As soon as he saw that piece of wood, Mastro Cherry was filled with joy. I shall use it to make the leg of a table. Do not hit me so hard! His funny face became still funnier. 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! Trying to get rid of the potential liability as soon as possible, he gives it to a poor man named Geppetto.
Geppetto takes the wood gladly, and spends much time trying to fashion a wooden doll that he will call Pinocchio. Pinocchio instantly shows signs of being a trouble maker — as soon as he has legs, he kicks, and his knows grows with every sign of trouble. When Geppetto gladly takes the time to teach Pinocchio how to properly walk, the doll rushes out of his home, into the streets, and runs away.
Pinocchio goes back home famished, as even a block of wood needs nutrition. Acting as a fatherly figure now that Geppetto is gone, the cricket give Pinocchio some much needed advice. And what does the doll do to thank him? He throws a stone at the poor little insect, killing him instantly. This, Pinocchio claims, was accidental. In the evening the Marionette studied by lamplight.
With some of the money he had earned, he bought himself a secondhand 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 fifty pennies.
With it he wanted to buy himself a new suit. 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, he noticed a large snail crawling out of some bushes. Do you not remember how she opened the door for you one night and gave you something to eat?
What is she doing? Has she forgiven me? Does she remember me? Does she still love me? Is she very far away from here? May I see her? She has been stricken with trouble and illness, and she hasn't a penny left with which to buy a bite of bread. 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 fifty pennies.
Here they are. I was just going to buy some clothes. Here, take them, little Snail, and give them to my good Fairy. I should 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. Good-by, and I hope to see you soon. That night, Pinocchio, instead of going to bed at ten o'clock waited until midnight, and instead of making eight baskets, he made sixteen. 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!
In reward for your kind heart, I forgive you for all 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.
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