Stranica 146 [146]
OCR
128 PINOCCHIO said the man, " but I will give you twopence, provided that you help me to drag home these two carts of charcoal.” “I am surprised at you!” answered the puppet in a tone of offence. “ Let me tell you that I am not accustomed to do the work of a donkey: I have never drawn a cart! . . ." "So much the better for you,” answered the man. " ‘Then, my boy, if you are really dying of hunger, eat two fine slices of your pride, and be careful not to get an indigestion.” A few minutes afterwards a mason passed down the road carrying on his shoulders a basket of lime. “Would you have the charity, good man, to give a halfpenny to a poor boy who is yawning for want of food? " ‘“ Willingly,” answered the man. “ Come with me and carry the lime, and instead of a halfpenny I will give you five.” “ But the lime is heavy,” objected Pinocchio, " and I don’t want to tire myself.” “Tf you don’t want to tire yourself, then, my boy, amuse yourself with yawning, and much good may it do you.” In less than half an hour twenty other people went by; and Pinocchio asked charity of them all, but they all answered:
