Pinocchio was not hungry now. He started to cry because he wanted a new pair of feet. But Geppetto wanted to punish Pinocchio for his bad behavior. Geppetto did not help him all morning. After dinner, Geppetto spoke to the doll.
“Why should I make your feet again?” Geppetto asked. “Do you want to run away from home again?”
“I promise you,” Pinocchio said and cried. “From now on, I will be a good boy.”
“Boys always say that when they want something,” Geppetto said.
“I promise to go to school every day. I will study hard,” Pinocchio said.
“Boys always sing that song when they want their own way,” Geppetto answered.
“But I am not like other boys! I am better than them. I always tell the truth. I promise you, Father, I will learn a trade (a job that needs special skills). I will help you when you are old,” Pinocchio said.
Geppetto tried to look angry. But he felt very sad for Pinocchio. Geppetto’s heart became soft. He took his tools and two pieces of wood. He began to work very hard.
In less than an hour, the feet were finished. They were small and strong. Geppetto made them very well.
“Close your eyes and sleep!” Geppetto said to Pinocchio.
Pinocchio closed his eyes. He pretended to be asleep. Geppetto used glue (a sticky substance used to join things together) to fix the feet to the doll. He did the work perfectly.
Pinocchio felt his new feet. He jumped off the table. He started to dance and jump around the room. He was very happy.
“I am very grateful, Father,” Pinocchio said. “I will go to school now. But I need clothes for school.”
Geppetto had no money. So he made a suit from paper with flowers on it. He made shoes from the bark (the hard outside skin of a tree). He made a small hat from a piece of bread dough.
Pinocchio looked at himself in a bowl of water. He felt very proud.
“Now I look like a gentleman,” Pinocchio said.
“Yes,” Geppetto said. “But remember, good clothes must be clean.”
“That is true,” Pinocchio said. “But I still need one more thing for school.”
“What is it?” Geppetto asked.
“I need an A-B-C book (a book used to learn the alphabet),” Pinocchio said.
“You are right. But how can we get it?” Geppetto asked.
“We can go to a shop and buy it,” Pinocchio said.
“But I have no money,” Geppetto said sadly.
Pinocchio became very sad. He understood that they were poor.
“Wait!” Geppetto shouted. He jumped up from his chair. He put on his old coat. The coat was very old and had many repairs. Geppetto ran out of the house.
After a while, Geppetto returned. He had the book in his hands. But Geppetto did not have his coat. The day was very cold. Geppetto was only in his shirt.
“Where is your coat, Father?” Pinocchio asked.
“I sold it,” Geppetto said.
“Why did you sell it?” Pinocchio asked.
“Because it was too warm,” Geppetto said.
Pinocchio understood the truth. Geppetto sold the coat to buy the book. Pinocchio jumped on Geppetto’s neck and kissed him many times.