Pinocchio: The Tale of a Puppet

by Carlo Collodi

  "Would you have the charity, good man, to give a nickel to a poor boywho is yawning for want of food?"

  "Willingly," answered the man. "Come with me and carry the lime, andinstead of a nickel I will give you a quarter."

  "But the lime is heavy," objected Pinocchio, "and I don't want to tiremyself."

  "If you don't want to tire yourself, then, my boy, amuse yourself withyawning, and much good may it do you."

  In less than half an hour twenty other people went by, and Pinocchioasked charity of them all, but they all answered:

  "Are you not ashamed to beg? Instead of idling about the roads, go andlook for a little work and learn to earn your bread."

  At last a nice little woman carrying two cans of water came by.

  "Will you let me drink a little water out of your can?" asked Pinocchio,who was burning with thirst.

  "Drink, my boy, if you wish it!" said the little woman, setting down thetwo cans.

  Pinocchio drank like a fish, and as he dried his mouth he mumbled:

  "I have quenched my thirst. If I could only appease my hunger!"

  The good woman, hearing these words, said at once:

  "If you will help me to carry home these two cans of water I will giveyou a fine piece of bread."

  Pinocchio looked at the can and answered neither yes nor no.

  "And besides the bread you shall have a nice dish of cauliflower dressedwith oil and vinegar," added the good woman.

  Pinocchio gave another look at the can and answered neither yes nor no.

  "And after the cauliflower I will give you a beautiful bonbon full ofsyrup."

  The temptation of this last dainty was so great that Pinocchio couldresist no longer and with an air of decision he said:

  "I must have patience! I will carry the can to your house."

  The can was heavy and the puppet, not being strong enough to carry it inhis hand, had to resign himself to carry it on his head.

  When they reached the house the good little woman made Pinocchio sitdown at a small table already laid and she placed before him the bread,the cauliflower and the bonbon.

  Pinocchio did not eat, he devoured. His stomach was like an apartmentthat had been left empty and uninhabited for five months.

  When his ravenous hunger was somewhat appeased he raised his head tothank his benefactress, but he had no sooner looked at her than he gavea prolonged "Oh-h!" of astonishment and continued staring at her withwide open eyes, his fork in the air, and his mouth full of bread andcauliflower, as if he had been bewitched.

  "What has surprised you so much?" asked the good woman, laughing.

  "It is--" answered the puppet, "it is--it is--that you are like--thatyou remind me--yes, yes, yes, the same voice--the same eyes--the samehair--yes, yes, yes--you also have blue hair--as she had--Oh, littleFairy! tell me that it is you, really you! Do not make me cry any more!If you knew--I have cried so much, I have suffered so much."

  And, throwing himself at her feet on the floor, Pinocchio embraced theknees of the mysterious little woman and began to cry bitterly.

  CHAPTER XXV

  PINOCCHIO PROMISES THE FAIRY TO BE GOOD

  At first the good little woman maintained that she was not the littleFairy with blue hair, but, seeing that she was found out and not wishingto continue the comedy any longer, she ended by making herself known,and she said to Pinocchio:

  "You little rogue! how did you ever discover who I was?"

  "It was my great affection for you that told me."

  "Do you remember? You left me a child, and now that you have found meagain I am a woman--a woman almost old enough to be your mamma."

  "I am delighted at that, for now, instead of calling you little sister,I will call you mamma. I have wished for such a long time to have amamma like other boys! But how did you manage to grow so fast?"

  "That is a secret."

  "Teach it to me, for I should also like to grow. Don't you see? I alwaysremain no bigger than a ninepin."

  "But you cannot grow," replied the Fairy.

  "Why?"

  "Because puppets never grow. They are born puppets, live puppets, anddie puppets."

  "Oh, I am sick of being a puppet!" cried Pinocchio, giving himself aslap. "It is time that I became a man."

  "And you will become one, if you know how to deserve it."

  "Not really? And what can I do to deserve it?"

