him, and the proof of it is that I put an earthenware saucer on a brazier of burning embers, but a chicken flew out and said:  ’Adieu until we meet again, and many compliments to all at home’:  and I got still more hungry, for which reason that little old man in a night-cap, opening the window, said to me:  ‘Come underneath and hold out your hat,’ and poured a basinful of water on my head, because asking for a little bread isn’t a disgrace, is it? and I returned home at once, and because I was always very hungry I put my feet on the brazier to dry them, and then you returned, and I found they were burnt off, and I am always hungry, but I have no longer any feet!  Oh! oh! oh! oh!” And poor Pinocchio began to cry and to roar so loudly that he was heard five miles off.

Geppetto, who from all this jumbled account had only understood one thing, which was that the puppet was dying of hunger, drew from his pocket three pears and, giving them to him, said: 

“These three pears were intended for my breakfast, but I will give them to you willingly.  Eat them, and I hope they will do you good.”

“If you wish me to eat them, be kind enough to peel them for me.”

“Peel them?” said Geppetto, astonished.  “I should never have thought, my boy, that you were so dainty and fastidious.  That is bad!  In this world we should accustom ourselves from childhood to like and to eat everything, for there is no saying to what we may be brought.  There are so many chances!”

“You are no doubt right,” interrupted Pinocchio, “but I will never eat fruit that has not been peeled.  I cannot bear rind.”

So good Geppetto peeled the three pears and put the rind on a corner of the table.

Having eaten the first pear in two mouthfuls, Pinocchio was about to throw away the core, but Geppetto caught hold of his arm and said to him: 

“Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.”

“But core I am determined I will not eat,” shouted the puppet, turning upon him like a viper.

“Who knows! there are so many chances!” repeated Geppetto, without losing his temper.

And so the three cores, instead of being thrown out of the window, were placed on the corner of the table, together with the three rinds.

Having eaten, or rather having devoured the three pears, Pinocchio yawned tremendously, and then said in a fretful tone: 

“I am as hungry as ever!”

“But, my boy, I have nothing more to give you!”

“Nothing, really nothing?”

“I have only the rind and the cores of the three pears.”

“One must have patience!” said Pinocchio; “if there is nothing else I will eat a rind.”

And he began to chew it.  At first he made a wry face, but then one after another he quickly disposed of the rinds:  and after the rinds even the cores, and when he had eaten up everything he clapped his hands on his sides in his satisfaction and said joyfully: