the adventures of pinocchio-第16章

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But　pretending　he　had　seen　nothing；　he　asked　with　a　smile：

〃How　are　you；　my　dear　Lamp…Wick？〃

〃Very　well。　　Like　a　mouse　in　a　Parmesan　cheese。〃

〃Is　that　really　true？〃

〃Why　should　I　lie　to　you？〃

〃I　beg　your　pardon；　my　friend；　but　why　then　are　you　wearing　that　cotton　bag　over　your　ears？〃

〃The　doctor　has　ordered　it　because　one　of　my　knees　hurts。　And　you；　dear　Marionette；　why　are　you　wearing　that　cotton　bag　down　to　your　nose？〃

〃The　doctor　has　ordered　it　because　I　have　bruised　my　foot。〃

〃Oh；　my　poor　Pinocchio！〃

〃Oh；　my　poor　Lamp…Wick！〃

An　embarrassingly　long　silence　followed　these　words；　during　which　time　the　two　friends　looked　at　each　other　in　a　mocking　way。

Finally　the　Marionette；　in　a　voice　sweet　as　honey　and　soft　as　a　flute；　said　to　his　companion：

〃Tell　me；　Lamp…Wick；　dear　friend；　have　you　ever　suffered　from　an　earache？〃

〃Never！　　And　you？〃

〃Never！　　Still；　since　this　morning　my　ear　has　been　torturing　me。〃

〃So　has　mine。〃

〃Yours；　too？　　And　which　ear　is　it？〃

〃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；　Lamp…Wick？〃

〃Gladly！　　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。〃

〃No。　　You　must　show　yours　first。〃

〃No；　my　dear！　　Yours　first；　then　mine。〃

〃Well；　then；〃　said　the　Marionette；　〃let　us　make　a　contract。〃

〃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！〃

At　the　word　〃Three！〃　the　two　boys　pulled　off　their　caps　and　threw　them　high　in　air。

And　then　a　scene　took　place　which　is　hard　to　believe；　but　it　is　all　too　true。　　The　Marionette　and　his　friend；　Lamp…Wick；　when　they　saw　each　other　both　stricken　by　the　same　misfortune；　instead　of　feeling　sorrowful　and　ashamed；　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　againlaughed　till　they　achedlaughed　till　they　cried。

But　all　of　a　sudden　Lamp…Wick　stopped　laughing。　　He　tottered　and　almost　fell。　　Pale　as　a　ghost；　he　turned　to　Pinocchio　and　said：

〃Help；　help；　Pinocchio！〃

〃What　is　the　matter？〃

〃Oh；　help　me！　　I　can　no　longer　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。　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　brays；　which　sounded　very　much　like；　〃Haw！　　Haw！　　Haw！〃

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；　or　beware！〃



CHAPTER　33

Pinocchio；　having　become　a　Donkey；　is　bought　by　the　owner　of　a　Circus；　who　wants　to　teach　him　to　do　tricks。　The　Donkey　becomes　lame　and　is　sold　to　a　man　who　wants　to　use　his　skin　for　a　drumhead



Very　sad　and　downcast　were　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　Lamp…Wick　and　said　to　them：

〃Fine　work；　boys！　　You　have　brayed　well；　so　well　that　I　recognized　your　voices　immediately；　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　currycomb　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　market　place　far　away　from　the　Land　of　Toys；　in　the　hope　of　selling　them　at　a　good　price。

In　fact；　he　did　not　have　to　wait　very　long　for　an　offer。　Lamp…Wick　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；　boys　who　hated　books；　boys　who　wanted　to　run　away　from　home；　boys　who　were　tired　of　schoolall　these　were　his　joy　and　his　fortune。　　He　took　them　with　him　to　the　Land　of　Toys　and　let　them　enjoy　themselves　to　their　heart's　content。　　When；　after　months　of　all　play　and　no　work；　they　became　little　donkeys；　he　sold　them　on　the　market　place。　　In　a　few　years；　he　had　become　a　millionaire。

What　happened　to　Lamp…Wick？　　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　brayed：

〃Haw！　　Haw！　　Haw！　　I　can't　digest　straw！〃

〃Then　eat　the　hay！〃　answered　his　master；　who　understood　the　Donkey　perfectly。

〃Haw！　　Haw！　　Haw！　　Hay　gives　me　a　headache！〃

〃Do　you　pretend；　by　any　chance；　that　I　should　feed　you　duck　or　chicken？〃　asked　the　man　again；　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；　but；　as　he　chewed　away　at　it；　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？　　Come　along；　now。　　I　am　going　to　teach　you　to　jump　and　bow；　to　dance　a　waltz　and　a　polka；　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　Theater　will　be　as　Light　as　Day


That　night；　as　you　can　well　imagine；　the　theater　was　filled　to　overflowing　one　hour　before　the　show　was　scheduled　to　start。

Not　an　orchestra　chair　could　be　had；　not　a　balcony　seat；　nor　a　gallery　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：

〃Most　honored　friends；　Gentlemen　and　Ladies！

〃Your　humble　servant；　the　Manager　of　this　theater；　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　honor　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　famous　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　colors。　　He　was　a　handsome　Donkey　indeed！

The　Manager；　when　introducing　him　to　the　public；　added　these　words：

〃Most　honored　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　civilization　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　his　great　talent　of　dancing　and　using　his　feet　as　nimbly　as　a　human　being。　　Admire　him；　O　signori；　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　eleven　o'clock　in　the　morning。〃

The　Manager　bowed　and　then　turned　to　Pinocchio　and　said：　〃Ready；　Pinocchio！　　Before　starting　your　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　four　feet　and　walked　around　the　ri