Part 33 (1/2)

But the little donkey was seen no more that evening.

The following morning the veterinary, that is, the doctor of animals, paid him a visit, and declared that he would remain lame for life.

The director then said to the stable-boy:

”What do you suppose I can do with a lame donkey? He would eat food without earning it. Take him to the market and sell him.”

When they reached the market a purchaser was found at once. He asked the stable-boy:

”How much do you want for that lame donkey?”

”Twenty dollars.”

”I will give you two dollars. Don't suppose that I am buying him to make use of; I am buying him solely for his skin. I see that his skin is very hard and I intend to make a drum with it for the band of my village.”

Imagine poor Pinocchio's feelings when he heard that he was destined to become a drum!

As soon as the purchaser had paid his two dollars he conducted the little donkey to the seash.o.r.e. He then put a stone round his neck and, tying a rope, the end of which he held in his hand, round his leg, he gave him a sudden push and threw him into the water.

Pinocchio, weighted down by the stone, went at once to the bottom, and his owner, keeping tight hold of the cord, sat down quietly on a piece of rock to wait until the little donkey was drowned, intending then to skin him.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER x.x.xIV

PINOCCHIO IS SWALLOWED BY THE DOG-FISH

After Pinocchio had been fifty minutes under the water, his purchaser said aloud to himself:

”My poor little lame donkey must by this time be quite drowned. I will therefore pull him out of the water, and I will make a fine drum of his skin.”

And he began to haul in the rope that he had tied to the donkey's leg, and he hauled, and hauled, and hauled, until at last--what do you think appeared above the water? Instead of a little dead donkey he saw a live puppet, who was wriggling like an eel.

Seeing this wooden puppet, the poor man thought he was dreaming, and, struck dumb with astonishment, he remained with his mouth open and his eyes starting out of his head.

Having somewhat recovered from his first stupefaction, he asked in a quavering voice:

”And the little donkey that I threw into the sea? What has become of him?”

”I am the little donkey!” said Pinocchio, laughing.

”You?”

”I.”

”Ah, you young scamp!! Do you dare to make game of me?”

”To make game of you? Quite the contrary, my dear master? I am speaking seriously.”