Приключения Пиноккио / The adventures of Pinocchio. Уровень 1

“God bless you!” said Pinocchio.

“Thanks! Are your father and mother alive?” demanded The Director.

“My father, yes.”

“Your poor father… Poor old man! I feel sorry for him! E-tchee! E-tchee! E-tchee!”

Three more sneezes sounded, louder than ever.

“God bless you!” said Pinocchio.

“Thanks! However, I have no more wood for the fire, and the lamb is only half cooked. Never mind![13 - Never mind! – Не беда!] I’ll burn some other Marionette. Hey there! Officers!”

Two wooden officers appeared, long and thin, with queer hats on their heads and swords in their hands.

The Director yelled at them in a hoarse voice:

“Take Harlequin, tie him, and throw him on the fire!”

Poor Harlequin was so scared that he fell to the floor. Pinocchio threw himself at the feet of the Director and asked him:

“Have pity, signore!”

“There are no signori here!”

“Have pity, kind sir!”

“There are no sirs here!”

“Have pity, your Excellency!”

The Director of the Marionette Theater sat up very straight in his chair, stroked his long beard, and became suddenly kind and compassionate.

He smiled proudly as he said to Pinocchio:

“Well, what do you want from me now, Marionette?”

“I beg for mercy for my poor friend, Harlequin.”

“There is no mercy here, Pinocchio. Harlequin must burn in your place[14 - in your place – вместо тебя]. I am hungry and my dinner is not ready yet.”

“In that case,” said Pinocchio proudly, “in that case, my duty is clear.

Come, officers! Tie me up and throw me on those flames. In poor Harlequin’s place!”

All the Marionettes cried. Even the officers, who were made of wood also, cried like two babies.

The Director softened and began to sneeze. And after four or five sneezes, he opened wide his arms and said to Pinocchio:

“You are a brave boy! Come to my arms and kiss me!”

Pinocchio ran to him and kissed the Director on the tip of his nose.

“Well, tonight I shall eat my lamb only half cooked,” said The Director and sighed and wagged his head. He added: “But beware the next time, Marionettes.”

The Marionettes ran to the stage and danced and sang till dawn.

Chapter 12

Pinocchio meets a Fox and a Cat

The next day The Director called Pinocchio aside and asked him:

“What is your father’s name?”

“Geppetto.”

“And what is his trade?”

“He’s a wood carver.