At that moment some one knocked at the door.
"Come in," said the carpenter, without having the strength to rise to
his feet.
A lively little old man immediately walked into the shop. His name was
Geppetto, but when the boys in the neighborhood wished to put him in
a passion they called him by the nickname of Polendina, because his
yellow wig greatly resembled a pudding made of Indian corn.
Geppetto was very fiery. Woe to him who called him Polendina! He
became furious, and there was no holding him.
"Good day, Master Antonio," said Geppetto; "what are you doing there
on the floor?"
"I am teaching the alphabet to the ants."
"Much good may that do you."
"What has brought you to me, neighbor Geppetto?"
"My legs. But to say the truth, Master Antonio, I am come to ask a
favor of you."
"Here I am ready to serve you," replied the carpenter getting on his
knees.
"This morning an idea came into my head."
"Let us hear it."
"I thought I would make a beautiful wooden puppet that should know how
to dance, to fence, and to leap like an acrobat. With this puppet I
would travel about the world to earn a piece of bread and a glass of
wine. What do you think of it?"
"Bravo, Polendina!" exclaimed the same little voice, and it was
impossible to say where it came from.
Hearing himself called Polendina, Geppetto became as red as a
turkey-cock from rage, and turning to the carpenter he said in a fury:
"Why do you insult me?"
"Who insults you?"
"You called me Polendina!"
"It was not I!"
"Would you have it then, that it was I? It was you, I say!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
And becoming more and more angry, from words they came to blows, and
flying at each other they bit, and fought, and scratched manfully.
When the fight was over Master Antonio was in possession of Geppetto's
yellow wig, and Geppetto discovered that the gray wig belonging to the
carpenter had remained between his teeth.
"Give me back my wig," screamed Master Antonio.
"And you return me mine, and let us make friends."
The two old men having each recovered his own wig shook hands, and
swore that they would remain friends to the end of their lives.
"Well then, neighbor Geppetto," said the carpenter, to prove that
peace was made, "what is the favor that you wish of me?"
"I want a little wood to make my puppet; will you give me some?"
Master Antonio was delighted, and he immediately went to the bench and
fetched the piece of wood that had caused him so much fear. Just as he
was going to give it to his friend the piece of wood gave a shake and
wriggling violently out of his hands struck with all its force against
the dried-up shins of poor Geppetto.
"Ah! is that the courteous way in which you make your presents, Master
Antonio? You have almost lamed me!"
"I swear to you that it was not I!"
"Then you would have it that it was I?"
"The wood is entirely to blame!"
"I know that it was the wood, but it was you that hit my legs with
it!"
"I did not hit you with it!"
"Liar!"
"Geppetto, don't insult me or I will call you Polendina!"
"Ass!"
"Polendina!"
"Donkey!"
"Polendina!"
"Baboon!"
"Polendina!"
On hearing himself called Polendina for the third time Geppetto, blind
with rage, fell upon the carpenter and they fought desperately.
When the battle was over, Master Antonio had two more scratches on his
nose, and his adversary had two buttons less on his waistcoat. Their
accounts being thus squared they shook hands, and swore to remain good
friends for the rest of their lives.
Geppetto carried off his fine piece of wood, and thanking Master
Antonio returned limping to his house.