Chapter 48

　　Pinocchio,almost in tears himself, whispered in the Cat's ear:

　　"Ifall the cats were like you, how lucky the mice would be!""And whatare you doing here?" the Fox asked the Marionette.

　　"Iam waiting for my father, who will be here at any moment now.""Andyour gold pieces?""I still have them in my pocket, except one whichIspent at the Inn of the Red Lobster.""To think that those four goldpieces might becometwo thousand tomorrow. Why don't you listen to me?

　　Whydon't you sow them in the Field of Wonders?""Today it is impossible.I'll go with you some other time.""Another day will be toolate," said the Fox.

　　"Why?""Becausethat field has been bought by a very rich man,and today is the last day that itwill be open to the public.""How far is this Field ofWonders?""Only two miles away. Will you come with us? We'llbe therein half an hour. You can sow the money, and,after a few minutes, you will gatheryour two thousandcoins and return home rich. Are you coming?"Pinocchiohesitated a moment before answering, for heremembered the good Fairy, oldGeppetto, and the adviceof the Talking Cricket. Then he ended by doing whatallboys do, when they have no heart and little brain.

　　皮诺乔也感动得走到猫身边，在它耳边轻轻地说：
　　“如果所有的猫都像你，耗子可多幸运啊！”
　　“可你这会儿在这里干吗呢，”狐狸问木偶说。
　　“我在等我爸爸，他早晚要到这儿来的。”
　　“那你的金币呢？”
　　“都在口袋里，就少一个，付给红灯旅馆的老板了。”
　　“想想吧，四个金币到明天就能变一两千个，你为什么不听我的话？你为什么不到‘奇迹宝地’，把它们种下去呢。”
　　“今天不行，我改天去。”
　　“改一天就晚了。”狐狸说。
　　“为什么？”
　　“因为这块地给一位大好佬买去了，从明天起，再不准任何人在那儿种金币。”
　　“‘奇迹宝地’离这儿远吗？’”
　　“不到两公里。你要跟我们去吗，半个钟头就到，你马上种下四个金币，过几分钟就可以收到两千个，今晚回来，口袋里就装满金币啦，要跟我们去吗？”
　　皮诺乔没马上回答，因为他想到了善良的仙女，想到了年老的杰佩托，还想到了会说话的蟋蟀给他的劝告。可是最后，他就像一个全没脑筋、全没心肝的孩子所做的那样。