  "A very easy thing: by learning to be a good boy."

  "And you think I am not?"

  "You are quite the contrary. Good boys are obedient, and you--"

  "And I never obey."

  "Good boys like to learn and to work, and you--"

  "And I instead lead an idle, vagabond life the year through."

  "Good boys always speak the truth."

  "And I always tell lies."

  "Good boys go willingly to school."

  "And school gives me pain all over the body. But from today I willchange my life."

  "Do you promise me?"

  "I promise you. I will become a good little boy, and I will be theconsolation of my papa. Where is my poor papa at this moment?"

  "I do not know."

  "Shall I ever have the happiness of seeing him again and kissing him?"

  "I think so; indeed, I am sure of it."

  At this answer Pinocchio was so delighted that he took the Fairy's handsand began to kiss them with such fervor that he seemed beside himself.Then, raising his face and looking at her lovingly, he asked:

  "Tell me, little mamma: then it was not true that you were dead?"

  "It seems not," said the Fairy, smiling.

  "If you only knew the sorrow I felt and the tightening of my throat whenI read, 'Here lies--'"

  "I know it, and it is on that account that I have forgiven you. I sawfrom the sincerity of your grief that you had a good heart; and whenboys have good hearts, even if they are scamps and have got bad habits,there is always something to hope for; that is, there is always hopethat they will turn to better ways. That is why I came to look for youhere. I will be your mamma."

  "Oh, how delightful!" shouted Pinocchio, jumping for joy.

  "You must obey me and do everything that I bid you."

  "Willingly, willingly, willingly!"

  "Tomorrow," rejoined the Fairy, "you will begin to go to school."

  Pinocchio became at once a little less joyful.

  "Then you must choose an art, or a trade, according to your own wishes."

  Pinocchio became very grave.

  "What are you muttering between your teeth?" asked the Fairy in anangry voice.

  "I was saying," moaned the puppet in a low voice, "that it seemed to metoo late for me to go to school now."

  "No, sir. Keep it in mind that it is never too late to learn and toinstruct ourselves."

  "But I do not wish to follow either an art or a trade."

  "Why?"

  "Because it tires me to work."

  "My boy," said the Fairy, "those who talk in that way end almost alwayseither in prison or in the hospital. Let me tell you that every man,whether he is born rich or poor, is obliged to do something in thisworld--to occupy himself, to work. Woe to those who lead slothful lives.Sloth is a dreadful illness and must be cured at once, in childhood. Ifnot, when we are old it can never be cured."

  Pinocchio was touched by these words and, lifting his head quickly, hesaid to the Fairy:

  "I will study, I will work, I will do all that you tell me, for indeed Ihave become weary of being a puppet, and I wish at any price to become aboy. You promised me that I should, did you not?"

  "I did promise you, and it now depends upon yourself."

  CHAPTER XXVI

  THE TERRIBLE DOG-FISH

  The following day Pinocchio went to the government school. Imagine thedelight of all the little rogues, when they saw a puppet walk into theirschool! They set up a roar of laughter that never ended. They played himall sorts of tricks. One boy carried off his cap, another pulled h
isjacket behind; one tried to give him a pair of inky mustachios justunder his nose, and another attempted to tie strings to his feet andhands to make him dance.

  For a short time Pinocchio pretended not to care and got on as well ashe could; but at last, losing all patience, he turned to those who wereteasing him most and making game of him, and said to them, looking veryangry:

  "Beware, boys! I have not come here to be your buffoon. I respectothers, and I intend to be respected."

  "Oh, I Am Sick of Being a Puppet!" Cried Pinocchio]

  "Well said, boaster! You have spoken like a book!" howled the youngrascals, convulsed with mad laughter, and one of them, more impertinentthan the others, stretched out his hand, intending to seize the puppetby the end of his nose.

  But he was not in time, for Pinocchio stuck his leg out from under thetable and gave him a great kick on his shins.

