Page:The adventures of Pinocchio (Cramp 1904).djvu/106

 I am a headstrong and touchy marionette. I always wish to do things my way, without paying any attention to those who love me and who are a thousand times wiser than I. But from now on I will change my life and become a good, obedient boy. I have found out that boys who are disobedient always lose in the long run. And my poor papa has waited for me so long! I shall find him at the house of the Fairy. It is so long since I have seen him that I will give him a thousand hugs and kisses. And the Fairy will pardon my naughtiness in going away. To think that I have received from her so much goodness and kindness! And to think also that I owe my life to her! But no one can be more thankful than I am.”

He had scarcely said this last word when he stopped suddenly, very much frightened, and made four paces backward. What do you think he saw?—a big serpent stretched out on the road! It had a green skin, eyes of fire, and a tail that smoked at the end just like a chimney!

It is impossible to imagine the fear of the marionette, who, going some distance away, sat down on a heap of stones and waited for the serpent to go away so that the road would be left free. He waited one hour, two hours, three hours; but the serpent did not move. Pinocchio could see nothing