Stranica 138 [138]
120 PINOCCHIO
ate to repletion, and when he had nearly
emptied the basket he turned to the Pigeon and
said to him:
" I never could have believed that vetch was
so good!”
" Be assured, my boy,” replied the Pigeon,
‘ that when hunger is real, and there 1s nothing
else to eat, even vetch becomes delicious.
Hunger knows neither caprice nor greediness.”’
Having quickly finished their little meal
they recommenced their journey and flew
away. ‘The following morning they reached
the seashore.
The Pigeon placed Pinocchio on the ground,
and not wishing to be troubled with thanks for
having done a good action, flew quickly away
and disappeared.
The shore was crowded with people who
were looking out to sea, shouting and gesticu¬
lating.
“What has happened?” asked Pinocchio
of an old woman.
" A poor father who has lost his son has
gone away in a boat to search for him on the
other side of the water, and to-day the sea is
tempestuous and the little boat is in danger
of sinking.”
“Where is the little boat?”
“It is out there in a line with my finger,”