The grapes were no other than gold coins which tinkled merrily asthey swayed in the wind. They seemed tosay, "Let him who wants us takeus!"Just as Pinocchio stretched out his hand to take ahandful of them, hewas awakened by three loud knocks atthe door. It was the Innkeeper who had cometo tell himthat midnight had struck.

　　"Are my friends ready?" the Marionette asked him.

　　"Indeed, yes! They went two hours ago.""Why in such ahurry?""Unfortunately the Cat received a telegram whichsaid that hisfirst-born was suffering from chilblains and was on the point of death. Hecould not even waitto say good-by to you.""Did they pay for thesupper?""How could they do such a thing? Being people ofgreatrefinement, they did not want to offend you sodeeply as not to allow you thehonor of paying the bill.""Too bad! That offense would have been morethan pleasing to me," said Pinocchio, scratching his head.

　　"Where did my good friends say they would wait for me?" headded.

　　"At the Field of Wonders, at sunrise tomorrowmorning."Pinocchio paid a gold piece for the three suppers andstarted onhis way toward the field that was to make him a rich man.

这一串一串的东西都是金币，让风吹着，发出丁、丁、丁的声音，听着像说：“谁高兴就来采我们吧，”可正当皮诺乔兴高采烈，伸手要去采这些漂亮的金币，把它们全给放进口袋的时候，忽然给房门上很响的三下敲门声惊醒了。
　　原来是旅馆老板来告诉他，钟已经敲半夜十二点了。
　　“我那两位同伴准备好了吗？”木偶问他，
　　“岂止准备好了！两个钟头以前都走啦。”
　　“为什么这祥急？”
　　“因为猫得到音信，说它的大孩子脚上生冻疮，有生命危险。”
　　“晚饭钱它们付了吗？”
　　“您说到哪儿去啦，它们太有教养了，哪能对您这样的先生如此无礼呢！”
　　“太可惜了！我倒高兴它们无礼些！”皮诺乔说着抓抓头，接着他又问：“我这两位好朋友说过，它们在哪儿等我吗？”
　　“说是在‘奇迹宝地’等你，明天早晨，天一亮的时候。”
　　皮诺乔给自已和两个朋友的那顿晚饭付了一个金币，这才走了。　　The grapes were no other than gold coins which tinkled merrily asthey swayed in the wind. They seemed tosay, "Let him who wants us takeus!"Just as Pinocchio stretched out his hand to take ahandful of them, hewas awakened by three loud knocks atthe door. It was the Innkeeper who had cometo tell himthat midnight had struck.

　　"Are my friends ready?" the Marionette asked him.

　　"Indeed, yes! They went two hours ago.""Why in such ahurry?""Unfortunately the Cat received a telegram whichsaid that hisfirst-born was suffering from chilblains and was on the point of death. Hecould not even waitto say good-by to you.""Did they pay for thesupper?""How could they do such a thing? Being people ofgreatrefinement, they did not want to offend you sodeeply as not to allow you thehonor of paying the bill.""Too bad! That offense would have been morethan pleasing to me," said Pinocchio, scratching his head.

　　"Where did my good friends say they would wait for me?" headded.

　　"At the Field of Wonders, at sunrise tomorrowmorning."Pinocchio paid a gold piece for the three suppers andstarted onhis way toward the field that was to make him a rich man.

这一串一串的东西都是金币，让风吹着，发出丁、丁、丁的声音，听着像说：“谁高兴就来采我们吧，”可正当皮诺乔兴高采烈，伸手要去采这些漂亮的金币，把它们全给放进口袋的时候，忽然给房门上很响的三下敲门声惊醒了。
　　原来是旅馆老板来告诉他，钟已经敲半夜十二点了。
　　“我那两位同伴准备好了吗？”木偶问他，
　　“岂止准备好了！两个钟头以前都走啦。”
　　“为什么这祥急？”
　　“因为猫得到音信，说它的大孩子脚上生冻疮，有生命危险。”
　　“晚饭钱它们付了吗？”
　　“您说到哪儿去啦，它们太有教养了，哪能对您这样的先生如此无礼呢！”
　　“太可惜了！我倒高兴它们无礼些！”皮诺乔说着抓抓头，接着他又问：“我这两位好朋友说过，它们在哪儿等我吗？”
　　“说是在‘奇迹宝地’等你，明天早晨，天一亮的时候。”
　　皮诺乔给自已和两个朋友的那顿晚饭付了一个金币，这才走了。

    The Inn of the Red LobsterCat and Fox and Marionette walked and walked andwalked.

