw it at that poor beast so that he might have something to eat as he spoke the fox wiped off a tear Pinocchio almost in tears himself whispered in the cat's ear if all the cats were like you he the mice would be and what are you doing here the fox asked the marionette I am waiting for my father who will be here at any moment now and your gold pieces I still have them in my pocket except one which I spent at the inn of the red lobster to think that those four gold pieces might become two thousand tomorrow why don't you listen to me why don't you sew them in the field of wonders today it is impossible I'll go with you some other time another day will be too late said the fox why because that field has been bought by a very rich man and today is the last day that it will be open to the public how far is this field of wonders only two miles away will you come with us we'll be there in half an hour you can sew the money gather your two thousand coins and return home rich are you coming Pinocchio hesitated a moment before answering for he remembered the good fairy and the advice of the talking cricket then he ended by doing what all boys do when they have no heart and little brain he shrugged his shoulders and said to the fox and the cat let us go I am with you and they went and walked for half a day at least and at last they came to the town called the city of simple simons as soon as they entered the town Pinocchio noticed that all the streets were filled with hairless dogs yawning from hunger with sheared sheep trembling with cold with comeless chickens begging for a grain of wheat with large butterflies unable to use their wings because they had sold all their lovely colors with tailless peacocks ashamed to show themselves with bedraggled pheasants scuttling away hurriedly grieving for their bright feathers of gold and silver lost to them forever through this crowd of paupers and beggars a beautiful coach passed now and again within it sat either a fox a hawk or a vulture where is the field of wonders asked Pinocchio growing tired of waiting be patient it is only a few more steps away they passed through the city and just outside the walls they stepped into a lonely field which looked more or less like any other field here we are said the fox to the marionette dig a hole here and put the gold pieces into it the marionette obeyed he dug the hole put the four gold pieces into it and covered them up very carefully now said the fox go to that nearby brook bring back a pail full of water and sprinkle it over the spot Pinocchio followed the directions closely but as he had no pail he pulled off his shoe filled it with water and sprinkled the earth which covered the gold then he asked anything else nothing else answered the fox now we can go return here within twenty minutes and you will find the vine grown and the branches filled with gold pieces Pinocchio beside himself with joy sent the fox and the cat many times and promised them each a beautiful gift we don't want any of your gifts answered the two rogues it is enough for us that we have helped you to become rich with little or no trouble for this we are as happy as kings they said goodbye to Pinocchio and wishing him good luck went on their way end of chapter 18 read by Kara Schellenberg on April 2nd, 2006 in Oceanside, California this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jim McCarville Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Calotti translated by Carol Della Chiesa chapter 19 Pinocchio is robbed of his gold pieces and in punishment his sentence to four months in prison if the marionette had been told to wait a day instead of 20 minutes the time could not have seen longer to him he walked impatiently to and fro and finally turned his nose toward the field of wonders as he walked with hurried steps his heart beat with an excited tic-tac tic-tac just as if it were a wall clock and his busy brain kept thinking what if instead of a thousand I should find two thousand or instead of two thousand I should find five thousand or one hundred thousand I'll build myself a beautiful palace with a thousand stables filled with thousand wooden horses to play with a cellar overflowing with lemonade and ice cream soda and a library of candies and fruits and cakes and cookies thus amusing himself with fancies he came to the field there he stopped to see if by chance a vine filled with gold coins was in sight but he saw nothing he took a few steps forward and still nothing he stepped on to the field he went up to the place where he had dug the hole and buried the gold pieces again nothing Pinocchio became very thoughtful and for getting his good manners altogether he pulled a hand out of his pocket and gave his head a thorough scratching as he did so he heard a hearty burst of laughter close to his head he turned sharply and there just above him on the branch of a tree sat a large parrot busily preening his feathers what are you laughing at Pinocchio asked previously I'm laughing because in preening my feathers I tickled myself under the wings the marionette did not answer he walked to the brook filled his shoe with water and once more sprinkled the ground which covered the gold pieces again another burst of laughter even more impertinent than the first was heard in a quiet field well cried the marionette angrily this time may I know Mr. Parrot what amuses you so I'm laughing at those simpletons who believe everything they hear and who allow themselves to be caught so easily in the trap set for them do you perhaps mean me I certainly do mean you poor Pinocchio you are such a little silly as to believe that gold can be sewn in a field just like beans and squash I do believe that once and today I'm very sorry for it today but too late I have reached the conclusion that in order to come by money honestly one must work and know how to earn it with hand or brain I don't know what you're talking about said the marionette who was beginning to tremble with fear too bad I'll explain myself better said the parrot while you were away in the city the fox and the cat returned here in a great hurry they took the four gold pieces which you had buried and ran away as fast as the wind if you can catch them you're a brave one Pinocchio's mouth opened wide he would not believe the parrot's words and began to dig furiously at the earth he dug and he dug it till the hole was as big as himself but no money was there every penny was gone in desperation he ran to the city to the courthouse to report the robbery to the magistrate the judge was a monkey a large gorilla venerable with age a flowing white beard covered his chest and he wore gold rim spectacles from which the glasses had dropped out the reason for wearing these he said was that his eyes had been weakened by the work of many years Pinocchio standing before him told his pitiful tale word by word he gave the names and descriptions of the robbers and begged for justice the judge listened to him with great patience a kind look shown in his eyes he became very much interested in the story he felt moved he almost wept when the marionette had no more to say the judge put out his hand and rang a bell at the sound two large mastiffs appeared wearing carboneers uniforms then the magistrate pointing to Pinocchio said in a solemn voice this poor simpleton has been robbed of four gold pieces take him therefore and throw him in prison the marionette on hearing this sentence passed on him was thoroughly stunned he tried to protest but the two officers clapped their paws on his mouth and held him away to jail there he had to remain for four long weary months and if it had not been for a very lucky chance he probably would have to stay there longer for my dear children you must know that it happened just as the young emperor who ruled over the city of simple simons gained a victory over his enemy in celebration thereof he ordered illuminations, fireworks shows of all kinds and best of all the opening of all prison doors if the others go I go too said Pinocchio to the jailer and not you answered the jailer you are one of those I beg your pardon interrupted Pinocchio I too am a thief in that case you are free to go said the jailer taking off his cap he bowed low he opened the door the prison and Pinocchio ran out in a way with never a look backward end of chapter 19 recording by Kathy of www.skippopscratch.com The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colotti translated by Carol Della Chiesa chapter 20 freed from prison Pinocchio sets out to return to the ferry but on the way he meets a serpent and later is caught in a trap fancy the happiness of Pinocchio on finding himself free without saying yes or no he fled from the city and set out on the road that was to take him back to the house of the lovely ferry it had rained for many days and the road was so muddy that at times Pinocchio sank down almost to his knees but he kept on bravely and tormented by the wish to see his father and his fairy sister with ozzer hair he raced like a greyhound as he ran he was splashed with mud even up to his cap how unhappy I have been he said to himself I deserve everything for I am certainly very stubborn and stupid I will always have my own way I won't listen to those who love me and who have more brains than I but from now on I'll be different and I'll try to become a most obedient boy I have found out beyond any doubt whatsoever that disobedient boys are certainly far from happy and that in the long run they always lose out I wonder if father is waiting for me will I find him at the ferry's house it is so long poor man since I have seen him and I do so want his love and his kisses and will the ferry ever forgive me for all I have done she who has been so good to me and to whom I owe my life can there be a worse or more heartless boy than I am anywhere as he spoke he stopped suddenly frozen with terror what was the matter an immense serpent lay stretched across the road a serpent with bright green skin fiery eyes which glowed and burned and a pointed tail that smoked like a chimney how frightened was poor Pinocchio he ran back wildly for half a mile and at last settled himself atop a heap of stones to wait for the serpent to go on his way and leave the road clear for him he waited an hour two hours three hours but the serpent was always there one could see the flash of his red eyes and the column of smoke which rose from his long pointed tail Pinocchio trying to feel very brave walked straight up to him and said in a sweet soothing voice I beg your pardon Mr. Serpent would you be so kind as to step aside to let me pass he might as well have talked to a wall the serpent never moved once more in the same sweet voice he spoke you must know Mr. Serpent that I am going home where my father is waiting for me it is so long since I have seen him would you mind very much if I passed he waited for some sign of an answer to his questions but the answer did not come on the contrary the green serpent who had seemed until then wide awake and full of life became suddenly very quiet and still his eyes closed and his tail stopped smoking is he dead I wonder said Pinocchio rubbing his hands together happily without a moment's hesitation he started to step over him but he had just raised one leg when the serpent shot up like a spring and the marionette fell head over heels backwards he fell so awkwardly that his head stuck in the mud and there he stood with his legs straight up in the air at the side of the marionette kicking and squirming like a young whirlwind the serpent laughed so heartily and so long that at last he burst an artery and died on the spot Pinocchio freed himself from his awkward position and once more began to run in order to reach the fairy's house before dark as he went the pangs of hunger grew so strong that unable to withstand them he jumped into a field to pick a few grapes that tempted him woe to him no sooner had he reached the grapevine then crack went his legs poor marionette was caught in a trap set there by a farmer for some weasels which came every night to steal his chickens End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Pinocchio is caught by a farmer who uses him as a watchdog for his chicken coop Pinocchio, as you may well imagine began to scream and weep and beg but all was of no use for no houses were to be seen and not a soul passed by on the road night came on a little because of the sharp pain in his legs a little because of fright at finding himself alone in the darkness of the field the marionette was about to faint when he saw a tiny glow worm flickering by he called to her and said dear little glow worm will you set me free poor little fellow replied the glow worm stopping to look at him with pity how came you to be caught in this trap I stepped into this lonely field to take a few grapes and are the grapes yours no who has taught you to take things that do not belong to you I was hungry hunger my boy is no reason for taking something which belongs to another it's true it's true cried Pinocchio in tears I won't do it again just then the conversation was interrupted by approaching footsteps it was the owner of the field who was coming on tiptoes to see if by chance he had caught the weasels which had been eating his chickens great was his surprise when holding up his lantern he saw that instead of a weasel he had caught a boy ah you little thief said the farmer in an angry voice so you are the one who steals my chickens not I no no cried Pinocchio sobbing bitterly I came here only to take a very few grapes he who steals grapes also take my word for it I'll give you a lesson that you'll remember for a long while he opened the trap grabbed the marionette by the collar and carried him to the house as if he were a puppy when he reached the yard in front of the house he flung him to the ground put a foot on his neck and said to him roughly it is late now and it's time for bed tomorrow will settle matters in the meantime you may take his place and guard my hen house no sooner said than done he slipped a dog collar around Pinocchio's neck and tightened it so that it would not come off a long iron chain was tied to the collar the other end of the chain was nailed to the wall if tonight it should happen to rain said the farmer you can sleep in that little dog house nearby where you will find plenty of straw for a soft bed it has been Melampo's bed for three years and it will be good enough for you and if, by any chance, any thieves should come be sure to bark after this last warning the farmer went into the house and closed the door and barred it poor Pinocchio huddled close to the dog house more dead than alive from cold, hunger, and fright now and again he pulled and tugged at the collar which nearly choked him and cried out in a weak voice I deserve it yes I deserve it I have been nothing but a true intent of Agobond I have never obeyed anyone and I have always done as I pleased if I were only like so many others and had studied and worked and stayed with my poor old father I should not find myself here now in this field and in the darkness taking the place of a farmer's watchdog oh, if I could start all over again but what is done can't be undone I must be patient after this little sermon to himself which came from the very depths of his heart Pinocchio went into the dog house and fell asleep End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 All animals very fond of both eggs and chickens one of them left her companions and, going to the door of the dog house said in a sweet voice Good evening Malanfo My name is not Malanfo answered Pinocchio Who are you then? I am Pinocchio What are you doing here? I'm the watchdog Where is Malanfo? Where is the old dog who used to live in this house? He died this morning Poor beast He was so good Still, judging by your face I think you too are a good natured dog I beg your pardon, I am not a dog What are you then? I am a marionette Are you taking the place of the watchdog? I'm sorry to say that I am I'm being punished Well, I shall make the same terms with you that we had with the dead Malanfo I'm sure you'll be glad to hear them And what are the terms? This is our plan We'll come once in a while as in the past to pay