Pinocchio in Africa | Page 6

sorry to leave them."
"So you really will not come in?"
"No, I have said so before. I must go to school first, and then - "
"But it seems to me rather late for school," said the crocodile man.
"That is true; it is too late for school," replied Pinocchio.
"Well, then, stay a little longer with us, and later you can go home to your father."
Pinocchio thrust his head through the hole and leaped into the tent. The naughty marionette had not the least desire to go to school, and was only too glad of an excuse to watch these strange people.
8. He Bids Good-by To The Animals
THE show had begun. The director was explaining to the people the wonders of his menagerie.
"Ladies and gentlemen, observe the beauty and the wildness of all these animals, which I have brought from Central Africa. Here they are, inclosed in these many cages, but hidden from your view. Why are they hidden? Because, ladies and gentlemen, you would be frightened at the sight of them, and your peace and health greatly concern me. The first animal which I have the pleasure to present to you is the elephant. Observe, ladies and gentlemen, that small affair which hangs under his nose. With that he builds houses, tills the soil, writes letters, carries trunks, and picks flowers. You can see that the animal was painted from life and placed in this beautiful frame."
The people began to look at one another.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, let us go on to the next one."
A roar of laughter and jeers arose on all sides. The director saw the unfortunate state of things and began to shout: "Have respect, ladies, for the poor sick monkey I told you of. At this moment she is pressing to her breast for the last time her friendless child."
But not even this was sufficient to calm the crowd, which presently became an infuriated mob. Men and women rushed about the tent, making fierce gestures and heaping abuse upon the director. What an uproar!
In the cage where Pinocchio was, there was no confusion, and the conversation between the marionette and the wild beasts went on without stopping.
"When do you leave for Africa?" Pinocchio was asked.
"Have I not told you? To-morrow morning at daybreak, even if it rains."
"Excellent! But you must carry with you several things which you may need."
"And those are - ?"
"First of all you will need plenty of money."
"That is not lacking," said Pinocchio in his usual airy way.
"Good! Then you should get a rifle."
"What for?"
"To defend yourself against the wild animals."
"Come, come! You don't want me to believe that! I have seen what the wild animals of Africa are!"
"Be careful, marionette. Take a good rifle with you, for one never knows what will happen in Africa."
"But I do not know how to load one."
"Well, then, stay at home. It is folly for you to begin such an undertaking without arms and without knowing how to use them."
"It is you who are foolish. Do not make me angry. When I have decided upon a thing no one can stop me from carrying it out."
"Take care, marionette; you may be sorry."
"Nevertheless I shall go."
"You may find things very unpleasant."
"It is for that very reason that I am going."
"You may never return."
"The good Fairy will protect me."
"Who is the Fairy?"
"How may things you want to know! If you are in need of nothing else, I will bid you all good-by!"
"Farewell, marionette."
"Till we meet again."
"Good-by, blockhead."
"Don't be rude! said Pinocchio, greatly vexed, and out he went.
9. Pinocchio Does Not Sleep
WHEN Pinocchio arrived at his home he found his father already in bed. Old Geppetto did not earn enough to provide a supper for two. He used to say that he was not hungry, and go to bed. But there was always plenty for Pinocchio. An onion, some beans moistened in water, and a piece of bread which had been left over from the morning, were never missing.
That night Pinocchio found a better meal than usual.
His good father, not having seen his son at the regular dinner hour, knew that the boy would be very hungry. There would have to be something out of the ordinary. He therefore added to the fare some dried fish and a delicious morsel of orange peel. "He will even have fruit," the good man had said to himself, smiling at the joy his dear Pinocchio would feel on seeing himself treated like a man of the world.
The marionette ate his supper with relish, and having finished his meal, went over to his sleeping father and kissed him as a reward for the fish and the orange peel. Pinocchio, to say the least, had a good heart, and would have done anything for his father except study and work.
That night he slept little. Lions, elephants,