　　At last, toward evening, dead tired, they came to theInn of the RedLobster.

　　"Let us stop here a while," said the Fox, "to eat abiteand rest for a few hours. At midnight we'll start out again,for at dawntomorrow we must be at the Field of Wonders."They went into the Inn andall three sat down at thesame table. However, not one of them was very hungry.

　　The poor Cat felt very weak, and he was able toeat only thirty-fivemullets with tomato sauce and fourportions of tripe with cheese. Moreover, ashe was soin need of strength, he had to have four more helpings ofbutter andcheese.

　　The Fox, after a great deal of coaxing, tried his bestto eat alittle. The doctor had put him on a diet, and hehad to be satisfied with asmall hare dressed with a dozenyoung and tender spring chickens. After thehare, heordered some partridges, a few pheasants, a couple ofrabbits, and adozen frogs and lizards. That was all.

　　He felt ill, he said, and could not eat another bite.

　　Pinocchio ate least of all. He asked for a bite of breadand a fewnuts and then hardly touched them. The poorfellow, with his mind on the Fieldof Wonders, wassuffering from a gold-piece indigestion.

　　Supper over, the Fox said to the Innkeeper:

　　"Give us two good rooms, one for Mr. Pinocchio andthe other forme and my friend. Before starting out,we'll take a little nap. Remember to callus at midnightsharp, for we must continue on our journey.""Yes,sir," answered the Innkeeper, winking in a knowing wayat the Fox and theCat, as if to say, "I understand."As soon as Pinocchio was in bed, hefell fast asleepand began to dream. He dreamed he was in the middleof a field.The field was full of vines heavy with grapes.

　　他们走啊，走啊，走啊，最后天黑了，他们累得够呛，来到了一家旅馆，叫做“红虾旅馆”。
　　“咱们在这儿停一会儿”狐狸说，“吃点东西，歇上个把钟头，半夜动身，明儿天不亮，‘奇迹宝地’就到了。”
　　他们走进旅馆，，二个人占了一张桌子，可谁都说不要吃什么。
　　可怜的猫说它肚子很不舒服，只要吃三十五条香茄酱火兔、四份奶酪杂碎，因为觉得杂碎味道不够好，又添了三次牛油和奶酪粉！
　　狐狸虽然想吃，可大夫规定它要严格节制饮食，因此它只好吃得简单点，就吃了一只肥美的野兔，周围摆满一圈肥嫩的童子鸡，吃完野兔，它又要了一大批饭后点心：鸡杂炒蛋，鹧鸪，家兔，田鸡、晰蜴，甜葡萄。接下来就不要什么了。它说食物已经叫它作呕，它一口也吃不下去了。
　　吃得最少的是皮诺乔。他只要了点核桃，还要了块面包，可结果都留在盘子里没吃，这可怜孩子光顾着想‘奇迹宝地’，好像金币己经把他撑饱了。
　　吃完晚饭，狐狸对老极说：
　　“给我们两间上房，一间住皮诺乔先生，一间住我和我的朋友，我们走前会打铃，可得记住，半夜我们要起来继续赶路。”
　　“是，先生们，”老板回答着，对狐狸和猫眨眨眼，像是说：“有数有数，算说定了！……”
　　皮诺乔一上床就睡着了，睡着了就做梦，他梦见自己在一块地当中。这块地满是矮矮的树，树上挂满一串一串的东西

　　The shivers run up and down my back at the mere thought ofit.""Well, then," said the Fox, "if you really want to gohome,go ahead, but you'll be sorry.""You'll be sorry," repeatedthe Cat.

　　"Think well, Pinocchio, you are turning your back on DameFortune.""On Dame Fortune," repeated the Cat.

　　"Tomorrow your five gold pieces will be twothousand!""Two thousand!" repeated the Cat.

　　"But how can they possibly become so many?" askedPinocchiowonderingly.

　　"I'll explain," said the Fox. "You must knowthat,just outside the City of Simple Simons, there is a blessedfield called theField of Wonders. In this field you diga hole and in the hole you bury a goldpiece. After coveringup the hole with earth you water it well, sprinklea bit ofsalt on it, and go to bed. During the night, thegold piece sprouts, grows,blossoms, and next morningyou find a beautiful tree, that is loaded with goldpieces.""So that if I were to bury my five gold pieces,"criedPinocchio with growing wonder, "next morning I shouldfind--howmany?""It is very simple to figure out," answered the Fox.

　　"Why, you can figure it on your fingers! Granted thateach piecegives you five hundred, multiply five hundredby five. Next morning you willfind twenty-five hundrednew, sparkling gold pieces.""Fine!Fine!" cried Pinocchio, dancing about with joy.