a visit to this hen house and we'll take away eight chickens Of these, seven are for us and one for you Provided, of course, that you will make believe you are sleeping and will not guard for the farmer Did Malanfo really do that? asked Pinocchio Indeed, he did And because of that, we were the best of friends Sleep away peacefully and remember that before we go we shall leave you a nice fat chicken already for your breakfast in the morning Is that understood? Even too well, answered Pinocchio and shaking his head in a threatening manner he seemed to say, we'll talk this over in a few minutes, my friends As soon as the four weasels had talked things over they went straight to the chicken coop which stood close to the doghouse digging busily with teeth and claws they opened the little door and slipped it but they were no sooner in they heard the door close with a sharp bang The one who had done the trick was Pinocchio who, not satisfied with that dragged a heavy stone in front of it That done, he started to bark and he barked as if he were a real watchdog Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow The farmer heard the loud barks and jumped out of bed taking his gun he leaped to the window and shouted, what's the matter? The thieves are here, answered Pinocchio Where are they? In the chicken coop, I'll come down in a second and in fact, he was down in the yard in a twinklet and running toward the chicken coop He opened the door, pulled out the weasels one by one and after tying them in a bag said to them in a happy voice You're in my hands at last I could punish you now, but I'll wait In the morning, you may come with me to the inn and there you'll make a fine dinner for some hungry mortal It is really too great an honor for you one you do not deserve but as you see, I'm really a very kind of generous man and I'm going to do this for you Then he went up to Pinocchio and began to pet and caress him How did you ever find him out so quickly? And to think that Malampo, my faithful Malampo never saw them in all these years The marionette could have told, then and there all he knew about the shameful contract between the dog and the weasels The thinking of the dead dog, he said to himself Malampo is dead, what is the use of accusing him? The dead are gone and they cannot defend themselves The best thing to do is to leave them in peace Were you awake or asleep when they came and continued the farmer I was asleep, answered Pinocchio but they awakened me with their whisperings One of them even came to the door of the dog house and said to me, if you promise not to bark we will make you a present of one of the chickens for your breakfast Did you hear that? They have the audacity to make such a proposition as that to me for you must know that though I am a very wicked marionette full of faults still I never have been nor ever shall be bribed Fine boy, cried the farmer slapping him on the shoulder in a friendly way to be proud of yourself and to show you what I think of you you are free from this instant and he slipped the dog collar from his neck End of Chapter 22 This is a Librebox recording All Librebox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit Librebox.org Recording by A.R. Dogs San Francisco Spring 2006 The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi Chapter 23 Pinocchio weeps upon learning that the lovely maiden with azure hair is dead He meets a pigeon who carries him to the seashore He throws himself into the sea to go to the aid of his father As soon as Pinocchio no longer felt the shameful weight of the dog collar around his neck he started to run across the fields and meadows and never stopped till he came to the main road to take him to the ferry's house When he reached it he looked into the valley far below him and there he saw the wood where unluckily he had met the fox and the cat and the tall oak tree where he had been hanged and though he searched far and near he could not see the house where the ferry with the azure hair lived He became terribly frightened and running as fast as he could he finally came to the spot where it had once stood The fox was no longer there in its place lay a small marble slab which bore this sad inscription Here lies the lovely ferry with azure hair who died of grief when abandoned by her little brother Pinocchio The poor marionette was heartbroken at reading these words He fell to the ground and covering the cold marble with kisses burst into bitter tears He cried all night and dawn found him still there though his tears had dried and only hard dry sobs shook his wooden frame But these were so loud that they could be heard by the far away hills As he sobbed he said to himself Oh, my fairy, my dear, dear fairy Why did you die? Why did I not die? Who am so bad? Who are so good? And my father, where can he be? Please, dear fairy, tell me where he is and I shall never, never leave him again You are not really dead, are you? If you love me you will come back alive as before Don't you feel sorry for me? I'm so lonely If the two assassins come they'll hang me again from the giant oak tree and I will really die this time What shall I do alone in the world? Now that you are dead and my father is lost Where shall I eat? Where shall I sleep? Who will make my new clothes? Oh, I want to die Yes, I want to die Oh, oh, oh Poor Pinocchio He even tried to tear his hair but as it was only painted on his wooden head he could not even pull it Just then a large pigeon flew far above him Seeing the marionette, he cried to him Tell me, little boy What are you doing down there? Can't you see? I'm crying, cried Pinocchio lifting his head toward the voice and rubbing his eyes with his sleeve Tell me, asked the pigeon Do you by chance know of a marionette? Pinocchio by name Pinocchio, did you say Pinocchio? replied the marionette jumping to his feet Why, I am Pinocchio At this answer the pigeon flew swiftly down to the earth He was much larger than a turkey Then you know Gepetto also Do I know him? He's my father, my poor dear father Has he perhaps spoken to you of me? Will you take me to him? Is he still alive? Answer me please Is he still alive? I left him three days ago on the shore of a large sea What was he doing? He was building a little boat with which to cross the ocean for the last four months That poor man has been wandering around Europe looking for you Not having found you yet he has made up his mind to look for you in the new world far across the ocean How far is it from here to the shore? asked Pinocchio anxiously more than fifty miles Fifty miles Oh dear pigeon how I wish I had your wings If you want to come I'll take you with me How? Astride my back Are you very heavy? Heavy? Not at all I'm only a feather Very well Saying nothing more Pinocchio jumped on the pigeon's back and as he settled himself he cried out gaily Gallop on, gallop on my pretty steed I am in a great hurry The pigeon flew away and in a few minutes he had reached the clouds The marionette looked to see what was below him The dead swam and he was so frightened that he clutched wildly at the pigeon's neck to keep himself from falling They flew all day toward evening the pigeon said I'm very thirsty and I'm very hungry said Pinocchio Let us stop a few minutes at that pigeon coop down there then we can go on and be at the seashore in the morning They went into the empty coop and there they found nothing but a bowl of water and a small basket filled with chickpeas The marionette had always hated chickpeas According to him they had always made him sick but that night he ate them with a relish As he finished them he turned to the pigeon and said I never should have thought that chickpeas could be so good You must remember my boy answered the pigeon that hunger is the best sauce After resting a few minutes longer they set out again The next morning they were at the seashore Pinocchio jumped off the pigeon's back and the pigeon not wanting any thanks for a kind deed flew away swiftly and disappeared The shore was full of people shrieking and tearing their hair as they looked toward the sea What has happened? asked Pinocchio of a little old woman A poor old father lost his only son some time ago and today he built a tiny boat for himself in order to go in search of him across the ocean The water is very rough and we're afraid he will be drowned Where is the little boat? There Straight down there answered the little old woman pointing to a tiny shadow no bigger than a nutshell floating on the sea Pinocchio looked closely for a few minutes and then gave a sharp cry It's my father It's my father Meanwhile the little boat tossed about by the hungry waters appeared and disappeared in the waves and Pinocchio standing on a high rock tired out with searching waved to him with hand and cap and even with his nose It looked as if Gepetto though far away from the shore recognized his son for he took off his cap and waved also He seemed to be trying to make everyone understand that he would come back if he were able but the sea was so heavy that he could do nothing with his oars Suddenly a huge wave came and the boat disappeared They waited and waited for it but it was gone Poor man said the fisherfolk on the shore whispering a prayer as they turned to go home Just then a desperate cry was heard Turning around the fisherfolk saw Pinocchio dive into the sea and heard him cry out I'll save him I'll save my father The marionette being made of wood floated easily along and swam like a fish in the rough water Now and again he disappeared only to reappear once more In a twinkling he was far away from land At last he was completely lost to view Poor boy cried the fisherfolk on the shore and again they mumbled a few prayers as they returned home End of Chapter 23 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Della Chiesa Chapter 24 Pinocchio reaches the island of the busy bees and finds the ferry once more Pinocchio spurred on by the hope of finding his father and of being in time to save him swam all night long and what a horrible night it was It poured rain, it hailed, it thundered and the lightning was so bright that it turned the night into day At dawn he saw, not far away from him a long stretch of sand It was an island in the middle of the sea Pinocchio tried his best to get there but he couldn't The waves played with him and tossed him about as if he were a twig or a bit of straw But for him a tremendous wave tossed him to the very spot where he wanted to be The blow from the wave was so strong that as he fell to the ground his joints cracked and almost broke But nothing daunted he jumped to his feet and cried Once more I have escaped with my life Little by little the sky cleared the sun came out and full splendor and the sea became as calm as a lake Then the marionette took off his clothes and laid them on the sand to dry He looked over the waters to see the sight of a boat with a little man in it He searched and he searched but he saw nothing except sea and sky and far away a few sails so small that they might have been birds If only I knew the name of this island he said to himself If I even knew what kind of people I would find here But whom shall I ask? There is no one here The idea of finding himself and so lonesome a spot made him so sad that he was about to cry But just then he saw a big fish swimming nearby with his head far out of the water Not knowing what to call him the marionette said to him Hey there, Mr. Fish, may I have a word with you? Even do if you want answered the fish who happened to be a very polite dolphin Will you please tell me if on this island there are places where one may eat without necessarily being eaten? Surely there are answered the dolphin In fact you will find one not far from this spot And how shall I get there? Take that path on your left and follow your nose You can't go wrong Tell me another thing Did you not perhaps meet a little boat with my father in it? And who is your father? He is the best father in the world even as I am the worst son that can be found In the storm of last night, answered the dolphin the little boat must have been swamped And my father, by this time he must have been swallowed by the terrible shark which for the last few days has been bringing terror to these waters Is this shark very big? asked Pinocchio who is beginning to tremble with fright Is he big? replied the dolphin and asked to give you an idea of his size Let me tell you that he is larger than a five-story building and that he has a mouth so big so deep that a whole train and engine could easily get into it Mother, mine! tried the marionette scared to death and dressed himself as fast as he could he turned to the dolphin and said Farewell Mr. Fish Pardon the bother and many thanks for your kindnesses This said he took the path at so swift a gate that he seemed to fly and at every small sound he heard he turned in fear to see whether the terrible shark five stories high and with a train in his mouth was following him after walking a half hour he came to a small country called the land of the busy bees the streets were filled with people running to and fro about their tasks everyone worked everyone had something to do even if one were to search with a lantern not one idle man or one tramp could have been found I understand said Pinocchio once weirdly this is no place for me I was not born for work but in the meantime he began to feel hungry for it was twenty-four hours since he had eaten what was to be done there were only two means left to him in order to get a bite to eat he had either to work or to beg he was ashamed to beg because his father had always preached to him that begging should be done only by the sick or the old he had said that the real poor in this world deserving of our pity and help were only those who either through age or sickness had lost the means of earning their bread with their own hands all others should work and if they didn't and went hungry so much the worse for them just then a man passed by worn out and wet with perspiration polling with difficulty two heavy carts filled with coal Pinocchio looked at him and judging him by his looks to be a kind man said to him with eyes downcast and shame will you be so good as to give me a penny for I'm faint with hunger not only one penny answered the coal man I'll give you four if you will help me pull these two wagons answered the marionette very much offended I wish you to know that I have never been a donkey nor have I ever pulled a wagon so much the better for you answered the coal man then my boy if you are really faint with hunger eat two slices of your pride and I hope they don't give you indigestion a few minutes after a prick layer passed by carrying a pale full of plaster on his shoulder good man will you be kind enough to give a penny to a poor boy who is yawning from hunger gladly answered the prick layer and carry some plaster and instead of one penny I'll give you five but the plaster is heavy answered Pinocchio and the work is too hard for me help the work is too hard for you my boy enjoy your yawns and may they bring you luck in less than half an hour at least 20 people passed by and Pinocchio begged of each one but they all answered aren't you ashamed instead of being a beggar in the streets why don't you look for work and earn your own bread finally a little woman went by carrying two jugs of water will you allow me to have a drink from one of your jugs as Pinocchio who was burning up with thirst with pleasure my boy she answered setting the two jugs on the ground before him when Pinocchio had had his fill he grumbled as he wiped his mouth my thirst is gone if I could only as easily get rid of my hunger on hearing these words the good little woman immediately said if you will help me carry these jugs home I'll give you a slice of bread Pinocchio looked at the jug and said neither yes nor no and with the bread I'll give you a nice dish of cauliflower with white sauce on it Pinocchio gave the jug another look and said neither yes nor no and after the cauliflower some cake and jam at this last bribery Pinocchio could no longer resist and said firmly very well I will take the jug home for you the jug was very heavy and the marionette not being strong