Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/138

 'But the lime is heavy,' objected Pinocchio, 'and I don't want to tire myself.'

'If you don't want to tire yourself, then, my boy, amuse yourself with yawning, and much good may it do you.'

In less than half an hour twenty other people went by; and Pinocchio asked charity of them all, but they all answered:

'Are you not ashamed to beg? Instead of idling about the roads, go and look for a little work and learn to earn your bread.'

At last a nice little woman carrying two cans of water came by.

'Will you let me drink a little water out of your can?' asked Pinocchio, who was burning with thirst.

'Drink, my boy, if you wish it!' said the little woman, setting down the two cans.

Pinocchio drank like a fish, and as he dried his mouth he mumbled:

'I have quenched my thirst. If I could only appease my hunger! . . .'

The good woman hearing these words said at once:

'If you will help me to carry home these two cans of water, I will give you a fine piece of bread.'

Pinocchio looked at the can and answered neither yes nor no.

'And besides the bread you shall have a nice dish of cauliflower dressed with oil and vinegar,' added the good woman.