Pinocchio slept for a few hours. At midnight, a sound woke him up. He looked out of the doghouse and saw four Weasels.
One Weasel went to the doghouse. She called him Melampo. That was the name of the old dog.
Pinocchio said his name was Pinocchio. He said he was the new watchdog. The Weasel said the old dog was a good friend.
The Weasel wanted to make a deal with Pinocchio. She said they would take eight chickens from the henhouse.
The Weasels would take seven chickens. They would give one chicken to Pinocchio. Pinocchio had to stay quiet and not bark.
The Weasel said the old dog Melampo always did this. Pinocchio nodded. He told the Weasels he understood the plan.
The Weasels went to the henhouse. They opened the door and went inside. But then Pinocchio closed the door behind them.
Pinocchio put a heavy stone in front of the door. Then he began to bark like a real dog. "Bow, wow, wow!" he shouted.
The Farmer woke up and grabbed his gun. He ran to the yard. Pinocchio told him the thieves were in the henhouse.
The Farmer caught the Weasels and put them in a bag. He was very happy. He petted Pinocchio and praised him.
The Farmer was surprised. He said Melampo had never caught the Weasels. Pinocchio knew the old dog's secret, but he said nothing against Melampo.
He only told the Farmer what the Weasels had offered him. He said they had tried to give him a chicken, but he could not be bribed.
The Farmer was very proud of Pinocchio. He said Pinocchio was a fine boy. The Farmer took the collar off Pinocchio’s neck.
"You are free now!" the Farmer said. Pinocchio was happy to be a free puppet again.