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26 PINOCCHIO ‘Tell me, Cricket, who may you be?” “Tam the Talking-cricket, and I have lived in this room a hundred years and more.” c Now, however, this room is mine,” said the puppet, " and if you would do mea pleasure go away at once, without even turning round.” “ I will not go,” answered the Cricket, “ until I have told you a great truth.” “Tell it me, then, and be quick about it.” " W oe to those boys who rebel against their parents, and run away capriciously from home. They will never come to any good in the world, and sooner or later they will repent bitterly.” “Sing away, Cricket, as you please, and as long as you please. For me, I have made up my mind to run away to-morrow at daybreak, because if Í remain I shall not escape the fate of all other boys; I shall be sent to school and shall be made to study either by love or by force. To tell you in confidence, I have no wish to learn; it is much more amusing to run after butterflies, or to climb trees and to take the young birds out of their nests.” “Poor little goose! But do you not know that in that way you will grow up a donkey, and that every one will make game of you? ”’ " Hold your tongue, you wicked ill-omened eroaker! ” shouted Pinocchio. But the Cricket, who was patient and phil)
