PINOCCHIO LANDS ON A ROCK
The moon grinned again and disappeared behind a cloud. The night grew
dark. Pinocchio continued to swim through the black waters. He could
see nothing ahead. He swam, swam, swam into the dark. Suddenly he felt
something scrape his body, and he gave a start.
Who goes there? he cried. No one answered. Perhaps it is my old
friend the shark, who has recognized me, thought he; and he rapidly
swam on to get away from the spot which reminded him of that terrible
monster.
He had not gone more than fifty yards when his head ran against
something rough and hard. Oh! cried the marionette, and he raised his
hand to the injured part.
Then, as he noticed a large rock standing out of the water, he cried
joyously; I have arrived! I am in Africa!
He got up on his feet and began to feel of himself all over,his ribs,
his stomach, his legs. Everything was in order.
Nothing broken! he said. The rocks on the way have been very kind.
However, I hope that day will break soon, for I have no matches, and it
seems to me that I am very hungry.
Then he began to move on carefully. First he put down one foot and then
the other, and thus crept along till he found a comfortable spot. I
seem to be very tired and sleepy also, he said.
With that, he lay down and went off in to a deep slumber.
When he awoke it was daylight. The sun shone red and hot. There was
nothing to be seen but rocks and water.
Is this Africa? said the marionette, greatly troubled. Even at dawn
it seems to be very warm. When the sun gets a little higher I am likely
to be baked. And he wiped the sweat from his brow on his coat sleeve.
Presently clouds began to rise out of the water. They grew darker and
darker, and the day, instead of being bright, gradually became gloomy
and overcast.
The sun disappeared.
This is funny! said Pinocchio. What jokes the sun plays in these
parts! It shines for a while and then disappears.
Poor marionette! It did not occur to him at first that he had slept the
whole day, and that instead of the rising he saw the setting of the
sun.