Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/142

. . . But how did you manage to grow so fast?'

'That is a secret.'

'Teach it to me, for I should also like to grow. Don't you see? I always remain no bigger than a ninepin.'

'But you cannot grow,' replied the Fairy.

'Why?'

'Because puppets never grow. They are born puppets, live puppets, and die puppets.'

'Oh, I am sick of being a puppet!' cried Pinocchio, giving himself a slap. 'It is time that I became a man. . . .'

'And you will become one, if you know how to deserve it. . . .'

'Not really? And what can I do to deserve it?'

'A very easy thing: by learning to be a good boy.'

'And you think I am not?'

'You are quite the contrary. Good boys are obedient, and you. . . .'

'And I never obey.'

'Good boys like to learn and to work, and you. . . .'

'And I instead lead an idle vagabond life the year through.'

'Good boys always speak the truth. . . .'

'And I always tell lies.'

'Good boys go willingly to school. . . .'

'And school gives me pain all over my