“And you will if you deserve it—­”

“Really?  What can I do to deserve it?”

“It’s a very simple matter.  Try to act like a well-behaved child.”

“Don’t you think I do?”

“Far from it!  Good boys are obedient, and you, on the contrary—­”

“And I never obey.”

“Good boys love study and work, but you—­”

“And I, on the contrary, am a lazy fellow and a tramp all year round.”

“Good boys always tell the truth.”

“And I always tell lies.”

“Good boys go gladly to school.”

“And I get sick if I go to school.  From now on I’ll be different.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.  I want to become a good boy and be a comfort to my father.  Where is my poor father now?”

“I do not know.”

“Will I ever be lucky enough to find him and embrace him once more?”

“I think so.  Indeed, I am sure of it.”

At this answer, Pinocchio’s happiness was very great.  He grasped the Fairy’s hands and kissed them so hard that it looked as if he had lost his head.  Then lifting his face, he looked at her lovingly and asked:  “Tell me, little Mother, it isn’t true that you are dead, is it?”

“It doesn’t seem so,” answered the Fairy, smiling.

“If you only knew how I suffered and how I wept when I read ’Here lies—­’”

“I know it, and for that I have forgiven you.  The depth of your sorrow made me see that you have a kind heart.  There is always hope for boys with hearts such as yours, though they may often be very mischievous.  This is the reason why I have come so far to look for you.  From now on, I’ll be your own little mother.”

“Oh!  How lovely!” cried Pinocchio, jumping with joy.

“You will obey me always and do as I wish?”

“Gladly, very gladly, more than gladly!”

“Beginning tomorrow,” said the Fairy, “you’ll go to school every day.”

Pinocchio’s face fell a little.

“Then you will choose the trade you like best.”

Pinocchio became more serious.

“What are you mumbling to yourself?” asked the Fairy.

“I was just saying,” whined the Marionette in a whisper, “that it seems too late for me to go to school now.”

“No, indeed.  Remember it is never too late to learn.”

“But I don’t want either trade or profession.”

“Why?”

“Because work wearies me!”

“My dear boy,” said the Fairy, “people who speak as you do usually end their days either in a prison or in a hospital.  A man, remember, whether rich or poor, should do something in this world.  No one can find happiness without work.  Woe betide the lazy fellow!  Laziness is a serious illness and one must cure it immediately; yes, even from early childhood.  If not, it will kill you in the end.”

These words touched Pinocchio’s heart.  He lifted his eyes to his Fairy and said seriously:  “I’ll work; I’ll study; I’ll do all you tell me.  After all, the life of a Marionette has grown very tiresome to me and I want to become a boy, no matter how hard it is.  You promise that, do you not?”