Page 118 [118]
XX
LIBERATED FROM PRISON, HE STARTS TO RETURN
TO THE FAIRY S HOUSE; BUT ON THE ROAD
HE MEETS WITH A HORRIBLE SERPENT, AND
AFTERWARDS HE IS CAUGHT IN A TRAP
OU can imagine Pinocchio’s joy when he
x found himself free. Without stopping
to take breath he immediately left the
town and took the road that led to the Fairy’s
house.
On account of the rainy weather the road had
become a marsh into which he sank knee-deep.
But the puppet would not give in. Tormented
by the desire of seeing his father and his little
sister with blue hair again he ran and leapt like
a greyhound, and as he ran he was splashed with
mud from head to foot. And he said to him¬
self as he went along: “ How many misfortunes
have happened to me . . . and I deserved
them! for I am an obstinate, passionate puppet.
. I am always bent upon having my own
way, without listening to those who wish me
well, and who have a thousand times more sense
than I have! . . . But from this time forth
I am determined to change and to become or¬
derly and obedient. . . . For at last I have
seen that disobedient boys come to no good and
gain nothing, And will my papa have waited
102