enough to carry it with his hands had to put it on his head when they arrived home the little woman made Pinocchio sit down at a small table and placed before him the bread cauliflower and the cake Pinocchio did not eat he devoured his stomach seemed a bottomless bit his hunger finally appeased he raised his head to thank his kind benefactress but he had not looked at her long when he gave a cry of surprise and sat there with his eyes wide open his fork in the air and his mouth filled with bread and cauliflower why all this surprise asked the good woman laughing because answered Pinocchio stammering and stuttering the same voice the same eyes the same hair yes yes yes you have also the same as your hair she had all my little fairy my little fairy tell me that it is you don't make me cry any longer if you only knew I have cried so much I have suffered so and Pinocchio threw himself on the floor and clasped the knees of the mysterious little woman End of Chapter 24 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Della Chiesa Chapter 25 Pinocchio promises the fairy to be good and to study as he is growing tired of being a marionette and wishes to become a real boy if Pinocchio cried much longer the little woman thought he would melt away so she finally admitted that she was the little fairy with as your hair you are a rascal of a marionette how did you know it was I? she asked laughing my love for you told me who you were do you remember you left me when I was a little girl and now you find me a grown woman I am so old I could almost be your mother I am very glad of that for then I can call you mother instead of sister for a long time I have wanted a mother just like other boys but how did you grow so quickly tell it to me I want to grow a little look at me I have never grown higher than a penny's worth of cheese but you cannot grow answer the fairy why not because marionettes never grow they are born marionettes they live marionettes and they die marionettes oh I am tired of always being a marionette cried Pinocchio disgustedly it's about time for me to grow into a man as everyone else does and you will if you deserve it really what can I do to deserve it it's a very simple matter try to act like a well behaved child don't you think I do far from it good boys are obedient and you on the contrary and I never obey good boys love study and work but you I on the contrary am a lazy fellow and tramp all year round good boys always tell the truth and I always tell lies good boys go gladly to school I get sick if I go to school from now on I will be different do you promise I promise I want to become a good boy and be a comfort to my father where is my poor father now I do not know will I ever be lucky enough to find him and embrace him once more I think so indeed I am sure of it at this answer Pinocchio's happiness was very great he grasped the fairy's hands and kissed them so hard that it looked as if he had lost his head then lifting his face he looked at her lovingly and asked it isn't true that you are dead is it it doesn't seem so answered the fairy smiling if you only knew how I suffered and how I wept when I read here lies I know and for that I have forgiven you the depth of your sorrow made me see that you have a kind heart there is always hope for boys with hearts such as yours though they may often be very mischievous this is the reason why I have come so far to look for you from now on I'll be your own little mother oh how lovely! cried Pinocchio jumping with joy you will obey me always and do as I wish gladly, very gladly, more than gladly beginning tomorrow, said the fairy you'll go to school every day Pinocchio's face fell a little then you will choose the trade you like best Pinocchio became more serious what are you mumbling to yourself asked the fairy I was just saying find the marionette in a whisper too late for me to go to school now no indeed remember it is never too late to learn but I don't want either trade or profession why? because work worries me my dear boy said the fairy people who speak as you do usually end their days either in a prison or in a hospital a man remember whether rich or poor should do something in this world no one can find happiness without work woe betide the lazy fellow laziness is a serious illness and one must cure it immediately yes even from early childhood if not it will kill you in the end these words touched Pinocchio's heart he lifted his eyes to his fairy and said seriously I'll work I'll study I'll do all you tell me after all the life of a marionette has grown very tiresome to me and I want to become a boy no matter how hard it is you promise that do you not yes I promise and now it is up to you end of chapter 25 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Dalla-Keyasa chapter 26 Pinocchio goes to the seashore with his friends to see the terrible shark in the morning in the morning right and early Pinocchio started for school imagine what the boy said when he saw a marionette enter the classroom they laughed until they cried everyone played tricks on him one pulled his head off another tugged at his coat the third tried to paint a mustache under his nose one even attempted to tie strings to his feet in his hands to make him dance for a while Pinocchio was very calm and quiet finally however he lost all patience and turning to his tormentors he said to them threateningly careful boys, I haven't come here to be made fine off I'll respect you and I want you to respect me however Dr. Noel you have spoken like a printed book how the boy is bursting with laughter one of them, more impudent than the rest put out his hand to pull the marionette's nose but he was not quick enough for Pinocchio stretched his leg under the table and kicked him hard on the shin oh what hard feet cried the boy rubbing the spot where the marionette had kicked him and but elbows they are even harder than the feet shouted another one who because of some other trick had received a blow in the stomach with that kick and that blow Pinocchio gained everybody's favor everyone admired him dance attendance upon him that didn't caress him as the days passed into weeks even the teacher praised him for he saw him attentive hard working and wide awake always the first to come in the morning the last leave in school was over Pinocchio's only fault was that he had too many friends among these were many well-known rascals who cared not a job for study or for success the teacher warned him each day that even the good fairy repeated to him many times take care Pinocchio those bad companions will sooner or later make you lose your love for study someday they will lead you astray there's no such danger answered the marionette shrugging his shoulders forehead as if to say I'm too wise so it happened that one day as he was walking to school he met some boys who run up to him and said have you heard the news no a shark as big as a mountain has been seen near the shore really I wonder if it could be the same one I heard of when my father was drowned we are going to see it are you coming no not I I must go to school what do you care about school tomorrow with the lesson more or less we are always the same donkeys and what will the teacher say let him talk he is paid to grumble all day long and my mother mothers don't know anything after those camps do you know what I'll do you said Pinocchio for certain reasons of mine I too want to see that shark but I'll go after school I can see him then as well as now poor simpleton cried one of the boys do you think that the fish of that size will stand there waiting for you it turns and off he goes and no one will ever be the wiser how long does it take from here to the shore as the marionette one hour there and back very well then let's see who gets there first cried Pinocchio at this signal the little troop would bulk standard their arms dashed across the fields Pinocchio led the way running as if on wings the others following as fast as they could when again he looked back and seeing his followers hot and tired and with tongues hanging out he laughed out heartily unhappy boy if he had only known then the dreadful things that were to happen to him on account of his disobedience end of chapter 26 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Harvey Chin the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Della Chiesa chapter 27 the great battle between Pinocchio and his playmates one is wounded Pinocchio is arrested going like the wind Pinocchio took but a very short time to reach the shore he glanced all about him but there was no sign of a shark the sea was as smooth as glass hey there boys where's that shark he asked turning to his playmates he may have gone for his breakfast said one of them laughing or perhaps he went to bed for a little nap said another laughing also from the answers and the laughter which followed them Pinocchio understood that the boys had played a trick on him what now he said angrily to them what's the joke oh the joke's on you cried his tormentors laughing more heartily than ever and dancing gaily around the marionette that is that we have made you stay out of school to come with us aren't you ashamed of being such a goody goody and of studying so hard you never have a bit of enjoyment and what is it to you if I do study what does a teacher think of us you mean why don't you see if you study and we don't we pay for it after all it's only fair to look out for ourselves what do you want me to do hate school and books and teachers as we all do they are your worst enemies you know and they like to make you as unhappy as they can and if I go on studying what will you do to me you'll pay for it really you amuse me answered the marionette nodding his head hey Pinocchio cried the tallest of them all that will do we are tired of hearing you bragging about yourself you little turkey cock you may not be afraid of us but remember we are not afraid of you either you are alone you know and we are seven like seven sins said Pinocchio still laughing did you hear that he has insulted us all he called us sins Pinocchio apologize for that or look out cuckoo said the marionette mocking them with his thumb to his nose you'll be sorry cuckoo we'll whip you soundly cuckoo you'll go home with a broken nose cuckoo very well then take that and keep it for your supper called out the boldest of his tormentors and with the words he gave Pinocchio a terrible blow on the head Pinocchio answered with another blow that was the signal for the beginning of the fray in a few moments the fight raged hot and heavy on both sides Pinocchio although alone defended himself bravely with those two wooden feet of his he worked so fast that his opponents kept at a respectful distance wherever they landed they left their painful mark and the boys could only run away and howl enraged at not being able to fight the marionette at close quarters they started to throw all kinds of books at him readers geographies histories grammars flew in all directions but Pinocchio was keen of eye and swift of movement and the books only passed over his head landed in the sea and disappeared fish thinking they might be good to eat came to the top of the water in great numbers some took a nibble some took a bite but no sooner had they tasted a page or two then they spat them out with a right face as if to say what a horrible taste our own food is so much better meanwhile the battle waxed more and more closely at the noise a large crab crawled slowly out of the water and with a voice that sounded like a trombone suffering from a cold he cried out stop fighting you rascals these battles between you boys rarely end well trouble is sure to come to you poor crab he might as well have spoken to the wind instead of listening to his good advice Pinocchio turned to him and said as roughly as he knew how keep quiet ugly crab it would be better for you to chew a few cough drops to get rid of that cold you have go to bed and sleep you will feel better in the morning in the meantime the boys having used all their books looked around for new ammunition seeing Pinocchio's bundle lying idly nearby they somehow managed to get hold of it one of the books was a very large volume an arithmetic text heavily bound in leather it was Pinocchio's pride among all his books he liked that one the best thinking would make a fine missile one of the boys to cold of it and threw it with all his Pinocchio's head but instead of hitting the marionette the book struck one of the other boys who as pale as a ghost cried out faintly oh mother help I'm dying and fell senseless to the ground at the sight of that little pale corpse the boys were so frightened that they turned to tail and ran in a few moments all had disappeared all except Pinocchio although scared to death by the horror of what had been done he ran to the sea and soaked his anchor chift in the cool water and with it the head of his poor little schoolmate sobbing bitterly he cried to him saying Eugene poor Eugene open your eyes and look at me why don't you answer I was not the one who hit you you know believe me I didn't do it open your eyes Eugene if you keep them shut I'll die too oh dear me how shall I ever go home now how shall I ever look at my little mother again what will happen to me where shall I go where shall I hide oh how much better it would have been a thousand times better if only I had gone to school why did I listen to those boys they always were a bad influence and to think that the teacher had told me and my mother too beware of bad company that's what she said but I'm stubborn and proud I listen but always I do as I wish and then I pay I've never had a moment's peace since I've been born oh dear what will become of me what will become of me Pinocchio went on crying and moaning and beating his head again and again he called to his little friend when suddenly he heard heavy steps approaching he looked up and saw two tall carabiners near him what are you doing stretched out on the ground they asked Pinocchio I'm helping this little school fellow of mine as he fainted I should say so said one of the carabiners bending to look at Eugene this boy has been wounded on the temple who has hurt him not I stammered the marionette who had hardly a breath left in his whole body Pinocchio who was it then not I repeated Pinocchio and with what was he wounded with his book and the marionette picked up the arithmetic text to show it to the officer and whose book is this mine? enough not another word get up as quickly as you can and come along with us but but I come with us but I am innocent come with us before starting out the officers called out to several fishermen passing by in a boat and said to them take care of this little fellow who has been hurt take him home and bind his wounds tomorrow we will come after him then they took hold of Pinocchio and putting him between them said to him in a rough voice march and go quickly Oro will be the worse for you they did not have to repeat their words the marionette walked swiftly along the road to the village but the poor fellow hardly knew what he was about he thought he had a nightmare he felt ill his eyes saw everything double his legs trembled he could not utter a single word yet in spite of this numbness of feeling he suffered keenly at the thought of passing under the windows of his good little fairy's house what would she say on seeing him between two carabiners? they had just reached the village when a sudden guest of wind blew off Pinocchio's cap and made it go sailing far down the street would you allow me, the marionette asked the carabiners to run after my cap very well go, but hurry the marionette went, picked up his cap but instead of putting it on his head he stuck it between his teeth and then raced toward the sea he went like a bullet out of a gun the carabiners, judging that it would be very difficult to catch him sent a large mastiff after him one that had won first prize in all the dog races Pinocchio ran fast and the dog ran faster at so much noise that people hung out of the windows were gathered in the street anxious to see the end of the contest but they were disappointed for the dog and Pinocchio raced so much dust on the road that for a