Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/129

 evening, however, he ate to repletion, and when he had nearly emptied the basket he turned to the Pigeon and said to him:

'I never could have believed that vetch was so good!'

'Be assured, my boy,' replied the Pigeon, 'that when hunger is real, and there is nothing else to eat, even vetch becomes delicious. Hunger knows neither caprice nor greediness.'

Having quickly finished their little meal they recommenced their journey and flew away. The following morning they reached the seashore.

The Pigeon placed Pinocchio on the ground, and not wishing to be troubled with thanks for having done a good action, flew quickly away and disappeared.

The shore was crowded with people who were looking out to sea, shouting and gesticulating.

'What has happened?' asked Pinocchio of an old woman.

'A poor father who has lost his son has gone away in a boat to search for him on the other side of the water, and to-day the sea is tempestuous and the little boat is in danger of sinking.'

'Where is the little boat?'

'It is out there in a line with my finger,' said the old woman, pointing to a little boat