  "Oh, what hard feet!" roared the boy, rubbing the bruise that the puppethad given him.

  "And what elbows! even harder than his feet!" said another, who for hisrude tricks had received a blow in the stomach.

  But, nevertheless, the kick and the blow acquired at once for Pinocchiothe sympathy and the esteem of all the boys in the school. They all madefriends with him and liked him heartily.

  And even the master praised him, for he found him attentive, studiousand intelligent--always the first to come to school, and the last toleave when school was over.

  But he had one fault: he made too many friends, and amongst them wereseveral young rascals well known for their dislike to study and love ofmischief.

  The master warned him every day, and even the good Fairy never failed totell him and to repeat constantly:

  "Take care, Pinocchio! Those bad school-fellows of yours will end sooneror later by making you lose all love of study, and perhaps they may evenbring upon you some great misfortune."

  "There is no fear of that!" answered the puppet, shrugging his shouldersand touching his forehead as much as to say: "There is so much sensehere!"

  Now it happened that one fine day, as he was on his way to school, hemet several of his usual companions who, coming up to him, asked:

  "Have you heard the great news?"

  "No."

  "In the sea near here a Dog-Fish has appeared as big as a mountain."

  "Not really? Can it be the same Dog-Fish that was there when my papa wasdrowned?"

  "We are going to the shore to see him. Will you come with us?"

  "No; I am going to school."

  "What matters school? We can go to school tomorrow. Whether we have alesson more or a lesson less, we shall always remain the same donkeys."

  "But what will the master say?"

  "The master may say what he likes. He is paid on purpose to grumble allday."

  "And my mamma?"

  "Mammas know nothing," answered those bad little boys.

  "Do you know what I will do?" said Pinocchio. "I have reasons forwishing to see the Dog-Fish, but I will go and see him when school isover."

  "Poor donkey!" exclaimed one of the number. "Do you suppose that a fishof that size will wait your convenience? As soon as he is tired of beinghere he will start for another place, and then it will be too late."

  "How long does it take to go from here to the shore?" asked the puppet.

  "We can be there and back in an hour."

  "Then away!" shouted Pinocchio, "and he who runs fastest is the best!"

  Having thus given the signal to start, the boys, with their books andcopy-books under their arms, rushed off across the fields, and Pinocchiowas always the first--he seemed to have wings to his feet.

  From time to time he turned to jeer at his companions, who were somedistance behind, and, seeing them panting for breath, covered with dust,and their tongues hanging out of their mouths, he laughed heartily. Theunfortunate boy little knew what terrors and horrible disasters he wasgoing to meet with!

  CHAPTER XXVII

  PINOCCHIO IS ARRESTED BY THE GENDARMES

  When he arrived on the shore Pinocchio looked out to sea, but he saw noDog-Fish. The sea was as smooth as a great crystal mirror.

  "Where is the Dog-Fish?" he asked, turning to his companions.

  "He must have gone to have his breakfast," said one of them, laughing.

  "Or he has thrown himself on to his bed to have a little nap," addedanother, laughing still louder.

  From their absurd answers and silly laughter Pinocchio perceived thathis companions had been making a fool of him, in inducing him to believea tale with no truth in it. Taking it very badly, he said to themangrily:

  "And now, may I ask what fun you could find in deceiving me with thestory of the Dog-Fish?"

  "Oh, it was great fun!" answered the little rascals in chorus.

  "And in what did it consist?"

  "In making you miss school and persuading you to come with us. Are younot ashamed of being always so punctual and so diligent with yourlessons? Are you not ashamed of studying so hard?"

  "And if I study hard, what concern is it of yours?"

  "It concerns us excessively, because it makes us appear in a bad lightto the master."

  "Why?"

  "Because boys who study make those who, like us, have no wish to learn,seem worse by comparison. And that is too bad. We, too, have our pride!"

  "Then what must I do to please you?"

  "You must follow our example and hate school, lessons, and themaster--our three greatest enemies."