few moments it was impossible to see them end of Chapter 27 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colori translated by Carol Della Chiesa Chapter 28 Pinocchio runs the danger of being fried in a pan like a fish during that wild chase Pinocchio lived through a terrible moment when he almost gave himself up as lost this was when Aladoro that was the mastiff's name in a frenzy of running came so near that he was on the very point of reaching him the marionette heard close behind him the labored breathing of the beast who was fast on his trail and now and again even felt his breath blow over him luckily by this time he was very near the shore and the sea was in sight as soon as he set foot on the beach Pinocchio gave a leap and fell into the water Aladoro tried to stop but as he was running very fast he couldn't and he too landed far out in the sea strange though it may seem the dog could not swim he beat the water with his paws to hold himself up but the harder he tried the deeper he sank as he stuck his head out once more the poor fellow's eyes were bulging and he barked out wildly Drowne answered Pinocchio from afar happy at his escape how Pinocchio dear little Pinocchio saved me from death at those cries of suffering the marionette who after all had a very kind heart was moved to compassion he turned toward the poor animal and said to him but if I help you will you promise not to bother me again by running after me I promise I promise only hurry for if you wait another second I'll be dead and gone Pinocchio hesitated still another minute and remembering how his father had often told him that a kind deed is never lost he swam to Aladoro and catching hold of his tail dragged him to the shore the poor dog was so weak he could not stand he had swallowed so much salt water that he was swollen like a balloon however Pinocchio not wishing to trust him too much threw himself once again into the sea as he swam away he called out Aladoro good luck and remember me to the family goodbye little Pinocchio answered the dog a thousand thanks for having saved me from death you did me a good turn and in this world what is given is always returned if the chance comes I shall be there Pinocchio went on swimming close to shore at last he thought he had reached a safe place glancing up and down the beach he saw the opening of a cave out of which rose a spiral of smoke in that cave he said to himself there must be a fire so much the better I'll dry my clothes and warm myself and then well his mind made up Pinocchio swam to the rocks but as he started to climb he felt something under him lifting him up higher and higher he tried to escape but he was too late to his great surprise he found himself in a huge net amid a crowd of fish of all kinds and sizes and he was desperately to free themselves at the same time he saw a fisherman come out of the cave a fisherman so ugly that Pinocchio thought he was a sea monster in place of hair his head was covered by a thick bush of green grass green was the skin of his body green were his eyes green was the long long beard that reached to his feet he looked like a giant lizard with legs and arms when the fisherman pulled the net out of the sea he cried out joyfully blessed providence once more I'll have a fine meal of fish thank heaven I'm not a fish said Pinocchio to himself trying with these words to find a little courage the fisherman took the net and the fish to the cave a dark gloomy smoky place in the middle of it a pan full of oil sizzled over a smoky fire sending out a repelling odor of tallow that took away one's breath now let's see what kind of fish we have caught today said the green fisherman he put a hand as big as a spade into the net and pulled out a handful of mullets fine mullets these he said after looking at them and smelling them with pleasure after that he threw them into a large empty tub many times he repeated this performance as he pulled each fish out of the net his mouth watered with the thought of the good dinner coming and he said fine fish these bass very tasty these white fish these flounders these what splendid crabs and these dear little anchovies with their heads still on as you can well imagine the bass the flounders the white fish and even the little anchovies all went together into the tub to keep the mullets company the last to come out of the net was Pinocchio as soon as the fisherman pulled him out his green eyes opened wide with surprise and he cried out in fear what kind of fish is this I don't remember eating anything like it he looked at him closely and after turning him over and over he said at last I understand he must be a crab Pinocchio mortified at being taken for a crab said resentfully what nonsense a crab indeed I am no such thing beware how you deal with me I am a marionette I want you to know a marionette that's the fisherman I must admit that a marionette fish is for me an entirely new kind of fish so much the better I'll eat you with greater relish eat me but can't you understand that I'm not a fish can't you hear that I speak and think as you do it's true answered the fisherman but since I see that you are a fish well able to talk and think as I do I'll treat you with all due respect and that is that as a sign of my particular esteem I'll leave to you the choice of manner in which you are to be cooked do you wish to be fried in a pan cooked with tomato sauce to tell you the truth answered Pinocchio if I must choose I should much rather go free so I may return home are you fooling? do you think that I want to lose the opportunity to taste such a rare fish a marionette fish does not come very often to these seas leave it to me I'll fry you in the pan with the others I know you'll like it it's always a comfort to find oneself in good company the unlucky marionette hearing this began to cry and wail and beg with tears streaming down his cheeks he said how much better it would have been for me to go to school I did listen to my playmates and now I am paying for it oh oh and as he struggled and squirmed like an eel to escape from him the green fisherman took a stout cord and tied him hand and foot and threw him into the bottom of the tub with the others then he pulled a wooden bowl with a flower out of a cupboard and started to roll the fish into it one by one when they were white with it he threw them into the pan the first to dance in the hot oil were the mullets the bass followed then the white fish the flounders and the anchovies Pinocchio's turn came last seeing himself so near to death and such a horrible death he began to tremble so with fright that he had no voice left with which to beg for his life the poor boy beseeched only with his eyes but the green fisherman not even noticing that it was he turned him over and over in the flower until he looked like a marionette made of chalk then he took him by the head and end of chapter 28 this is a LibraVox recording all LibraVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Calodi translated by Carol Della Chiesa chapter 29 Pinocchio returns to the fairy's house and she promises him that on the morrow he will cease to be a marionette and become a boy a wonderful party of coffee and milk to celebrate the great event mindful of what the fisherman had said Pinocchio knew that all hope being saved had gone he closed his eyes and waited for the final moment suddenly a large dog attracted by the odor of boiling oil came running into the cave get out! read the fisherman threateningly and still holding on to the marionette who was all covered with flower but the poor dog was very hungry and whining and wagging his tail he tried to say give me a bite of the fish I'll go in peace get out I say repeated the fisherman and he drew back his foot to give the dog a kick then the dog, who being really hungry would take no refusal turned in a rage toward the fisherman and bared his terrible fangs at that moment a pitiful little voice was heard saying save me Aladoro if you don't I'll fry the dog immediately recognized Pinocchio's voice great was his surprise to find that the voice came from the little flower covered bundle that the fisherman held in his hand then what did he do? with one great leap he grasped that bundle in his mouth and holding it lightly between his teeth ran through the door and disappeared like a flash the fisherman, angry at seeing his meal snatched from under his nose ran after the dog but a bad fit of coughing made him stop and turn back meanwhile Aladoro as soon as he had found the road which led to the village stopped and dropped Pinocchio softly to the ground how much I do thank you said the marionette it's not necessary answered the dog you saved me once and what is given is always returned we are in this world to help one another but how did you get in that cave? I was lying here on the sand more dead than alive when an appetizing odor of fried fish came to me that odor tickled my hunger and I followed it oh, if I had come a moment later don't speak about it whale Pinocchio still trembling with fright don't say a word if you had come a moment later I would be fried, eaten and digested by this time I shivered at the mere thought of it Aladoro laughingly held out his paw to the marionette who shook it heartily feeling that now he and the dog were good friends then they bid each other goodbye and the dog went home Pinocchio left alone walked toward a little hut nearby where an old man sat at the door sunning himself and asked tell me, good man have you heard anything of a poor boy with a wounded head whose name was Eugene? the boy was brought to this hut and now now he's dead Pinocchio interrupted sorrowfully no, he is now alive and he has already returned home really, really cried the marionette jumping around with joy then the wound was not serious but it might have been even mortal answered the old man a heavy book was thrown at his head and who threw it? a school maid of his a certain Pinocchio and who is this Pinocchio? asked the marionette feigning ignorance they say he is a mischief maker a tramp a street urchin column knees all column knees do you know this Pinocchio? I cite answered the marionette and what do you think of him? answered the old man I think he is a very good boy fond of study obedient kind to his father and to his whole family as he was telling all these enormous lies about himself Pinocchio touched his nose and found it twice as long as it should be scared out of his wits he cried out don't listen to me, good man all the wonderful things I have said are not true at all I know Pinocchio well and he is indeed a very wicked fellow lazy and disobedient who instead of going to school runs away with his playmates to have a good time at this speech his nose returned to its natural size why are you so pale? asked the old man suddenly let me tell you without knowing it I rubbed myself against a newly painted wall he lied ashamed to say that he had been made ready for the frying pan what have you done with your coat and your hat and your breeches? I met these and they robbed me tell me, my good man have you not perhaps a little suit to give me so that I may go home? boy as for clothes I have only a bag in which I keep hops if you want it take it there it is Pinocchio did not wait for him to repeat his words he took the bag which happened to be empty and after cutting a big hole at the top and two at the sides he slipped into it as if it were a shirt lightly clad as he was he started out toward the village along the way he felt very uneasy in fact he was so unhappy that he went along taking two steps forward and one back and as he went he said to himself how shall I ever face my good little fairy? what will she say when she sees me? will she forgive this last trick of mine? I am sure she won't oh no she won't and I deserve it as usual for I am a rascal fine on promises which I never keep he came to the village late at night he was so dark he could see nothing and it was raining pitchforks Pinocchio went straight to the fairy's house firmly resolved to knock at the door when he found himself there he lost courage and ran back a few steps the second time he came to the door and again he ran back the third time he repeated his performance the fourth time before he had time to lose his courage he grasped the knocker and made a faint sound with it he waited and waited and waited finally after a full half hour a top floor window the house had four stories opened and Pinocchio saw a large snail look out a tiny light glowed on top of her head who knocks at this late hour she called is the fairy home? asked the marionette the fairy is asleep and does not wish to be disturbed who are you? it is I who's I? Pinocchio who is Pinocchio? the marionette the one who lives in the fairy's house oh I understand said the snail wait for me there I will come down to open the door for you hurry I beg of you for I am dying of cold my boy I am a snail and snails are never in a hurry an hour passed two hours the door was still closed Pinocchio who was trembling with fear and shivering from the cold rain on his back knocked a second time this time louder than before at that second knock a window on the third floor opened and the same snail looked out dear little snail cried Pinocchio from the street I have been waiting two hours for you and two hours on a dreadful night like this are as long as two years hurry please my boy answered the snail in a calm, peaceful voice my dear boy I am a snail and snails are never in a hurry and the window closed a few minutes later midnight struck then one o'clock two o'clock and the door still remained closed then Pinocchio losing all patience grabbed the knocker with both hands fully determined to wake the whole house in the street with it as soon as he touched the knocker, however it became an eel and wiggled away into the darkness really? cried Pinocchio, blind with rage if the knocker is gone I can still use my feet he stepped back and gave the door a most solemn kick he kicked so hard that his foot went straight through the door and his leg followed almost to the knee no matter how he pulled and tugged he could not pull it out there he stayed as if nailed to the door poor Pinocchio the rest of the night he had to spend with one foot through the door and the other one in the air as dawn was breaking the door finally opened that brave little animal, the snail had taken exactly nine hours to go from the fourth floor to the street how she must have raced what are you doing with your foot through the door she asked the marionette laughing it was a misfortune won't you try pretty little snail to free me from this terrible torture my boy, we need a carpenter here and I have never been one ask the fairy to help me the fairy is asleep and does not want to be disturbed but what do you want me to do nailed to the door like this enjoy yourself counting the ants which are passing by bring me something to eat at least for I am faint with hunger immediately in fact after three and a half hours Pinocchio saw her return with a silver tray on her head on the tray for bread roast chicken fruit here is the breakfast the fairy sends to you said the snail at the sight of all these good things the marionette felt much better what was his disgust however when on tasting the food he found the bread to be made of chalk the chicken a cardboard and the brilliant fruit of colored alabaster he wanted to cry he wanted to give himself up to despair he wanted to throw away the tray and all that was on it instead either from pain or weakness he fell to the floor in a dead faint when he regained his senses he found himself stretched out on a sofa and the fairy was seated near him this time I forgive you said the fairy to him I'd be careful not to get into mischief again Pinocchio promised to study and to behave himself and he kept his word for the remainder of the year at the end of it he passed first in all his examinations and there's a report was so good that the fairy said to him happily tomorrow your wish will come true and what is that? tomorrow you will cease to be a marionette and will become a real boy Pinocchio was beside himself with joy all his friends and schoolmates must be invited to celebrate the great event the fairy promised to prepare 200 cups of coffee and milk and 400 slices of toast buttered on both sides the day promised to be a very gay and happy one but unluckily in a marionette's life there's always a but which is apt to spoil everything End of Chapter 29 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi Translated by Carol de la Chiesa Chapter 30 in which Pinocchio instead of becoming a boy runs away to the land of toys with his friend Labwick Coming out at last from the surprise into which the fairy's words had thrown him Pinocchio asked for permission to give out the invitations Well indeed you may invite your friends to tomorrow's party only remember to return home before doctor you understand Oh I'll be back in one hour without fail answered the marionette Well take care Pinocchio boys give promises very easily but they as easily forget them but I am not like those others when I give my word I keep it Well we shall see in case you do disobey you will be the one to suffer not anyone else Why? Because boys who do not listen to their elders always come to grief Well I certainly have said Pinocchio but from now on I obey Well we shall see if you were telling the truth without adding another word Pinocchio made the good fairy goodbye and singing and dancing he left the house in a little more than an hour all his friends were invited some accepted quickly and gladly others had to be coaxed but when they heard that the toast was to be buttered on both sides they all ended by accepting the invitation with the words Welcome to please you Now it must be known that among all his friends Pinocchio had one whom he loved most of all The boy's real name was Romeo but everyone called him Lampwick because he was tall and thin and had a wobagon look about him Lampwick was the easiest boy in the school and the biggest mischievous maker but Pinocchio loved him dearly that day he went straight to his friends house to invite him to the party but Lampwick was not at home he went a second time and again a third but still without success or where can he be Pinocchio searched here and there and everywhere and finally discovered him hiding under a farmer's wagon oh what are you doing there that's Pinocchio running up to him oh I'm waiting for him midnight to strike to go where far far away and I have gone to your house three times to look for you or what did you want from me haven't you heard the news don't you know what good luck is mine or what is it tomorrow I end my days as a marionette and become a boy like you then all my other friends may it bring you luck well shall I see you at my party tomorrow and I'm telling you that I go tonight well what time at midnight where are you going to a real country the best in the world a wonderful place what's it called why don't you come too hi oh no where you're making a big mistake Pinocchio believe me if you don't come you'll be sorry now where can you find a place that will agree better with you and me no schools no teachers no books in that blessed place there is no such thing as study here it is only on Saturdays that we have no school in the land of toys every day except Sunday it's a Saturday vacation begins on the 1st of January and ends on the last day of December now that's the place for me all countries should be like it how happy we should all be but how does one spend the day in the land of toys as Pinocchio in play and enjoyment from war until night at night one goes to bed the next morning the good times begin all over again what do you think of it Pinocchio nodding his wooden head as if to say well it's the kind of life they would agree with me perfectly well you want to go with me then yes or no you have to make up your mind no no I promise my fairy to become a good boy and I want to keep my word you see the sun is setting and I must leave you and run goodbye good luck to you where are you going it's a charity home my good fairy wants me to return home before night wait two minutes more it's too late only two minutes and if the fairy scolds me let her scold after she gets tired she'll stop are you going alone or with others alone there will be more than a hundred of us will you walk at midnight the wagon passes here that is to take us within the boundaries of that marvelous country how I wish midnight would strike why to see you all set out together we'll stay here a while longer and you will see us no no I want to return home wait two more minutes I've waited too long as it is the fairy will be worried poor fairy is she afraid the bats will eat you up listen lamp work said Pinocchio are you really sure there are no schools in the land of toys not even the shadow of one not even one teacher not one and one does not have to study never never never what a great land said Pinocchio feeling his mouth water what a beautiful land I've never been there but I can well imagine it well why don't you come too well it's useless for you to tempt me I told you I promised my good fairy to behave myself and I'm going to keep my word well good bye then and remember me to the grammar schools to the high schools and even to the colleges if you meet them on the way well goodbye lamp work and have a pleasant trip and enjoy yourself and remember your friends once in a while and with these words Pinocchio started on his way home turning once more to his friend and asked him are you sure that in that country each week is composed of six Saturdays and one Sunday very sure and that vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the 31st of December very very sure what a great country repeated Pinocchio puzzled just what to do and then in sudden determination he said hurriedly goodbye for the last time and good luck goodbye how soon will you go within two hours what a pity if there were only one hour I might wait for you and the fairy oh by this time well in one hour or more or less makes very little difference poor Pinocchio if the fairy scolds you no understole after she gets tired she'll stop in the meantime the night became darker and darker and all at once in the distance a small light flickered a queer sound could be heard soft as a little bell muffled like the buzz of a far away mosquito there it is cried Lampwick jumping to his feet what? whispered Pinocchio the wagon which is coming to get me for the last time are you coming or not but is it really true that in that country boys never have to study never never oh what a wonderful beautiful marvelous country that is the end of chapter 30 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Calodi translated by Carol Delacchiesa chapter 31 in which after five months of play Pinocchio wakes up one fine morning and finds a great surprise awaiting him finally the wagon arrived it made no noise for its wheels were bound with straw it was drawn by 12 pair of donkeys all of the same size but all of different color some were gray others white and still others a mixture of brown and black here and there were a few with large yellow and blue stripes the strangest thing of all was that those 24 donkeys of being iron shod like any other beast of Burton had on their feet laced shoes made of leather just like the ones boys wear and the driver of the wagon imagine to yourselves a little fat man much wider than he was tall round and shiny as a ball of butter with a face beaming like an apple a little mouth that always smiled and a voice small and wheedling like that of a cat begging for food no sooner did a boy see him than that boy fell in love with him and nothing satisfied this boy but to be allowed to ride in the man's wagon to that lovely place called the land of toys in fact the wagon was so closely packed with boys of all ages that it looked like a box of sardines they were uncomfortable they were piled one on top of the other they could hardly breathe yet not one word of complaint was heard the thought that in a few hours they would reach a country where there were no school no books no teachers made these boys so happy that they felt neither hunger nor thirst nor sleep nor discomfort no sooner had the wagon stopped than the little fat man turned to lampwick with bows and smiles he asked in a wheedling tone tell me my fine boy do you also want to come to my wonderful country well indeed I do but I warn you my little dear there's no more room in the wagon it's full never mind answered lampwick if there's no room inside I can sit on top of the coach and with one leap he perched himself there what about you my love asked the little man turning politely to Pinocchio what are you going to do will you come with us may I stay here well I stay here answered Pinocchio I want to return home but I prefer to study and to succeed in life may that bring you luck Pinocchio lampwick called out listen to me come with us we'll always be happy oh no no no come with us and we'll always be happy cried four other voices from the wagon come with us and we'll always be happy shouted the 100 and more boys in the wagon all together and if I go with you what will my good fairy say asked Pinocchio who was beginning to waver and weaken in his good resolutions oh don't worry so much only think that we are going to a land where we shall be allowed to make all the bracket we like from morning till night Pinocchio did not answer but sighed deeply once twice a third time finally he said make room for me I want to go too the seats are all filled answered the little man but to show you how much I think of you take my place as catchment well and you I'll walk well no indeed I could not permit such a thing I much prefer riding one of these donkeys cried Pinocchio and no sooner said then done he approached the first donkey and tried to mount it but the little animal turned suddenly and gave him such a terrible kick in the stomach Pinocchio was thrown to the ground and fell with his legs in the air at this unlooked for entertainment the whole company of runaways laughed up roriously a little fat man did not laugh he went up to the rebellious animal and still smiling bent over him lovingly and bit off half his right ear in the meantime Pinocchio lifted himself up from the ground and with one leap landed on the donkey's back the leap was so well taken that all the boys shouted hurrah for Pinocchio and clap their hands in hearty applause suddenly a little donkey gave a kick with his two hind feet and at this unexpected move Pinocchio found himself once again sprawling right in the middle of the road again the boys shouted with laughter but the little man instead of laughing became so loving toward the little animal that with another kiss he bit off half his left ear you can mount now my boy he then said to Pinocchio have no fear that that donkey was worried about something but I have spoken to him and now he seems quiet and reasonable Pinocchio mounted and the wagon started on its way while the donkeys galloped along the stony road Pinocchio fancied he heard a very quiet voice whispering to him poor silly you have done as you wished but you are going to be a sorry boy before long Pinocchio greatly frightened looked about him to see whence the words had come but he saw no one the donkeys galloped the wagon rolled along smoothly the boys slept lampwake snored like a door mouse and the little fat man sang sleepily between his teeth after a mile or so Pinocchio again heard the same faint voice whispering remember little simpleton boys who stopped studying and turned their backs upon books and schools and teachers in order to give all their time to nonsense and pleasure sooner or later come to grief oh how well I know this how well I can prove it to you a day will come when you will weep bitterly even as I am weeping now at these whispered words Pinocchio grew more and more frightened he jumped to the ground ran up to the donkey on whose back he had been riding and taking his nose in his hands looked at him think how great was his surprise when he saw the donkey was weeping weeping just like a boy hey Mr. Driver cried Pinocchio do you know what strange thing is happening here this donkey weeps let him weep when he gets married time to laugh have you perhaps taught him to speak no he learned to mumble a few words when he lived for three years with a band of trained dogs poor beast come come said the little man do not lose time over a donkey that can weep mount quickly and let us go the night is cool and the road is long Pinocchio obeyed without another word the wagon started again toward dawn the next morning they finally reached that much long for country the land of toys this great land was entirely different from any other place in the world its population large though it was was composed wholly of boys the oldest were about 14 years of age August 8 in the street there was such a racket such shouting such blowing of trumpets that it was deafening everywhere groups of boys were gathered together some played at marbles at hopscotch at ball others rode on bicycles or on wooden horses some played at blind man's bluff some at tag here a group played circus another sang and recited some returned others walked on their hands with their feet in the air generals in full uniform leading regiments of cardboard soldiers passed by laughter, shrieks, howls cat calls hand clapping followed this parade one boy made a noise like a hen another like a rooster and a third imitated a lion in his den altogether they created such a pandemonium that it would have been great for you to put cotton in your ears these squares were filled with small wooden theatres overflowing with boys from morning till night and on the wall of the houses written in charcoal were words like these, hurrah for the land of toys down with arithmetic no more school as soon as they had set foot in that land Pinocchio, Lampwick and all the other boys who had traveled with them started out on a tour of investigation they wandered everywhere they looked into every nook and corner house and theatre they became everybody's friend who could be happier than they what with entertainments and parties, the hours the days, the weeks past like lightning oh what a beautiful place this is said Pinocchio each time I chance he met his friends Lampwick was I right or wrong? answered Lampwick and to think that you did not want to come to think that even yesterday that idea came into your head to return home to see your fairy and to let her start you studying again if today you are free from pencils and books and schools you owe it to me, to my advice, to my care do you admit it? friends counts after all it's true Lampwick it's true if today I am really a happy boy it is all because of you and to think that the teacher when speaking of you used to say do not go with Lampwick he is a bad companion and someday he will lead you astray or teacher answered Lampwick nodding his head indeed I know how much he disliked me and how he enjoyed speaking ill of me but I am I am a generous person and I gladly forgive him well you are a great soul said Pinocchio fondly embracing his friend five months passed and the boys continued playing and enjoying themselves from morning till night without ever seeing a book or a desk or a school but my children the came a morning when Pinocchio awoke and found a great surprise awaiting him a surprise which made him feel very unhappy as you shall see end of chapter 31 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Delichiesa Chapter 32 in which Pinocchio's ears become like those of a donkey in a little while he changes into a real donkey and begins to bray everyone at one time or another has found some surprise awaiting him of the kind which Pinocchio had on that eventful morning of his life there are but few or what was it well I will tell you my dear little listeners unawakening Pinocchio put his hand up to his head and there he found yes he found that during the night his ears had grown at least 10 full inches you must know that Pinocchio even from his birth had very small ears so small indeed that to the naked eye they could hardly be seen fancy how he felt when he noticed that overnight had become as long as shoe brushes he went in search of a mirror but not finding any he just filled a basin with water and looked at himself and there he saw what he never could