　　"And as soon as I have them, I shall keep two thousandformyself and the other five hundred I'll give to you two.""A gift forus?" cried the Fox, pretending to be insulted.

　　"Why, of course not!""Of course not!" repeatedthe Cat.

　　"We do not work for gain," answered the Fox.

　　"We work only to enrich others.""To enrichothers!" repeated the Cat.

　　"What good people," thought Pinocchio to himself.

　　And forgetting his father, the new coat, the A-B-C book,and all hisgood resolutions, he said to the Fox and to the Cat:

　　"Let us go. I am with you."

　　“这么说，”狐狸说道，“你真想回家？那你就回家吧、反正是你自己吃亏！”
　　“是你自已吃亏！”猫跟着又说了一遍。
　　“你好好想想，皮诺乔，因为你有福不享。”
　　“有福不享！”猫跟着又说了一遍。
　　“你的五个金币到明天要变成两千个了。”
　　“两千个了！”猫跟着又说一遍。
　　“可怎么会变那么多呢？”皮诺乔问道，惊奇得嘴都合不拢了。
　　“我这就告诉你，”狐狸说，“你要知道，傻瓜城有块福地，大家叫它‘奇迹宝地’。你在这块地上挖一个小窟窿，然后放进去，比方说吧，放进去一个金币。然后你在窟窿上撒点土，重新盖起来，浇上两锅泉水，再撒上一撮盐，晚上你安安稳稳上床睡大觉好了，一夜工夫，这个金币生长开花。第二天早晨你起床回到地里一看，你想你会看到什么呢，你会看到一棵漂亮的树，长满了金币，多得就像六月里一串丰满的麦穗上的麦粒。”
　　“这么说，”皮诺乔完全入迷了，说道：“要是我把我那五个金币种在那块地上，第二天早晨我可以有多少个金币呢？”
　　“容易算极了，”狐狸回答说，“用指头尖一算就算得出来，比方说，每个金币长出五百个，五百乘五，第二天早晨你口袋里就可以有两千五百个闪闪发光、丁丁当当响的金币。”
　　“噢，那多美呀！”皮诺乔大叫，高兴得跳起来，“等我把这些金币都采下来，我拿两千，还有五百个我送给你们俩。”
　　“送给我们？”狐狸像给得罪了，生气地叫道，“上帝免了你这份礼吧！”
　　“免了你这份礼！”猫跟着又说了一遍。
　　“我们这么起劲，可不是为了卑鄙的利益，”狐狸回答说，“我们起劲只是为了让别人发财致富。”
　　“让别人发财致富。”猫跟着又说了一遍，
　　“多好的人啊！”皮诺乔心里说，他一下子忘掉了他的爸爸，忘掉了新上衣，忘掉了识字课本，忘掉了一切好的打算，却对狐狸和猫说：
　　“那咱们走吧。我跟你们去。”

　　At the cheerful tinkle of the gold, the Fox unconsciouslyheld outhis paw that was supposed to be lame, and theCat opened wide his two eyes tillthey looked like livecoals, but he closed them again so quickly thatPinocchiodid not notice.

　　"And may I ask," inquired the Fox, "what you aregoingto do with all that money?""First of all," answered theMarionette, "I want tobuy a fine new coat for my father, a coat of goldandsilver with diamond buttons; after that, I'll buy an A-B-C book formyself.""For yourself?""For myself. I want to go to schooland study hard.""Look at me," said the Fox. "For the sillyreason ofwanting to study, I have lost a paw.""Look at me," saidthe Cat. "For the same foolish reason,I have lost the sight of botheyes."At that moment, a Blackbird, perched on the fencealong the road,called out sharp and clear:

　　"Pinocchio, do not listen to bad advice. If you do,you'll besorry!"Poor little Blackbird! If he had only kept his wordsto himself! Inthe twinkling of an eyelid, the Cat leapedon him, and ate him, feathers andall.

　　After eating the bird, he cleaned his whiskers, closedhis eyes, andbecame blind once more.

　　"Poor Blackbird!" said Pinocchio to the Cat.

　　"Why did you kill him?""I killed him to teach him alesson. He talks too much.

