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186 PINOCCHIO
three hours you will be no longer a puppet, or
Uo Ma a ig
" Then what shall I be?”
‘In two or three hours you will become
really and truly a little donkey, like those that
draw carts and carry cabbages and salad to
market.”
“ Oh! unfortunate that I am! unfortunate
that I am!” cried Pinocchio, seizing his two
ears with his hands, and pulling them and
tearing them furiously as if they had been some
one else s ears.
“My dear boy,” said the Marmot, by way
of consoling him, “ what can you do to pre¬
vent it? It is destiny. It is written in the
decrees of wisdom that all boys who are lazy,
and who take a dislike to books, to schools, and
to masters, and who pass their time in amuse¬
ment, games, and diversions, must end sooner
or later by becoming transformed into so many
little donkeys.”
“But is it really so?” asked the puppet,
sobbing.
‘It is indeed only too true! And tears are
now useless. You should have thought of it
sooner!"
‘But it was not my fault: believe me, little
Marmot, the fault was all Candlewick’s!.. .”
‘And who is this Candlewick? ”