Приключения Пиноккио / The adventures of Pinocchio. Уровень 1

”

“Does he earn much?”

“He never has a penny in his pockets. In order to buy[15 - In order to buy – чтобы купить] me an ABC book for school, he sold his coat.”

“Poor fellow! I feel sorry for him. Here, take these five gold pieces[16 - five gold pieces – пять золотых (монет)]. Go, give them to him.”

Pinocchio thanked him a thousand times. He kissed each Marionette, even the officers, and went home.

Soon he met a lame Fox and a blind Cat.

The lame Fox leaned on the Cat, and the blind Cat leaned on the Fox.

“Good morning, Pinocchio,” said the Fox courteously.

“How do you know my name?” asked the Marionette.

“I know your father well.”

“Where did you see him?”

“I saw him yesterday.”

“And what did he do?”

“He was in his shirt. He trembled with cold.”

“Poor Father! But, after today, he will suffer no longer.”

“Why?”

“Because I am a rich man.

”

“You, a rich man?” said the Fox. The Cat laughed also, and stroked his long whiskers.

“Why do you laugh?” cried Pinocchio angrily. “Look: here are five gold pieces!”

And he pulled out the gold pieces. The Fox held out his paw, and the Cat opened wide his two eyes, but he closed them again so quickly that Pinocchio did not notice.

“And may I ask,” inquired the Fox, “what will you do with all that money?”

“First of all,” answered the Marionette, “I want to buy a fine new coat for my father, a coat of gold and silver with diamond buttons.

After that, I’ll buy an ABC book for myself.”

“For yourself?”

“For myself. I want to go to school and study hard.”

“Look at me,” said the Fox. “I wanted to study and I lost a paw.”

“Look at me,” said the Cat. “For the same foolish reason, I lost the sight of both eyes.”

At that moment, a Blackbird on the fence along the road said:

“Pinocchio, do not listen to bad advice! You’ll be sorry!”

Poor little Blackbird! The Cat leaped on him, and ate him.

Then he cleaned his whiskers, closed his eyes, and became blind once more.

“Poor Blackbird!” said Pinocchio to the Cat. “Why did you kill him?”

“I killed him to teach him a lesson. He talks too much. Next time he will be silent.