　　Next time he will keep his words to himself."By this time thethree companions had walked a longdistance. Suddenly, the Fox stopped in histracks and,turning to the Marionette, said to him:

　　"Do you want to double your gold pieces?""What do youmean?""Do you want one hundred, a thousand, two thousandgold piecesfor your miserable five?""Yes, but how?""The way is veryeasy. Instead of returning home,come with us.""And where will youtake me?""To the City of Simple Simons."Pinocchio thought awhile and then said firmly:

　　"No, I don't want to go. Home is near, and I'm goingwhereFather is waiting for me. How unhappy he mustbe that I have not yet returned! Ihave been a bad son,and the Talking Cricket was right when he said that a disobedientboy cannot be happy in this world. I havelearned this at my own expense. Evenlast night inthe theater, when Fire Eater. . . Brrrr!!!!! . . .

　　他说着掏出吃火人送他的钱。
　　一听到金币丁丁当当响，狐狸不由自主地伸出了它那只好像瘸了的爪子，猫也张大了它那两只眼睛。这两只眼睛绿幽幽的像两盏灯，不过它们马上又闭上了，皮诺乔当然一点没看见。
　　“现在，”狐狸问他，“你拿这些钱想干什么呢？”
　　“第一，”皮诺乔回答说，“我要给我爸爸买一件漂亮的新上衣，金丝银线织的，钮扣是宝石做的，第二、我要给自己买一本识字课本。”
　　“给你自己？”
　　“还用说，我要去上学好好读书嘛。”
　　“你瞧瞧我吧，”狐狸说，“我就为了愚蠢得竟想去读书，结果把一条腿都弄瘸了。”
　　“你瞧瞧我吧，”猫说了，“我就为了愚蠢得竟想去读书，把两只眼睛都搞瞎了。”
　　正在这时候，一只白椋鸟蹲在路边树丛上唱起它的老调，说：
　　“皮诺乔，别听坏朋友的话，要不，你要后悔的！”
　　可怜的椋鸟没来得及把话说完！猫猛地一跳，跳得半天高，一把抓住椋鸟，椋鸟连叫一声“唉哟”的工夫也没有，就已经连毛一起进入了猫的大嘴巴，
　　猫吃掉椋鸟，擦过嘴巴，重新闭上两只眼睛，又照旧装瞎子。
　　“可怜的椋鸟！”皮诺乔对猫说，“你为什么对它这么狠呢？”
　　“我这样做是为了教训教训它，这样一来，下次它可就学乖，别人说话不会插嘴了。”
　　他们走到半路，狐狸忽然停下，对木偶说：
　　“你想让你的金币加个倍吗？”
　　“你这话什么意思？”
　　“你只有那么五个金币，你想让它们变成一百个，一千个，两千个吗？”
　　“那还用说！可怎么变呢？”
　　“简单极了。你先别回家，跟我们走。”
　　“你们带我上哪儿去？”
　　“到傻瓜城去。”
　　皮诺乔想了想，接着拿定主意说：
　　“不要，我不去，这会儿就到家了，我要回家，我爸爸在等着，可怜的老人家昨儿没见我回去，谁知道他有多么焦急呀！真倒霉，我是这么个坏孩子，还是会说话的蟋蟀说得对：‘不听话的孩子在这个世界上没有好结果。’我从自己的教训懂得了这一点，因为我遭了许多殃，昨儿晚上在吃火人那里，我差点儿连命都送掉了……啊！我一想起都要发抖！”

    Fire Eater gives Pinocchio five gold pieces for his father, Geppetto;but theMarionette meets a Fox and a Cat and follows themThe next day Fire Eater calledPinocchio aside and asked him:

　　"What is your father'sname?""Geppetto.""And what is his trade?""He's awood carver.""Does he earn much?""He earns so much that henever has a penny in hispockets. Just think that, in order to buy me anA-B-Cbook for school, he had to sell the only coat he owned, acoat so full ofdarns and patches that it was a pity.""Poor fellow! I feel sorry forhim. Here, take thesefive gold pieces. Go, give them to him with my kindestregards."Pinocchio, as may easily be imagined, thanked hima thousandtimes. He kissed each Marionette in turn,even the officers, and, beside himselfwith joy, set out onhis homeward journey.

　　He had gone barely half a mile when he met a lameFox and a blindCat, walking together like two goodfriends. The lame Fox leaned on the Cat, andthe blindCat let the Fox lead him along.

　　"Good morning, Pinocchio," said the Fox, greeting him courteously.

　　"How do you know my name?" asked the Marionette.

　　"I know your father well.""Where have you seenhim?""I saw him yesterday standing at the door of hishouse.""And what was he doing?""He was in his shirt sleevestrembling with cold.""Poor Father! But, after today, God willing, hewillsuffer no longer.""Why?""Because I have become a richman.""You, a rich man?" said the Fox, and he began to laughout loud.The Cat was laughing also, but tried to hide itby stroking his long whiskers.

