the adventures of pinocchio(木偶奇遇记)-第2章

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making　as　much　noise　as　twenty　peasants　in　wooden　shoes。

〃Catch　him！　　Catch　him！〃　Geppetto　kept　shouting。
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＇2＇　happened
along；　who；　hearing　all　that　noise；　thought　that　it　might
be　a　runaway　colt；　and　stood　bravely　in　the　middle　of　the
street；　with　legs　wide　apart；　firmly　resolved　to　stop　it　and
prevent　any　trouble。

＇2＇　A　military　policeman


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　Mastro　Geppetto。

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　to　seize　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　angrily：

〃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。

〃Poor　Marionette；〃　called　out　a　man。　　〃I　am　not
surprised　he　doesn't　want　to　go　home。　　Geppetto；　no　doubt；
will　beat　him　unmercifully；　he　is　so　mean　and　cruel！〃

〃Geppetto　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
Geppetto　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：

〃Ungrateful　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。



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



Very　little　time　did　it　take　to　get　poor　old　Geppetto　to
prison。　　In　the　meantime　that　rascal；　Pinocchio；　free　now
from　the　clutches　of　the　Carabineer；　was　running　wildly
across　fields　and　meadows；　taking　one　short　cut　after
another　toward　home。　　In　his　wild　flight；　he　leaped　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。
He　slipped　into　the　room；　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：

〃Cri…cri…cri！〃

〃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。〃

〃Sing　on；　Cricket　mine；　as　you　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　birds'　nests。〃

〃Poor　little　silly！　　Don't　you　know　that　if　you　go　on　like
that；　you　will　grow　into　a　perfect　donkey　and　that　you'll
be　the　laughingstock　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　is　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'll　be　sorry！〃

〃Poor　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　weak　〃cri…cri…cri〃　the　poor　Cricket　fell　from
the　wall；　dead！



CHAPTER　5

Pinocchio　is　hungry　and　looks　for　an　egg　to　cook　himself　an　omelet；
but；　to　his　surprise；　the　omelet　flies　out　of　the　window


If　the　Cricket's　death　scared　Pinocchio　at　all；　it　was　only
for　a　very　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。

A　boy's　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　in　search　of　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　his　mouth　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　a　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　Marionette's　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；　how　shall　I　cook　you？　　Shall　I　make　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。　　In　the　pan；　instead　of　oil　or
butter；　he　poured　a　little　water。　　As　soon　as　the　water
started　to　boiltac！he　broke　the　eggshell。　　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！　　Good…by
and　good　luck　to　you　and　remember　me　to　the　family！〃

With　these　words　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　if　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　and　if　Father　were　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　near…by　village；　in　the　hope　of　finding
some　charitable　person　who　might　give　him　a　bit　of　bread。



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。　　In　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　could　be　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　nightcap　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？
I　am　hungry。〃

〃Wait　a　minute　and　I'll　come　right　back；〃　answered　the
old　fellow；　thinking　he　had　to　deal　with　one　of　those　boys
who　love　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　feel　a　shower　of　ice…cold　water
pour　down　on　his　poor　wooden　head；　his　shoulders；　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