Stranica 112 [112]
98 PINOCCHIO
could perceive a tree with its branches faden
with money: but he saw nothing. He advanced
another hundred steps—nothing: he entered
the field . . . he went right up to the little hole
where he had buried his sovereigns—and noth¬
ing. He then became very thoughtful, and for¬
getting the rules of society and good manners
he took his hands out of his pockets and gave his
head a long scratch.
At that moment he heard an explosion of
laughter close to him, and looking up he saw a
large Parrot perched on a tree, who was prun¬
ing the few feathers he had left.
“Why are you laughing?” asked Pinoc¬
chio in an angry voice.
"I am laughing because in pruning my
feathers I tickled myself under my wings.”
The puppet did not answer, but went to the
canal and, filling the same old shoe full of
water, he proceeded to water the earth afresh
that covered his gold pieces.
Whilst he was thus occupied another laugh,
and still more impertinent than the first, rang
out in the silence of that solitary place.
“Once for all,” shouted Pinocchio mn a rage,
" may I know, you ill-educated Parrot, what
you are laughing at?”
“TI am laughing at those simpletons who
believe in all the foolish things that are told