　　"There is nothing to laugh at," cried Pinocchio angrily.

　　"I am very sorry to make your mouth water, but these,as youknow, are five new gold pieces."And he pulled out the gold pieces whichFire Eaterhad given him.

　第二天早晨，吃火人把皮诺乔叫到一旁，问他说：
　　“你父亲叫什么名字？”
　　“叫杰佩托。”
　　“他是干什么的，”
　　“他很穷。”
　　“他赚的钱多吗？”
　　“要问他赚的钱，从不见他口袋里有一个子儿。请想象一下吧，为了买一本识字课本给我上学，他得卖掉身上仅有的一件短上衣。这件短上衣完全是补丁，没一处好的。”
　　“可怜的人！我很同情他。这里是五个金币。马上带回去给他，并且替我问他好。”
　　不用说，皮诺乔向木偶戏班班主千谢万谢，他把戏班里所有的木偶一个个拥抱过，包括两个守卫，然后欢天喜地回家去了。
　　可还没有走上半公里路，他就在路上碰到一只瘸腿狐狸和一只瞎眼猫。它俩一路上相互搀扶，似是两个患难朋友。瘸腿狐狸靠在猫身上，瞎眼猫由狐狸领着路。
　　“早上好，皮诺乔，”狐狸向他恭恭敬敬问好说。
　　“你怎么知道我的名字？”木偶问它。
　　“我跟你爸爸挺熟。”
　　“你在哪儿见过他？”
　　“昨天在他家门口见过。”
　　“他在干什么？”
　　“他穿着一件衬衫，冷得直打哆嗦。”
　　“可怜的爸爸！可是谢谢老天爷，从今往后，他就不用再打哆嗦了！……”
　　“为什么？”
　　“因为我变成个体面先生啦。”
　　“你是个体面先生？”狐狸说着，放肆地大笑，猫也跟着笑，可为了不让皮诺乔看见，用两个前爪子假装在理着胡子。
　　“没什么可笑的，”皮诺乔生气地叫道，“我真不想叫你们流口水，可这儿，要是你们想知道的话，这儿有五个呱呱叫的金币。”

　　"Well, what do you want from me now, Marionette?""I beg for mercy for my poor friend, Harlequin, whohas never done the least harm in his life.""There is no mercy here, Pinocchio. I have sparedyou. Harlequin must burn in your place. I am hungryand my dinner must be cooked.""In that case," said Pinocchio proudly, as he stoodup and flung away his cap of dough, "in that case, myduty is clear. Come, officers! Tie me up and throw meon those flames. No, it is not fair for poor Harlequin,the best friend that I have in the world, to die in my place!"These brave words, said in a piercing voice, made allthe other Marionettes cry. Even the officers, who weremade of wood also, cried like two babies.

　　Fire Eater at first remained hard and cold as a pieceof ice; but then, little by little, he softened and began tosneeze. And after four or five sneezes, he opened widehis arms and said to Pinocchio:

　　"You are a brave boy! Come to my arms and kiss me!"Pinocchio ran to him and scurrying like a squirrel up thelong black beard, he gave Fire Eater a loving kiss on thetip of his nose.

　　"Has pardon been granted to me?" asked poorHarlequin with a voice that was hardly a breath.

"Pardon is yours!" answered Fire Eater; and sighingand wagging his head, he added: "Well, tonight I shallhave to eat my lamb only half cooked, but beware thenext time, Marionettes."At the news that pardon had been given, theMarionettes ran to the stage and, turning on all the lights,they danced and sang till dawn.

　　“你到底求我什么事？”
　　“我求您开开恩，放了可怜的花衣小丑！”
　　“这可开不得恩。我不烧你就得烧他，因为我要把我这只羊烤得香香的。”
　　“那么，”皮诺乔大叫一声，站了起来，扔掉头上的面包心帽子，“那么，我知道我该怎么做了。来吧，守卫先生们！把我捆起来扔到火里去，不行，让可怜的花衣小丑，我的真正朋友，替我去死是不公道的！……”
　　这番话说得丁当响亮，声调豪迈激昂，在场的木偶听了没有不哭的，连两个守卫，虽然是木头做的，也哭得像吃奶的羊羔。
　　吃火人起先一点不动心，冷得像块冰，可后来慢慢地、慢慢地也开始感动了，又打喷嚏了。他一口气打了四五个喷嚏，于是疼爱地张开怀抱，对皮诺乔说：
　　“你是个好小子！过来，给我一个吻。”
　　皮诺乔马上跑过去，像只松鼠似地顺着木偶戏班班主的大胡子往上爬，爬到上面，在他鼻尖上给了他一个最甜最甜的吻。
　　“那么，您开恩啦？”可怜的花衣小丑问道，声音细得好不容易才听见。
　　“开恩了！”吃火人回答说。接着他叹口气，摇摇头，“没法子！今儿晚上我只能吃半生不熟的羊肉了。可下一回，谁要是打动我的心，他就活该倒霉！……”
　　一听说开了恩，所有的木偶都跑到戏台上，像开盛大晚会那样，点亮了所有的灯和烛台，开始又跳又舞。他们就这样一直跳啊舞的直到大天亮。

