  Alas! there was the prime minister. He had caught hold of the marionette and tied a rope around his neck. It would be impossible to describe the wrath of the poor emperor. He wanted to say a few things and to do even more, but the cruel minister struck him with a whip. This kind of argument convinced the emperor that it was best to remain quiet. “That is how I like to see you,” said the minister, pushing Pinocchio forward, and holding him by the rope as the farmers do their donkeys on returning from market. Thus they walked a great distance, until they came to the top of a hill from which could be seen a large tract of country covered with huts. The minister turned toward Pinocchio and spoke as follows: “My dear emperor, we must decide upon some plan of action, if we do not wish to starve. You see to what a miserable state we are reduced. We have no money, nor have we any food; in short, if we do not earn something before night, we shall not only be compelled to sleep in the open, but we shall go to bed supperless. If you were not made of wood, things would not be so hopeless, because I could eat you up and you would last some time. But since this is impossible, I have resolved to carry you around the village and place you on exhibition before the public. You will make money, do you understand? Now be good enough to give me your aid. Help me to put together a cage from the bark of these trees. We shall make money,—much money!” And the minister rubbed his hands gleefully. The marionette did not share in his joy. In fact, he was on the point of showering bitter reproaches upon this unfaithful servant, who was now going to exhibit him in the public squares, but he decided to wait for a better opportunity. Accordingly, he began to strip the bark from the trees without making any objection. When the cage was completed, the minister turned to the marionette and said: “Enter. From now on, there shall be no more talk of emperor. I am your master, and you are my faithful slave.—Forward, march!” The command had been given in a way which made its repetition unnecessary, and Pinocchio knew that he must obey. Pinocchio is placed in a cage |
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