Читать книгу Приключения Пиноккио / The adventures of Pinocchio. Уровень 1 - Карло Коллоди - Страница 9

Soon the Marionette started to grumble and cry that he wanted a new pair of feet. After dinner Master Geppetto said to him:

“What for? To run away from home once more?”

“I promise you,” answered the Marionette, “that I’ll be good.”

“Boys always promise that when they want something,” said Geppetto.

“I promise to go to school every day, to study.”

“Boys always sing that song when they want something.”

“But I am not like other boys! I am better than all of them. I always tell the truth. I promise you, Father, that I’ll learn a trade, and I’ll help you in your old age.”

Geppetto’s eyes filled with tears and his heart softened. He said no more, but took his tools and two pieces of wood.

In less than an hour the feet were ready, two slender, nimble little feet, strong and quick. The Marionette jumped from the table.

“I am grateful to you, Father, I’ll go to school now. But I need some clothes.”

Geppetto did not have a penny in his pocket, so he made him a little suit of flowered paper, a pair of shoes from the bark of a tree, and a tiny cap from a bit of dough.

Pinocchio ran to look at himself in a bowl of water, and he felt so happy that he said proudly:

“Now I look like a gentleman.”

“Truly,” answered Geppetto.

“But, in order to go to school,” answered Pinocchio, “I still need something very important.”

“What is it?”

“An ABC book.”

“You’re right. But how shall we get it?”

“That’s easy. We’ll go to a bookstore and buy it.”

“And the money?”

“I have none.”

“Neither have I,” said the old man sadly.

Pinocchio became sad and downcast.

Suddenly Geppetto ran out of the house without another word. After a while he returned. In his hands he had the ABC book for his son. But he did not have his old coat anymore. The poor fellow was in his shirt and the day was cold.

“Where’s your coat, Father?”

“I sold it.”

“Why did you sell your coat?”

“It was too warm.”

Pinocchio understood the answer, and he jumped on his father’s neck and kissed him.