　　"My father, yes. My mother I have never known.""Your poor father would suffer terribly if I were touse you as firewood. Poor old man! I feel sorry forhim! E--tchee! E--tchee! E--tchee!" Three more sneezessounded, louder than ever.

　　"God bless you!" said Pinocchio.

　　"Thanks! However, I ought to be sorry for myself,too, just now. My good dinner is spoiled. I have nomore wood for the fire, and the lamb is only half cooked.

　　Never mind! In your place I'll burn some other Marionette.

　　Hey there! Officers!"At the call, two wooden officers appeared, long andthin as a yard of rope, with queer hats on their headsand swords in their hands.

　　Fire Eater yelled at them in a hoarse voice:

　　"Take Harlequin, tie him, and throw him on the fire.

　　I want my lamb well done!"Think how poor Harlequin felt! He was so scaredthat his legs doubled up under him and he fell to the floor.

　　Pinocchio, at that heartbreaking sight, threw himself at the feet of Fire Eater and, weeping bitterly, askedin a pitiful voice which could scarcely be heard:

　　"Have pity, I beg of you, signore!""There are no signori here!""Have pity, kind sir!""There are no sirs here!""Have pity, your Excellency!"On hearing himself addressed as your Excellency, theDirector of the Marionette Theater sat up very straightin his chair, stroked his long beard, and becoming suddenlykind and compassionate, smiled proudly as he said to Pinocchio:

　　“爸爸活着，可我从来不知道妈妈，”
　　“我这会儿要是把你扔到炭火里，谁知道你的老父亲要多么伤心啊！可怜的老头！我很同情他！……啊嚏，啊嚏，啊嚏！”他又打了三个喷嚏，
　　“长命千岁！”皮诺乔说，
　　“谢谢！不过也得同情同请我，因为你看，我要把这头羊烤熟，木柴没有了，说老实话，你在这种情况下对我非常有用！可如今我很感动，我想忍耐看不烧你，既然不烧你，我就得在我的戏班里另找一个木偶来代替你，把他扔到叉子底下去烧……喂，守卫的！”
　　一声命今，马上来了两个木头守卫，他们挺高挺高，挺瘦挺瘦，头戴两角帽，手握出鞘的剑，
　　木偶戏班班主气咻咻地对他们说：
　　“给我把这个花衣小丑抓住，捆得牢牢的，扔到火里去，我要让我这只羊烤得香香的！”
　　诸位想象一下这个可怜的花衣小丑吧！他吓得两条腿一弯，跪在地上了，
　　皮诺乔看见这种凄惨场面，就扑倒在班主脚下，嚎啕大哭，泪水把他那把大胡子也给弄湿了，开始哀求他说：
　　“可怜可怜吧，吃火人先生！……”
　　“这里没有先生！……”木偶戏班班主冷冰冰地回答说。
　　“可怜可怜吧，骑士先生！……”
　　“这里没有骑士！……”
　　“可怜可怜吧，爵士先生！……”
　　“这里没有爵士！”
　　“可怜可怜吧，大老爷！……”
　　木偶戏班班主—听见叫他大老爷，马上噘起了嘴，变得慈祥多了，温和多了，问皮诺乔说：

    Fire Eater sneezes and forgives Pinocchio,who saves his friend, Harlequin, from deathIn the theater, great excitement reigned.

　　Fire Eater (this was really his name) was very ugly, but he was far from being as bad as he looked. Proof ofthis is that, when he saw the poor Marionette beingbrought in to him, struggling with fear and crying, "Idon't want to die! I don't want to die!" he felt sorry forhim and began first to waver and then to weaken. Finally,he could control himself no longer and gave a loud sneeze.

　　At that sneeze, Harlequin, who until then had beenas sad as a weeping willow, smiled happily and leaningtoward the Marionette, whispered to him:

　　"Good news, brother mine! Fire Eater has sneezedand this is a sign that he feels sorry for you.

