late to learn and to
instruct ourselves."

"But I do not wish to follow either an art or a trade."

"Why?"

"Because it tires me to work."

"My boy," said the Fairy, "those who talk in that way end almost always
either in prison or in the hospital. Let me tell you that every man,
whether he is born rich or poor, is obliged to do something in this
world--to occupy himself, to work. Woe to those who lead slothful lives.
Sloth is a dreadful illness and must be cured at once, in childhood. If
not, when we are old it can never be cured."

Pinocchio was touched by these words and, lifting his head quickly, he
said to the Fairy:

"I will study, I will work, I will do all that you tell me, for indeed I
have become weary of being a puppet, and I wish at any price to become a
boy. You promised me that I should, did you not?"

"I did promise you, and it now depends upon yourself."

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXVI

THE TERRIBLE DOG-FISH

The following day Pinocchio went to the government school. Imagine the
delight of all the little rogues, when they saw a puppet walk into their
school! They set up a roar of laughter that never ended. They played him
all sorts of tricks. One boy carried off his cap, another pulled his
jacket behind; one tried to give him a pair of inky mustachios just
under his nose, and another attempted to tie strings to his feet and
hands to make him dance.

For a short time Pinocchio pretended not to care and got on as well as
he could; but at last, losing all patience, he turned to those who were
teasing him most and making game of him, and said to them, looking very
angry:

"Beware, boys! I have not come here to be your buffoon. I respect
others, and I intend to be respected."

[Illustration: "Oh, I Am Sick of Being a Puppet!" Cried Pinocchio]

"Well said, boaster! You have spoken like a book!" howled the young
rascals, convulsed with mad laughter, and one of them, more impertinent
than the others, stretched out his hand, intending to seize the puppet
by the end of his nose.

But he was not in time, for Pinocchio stuck his leg out from under the
table and gave him a great kick on his shins.

"Oh, what hard feet!" roared the boy, rubbing the bruise that the puppet
had given him.

"And what elbows! even harder than his feet!" said another, who for his
rude tricks had received a blow in the stomach.

But, nevertheless, the kick and the blow acquired at once for Pinocchio
the sympa