Part 14 (2/2)

”If things go well, as I hope they will, we shall gather many presents,” the prime minister was saying. ”It cannot be denied that he is attractive, and I am sure that all our people will vie with each other in making gifts. Therefore, I entreat you to be patient. When the visit is ended we will share what has been gathered.”

After a long silence, interrupted only by the roar of a lion prowling about, the prime minister continued: ”As for him, we will dispatch him in the quickest way. If he were not of wood,” he added in a deep voice, ”he would be good roasted, but - ”

Then some one threw an armful of branches on the fire. The flames lit up the tent, but Pinocchio saw and heard no more, for he had vanished out of sight.

At dawn, notices were sent throughout the whole country that the emperor had disappeared, and that there was no trace of him to be found!The confusion was terrible. The people everywhere were aroused, charges were brought against the government. The matter became so serious that the ministers were forced to flee.

Among those who escaped was the prime minister. He went into the forests determined to find the emperor. Having strong legs and a keen nose, he was well fitted to track any kind of animal, including a marionette.

In fact, after many hours of hard work, he beheld the emperor scampering away from a herd of wild beasts. They evidently wanted to make a meal of him. The court gentleman knew that these animals would soon give up the chase, and was content to follow at a distance. After a while daylight drove the beasts away, and the poor, tired emperor threw himself flat upon the ground to regain his breath. Scarcely had he done so when a roaring more terrible than that of wild beasts caused him to spring to his feet in the vain hope of making his escape.

41. Pinocchio Is Placed In A Cage

ALAS! there was the prime minister. He had caught hold of the marionette and tied a rope around his neck.

It would be impossible to describe the wrath of the poor emperor. He wanted to say a few things and to do even more, but the cruel minister struck him with a whip.

This kind of argument convinced the emperor that it was best to remain quiet.

”That is how I like to see you,” said the minister, pus.h.i.+ng Pinocchio forward, and holding him by the rope as the farmers do their donkeys on returning from market.

Thus they walked a great distance, until they came to the top of a hill from which could be seen a large tract of country covered with huts. The minister turned toward Pinocchio and spoke as follows: ”My dear emperor, we must decide upon some plan of action, if we do not wish to starve. You see to what a miserable state we are reduced. We have no money, nor have we any food; in short, if we do not earn something before night, we shall not only be compelled to sleep in the open, but we shall go to bed supperless. If you were not made of wood, things would not be so hopeless, because I could eat you up and you would last some time. But since this is impossible, I have resolved to carry you around the village and place you on exhibition before the public. You will make money, do you understand? Now be good enough to give me your aid. Help me to put together a cage from the bark of these trees. We shall make money, much money!” And the minister rubbed his hands gleefully.

The marionette did not share in his joy. In fact, he was on the point of showering bitter reproaches upon this unfaithful servant, who was now going to exhibit him in the public squares, but he decided to wait for a better opportunity. Accordingly, he began to strip the bark from the trees without making any objection.

When the cage was completed, the minister turned to the marionette and said: ”Enter. From now on, there shall be no more talk of emperor.

I am your master, and you are my faithful slave. Forward, march!”

The command had been given in a way which made its repet.i.tion unnecessary, and Pinocchio knew that he must obey.

42. Pinocchio Performs For The Public

WITH the cage on his head the ex-minister walked into the village, whistling as he went to attract the attention of the people.

”P-r-r-p, p-r-r-p, p-r-r-p!”

It was a holiday, and the people flocked around him. Everybody wanted to see, everybody wanted to admire the rare animal in the cage.

Shouts of wonder burst forth on all sides.

It is easy to fancy how Pinocchio felt! He longed to be a cricket, or a mouse, so that he might hide in some hole. How he wished that he were a b.u.t.terfly or a bird and could fly to his home!

He stood there, huddled up in one corner of the cage, trying to present as little of his body as possible to the eager eyes of the crowd. He prayed for aid with all his heart. It was useless. The cruel master saw that the square was filled with people, eager to look at the marionette. He opened the cage, and when Pinocchio stepped out he made him run around in circles like a monkey.

Then the minister addressed the people:

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