　　You are saved!"For be it known, that, while other people, when sadand sorrowful, weep and wipe their eyes, Fire Eater, onthe other hand, had the strange habit of sneezing eachtime he felt unhappy. The way was just as good as anyother to show the kindness of his heart.

　　After sneezing, Fire Eater, ugly as ever, cried to Pinocchio:

　　"Stop crying! Your wails give me a funny feelingdown here in my stomach and--E--tchee!--E--tchee!"Two loud sneezes finished his speech.

　　"God bless you!" said Pinocchio.

　　"Thanks! Are your father and mother still living?"demanded Fire Eater.

　　木偶戏班班主吃火人（他就叫这么个名字）看样子是个可怕的人，那是没话说的，特别是他那把黑色大胡子，像围裙似地盖住他整个胸口和整整两条腿，可他到底不是个坏人，事实上，他一看见可怜的皮诺乔给带到他面前，拼命挣扎，哇哇大叫：“我不要死，我不要死！”心马上就软，可怜起他来了，他鼻子忽然发热，忍了好大一会儿，可终于忍不住，就大声打了一个喷嚏。
　　花衣小丑一直在伤心，像垂柳那样弯下身子，可一听见打喷嚏，马上喜容满面，向皮诺乔弯过身来，轻轻跟他咬耳朵说：
　　“好消息，兄弟，班主打喷嚏了，这表示他已经感动，在可怜你，如今你有救了。”
　　因为要知道，有许多人一同情什么人，或者是哭，或者至少是假装擦眼睛，可吃火人不同，他真的感动了，就要打喷嚏，这也是一种表示他心软的的方式，
　　打过喷嚏以后，木偶戏班班主还是装出很凶的样于，对皮诺乔叫道：
　　“别哭了！你哇哇哭，叫我肚子里难受极了……叫我觉得绞痛，几乎，几乎……啊嚏，啊嚏……”又打了两个喷嚏。
　　“长命百岁！”皮诺乔说，
　　“谢谢！你爸爸妈妈都活着吗？”吃火人问他，

　　It was a heart-rending spectacle, but the audience,seeing that the play had stopped, became angry and beganto yell:

　　"The play, the play, we want the play!"The yelling was of no use, for the Marionettes, insteadof going on with their act, made twice as much racket asbefore, and, lifting up Pinocchio on their shoulders, carriedhim around the stage in triumph.

　　At that very moment, the Director came out of hisroom. He had such a fearful appearance that one lookat him would fill you with horror. His beard was asblack as pitch, and so long that it reached from his chindown to his feet. His mouth was as wide as an oven, histeeth like yellow fangs, and his eyes, two glowing redcoals. In his huge, hairy hands, a long whip, made ofgreen snakes and black cats' tails twisted together, swishedthrough the air in a dangerous way.

　　At the unexpected apparition, no one dared even tobreathe. One could almost hear a fly go by. Those poorMarionettes, one and all, trembled like leaves in a storm.

　　"Why have you brought such excitement into mytheater;" the huge fellow asked Pinocchio with the voiceof an ogre suffering with a cold.

　　"Believe me, your Honor, the fault was not mine.""Enough! Be quiet! I'll take care of you later."As soon as the play was over, the Director went tothe kitchen, where a fine big lamb was slowly turningon the spit. More wood was needed to finish cooking it.

　　He called Harlequin and Pulcinella and said to them:

　　"Bring that Marionette to me! He looks as if he weremade of well-seasoned wood. He'll make a fine fire forthis spit."Harlequin and Pulcinella hesitated a bit. Then,frightened by a look from their master, they left thekitchen to obey him. A few minutes later they returned,carrying poor Pinocchio, who was wriggling and squirminglike an eel and crying pitifully:

　　"Father, save me! I don't want to die! I don't want to die!"

