Down the street came a huge wagon drawn by three big mules.  Behind it was a long train of men and women dressed in the strangest fashion.  Some were on foot, some on horseback, some sat or lay on other wagons larger and heavier than the first.  Two Moors, their scarlet turbans blazing in the sun, brought up the rear.  With spears at rest and with shields held before them, they rode along, mounted on two snow-white horses.

Pinocchio stood with his mouth open.  Only after the two Moors had passed did he discover the fact that he had legs, and that these were following on behind the procession.  And he walked, walked, walked, until the carriages and all the people stopped in the big town square.  A man with a deep voice began to give orders.  In a short time there arose an immense tent, which hid from Pinocchio and the many others who had gathered in the square all those wonderful wagons, horses, mules, and strange people.

It may seem odd, but it is a fact that the school bell began to ring and Pinocchio never heard it!

3.  Pinocchio Assists In Welcoming The Circus

That day the school bell rang longer and louder perhaps than it was wont to ring on other days.  What of that?  From the tent came the loud clanging of hammers, the sounds of instruments, the neighing of horses, the roaring of lions and tigers and panthers, the howling of wolves, the bleating of camels, the screeching of monkeys!  Wonderful noises!  Who cared for the school bell?  Pinocchio?  No, not he.

   Suddenly there was a loud command.  All was still.

The two Moors raised the tent folds with their spears.  Out came a crowd of men dressed in all sorts of fine clothes, and women in coats of mail and beautiful cloaks of silk, with splendid diadems on their heads.  They were all mounted upon horses covered with rich trappings of red and white.

Out they marched, and behind them came a golden carriage drawn by four white ponies.  In it was the big man with the deep voice.  There he sat in the beautiful carriage with his dazzling high hat and his tall white collar.  He wore a black suit with a pair of high boots.  As he rode on he waved his white gloves and bowed right and left.  The band with its trumpets and drums and cymbals struck up a stirring march, and a parade such as the townsfolk had never seen before passed out among the crowds that now filled the square.

The marionette could not believe his eyes.  He rubbed them to see if he was really awake.  He forgot all about his hunger.  What did he care for that?  The wonders of the whole world were before him.

The parade soon reentered the tent.  The two Moors, mounted upon their snow-white horses, again stood at the entrance.  Then the director, the man with the loud voice, came out, hat in hand, and began to address the people.

4.  Pinocchio Among The Wild Animals

“Ladies and gentlemen! kind and gentle people! citizens of a great town! officers and soldiers!  I wish you all peace, health, and plenty.