have wished to see his manly figure was adorned and enriched by a beautiful pair of donkey's ears I leave you to think of the terrible grief the despair of the poor marionette he began to cry to scream to knock his head against the wall but the more he shrieked the longer and the more Harry grew his ears at those piercing shrieks a door mouse came into the room a fat little door mouse who lived upstairs seeing Pinocchio so grease-stricken she asked him honestly, what is the matter dear little neighbor I am sick my little door mouse very very sick and from an illness which frightens me do you understand how to feel the pulse a little feel mine then and tell me if I have a fever the door mouse took Pinocchio's wrist between her paws and after a few minutes looked up at him sourfully and said my friend I am sorry but I must give you some very sad news what is it you have a very bad fever but what fever is it the donkey fever well I don't know anything about that fever beginning to understand even do well what was happening to him well then I'll tell you all about it said the door mouse know then that within 2 or 3 hours you will no longer be a marionette nor a boy well what shall I be within 2 or 3 hours you will become like a real just like the ones that pull the fruit carts to market what have I done what have I done cried Pinocchio grasping his long ears in his hands pulling and tugging at them angrily just as if they belong to another my dear boy answered the door mouse to cheer him up a bit all I worry now what is done cannot be undone you know all lazy boys who come to hate books and schools and teachers spend all their days with toys and games not sooner or later turn into donkeys but is it really so as Pinocchio sobbing bitterly I'm sorry to say it is and tears are now useless you should have thought of this long before but the fault is not mine only me little door mouse the fault is all lampwicks who is this lampwick he's a classmate of mine I wanted to return home I wanted to be obedient I wanted to study and to succeed in school but lampwicks said to me why do you waste your time studying why do you want to go to school come with me to the land of toys there we'll never study again enjoy ourselves and be happy from morning till night and why did you follow the advice of that false friend why? because my dear little mouse door mouse I am a heedless marionette heedless and heartless oh if I only had a bit of heart I should never have abandoned that good fairy who loved me so well and who has been so kind to me and by this time I should never be a marionette I should be a real boy like all these friends of mine hmm oh if I meet lampwick I am going to tell him what I think of him and more too after this long speech Pinocchio walked to the door of the room but when he reached it remembering his donkey ears he felt ashamed to show them in public and turned back a large cotton bag from a shelf put it on his head and pulled it far down to his very nose and thus adorned he went out he looked for lampwick everywhere along the streets in the squares inside the theaters everywhere but he was not to be found he asked everyone who he met but no one had seen him for the duration he returned home and knocked at the door who is it? asked lampwick from within it is I! answered Pinocchio wait a minute after a full half hour the door opened another surprise awaited Pinocchio there in the room stood his friend with a large cotton bag on his head pulled down to his very nose at the side of that bag Pinocchio felt slightly happier and thought to himself oh my friend must be suffering from the same sickness that I am I wonder if he too has donkey fever but pretending he had seen nothing he asked with a smile how are you my dear lampwick very well like a mouse in a Parmesan cheese is that really true why should I lie to you well I beg your pardon my friend but why is any of you wearing that cotton bag over your ears the doctor has ordered it because one of my knees hurts and you dear Pinocchio why are you wearing that cotton bag down on your nose the doctor has ordered it because I have a bruised foot oh my poor Pinocchio oh my poor lampwick an embarrassingly long silence followed these words during which time the two friends looked at each other in a mocking way finally Pinocchio in a voice sweet as honey and soft as a flute said to his companion tell me lampwick dear friend have you ever suffered from an earache never and you never still since this morning my ear has been torturing me so is mine and you both of them and yours both of them too I wonder if it could be the same sickness I'm afraid it is will you do me a favor lampwick what have they with my whole heart will you let me see your ears why not but before I show you mine I want to see yours dear Pinocchio you must show yours first oh no my dear yours first then mine well then said Pinocchio let us make a contract well let's hear the contract let us take off our caps together all right all right ready then Pinocchio began to count one two three and at the word three the two boys pulled off their caps and threw them high in the air and then a scene took place which is hard to believe but it is all too true Pinocchio and his friend lampwick when they saw each other both stricken by the same misfortune instead of feeling they began to poke fun at each other and after much nonsense they ended by bursting out into hearty laughter they laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed again and laughed until they ached laughed until they cried but all of a sudden lampwick stopped laughing he tottered and almost fell pale as a ghost he turned to Pinocchio and said help help Pinocchio oh help me I can't stand up I can't either cried Pinocchio and his laughter turned to tears as he stumbled about helplessly they had hardly finished speaking when both of them fell on all fours and began running and jumping around the room and as they ran their arms turned into legs their faces lengthened into snouts and their backs became covered with long gray hairs this was humiliation enough but the most horrible moment was the one in which the two poor creatures felt their tails appear overcome with shame and grief they tried to cry and bemoan their fate but what is done can't be undone instead of moans and cries they burst forth into loud donkey braze which sounded very much like ee-aw ee-aw ee-aw and at that moment a loud knocking was heard at the door and a voice called to them open I am the little man the driver of the wagon which brought you here open I say won't beware end of chapter 32 the man who wants to use his skin for a drum head very sad and downcast with the two poor little fellows as they stood and looked at each other outside the room the little man grew more and more impatient and finally gave the door such a violent kick that it flew open with his usual sweet smile on his lips he looked at Pinocchio and Landwick and said to them fine work boys you have braided well so well and here I am on hearing this the two donkeys bowed their heads in shame dropped their ears and put their tails between their legs at first the little man petted and caressed them and smoothed down their hairy coats then he took out a curry comb and worked over them till they shone like glass satisfied with the looks of the two little animals he bridled them and took them to a marketplace far away from the land of toys selling them at a good price in fact he did not have to wait very long for an offer Landwick was bought by a farmer whose donkey had died the day before Pinocchio went to the owner of a circus who wanted to teach him to do tricks for his audiences and now do you understand what the little man's profession was this horrid little being whose face shone with kindness went about the world looking for boys lazy boys who hated books boys who wanted to run away from home boys who were tired of school all these were his joy and his fortune he took them with him to the land of toys and let them enjoy themselves to their hearts content when after months of all play and no work they became little donkeys he sold them on the marketplace in a few years he had become a millionaire what happened to Landwick my dear children I do not know Pinocchio I can tell you met with great hardships even from the first day after putting him in a stable his new master filled his manger with straw but Pinocchio after tasting a mouthful spat it out then the man filled the manger with hay but Pinocchio did not like that any better ah you don't like hay either he cried angrily wait my pretty donkey I'll teach you not to be so particular without more ado he took a whip and gave the donkey a hearty blow across the legs Pinocchio screamed with pain and as he screamed he braided whore whore whore I can't digest straw then eat the hay answered his master who understood the donkey perfectly whore whore whore hay gives me a headache do you pretend by any chance that I should feed you duck or chicken and angrier than ever he gave poor Pinocchio another lashing at that second beating Pinocchio became very quiet and said no more after that the door of the stable was closed and he was left alone it was many hours since he had eaten anything and he started to yawn from hunger as he yawned he opened a mouth as big as an oven finally not finding anything else in the manger he tasted the hay after tasting it he chewed it well closed his eyes and swallowed it this hay is not bad he said to himself but how much happier I should be if I had studied just now instead of hay I should be eating some good bread and butter patience next morning when he awoke Pinocchio looked in the manger for more hay but it was all gone he had eaten it all during the night he tried the straw he noticed to his great disappointment that it tasted neither like rice nor like macaroni patience he repeated as he chewed if only my misfortune might serve as a lesson to disobedient boys who refuse to study patience have patience patience indeed shouted his master just then as he came into the stable do you think perhaps my little donkey that I have brought you here only to give you food and drink oh no you are to help me earn some fine gold pieces do you hear I am going to teach you to jump and bow to dance a waltz at a poker and even to stand on your head poor Pinocchio whether he liked it or not had to learn all these wonderful things but it took him three long months and cost him many many lashings before he was pronounced perfect the day came at last when Pinocchio's master was able to announce an extraordinary performance the announcements posted all around the town and written in large letters read thus great spectacle tonight leaps and exercises by the great artists and the famous horses of the company first public appearance of the famous donkey called Pinocchio the star of the dance the theatre will be as light as day that night as you can well imagine the theatre was filled to overflowing one hour before the show was scheduled to start not an orchestra chair could be had not a balcony seat not even for their weight in gold the place swarmed with boys and girls of all ages and sizes wriggling and dancing about in a fever of impatience to see the famous donkey dance when the first part of the performance was over the owner and manager of the circus in a black coat white knee breeches and patent leather boots presented himself to the public and in a loud pompous voice made the following announcement gentlemen and ladies your humble servant, the manager of this theatre presents himself before you tonight in order to introduce to you the greatest, the most famous donkey in the world a donkey that has had the great honour in his short life of performing before the kings and queens and emperors of all the great courts of Europe we thank you for your attention this speech was greeted by much laughter and applause and the applause grew to a roar when Pinocchio the donkey appeared in the circus ring he was handsomely arrayed a new bridle of shining leather with buckles of polished brass was on his back two white camellias were tied to his ears ribbons and tassels of red silk adorned his mane which was divided into many curls a great sash of gold and silver was fastened around his waist and his tail was decorated with ribbons of many brilliant colours he was a handsome donkey indeed the manager when introducing him to the public added these words most honoured audience I shall not take your time tonight to tell you of the great difficulties which I have encountered while trying to tame this animal since I found him in the wilds of Africa observe I beg of you the savage look of his eye all the means used by centuries of civilisation in subduing wild beasts failed in this case I had finally to resort to the gentle language of the whip in order to bring him to my will with all my kindness however I never succeeded in gaining my donkey's love he is still today as savage as the day I found him he still fears and hates me but I have found in him one great redeeming feature do you see this little bump on his forehead it is this bump which gives him the great talent of dancing and using his feet as nimbly as a human being admire him most seniority and enjoy yourselves I let you now be the judges of my success as a teacher of animals before I leave you I wish to state that there will be another performance tomorrow night if the weather threatens rain the great spectacle will take place at 11 o'clock in the morning the manager bowed and then turned to Pinocchio and said ready Pinocchio before starting a performance salute your audience Pinocchio obediently bent his two knees to the ground and remained kneeling until the manager with the crack of the whip cried sharply walk the donkey lifted himself on his forefeet and walked around the ring a few minutes passed and again the voice of the manager called quick step and Pinocchio obediently changed his step Gallop and Pinocchio galloped full speed and Pinocchio ran as fast as he could as he ran the master raised his arm and a pistol shot rang in the air at the shot the little donkey fell to the ground as if he were really dead a shower of applause greeted the donkey as he arose to his feet cries and shouts and hand clappings were heard on all sides at all that noise Pinocchio lifted his head and raised his eyes there in front of him in a box sat a beautiful woman around her neck she wore a long gold chain from which hung a large medallion on the medallion was painted the picture of a marionette that pictures of me that beautiful lady is my fairy said Pinocchio to himself recognising her he felt so happy that he tried his best to cry out oh my fairy, my own fairy but instead of words a loud braying was heard in the theatre so loud and so long that all the spectators men, women and children but especially the children burst out laughing then in order to teach the donkey that it was not good manners to brave before the public the manager hit him on the nose with the handle of the whip the poor little donkey stuck out a long tongue and licked his nose for a long time in an effort to take away the pain and what was his grief when on looking up toward the boxes he saw that the fairy had disappeared he felt himself fainting his eyes filled with tears and he wept bitterly no one knew it however least of all the manager who, cracking his whip, cried out bravo Pinocchio now show us how gracefully you can jump through the rings Pinocchio tried two or three times but each time he came near the ring he founded more to his taste to go under it the fourth time at a look from his master he leaped through it but as he did so his hind legs caught in the ring and he fell to the floor in a heap when he got up he was lame and could hardly limp as far as the stable Pinocchio we want Pinocchio we want the little donkey cried the boys from the orchestra saddened by the accident no one saw Pinocchio again that evening the next morning the veterinary doctor declared that he would be lame for the rest of his life what do I want with a lame donkey said the manager to the stable boy take him to the market and sell him when they reached the square a buyer was soon found how much do you ask for that