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PINOCCHIO I HOW IT CAME TO PASS THAT MASTER CHERRY THE CARPENTER FOUND A PIECE OF WOOD THAT LAUGHED AND CRIED LIKE A CHILD “A king!” my little readers will instantly exclaim. No, children, you are wrong. ‘There was once upon a time a piece of wood. This wood was not valuable: it was only a common log like those that are burnt in winter in the stoves and fireplaces to make a cheerful blaze and warm the rooms, I cannot say how it came about, but the fact is, that one fine day this piece of wood was lying in the shop of an old carpenter of the name of Master Antonio. He was, however, called by everybody Master Cherry, on account of the end of his nose, which was always as red and polished as a ripe cherry. No sooner had Master Cherry set eyes on the piece of wood than his face beamed with delight; and, rubbing his hands together with satisfaction, he said softly to himself: HERE was once upon a time... 11 1
