Latest / Classic Adventure Books Collection / 30 - The Adventures of Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi
Transcript
- Chapter thirty, in which Pinocchio, instead of becoming a boy, runs away to the land of toys with his friend lamp Wick. Coming out at last from the surprise into which the fairy's words had thrown him, Pinocchio asked for permission to give out the invitations. Well, indeed, you may invite your friends to tomorrow's party, only remember to return home before darc Do you understand. Oh, I'll be back in one hour without fail, answered the marionette. Well take care, Pinocchio. Boys give promises very easily, but they as easily forget them. But I am not like the others. When I give my word, I keep it. We shall see. In case you do disobey, you will be the one to suffer, not any one else. Why, because boys who do not listen to their elders always come to grief. Well, I certainly have said Pinocchio, But from now on I obey. Well, we shall see if you were telling the truth. And without adding another word, Pinocchio bade the good fairy good bye, and, singing and dancing, he left the house In a little more than an hour. All his friends were invited, some accepted quickly and gladly, others had to be coaxed, but when they heard that the toast was to be buttered on both sides, they all ended by accepting the invitation with the words, oh, we'll come to please you now. It must be known that among all his friends, Pinocchio had one whom he loved most of all. The boy's real name was Romeo, but everyone called him lamp Wick because he was tall and thin and had a woebegone look about him. Lamp Wick was the laziest boy in the school and the biggest mischief maker, but Pinocchio loved him. Dearly that day, he went straight to his friend's house to invite him to the party, but lamp Wick was not at home. He went a second time, and again a third, but still without success. Or where could he be? Pinocchio searched here, and there and everywhere, and finally discovered him hiding under a farmer's wagon. Or what are you doing there? Asked Pinocchio, running up to him. Oh I'm waiting for midnight to strike to go where far far away? And I have gone to your house three times to look for you? Or what did you want from me? Haven't you heard the news? Don't you know what good luck is mine? Or what is it? Tomorrow I end my days as a marionette and become a boy like you, then all my other friends, well may it bring your luck? Well? Shall I see you at my party tomorrow? But I'm telling you that I go tonight. What time at midnight? Where are you going to? A real country, the best in the world, A wonderful place. What's it called? It's called the Land of Toys? Why don't you come to I? Oh? No, where You're making a big mistake, Pinocchio. Believe me, if you don't come, you'll be sorry. Now where can you find a place that will agree better with you and me? No schools, no teachers, no books in that blessed place. There is no such thing as study here. It is only on Saturdays that we have no school. In the Land of Toys. Every day except Sunday, is a Saturday. Vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the last day of December. Now that's the place for me. Should be like it? How happy we should all be. But how does one spend the day in the Land of toys? Asked Pinocchio. Days are spent in play and enjoyment from morn till night. At night one goes to bed, and the next morning the good times begin all over again. What do you think of it? Mmmm, said Pinocchio, nodding his wooden head as if to say, well, it's the kind of life. They would agree with me perfectly. Well you want to go with me? Then yes? Or no? You have to make up your mind. No, no, and again no. I promise my fairy to become a good boy, and I want to keep my word. You see, the sun is setting, and I must leave you and run. Goodbye, good luck to you. Where are you going in sent? Hurry home? My good fairy wants me to return home before night. Wait two minutes more, it's too late. Only two minutes and if the fairy scolds me, let us scold. After she gets tired, she'll stop, said lamp Wick. Are you going alone or with others alone? There will be more than a hundred of us. Will you walk at midnight? The wagon passes here? That is to take us within the boundaries of that marvelous country. How I wish midnight would strike? Why to see you all set out together? We'll stay here a while longer, and you will see us. No, no, I want to return home. Wait two more minutes. I've waited too long. As it is, the fairy will be worried. Now, poor fairy, is she afraid the bats will eat you up? Listen, lamp Wick, said Pinocchio. Are you really sure there are no schools in the land of Toys, not even the shadow of one, not even one teacher, not one. And one does not have to study, never, never, never. What a great land, said Pinocchio, feeling his mouth water, What a beautiful land. I've never been there, but I can well imagine it. Well, why don't you come too, Well, it's useless for you to tempt me. I told you. I promised my good fairy to behave myself, and I'm going to keep my word. Well, goodbye then, and remember me to the grammar schools, to the high schools, and even to the colleges if you meet them on the way. Well, goodbye, lamp Wick, and have a pleasant trip, and enjoy yourself, and remember your friends once in a while. And with these words, Pinocchio started on his way home, turning once more to his friend and asked him, are you sure that in that country each week is composed of six Saturdays and one Sunday. Very sure, And that vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the thirty first of December, very very sure. What a great country, repeated Pinocchio, puzzled is what to do? And then, in sudden determination, he said, hurriedly, goodbye for the last time, and good luck, goodbye? How soon will you go? Within two hours? What a pity? If it were only one hour, I might wait for you and the fairy, oh by this time? Well, in one hour or more or less, makes makes very little difference. I'm white, you know, poor Pinocchio. If the fairy scolds you, no let her scold. After she gets tired, she'll stop. In the meantime, the night became darker and darker, and all at once in the distance, a small light flickered, A queer sound could be heard, soft us a little bell, and faint and muffled, like the buzz of a far away mosquito. There it is, cried lamp Wick, jumping to his feet, What, whispered Pinocchio, the wagon which is coming to get me for the last time? Are you coming or not? But is it really true that in that country boy's never have the study, never never never, Oh what a wonderful, beautiful, marvelous country. Oh that is the end of chapter thirty