  When Pinocchio reached the top of the hill he looked around for a place where he could rest. He thought of the lion that had carried off the ostrich, and he did not like the idea of meeting him. Fortunately there were no signs of life, but neither was there any place where he could sit down in comfort. Sand and rocks, rocks and sand were everywhere. In the distance he saw water. “At any rate,” he said, “I shall at least be able to wash myself;” and he turned his footsteps toward the water. He arrived before long at the water’s edge. How fresh and clean it was! He was so dusty and tired that there was only one thing to do,—take a bath! When Pinocchio decided upon a course of action he did not hesitate. In an instant he was undressed. As he started toward the water a voice cried, “Pinocchio! Pinocchio!” “Oh, let Pinocchio alone!” the marionette said, and leaped into the air. Crocodile catches Pinocchio Horrors! As he came flying down, a green mass rose to the surface of the river. It was a crocodile! Pinocchio saw it and shuddered, but there was no time to cry out. Down, down he went into that open mouth! But wooden marionettes are always fortunate. The crocodile’s throat was so wide that Pinocchio slipped into the stomach of the creature with great ease. Not even a scratch! As he was accustomed to being under water and inside the bodies of animals, he was not at all frightened. In fact, when he noticed that he was being carried down to the bottom of the river, where it was cool and refreshing, he uttered no word of complaint, but rather enjoyed the experience. The crocodile crawled in to a cave, and prepared to digest the marionette at its leisure. Pinocchio was naturally annoyed at this and began to kick and squirm about. At first this did not seem to cause any ill effects, but Pinocchio kicked and struggled until the poor reptile could not help wondering what the trouble was, and began to twist and shake its whole body. Pinocchio did not stop. Presently the crocodile decided to return to the surface and deposit the marionette upon the bank. Pinocchio desired nothing better. As soon as he saw a ray of light he became very quiet. The crocodile, now that the trouble seemed over, was about to return to its cave, but it had made this plan without consulting our wooden marionette. “Suppose I let the beast carry me a short distance! I can make it throw me upon the bank later as well as now! It may carry me to some place where—enough, I am going to try it! A green ship, without sails, without engines, and without a crew, is not to be found every day. Boo! boo! boo!” muttered the marionette. The crocodile, frightened at the strange noises inside its body, began to swim with all its strength. It swam and swam and swam! When it slowed up the marionette continued, “Boo! boo! boo!” and the crocodile went on faster than ever. The poor creature became thoroughly exhausted, and fairly wept with anger and fright, but the strange voice went on without ceasing. At last, growing desperate, the crocodile stopped, opened its huge jaws, and with a great effort sent the marionette flying through the air to the bank of the river; then it disappeared in the deep water. “Pleasant trip home! Remember me to everybody!” cried Pinocchio as he leaped about joyously. |
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