little lame donkey he asked four dollars I'll give you four cents don't think I'm buying him for work I want only his skin it looks very tough and I can use it to make myself a drum head I belong to a musical band in my village and I need a drum I leave it to you my dear children to picture to yourself the great pleasure with which Pinocchio heard he was to become a drum head as soon as the buyer had paid the four cents the donkey changed hands his new owner took him to a high cliff overlooking the sea put a stone around his neck tied a rope to one of his hind feet gave him a push and threw him into the water Pinocchio sank immediately and his new master sat on the cliff waiting for him to drown so as to skin him and make himself a drum head End of Chapter 33 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This recording by Christopher The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colote Translated by Carol de la Chiesa Chapter 34 Pinocchio is thrown into the sea eaten by fishes and becomes a marionette once more as he swims to land he is swallowed by the terrible shark Down into the sea deeper and deeper sank Pinocchio and finally after 50 minutes of waiting the man on the cliff said to himself by this time my poor little lame donkey must be drowned up with him and then I can get to work on my beautiful drum which he had tied to Pinocchio's leg pulled and pulled and pulled and at last he saw a pier on the surface of the water can you guess what? instead of a dead donkey he saw a very much alive marionette wriggling and squirming like an eel seeing that wooden marionette the poor man thought he was dreaming and sat there with his mouth wide open and his eyes popping out of his head gathering his wits together he said and the donkey I threw into the sea with the marionette laughing you? I ah you little cheat are you poking fun at me? poking fun at you, not at all dear master I am talking seriously but then how is it that you who a few minutes ago were a donkey are now standing before me a wooden marionette it may be the effect of salt water the sea is fond of playing these tricks be careful marionette be careful don't laugh at me woe be to you if I lose my patience well then my master do you want to know my whole story untie my leg and I can tell it to you better the old fellow curious to know the true story of the marionette's life immediately untied the rope which held his foot the nocio feeling free as a bird of the air began his tale no then that once upon a time I was a wooden marionette just as I am today one day I was about to become a boy a real boy but on account of my laziness and my hatred of books and because I listened to bad companions I ran away from home when beautiful morning I awoke to find myself changed into a donkey long ears grey coat even a tail what a shameful day for me I hope you will never experience what I might get dear master I was taken to the fair and sold to a circus owner who tried to make me dance and jump through the rings one night during a performance I had a bad fall and became lame not knowing what to do with a lame donkey the circus owner sent me to the marketplace and you bought me indeed I did and I paid 4 cents for you now who will return my money to me but why did you buy me you bought me to do me harm to kill me to make a drum head out of me indeed I did and now where shall I find another skin never mind dear master there are so many donkeys in this world tell me impudent little rogue does your story end here one more word answered the marionette and I am through after buying me you brought me here to kill me but feeling sorry for me you tied a stone to my neck and threw me to the bottom of the sea that was very good and kind of you to want me to suffer as little as possible and I shall remember you always and now my fairy will take care of me even if you you're fairy who's she she is my mother and like all mothers who love their children she never loses sight of me even though I do not deserve it and today this good fairy of mine as soon as she saw me in danger of drowning she left me to go to the sea and when she saw me in danger of drowning she thought I was really a dead donkey and began to eat me what great bites they took one ate my ears, another my nose a third my neck and my mane some went at my legs and some at my back and among the others there was one tiny fish so gentle and polite that he did me the great favor of eating even my tail from now on said the man horrified I swear I shall never again taste fish with dead donkey I think as you do answered the marionette laughing still you must know that when the fish finished eating my donkey coat which covered me from head to foot they naturally came to the bones or rather in my case to the wood for as you know I am made of very hard wood after the first few bites those greedy fish found out that the wood was not good for their teeth and afraid of indigestion they turned and ran here and there without saying goodbye or even as much as thank you to me here dear master you have my story you know now why you found a marionette and not a dead donkey when you pulled me out of the water I laugh at your story cried the man angrily I know that I spent four cents to get you and I want my money back do you know what I can do I'm going to take you to the market once more and sell you as dry firewood very well sell me I am satisfied said Pinocchio but as he spoke he gave a quick leap and dived into the sea swimming away as fast as he could he cried out laughing goodbye master if you ever need a skin for your drum remember me he swam on and on after a while he turned around again and called louder than before goodbye master if you ever need a piece of good dry firewood remember me in a few seconds he had gone so far he could hardly be seen all that could be seen of him was a very small black dot moving swiftly on the blue surface of the water a little black dot which now and then lifted a leg or an arm in the air one would have thought that Pinocchio had turned into a porpoise of the sun after swimming for a long time Pinocchio saw a large rock in the middle of the sea a rock as white as marble high on the rock stood a little goat bleeding and calling and beckoning to the marionette to come to her there was something very strange about that little goat her coat was not white or black or brown as that of any other goat but azure a deep brilliant color that reminded one of the hair of the lovely maiden Pinocchio's heart beat fast and then faster and faster he redoubled his efforts and swam as hard as he could toward the white rock he was almost halfway over when suddenly a horrible sea monster stuck its head out of the water an enormous head with a huge mouth wide open showing three rows of gleaming teeth the mere sight of which would have filled you with fear do you know what it was? that sea monster was no other than the enormous shark which has often been mentioned in the story and which on account of its cruelty has been nicknamed the Attila of the Sea by both fish and fishermen poor Pinocchio the sight of that monster frightened him almost to death he tried to swim away from him to change his path to escape but that immense mouth kept coming nearer and nearer hasten Pinocchio I beg you bleated the little goat on the high rock and Pinocchio swam desperately with his arms his body his legs his feet quick Pinocchio the monster is coming nearer Pinocchio swam faster and faster and harder and harder faster Pinocchio the monster would get you there he is there he is quick quick or you were lost Pinocchio went through the water like a shot swifter and swifter he came close to the rock the goat leaned over and gave him one of her hoofs to help him out of the water alas it was too late the monster overtook him and the marionette found himself in between the rows of gleaming white teeth only for a moment however for the shark took a deep breath and as he breathed he drank in the marionette as easily as he would have sucked an egg around him so fast that Pinocchio falling down into the body of the fish they stunned for half an hour when he recovered his senses the marionette could not remember where he was around him all was darkness a darkness so deep and so black that for a moment he thought he had put his head into an aqua he listened for a few moments and heard nothing once in a while a cold wind blew on his face at first he could not understand where that wind was coming from but after a while he understood that it came from the lungs of the monster I forgot to tell you that the shark was suffering from asthma so that whenever he breathed a storm seemed to blow Pinocchio at first tried to be brave but as soon as he became convinced that he was really and truly in the shark's stomach he burst into sobs and tears help help he cried oh poor me won't someone come to save me who is there to help you unhappy boy said a rough voice like a guitar out of tune who is talking said Pinocchio frozen with terror it is I a poor tiny swallowed by the shark at the same time as you and what kind of a fish are you I have nothing to do with fishes I am a marionette if you are not a fish why did you let this monster swallow you I didn't let him he chased me and swallowed me without even a by your leave and now what are we to do here in the dark wait until the shark is digested as both I suppose but I don't want to be digested shouted Pinocchio starting to sob neither do I said the tiny but I am wise enough to think that if one is born a fish it is more dignified to die under the water than in the frying pan what nonsense cried Pinocchio mine is an opinion replied the tiny an opinion should be respected but I want to get out of this place I want to escape go if you can is this shark that has swallowed us very long asked the marionette his body not counting the tail is almost a mile long while talking in the darkness Pinocchio thought he saw a faint light in the distance what can that be he said to the tiny some other fish waiting as patiently as we to be digested by the shark I want to see him he may be an old fish and may know some way of escape I wish you all good luck dear marionette goodbye tiny goodbye marionette and good luck when should I see you again who knows it is better not to think about it end of chapter 34 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Kevin Radine www.kevinsvoice.com the adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Della Chelsea chapter 35 in the shark's body Pinocchio finds whom read this chapter my children and you will know Pinocchio as soon as he had said goodbye to his friend the Tony tottered away in the darkness and began to walk as well as he could toward the faint light which glowed in the distance as he walked his feet splashed in a pool of greasy and slippery water which had such a heavy smell of fish fried in oil that Pinocchio thought it was lent the farther on he went the brighter and clearer grew the tiny light on and on he walked until finally he found I give you a thousand guesses my dear children he found a little table and lighted by a candle stuck in a glass bottle and near the table said a little old man white as snow eating live fish they wriggled so that now and again one of them slipped out of the old man's mouth and escaped into the darkness under the table at this site the poor marionette was filled with such great and sudden happiness that he almost dropped in a faint he wanted to laugh he wanted to cry he wanted to say a thousand and one things but all he could do was to stand still stuttering and stammering brokenly at last with a great effort he was able to let out a scream of joy and opening his arms he threw them around the old man's neck oh father dear father I have found you at last now I shall never never leave you again are my eyes telling me the truth answered the old man rubbing his eyes are you really my own dear Pinocchio yes yes yes it is I look at me and you have forgotten me haven't you oh my dear father how good you are and to think that I oh but if you all knew how many misfortunes have fallen on my head and how many troubles I have had just think that on the day you sold your old coat to buy me my ABC book so that I could go to school I ran away to the marionette theater and the proprietor caught me and wanted to burn me to cook his roast lamb he was the one who gave me the five gold pieces for you but I met the fox and the cat and they took me to the inn of the red lobster there they ate like wolves and I left the inn alone and I met the assassins in the wood I ran and they ran after me always after me till they hanged me on the branch of a giant oak tree then the fairy of the azure hair sent the coach to rescue me and the doctors looking after me said if he's not dead then he's surely alive and then I told a lie and my nose began to grow and it grew and it grew and I went to the fox and the cat and the fields of wonder to bury the gold pieces the parrot laughed at me and instead of two thousand gold pieces I found one when the judge heard that I had been robbed he sent me to jail to make the thieves happy and when I came away I saw a fine bunch of grapes hanging on a vine the trap caught me and the farmer put a collar on me and made me a watchdog he found out I was innocent when I caught the weasels and he let me go the serpent with the tail that smoked started to laugh and in vain his chest broke and so I went back to the fairy's house she was dead and the pigeon seeing me crying said to me I've seen your father building a boat to look for you in America and I said to him oh if I only had wings and he said to me do you want to go to your father and I said perhaps but how and he said get on my back and I'll take you there we flew all night long and the next morning the fisherman were looking toward the sea crying there's a poor little man drowning he knew it was you because my heart told me so and I waved to you from the shore I knew you also put in jepetto I wanted to go to you but how could I the sea was rough and the white caps overturned the boat when a terrible shark came up out of the sea and as soon as he saw me in the water swam quickly toward me put out his tongue and swallowed me as easily as if I had been a chocolate peppermint and how long have you been shut away in here from that day to this two long weary years two years my Pinocchio which had been like two centuries and how have you lived where did you find the candle and the matches with which to light it where did you get them you must know that in a storm which swam to my boat a large ship also suffered the same fate the sailors were all saved but the ship went right to the bottom of the sea and the same terrible shark that swallowed me swallowed most of it what swallowed a ship asked Pinocchio in astonishment at one gulp the only thing he spat out was the main mast for it stuck into his teeth to my own good luck that ship was loaded with meat preserved food crackers breads bottles of wine raisins cheese coffee sugar wax candles and boxes of matches with all of these blessings I've been able to live happily on for two whole years but now I am at the very last crumbs today there is nothing left in the cupboard and this candle you see here is the last one I have and then and then my dear will find ourselves in darkness then my dear father said Pinocchio there is no time to lose we must try to escape escape how we can run out of the shark's mouth and dive into the sea you speak well but I cannot swim my dear Pinocchio why should that matter you can climb on my shoulders and I who am a fine swimmer will carry you safely to the shore dreams my boy answered Gepetto shaking his head and smiling sadly do you think it is possible for a marionette a yard high to have the strength to carry me on his shoulders and swim try it and see and in any case if it is written that we must die we shall at least die together not adding another word Pinocchio took the candle in his hand and going ahead to light the way he said to his father follow me and have no fear they walked a long distance through the stomach and the whole body of the shark when they reached the throat of the monster they stopped for a while to wait for the right moment in