  "And if I wish to continue my studies?"

  "In that case we will have nothing more to do with you, and at the firstopportunity we will make you pay for it."

  "Really," said the puppet, shaking his head, "you make me inclined tolaugh."

  "Eh, Pinocchio" shouted the biggest of the boys, confronting him. "Noneof your superior airs: don't come here to crow over us, for if you arenot afraid of us, we are not afraid of you. Remember that you are oneagainst seven of us."

  "Seven, like the seven deadly sins," said Pinocchio, with a shout oflaughter.

  "Listen to him! He has insulted us all! He called us the seven deadlysins!"

  "Take that to begin with and keep it for your supper tonight," said oneof the boys.

  And, so saying, he gave him a blow on the head with his fist.

  But it was give and take; for the puppet, as was to be expected,immediately returned the blow, and the fight in a moment became generaland desperate.

  Pinocchio, although he was one alone, defended himself like a hero. Heused his feet, which were of the hardest wood, to such purpose that hekept his enemies at a respectful distance. Wherever they touched theyleft a bruise by way of reminder.

  The boys, becoming furious at not being able to measure themselves handto hand with the puppet, had recourse to other weapons. Loosening theirsatchels, they commenced throwing their school-books at him--grammars,dictionaries, spelling-books, geography books, and other scholasticworks. But Pinocchio was quick and had sharp eyes, and always managed toduck in time, so that the books passed over his head and all fell intothe sea.

  Imagine the astonishment of the fish! Thinking that the books weresomething to eat they all arrived in shoals, but, having tasted a pageor two, or a frontispiece, they spat it quickly out and made a wry facethat seemed to say: "It isn't food for us; we are accustomed tosomething much better!"

  The battle meantime had become fiercer than ever, when a big crab, whohad come out of the water and had climbed slowly up on the shore, calledout in a hoarse voice that sounded like a trumpet with a bad cold:

  FOUR RABBITS AS BLACK AS INK ENTERED CARRYING A LITTLEBIER]

  "Have done with that, you young ruffians, for you are nothing else!These hand-to-hand fights between boys seldom finish well. Some disasteris sure to happen!"

  Poor crab! He might as well have preached to the wind. Even that youngrascal, Pinocchio, turning around, looked at him mockingly and saidrudely:

  "Hold your tongue, you tiresome crab! You had better suck some l
iquoricelozenges to cure that cold in your throat."

  Just then the boys, who had no more books of their own to throw, spiedat a little distance the satchel that belonged to Pinocchio, and tookpossession of it.

  Amongst the books there was one bound in strong cardboard with the backand points of parchment. It was a Treatise on Arithmetic.

  One of the boys seized this volume and, aiming at Pinocchio's head,threw it at him with all the force he could muster. But instead ofhitting the puppet it struck one of his companions on the temple, who,turning as white as a sheet, said only:

  "Oh, mother! help, I am dying!" and fell his whole length on the sand.Thinking he was dead, the terrified boys ran off as hard as their legscould carry them and in a few minutes they were out of sight.

  But Pinocchio remained. Although from grief and fright he was more deadthan alive, nevertheless he ran and soaked his handkerchief in the seaand began to bathe the temples of his poor school-fellow. Cryingbitterly in his despair, he kept calling him by name and saying to him:

  "Eugene! my poor Eugene! Open your eyes and look at me! Why do you notanswer? I did not do it; indeed it was not I that hurt you so! believeme, it was not! Open your eyes, Eugene. If you keep your eyes shut Ishall die, too. Oh! what shall I do? how shall I ever return home? Howcan I ever have the courage to go back to my good mamma? What willbecome of me? Where can I fly to? Oh! how much better it would havebeen, a thousand times better, if I had only gone to school! Why did Ilisten to my companions? they have been my ruin. The master said to me,and my mamma repeated it often: 'Beware of bad companions!' Oh, dear!what will become of me, what will become of me, what will become of me?"