Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/42

 hunger, drew from his pocket three pears, and giving them to him said:

'These three pears were intended for my breakfast; but I will give them to you willingly. Eat them, and I hope they will do you good.'

'If you wish me to eat them, be kind enough to peel them for me.'

'Peel them?' said Geppetto, astonished. 'I should never have thought, my boy that you were so dainty and fastidious. That is bad! In this world we should accustom ourselves from childhood to like and to eat everything, for there is no saying to what we may be brought. There are so many chances! . . .'

'You are no doubt right,' interrupted Pinocchio, 'but I will never eat fruit that has not been peeled. I cannot bear rind.'

So that good Geppetto fetched a knife, and arming himself with patience peeled the three pears, and put the rind on a corner of the table.

Having eaten the first pear in two mouthfuls, Pinocchio was about to throw away the core; but Geppetto caught hold of his arm and said to him:

'Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.'

'But core I am determined I will not eat,' shouted the puppet, turning upon him like a viper.