　　不用说，这个场面十分动人，不过观众看见戏老不演下去，不耐烦，开始大叫：
　　“我们要看戏，我们要看戏！”
　　可他们是白费力气，因为木偶们不是把戏演下去，而是加倍大叫大喊。他们把皮诺乔放在肩膀上，狂欢着抬到脚灯前面。
　　这时木偶戏班班主出来了，他个子大，样子凶，叫人看一眼就要害怕，他有把黑色大胡子，就像一大摊墨水迹，老长老长的，从下巴一直拖到地上，只说一点就够了，他走起路来脚都要踩着这把大胡子，他那张嘴大得像驴口，—双眼睛好似两盏点着火的红玻璃灯，他手里劈啪劈啪抽着根大鞭子，是用蛇和狼尾巴编起来的。
　　没想到忽然出来了班主，大伙儿一下子吓得连气都不敢透，连苍蝇飞过都听得见，这些可怜的木偶，男男女女个个哆嗦得像树叶子。
　　“你干吗到我的戏院里来捣乱？”班主问皮诺乔说，那大嗓门听着就像阎王爷害了重伤风的声音。
　　“请您相信，先生，这都不怪我！……”
　　“够了够了！晚上咱们再算账。”
　　事实就是如此，戏演完以后，木偶戏班班主走进厨房，厨房里正在烤一只肥羊做晚饭，叉子叉着，在火上慢慢地转动，他为了弄来木柴最后把羊烤熟烤焦，就把花衣小丑和驼背小丑叫来、对他们说：
　　“钉子上挂着的那个木偶，你们去给我带来，我看这木偶的木头很干，把他扔到火里，准能把火烧旺，烤熟这一只羊，”
　　花衣小丑和驼背小丑先还犹豫着不走，可班主生气地瞪了他们一眼，他们吓得只好服从。一转眼工夫他们就回到厨房，架来了可怜的皮诺乔，皮诺乔扭来扭去，像条出水鳗鱼，拼命大叫：
　　“我的爸爸，快救救我！我不要死，我不要死！……”

    The Marionettes recognize their brother Pinocchio,and greet him with loud cheers; but the Director, Fire Eater,happens along and poor Pinocchio almost loses his lifeQuick as a flash, Pinocchio disappeared into theMarionette Theater. And then something happened whichalmost caused a riot.

　　The curtain was up and the performance had started.

　　Harlequin and Pulcinella were reciting on the stage and,as usual, they were threatening each other with sticks and blows.

　　The theater was full of people, enjoying the spectacleand laughing till they cried at the antics of the two Marionettes.

　　The play continued for a few minutes, and then suddenly,without any warning, Harlequin stopped talking.

　　Turning toward the audience, he pointed to the rear ofthe orchestra, yelling wildly at the same time:

　　"Look, look! Am I asleep or awake? Or do I really seePinocchio there?""Yes, yes! It is Pinocchio!" screamed Pulcinella.

　　"It is! It is!" shrieked Signora Rosaura, peeking in fromthe side of the stage.

　　"It is Pinocchio! It is Pinocchio!" yelled all the Marionettes,pouring out of the wings. "It is Pinocchio. It is our brotherPinocchio! Hurrah for Pinocchio!""Pinocchio, come up to me!" shouted Harlequin. "Cometo the arms of your wooden brothers!"At such a loving invitation, Pinocchio, with one leapfrom the back of the orchestra, found himself in the frontrows. With another leap, he was on the orchestra leader'shead. With a third, he landed on the stage.

　　It is impossible to describe the shrieks of joy, the warm embraces, the knocks, and the friendly greetings withwhich that strange company of dramatic actors andactresses received Pinocchio.

　　皮诺乔一进木偶戏院，就出了件事，这件事几乎闹了个大乱子。
　　要知道，这时戏幕已经升起，滑稽戏已经开场了。
　　台上站着花衣小丑和驼背小丑，正吵得不可开交，接着就是那老一套，他们不断地你威吓我我威吓你，说要请对方吃耳光和吃棍子。
　　台下的观众聚精会神，听着这两个木偶吵架，哈哈大笑，两个木偶做着手势，互相辱骂，活灵活现，就像两个有理性的动物，咱们这世界的两个人。
　　忽然之间，花衣小丑停止了表演，向观众转过身来，用手指着观众席后排，用演戏的腔调大叫起来：
　　“天上的诸神啊！我是做梦还是醒着呢？那下边的人不是皮诺乔吗？……”
　　“正是皮诺乔！”驼背小丑叫道，
　　“一点不错就是他！”罗萨乌拉太太打台后伸出头来尖声叫道。
　　“是皮诺乔！是皮诺乔！”所有的木偶同声大叫，跳到外面台上来，“皮诺乔！是咱们的兄弟皮诺乔！皮诺乔万岁！”
　　“皮诺乔，上来，到我这儿来，”花衣小丑叫道，“上来，投到你的木头弟兄们的怀抱里来吧！”
　　他们这么热请地邀请，皮诺乔一跳就从观众席后座跳到前座，再一跳就从前座跳上乐队指挥的头顶，又从乐队指挥的头顶蹦上戏台。
　　皮诺乔受到木偶戏班男女演员的狂热欢迎，他们拥抱、搂他的脖子，友好地撮弄他，跟他像真诚兄弟那样头碰头，这个场面是无法想象的。