The Snail; much against her usual habit; began to run like a lizard under a summer sun。
When Pinocchio returned home; his father asked him:
〃And where is the new suit?〃
〃I couldn't find one to fit me。 I shall have to look again some other day。〃
That night; Pinocchio; instead of going to bed at ten o'clock waited until midnight; and instead of making eight baskets; he made sixteen。
After that he went to bed and fell asleep。 As he slept; he dreamed of his Fairy; beautiful; smiling; and happy; who kissed him and said to him; 〃Bravo; Pinocchio! In reward for your kind heart; I forgive you for all your old mischief。 Boys who love and take good care of their parents when they are old and sick; deserve praise even though they may not be held up as models of obedience and good behavior。 Keep on doing so well; and you will be happy。〃
At that very moment; Pinocchio awoke and opened wide his eyes。
What was his surprise and his joy when; on looking himself over; he saw that he was no longer a Marionette; but that he had become a real live boy! He looked all about him and instead of the usual walls of straw; he found himself in a beautifully furnished little room; the prettiest he had ever seen。 In a twinkling; he jumped down from his bed to look on the chair standing near。 There; he found a new suit; a new hat; and a pair of shoes。
As soon as he was dressed; he put his hands in his pockets and pulled out a little leather purse on which were written the following words:
The Fairy with Azure Hair returns fifty pennies to her dear Pinocchio with many thanks for his kind heart。
The Marionette opened the purse to find the money; and beholdthere were fifty gold coins!
Pinocchio ran to the mirror。 He hardly recognized himself。 The bright face of a tall boy looked at him with wide…awake blue eyes; dark brown hair and happy; smiling lips。
Surrounded by so much splendor; the Marionette hardly knew what he was doing。 He rubbed his eyes two or three times; wondering if he were still asleep or awake and decided he must be awake。
〃And where is Father?〃 he cried suddenly。 He ran into the next room; and there stood Geppetto; grown years younger overnight; spick and span in his new clothes and gay as a lark in the morning。 He was once more Mastro Geppetto; the wood carver; hard at work on a lovely picture frame; decorating it with flowers and leaves; and heads of animals。
〃Father; Father; what has happened? Tell me if you can;〃 cried Pinocchio; as he ran and jumped on his Father's neck。
〃This sudden change in our house is all your doing; my dear Pinocchio;〃 answered Geppetto。
〃What have I to do with it?〃
〃Just this。 When bad boys become good and kind; they have the power of making their homes gay and new with happiness。〃
〃I wonder where the old Pinocchio of wood has hidden himself?〃
〃There he is;〃 answered Geppetto。 And he pointed to a large Marionette leaning against a chair; head turned to one side; arms hanging limp; and legs twisted under him。
After a long; long look; Pinocchio said to himself with great content:
〃How ridiculous I was as a Marionette! And how happy I am; now that I have become a real boy!〃
End
小提示:按 回车 [Enter] 键 返回书目,按 ← 键 返回上一页, 按 → 键 进入下一页。
赞一下
添加书签加入书架