Latest / Adventure Books Library / 02 - The Adventures of Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi
Transcript
- Chapter two, Mastro Cherry gives the piece of wood to his friend Geppetto, who takes it to make himself a marionette that will dance fence and turn somersaults. In that very instant, a loud knock sounded on the door. Come in, said the carpenter, not having an atom of strength left with which to stand up at the words. The door opened, and a dapper little old man came in. His name was Shippetto, but to the boys of the neighborhood he was Polandina, on account of the wig he always wore, which was just the color of yellow corn. Geppetto had a very bad temper. Woe to the one who called him Polandina. He became as wild as a beast, and no one could soothe him. Good day, Mastro Antonio, said, Ghippetto, what are you doing on the floor. I am teaching the ants their A B. C's good luck to you. What brought you here? Friend, geppetto my legs, and it may flatter you to know, Mastro Antonio, that I have come to beg for a favor. Here I am at your service, answered the carpenter, raising himself on to his knees. This morning, a fine idea came to me. Let's hear it. I thought of making myself a beautiful wooden marionette. It must be wonderful one that will be able to dance fence and turn somersaults with it. I intend to go around the world to earn my crust of bread and cup of wine. What do you think of it? Bravo Polandina, cried the same tiny voice, which came from no one knew where. On hearing himself called Polandina, Mastro Geppetto turned the color of a red pepper, and, facing the carpenter, said to him angrily, why do you insult me? Who is insulting you? You called me pol Indina? I did not. I suppose you think I did? Yet I know it was you. No, yes, no yes. And growing angrier each moment, they went from words to blows, and finally began to scratch and bite and slap each other. When the fight was over, Mastro Antonio had Gchiappetto's yellow wig in his hands, and Geppetto found the carpenter's curly wig in his mouth. Give me back my wig, shouted Mastro Antonio in a surly voice, you return mine, and we'll be friends. The two little old men, each with his own wig back on his own head, shook hands and swore to be friends for the rest of their lives. Well, then, Mastro Geppetto, said the carpenter to show he bore him. No ill will what is it you want? I want a piece of wood to make a marionette? Will you give it to me? Mastro Antonio, very glad indeed went immediately to his bench to get the piece of wood which had frightened him so much. But as he was about to give it to his friend, with a violent jerk, it slipped out of his hands and hit against poor Geppetto's thin legs. Ah, is this the gentleway, Mastro Antonio, in which you make your gifts? You have made me almost lame. I swear to you I did not do it. It was I. Of course, it is the fault of this piece of wood. You're right, but remember you were the one to throw it at my legs. I did not throw it. Liar Geppetto, do not insult me, or I shall call you Polandina idiot, Polandina donkey, Polandina ugly monkey. Polandina. On hearing himself called Polandina for the third time, Geppetto lost his head with rage and threw himself upon the carpenter. Then and there they gave each other a sound thrashing. After this fight, Mastro Antonio had two more scratches on his nose, and Geppetto had two buttons missing from his coat. Thus, having settled their accounts, they shook hands and swore to be good friends for the rest of their lives. Then Geppetto took the fine piece of wood, thanked Mastro Antonio, and limped away towards home. End of chapter two.