which to make their escape I want you to know that the shark from asthma and heart trouble was obliged to sleep with his mouth open because of this Pinocchio was able to catch a glimpse of the sky filled with stars as he looked up through the open jaws of his new home the time has come for us to escape he whispered turning to his father the shark is fast asleep the sea is calm and the night is as bright as day follow me closely dear father and we shall soon be saved no sooner than done they climbed up the throat of the monster till they came to that immense open mouth there they had to walk on tiptoes they held the shark's long tongue he might awaken and where would they be then the tongue was so wide and so long that it looked like a country road the two fugitives were just about to dive into the sea when the shark sneezed and very suddenly as he sneezed he gave Pinocchio and Gepetto such a jolt that they found themselves thrown on their backs and dashed once more very unceremoniously into the stomach of the monster to make matters worse the candle went out and father and son were left in the dark and now as Pinocchio with a serious face now we are lost why lost? give me your hand dear father and be careful not to slip where will you take me? we must try again come with me and don't be afraid with these words Pinocchio took his father by the hand and always walking on tiptoes they climbed up the monster's throat for a second time and then they crossed the whole tongue and jumped over three rows of teeth but before they took the last great leap the marionette said to his father climb on my back and hold on tight to my neck I'll take care of everything else as soon as Gepetto was comfortably seated on his shoulders Pinocchio very sure of what he was doing dived into the water and started to swim the sea was like oil the moon shone in all splendor and the shark continued to sleep so soundly that not even a cannon shot would have awakened him end of chapter 35 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Kevin Radine www.kevinsvoice www.kevinsvoice.com The Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Colodi translated by Carol Della Chelsia Chapter 36 Pinocchio finally ceases to be a marionette and becomes a boy my dear father we are saved cried the marionette all we have to do now is to get to shore and that is easy without another word he swam swiftly away in an effort to reach land as soon as possible all at once he noticed that Gepetto was shivering and shaking as if with a high fever was he shivering from fear or from cold who knows perhaps a little of both but Pinocchio thinking his father was frightened tried to comfort him by saying courage father in a few moments we shall be safe on land but where is that blessed shore asked the little old man more and more worried as he tried to pierce the far away shadows here I am searching on all sides and I see nothing but sea and sky I see the shore the marionette said remember father that I am like a cat I see better at night than by day or Pinocchio pretended to be peaceful and contented but he was far from that he was beginning to feel discouraged his strength was leaving him and his breathing was becoming more and more labored he felt he could not go on much longer and the shore was still far away he swam a few more strokes then he turned to Gepetto and cried out weakly help me father help me from dying father and son were really about to drown when they heard a voice like a guitar out of tune call from the sea what is the trouble it is I and my poor father I know that voice you are Pinocchio exactly and you I am the Tony your companion in the shark's stomach and how did you escape I imitated your example you are the one who showed me the way and after you went I followed the right moment I implore you for the love you bear your children the little Tunnies to help us or we are lost with great pleasure indeed hang on to my tail both of you and let me lead you in a twinkling you'll be safe on land Gepetto and Pinocchio as you can easily imagine did not refuse the invitation indeed instead of hanging on to the tail they thought it better to climb on the Tunnies back are we too heavy asked Pinocchio heavy not in the least answered the Tunny who is as large as a two year old horse as soon as they reached the shore Pinocchio was the first to jump to the ground to help his old father then he turned to the fish and said to him dear friend you have saved my father and I have not enough words with which to thank you allow me to embrace you as a sign of my eternal gratitude the Tunny stuck his nose out of the water and Pinocchio knelt on the sand and kissed him most affectionately on his cheek at this warm greeting the poor Tunny who was not used to such tenderness wept like a child he felt so embarrassed and ashamed that he turned quickly plunged into the sea and disappeared in the meantime day had dawned Pinocchio offered his arm to Gepetto who was so weak he could hardly stand and said to him lean on my arm dear father and let us go we will walk very very slowly and if we feel tired we can rest by the wayside and where are we going asked Gepetto to look for a house or a hut where they will be kind enough to give us a bite of bread and a bit of straw to sleep on they had not taken a hundred steps when they saw two rough looking individuals sitting on a stone begging for alms it was the fox and the cat but one could hardly recognize them they looked so miserable the cat after pretending to be blind for so many years had really lost sight of both eyes the fox old thin and almost hairless had even lost his tail and my thief had fallen into deepest poverty and one day he had been forced to sell his beautiful tail for a bite to eat oh Pinocchio he cried in a tearful voice give us some alms we beg of you we are old, tired and sick sick repeated the cat audio false friends answered the marionette you cheated me once but you will never catch me again believe us the cat if you are poor you deserve it remember the old proverb which says stolen money never bears fruit audio false friends have mercy on us audio false friends remember the old proverb which says bad we always makes poor bread do not abandon us abandon us repeated the cat audio false friends remember the old proverb neighbor's shirt usually dies without his own waving goodbye to them Pinocchio and Gepetto calmly went on their way a few more steps they saw at the end of a long road near a clump of trees a tiny cottage built of straw someone must live in that hut said Pinocchio let us see for ourselves they went and knocked on the door who is it said a little voice from within a poor father and a poorer son without food and no roof to cover them answered the marionette turned the key and the door will open said the same little voice Pinocchio turned the key and the door opened as soon as they went in they looked here and there and everywhere but saw no one oh ho where is the owner of the hut cried Pinocchio very much surprised here I am up here father and son looked up at the ceiling and there on the beam set the talking cricket my dear cricket said Pinocchio bowing politely oh now you can call me your dear cricket but do you remember when you threw your hammer to kill me you are right dear cricket throw a hammer at me now I deserve it but spare my poor old father I am going to spare both the father and the son I have only wanted to remind you of the trick you long ago played upon me I teach you that in this world of ours we must be kind and courteous to others if we want to find kindness in our own days you are right little cricket you are more than right and I shall remember the lesson you have taught me but will you tell me how you succeeded in buying this pretty little cottage this cottage was given to me yesterday by a little goat with blue hair and where did the goat go as Pinocchio I don't know and when will she be back she will never come back yesterday she went away bleeding sadly and it seemed to me she said poor Pinocchio I shall never see him again and the dark must have eaten him by this time were those her real words then it was she it was my dear little fairy cried out Pinocchio sobbing bitterly after he had cried a long time he wiped his eyes and then he made a bed of straw for old Gepetto he laid him on it and said to the talking cricket tell me little cricket where shall I find a glass of milk for my poor father refields away from here lifts farmer John he has some cows go there and he will give you what you want I will wait at farmer John's house the farmer said to him how much milk do you want I want a full glass a full glass costs a penny first give me the penny I have no penny answered Pinocchio sad and ashamed very bad my marionette answered the farmer very bad if you have no penny I have no milk too bad said Pinocchio and started to go wait a moment said farmer John perhaps we can come to terms do you know how to draw water from a well I can try then go to that well you see yonder and draw 100 bucket fulls of water very well after you have finished I shall give you a glass of warm sweet milk I am satisfied farmer John took the marionette to the well and showed him how to draw the water Pinocchio said to work as well as he knew how but long before he had pulled up the 100 buckets he was tired out and dripping with perspiration he had never worked so hard in his life until today the farmer said my donkey has drawn the water for me but now that poor animal is dying will you take me to see him? said Pinocchio gladly as soon as Pinocchio went into the stable he spied a little donkey lying on a bed of straw in the corner of the stable he was worn out from hunger and too much work after looking at him a long time he said to himself I know that donkey I have seen him before and bending low over him he asked who are you? at this question the donkey opened weary dying eyes and answered in the same tongue I am lampwick then he closed his eyes and died oh my poor lampwick said Pinocchio in a faint voice as he wiped his eyes with some straw he had picked up from the ground do you feel sorry for a little donkey that has cost you nothing? said the farmer what should I do? I who have paid my good money for him but you see he was my friend your friend? a classmate of mine what? shouted farmer john bursting out laughing what? you had donkeys in your school? how you must have studied the marionette ashamed and hurt by those words did not answer but taking his glass of milk returned to his father from that day on for more than five months Pinocchio got up every morning just as dawn was breaking went to the farm to draw water and every day he was given a glass of warm milk for his poor old father who grew stronger and better day by day but he was not satisfied with this he learned to make baskets of reeds and sold them with the money he received he and his father were able to keep from starving among other things he built a rolling chair strong and comfortable to take his old father out for an airing on bright sunny days in the evening the marionette studied by lamp light with some of the money he had earned he bought himself a second hand volume that had a few pages missing and with that he learned to read in a very short time as far as writing was concerned he used a long stick at one end of which he had whittled a long fine point ink he had none so he used the juice of blackberries or cherries little by little his diligence was rewarded he succeeded not only in his studies but also in his work and a day came when he put enough money together to keep his old father comfortable and happy besides this he was able to save the great amount of 50 pennies with it he wanted to buy himself a new suit one day he said to his father I am going to the marketplace to buy myself a coat a cap and a pair of shoes when I come back I'll be so dressed up you will think I am a rich man he ran out of the house and up the road to the village laughing and singing suddenly he heard his name called and looking around to see whence the voice came from he noticed a large snail crawling out of some bushes he said the snail yes and no do you remember the snail that lived with the fairy with azure hair do you not remember how she opened the door for you one night and gave you something to eat I remember everything cried Pinocchio answer me quickly pretty snail where have you left my fairy what is she doing has she forgiven me does she remember me does she still love me is she very far away from me my dear Pinocchio the fairy is lying ill in a hospital in a hospital yes indeed she has been stricken with trouble and illness and she hasn't a penny left with which to buy a bite of bread really oh how sorry I am my poor dear little fairy if I had a million I should run to her with it but I have only 50 pennies here they are I was just going to buy some clothes here take them little snail fairy what about the new clothes what does that matter I shall like to sell these rags I have on to help her more go and hurry come back here within a couple of days and I hope to have more money for you until today I have worked for my father now I shall have to work for my mother also goodbye and I hope to see you soon the snail much against her usual habit began to run like a lizard under a summer sun when Pinocchio returned home his father asked him and where is the new suit I couldn't find one to fit me I shall have to look again some other day that night Pinocchio instead of going to bed at 10 o'clock waited until midnight and instead of making 8 baskets he made 16 after that he went to bed and fell asleep as he slept he dreamed of his fairy beautiful smiling and happy who kissed him and said to him bravo Pinocchio and reward for your kind heart I forgive you for all of your old mischief boys who love and take good care of their parents when they are old and sick deserve praise even though they may not be held up as models of obedience and good behavior keep on doing well and you will be happy at that very moment Pinocchio awoke and opened wide his eyes what was his surprise and his joy when on looking himself over he saw that he was no longer a marionette but that he had become a real live boy he looked all about him and instead of the usual walls of straw he found himself in a beautifully furnished little room the prettiest he had ever seen in a twinkling he jumped down from his bed to look at the chair standing near there he found a new suit a new hat and a pair of shoes as soon as he was dressed he put his hands in his pockets and pulled out a little leather purse on which were written the following words the fairy with azure hair returns 50 pennies for her dear Pinocchio with many thanks for his kind heart the marionette opened the purse to find the money and behold there were 50 gold coins Pinocchio ran to the mirror he hardly recognized himself the bright face of a tall boy looked at him with wide awake blue eyes dark brown hair and happy smiling lips surrounded by so much splendor the marionette hardly knew what he was doing he rubbed his eyes two or three times wondering if he was still asleep or awake and decided he must be awake and where his father he cried suddenly he ran into the next room and there stood Gepetto grown years younger overnight spick and span in his new clothes and gay as a lark in the morning he was once more Mastro Gepetto the woodcarver hard at work on a lovely picture frame decorating it with flowers and leaves and heads of animals father father what has happened tell me if you can jump on his father's neck this sudden change in our house is all you're doing my dear Pinocchio what have I to do with it just this when bad boys become good and kind they have the power of making their homes gay and new with happiness I wonder where the old Pinocchio of wood has hidden himself there he is and he pointed to a large marionette leaning against a chair head turned to one side leaning limp and legs twisted under him after a long long look Pinocchio said to himself with great content how ridiculous I was as a marionette and how happy I am now that I've become a real boy end of chapter 36 end of the adventures of Pinocchio recorded by Kevin Radine Albany New York March 2006