PINOCCHIO IS SWALLOWED BY A CROCODILE
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 waters 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.
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 crocodiles 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
whereenough, 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.