Pinocchio was very happy to be free. He ran out of the city quickly. He wanted to go back to the house of the lovely Fairy.
It rained for many days before he was free. The road was very muddy. Pinocchio’s legs went deep into the mud as he walked.
But Pinocchio was brave and kept going. He ran as fast as a greyhound (a very fast dog). He wanted to see his father and the Fairy.
Pinocchio talked to himself as he ran. He said he was a stubborn and stupid boy. He promised to change and listen to people who loved him.
He wondered if Geppetto was waiting for him. He wanted to find his father at the Fairy’s house. He hoped the Fairy would forgive him for his mistakes.
Suddenly, Pinocchio stopped. He was frozen with fear. An enormous Serpent lay across the road. It had green skin and red, glowing eyes.
Smoke came out of the end of its pointed tail. Pinocchio was very afraid. He ran back and sat on some stones to wait.
He waited for three hours. The Serpent did not move. Pinocchio could still see the smoke from its tail.
Pinocchio tried to be brave. He walked toward the Serpent. He asked the Serpent to move so he could pass.
The Serpent did not move or speak. Pinocchio spoke again. He said his father was waiting for him. Still, the Serpent was silent.
Then the Serpent became very still. Its eyes closed and the smoke stopped. Pinocchio thought the Serpent was dead.
Pinocchio tried to step over the Serpent. But the Serpent moved suddenly like a spring. Pinocchio fell backward into the mud.
Pinocchio’s head was stuck in the mud. His legs were straight up in the air. He kicked his legs and moved his body.
The Serpent watched Pinocchio and laughed very hard. He laughed so much that he died right there. Pinocchio pulled his head out of the mud.
He started to run again. He was very hungry. He saw some grapes in a field and jumped over the fence.
Suddenly, Pinocchio heard a loud crack. A metal trap (a tool used to catch animals) closed on his legs. He was caught.
CHAPTER 21
Pinocchio is caught by a Farmer. The Farmer uses him as a Watchdog (a dog that guards a house).
Pinocchio began to scream and cry. No one heard him. There were no houses or people on the road.
The night became very dark. Pinocchio was in pain and very afraid. He saw a Glowworm (a small insect that makes light) flying near him.
Pinocchio asked the Glowworm for help. The Glowworm asked why he was in the trap. Pinocchio said he wanted to eat the grapes.
The Glowworm asked if the grapes belonged to Pinocchio. Pinocchio said no. The Glowworm told Pinocchio that stealing is wrong.
Pinocchio cried and promised to be good. Suddenly, they heard footsteps. It was the Farmer who owned the field.
The Farmer had a lantern. He thought he caught a Weasel (a small animal that steals chickens). He was surprised to see a boy.
The Farmer called Pinocchio a thief. Pinocchio said he only wanted grapes. But the Farmer did not believe him.
The Farmer took Pinocchio to his house. He said his old dog died today. He told Pinocchio to take the dog’s place.
The Farmer put a dog collar on Pinocchio’s neck. He tied a long iron chain to the collar. He nailed the chain to the wall.
The Farmer told Pinocchio to sleep in the doghouse. He told Pinocchio to bark if any thieves came. Then the Farmer went inside.
Pinocchio sat near the doghouse. He was cold, hungry, and very afraid. He knew he was in this trouble because he was a bad boy.
Pinocchio said he should have stayed with his father. He promised to be patient. Then he went into the doghouse and fell asleep.