Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/64

 At that moment a white Blackbird, that was perched on the hedge by the road, began his usual song, and said:

'Pinocchio, don't listen to the advice of bad companions: if you do you will repent it! . . .'

Poor Blackbird! If only he had not spoken! The Cat with a great leap sprang upon him, and without even giving him time to say Oh! ate him in a mouthful, feathers and all.

Having eaten him and cleaned her mouth she shut her eyes again and feigned blindness as before.

'Poor Blackbird!' said Pinocchio to the Cat, 'why did you treat him so badly?'

'I did it to give him a lesson. He will learn another time not to meddle in other people's conversation.'

They had gone almost half-way when the Fox, halting suddenly, said to the puppet:

'Would you like to double your money?'

'In what way?'

'Would you like to make out of your five miserable sovereigns, a hundred, a thousand, two thousand?'

'I should think so! but in what way?'

'The way is easy enough. Instead of returning home you must go with us.'

'And where do you wish to take me.'

'To the land of the Owls.'