Приключения Пиноккио / The adventures of Pinocchio. Уровень 1

I know him well!”

Pinocchio shuddered so hard that the bed shook.

“That Marionette,” continued the Cricket, “is a rascal.”

Pinocchio opened his eyes and closed them again.

“He is rude, lazy, a runaway.”

Pinocchio hid his face under the sheets.

“That Marionette is a disobedient son!”

They heard long sobs, cries, and deep sighs. Then they raised the sheets and discovered Pinocchio in tears!

“When the dead weep, they recover,” said the Crow solemnly.

“I am sorry to contradict my famous friend and colleague,” said the Owl, “but I think that when the dead weep, it means they do not want to die.

Chapter 17

Pinocchio eats sugar, but refuses to take medicine

The doctors left the room. The Fairy went to Pinocchio’s bed and touched him on the forehead. A fever!

She took a glass of water, put a white powder into it, and handed it to the Marionette:

“Drink this, and in a few days you’ll be well.”

Pinocchio looked at the glass, made a wry face, and asked:

“Is it sweet or bitter?”

“It is bitter, but it is good for you.

“If it is bitter, I don’t want it.”

“Drink it!”

“I don’t like anything bitter.”

“Drink it and I’ll give you a lump of sugar.”

“Where’s the sugar?”

“Here it is,” said the Fairy, and took a lump from a golden sugar bowl.

“I want the sugar first, then I’ll drink the bitter water.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes.

The Fairy gave him the sugar and Pinocchio swallowed it. Then he took the glass in both hands and stuck his nose into it.

“It is too bitter, much too bitter! I can’t drink it. I want another lump of sugar, then I’ll drink it.”

The Fairy gave him more sugar.

“I can’t drink it like that,” the Marionette said.

“Why?”

“Because that feather pillow on my feet bothers me.”

The Fairy took away the pillow.

“I can’t drink it even now.”

“What’s the matter now?”

“I don’t like that door.

The Fairy closed the door.

“I won’t drink it,” cried Pinocchio. “I won’t drink this awful water. I won’t. I won’t! No, no, no, no!”

“My boy, you are very sick.”

“I don’t care.”

“In a few hours you’ll die.”

“I don’t care.”

“Aren’t you afraid of death?”

“Not a bit. Better to die than drink that awful medicine.