Stranica 214 [214]
XXXITI
PINOCCHIO, HAVING BECOME A GENUINE LITTLE
DONKEY, IS TAKEN TO BE SOLD, AND IS
BOUGHT BY THE DIRECTOR OF A COMPANY OF
BUFFOONS TO BE TAUGHT TO DANCE, AND TO
JUMP THROUGH HOOPS: BUT ONE EVENING
HE LAMES HIMSELF, AND THEN HE IS
BOUGHT BY A MAN WHO PURPOSES TO MAKE
A DRUM OF HIS SKIN
\INDING that the door remained shut
the little man burst it open with a violent
kick, and coming into the room he said
to Pinocchio and Candlewick with his usual
little laugh:
‘Well done, boys! You brayed well, and
I recognised you by your voices. That is why
I am here.”
At these words the two little donkeys were
quite stupefied, and stood with their heads
down, their ears lowered, and their tails be¬
tween their legs.
At first the little man stroked and caressed
them; then taking out a currycomb he curry¬
combed them well. And when by this process
he had polished them till they shone like two
mirrors, he put a halter round their necks and
led them to the market-place, in hopes of sell¬
ing them and making a good profit.
192