CHAPTER 31

Finally the carriage arrived without making the least noise, because the wheels were bound with tow and rags. Twelve little donkeys pulled it; they were of the same size but of different colors. Some were brown, others speckled like pepper and salt, and others were striped with bands of yellow and blue. But the most singular thing about them was this: these twelve pair of donkeys, that is, the twenty-four donkeys, instead of having shoes made of iron, had on their feet white kid boots shaped like a man's.

And the driver? Just imagine a man very fat and round, like a big ball of butter, with an oily smile, a face like an apple, and a thin, caressing voice like that of a cat trying to win the affection of its mistress!

As soon as they saw him the boys were tempted to jump into the carriage and start away for the place unknown on the geographical maps, — the Country of Playthings.

The carriage was filled with boys between eight and ten years of age, packed like sardines in a box. They were so closely huddled together that they could hardly breathe. But no-one said "Oh!" No one complained. The consolation of knowing that in a few hours they would arrive in a country where there were no books, or schools, or teachers made them happy and resigned, so that they did not feel hurt, or uncomfortable, or hungry, or thirsty.

As soon as the carriage stopped, the fat driver turned to Lamp Wick and with a thousand airs and grimaces said to him, sniffing, "Tell me, my pretty lad, do you wish to come with us to the most fortunate country?"

"Indeed I do."

But I warn you that there is no place inside. As you see, it is full."

"Oh, well," replied Lamp Wick, "if there is no place inside, I will sit on top of the carriage," and he jumped up and sat beside the driver.

"And what about your friend?" said the driver, turning most politely toward Pinocchio. "What will he do? Are you coming with us also?"

"I remain here," replied Pinocchio. "I wish to return home. I prefer to study and to be a good boy."

"What good will that do you?"

"Listen to me, Pinocchio," said Lamp Wick, "come with us and always be happy."

"No, no, no!"

"Come with us and always be happy," said four others.

"Come with us and always be happy," said all the rest.

"And if I go with you, what will the good Fairy say?" asked Pinocchio, who began to feel as if he were being pulled by his sleeve.

"Do not think of that. Think of the country we shall be in. We shall be our own masters and make a fine noise all day long."

Pinocchio did not reply, but gave a sigh; then he gave another sigh; then a third sigh; finally he said: "Give me a place. I will go with you."

"All the places are full," replied the driver; "but if you wish, take my place."

"What will you do?"

"I will walk."

"No; I cannot allow that. I prefer to ride on one of the donkeys," said Pinocchio.

No sooner said than done. He approached the nearest donkey and tried to mount it; but the donkey suddenly raised his hind feet and threw Pinocchio off. Just imagine the impertinent laughter of all those boys who saw it!

Pinocchio, who was very angry, made another jump on the donkey's back. The jump was such a beautiful one that the boys began to laugh and shout, "Long live Pinocchio!" and clap their hands for joy.

When they were ready to start the donkey again raised his hind feet and gave such a strong kick that the marionette was thrown on top of a heap of gravel. The boys again laughed out loud; but the driver, instead of laughing, went to the donkey and seemed to whisper something in his left ear. Then he said to the marionette: "Remount and have no fear. That donkey had a whim in his head, but I have spoken to him and he will be more reasonable."

Pinocchio mounted and the carriage started. While the donkeys galloped along the marionette fancied that he heard a strange voice saying: "Poor simpleton! You wish to do as you please. You will be sorry."

The frightened Pinocchio looked first on one side of the road and then on the other to see whence these words came; but he saw no one. The donkeys galloped, the carriage rolled along, the boys inside slept, Lamp Wick snored like a dormouse, and the driver sang between his teeth:

They made another mile. Again Pinocchio heard the voice. This time it said: "Bear in mind, simpleton, that boys who stop studying and throw away their books and do nothing but play and amuse themselves will always come to a bad end. I know it, for I have tried it, but I cannot say any more. You will cry some day as I do now, but then it will be too late."

At these whispered words the marionette was more frightened than ever. He jumped down to the ground and put his ear to the donkey's nose. Imagine how surprised he was when he perceived that the donkey wept just like a little boy!

"Mr. Driver," cried Pinocchio, "do you know that this donkey can cry?"

"Let him cry. He will laugh when he has some hay."

"But who taught him to speak?"

"He learned to say a few words in a country where he lived for a little while."

"Poor beast!"

"Do not waste your time pitying a donkey when he cries. Jump on his back and let us go. The night is fresh and the road is long."

Pinocchio obeyed in silence. The carriage moved on, and when the sun came up they arrived at the Country of Playthings.

This country did not resemble any other in the world. The population was composed entirely of boys. The oldest was thirteen years and the youngest not under eight. In the streets there was a noise, a running around, and a blowing of trumpets that would make your head ache. Everywhere groups of boys played at marbles, at shinny, at ball; some rode on velocipedes and wooden horses; some played hide and seek; others played tag; some sang; others jumped over benches; some walked on their hands with their feet in the air; others tried to kick over their heads; some laughed; some called; some whistled; some made a noise like a hen that has just laid an egg. In fact, there was such a pandemonium that you would have had to put cotton in your ears.

As soon as Pinocchio, Lamp Wick, and all the other newcomers in this country had arrived, they ran around with the others and began to play. Who could have been happier or more contented than they? "Oh, what a beautiful life this is!" said Pinocchio, running after Lamp Wick.

"See; was I not right?" said the latter. "You did not wish to come. To think that you should want to return to the Fairy's house and study! If to-day you are free from all the annoyances of school and its troubles, you should thank me. True friends are the only ones who know how to render favors to one another."

"It is true, Lamp Wick. If to-day I am a free and happy boy, I owe it all to you. Yet the teacher used to say to me, 'Do not go with Lamp Wick because he is a bad companion.'"

"Poor Teacher!" replied the other, shaking his head.

So they played in the country for five months. They never saw a book; never studied a minute. They played from morning till night. One morning when Pinocchio awoke he was surprised to find what had happened, and it made him very unhappy.