Pinocchio promises the Fairy to be good and to study,as he is growing tired of being a Marionette,and wishes to become a real boy If Pinocchio cried much longer, the little woman though the would melt away, so she finally admitted that she was the little Fairy with Azure Hair.
"You rascal of a Marionette! How did you know it was I?"she asked, laughing.
"My love for you told me who you were.""Do you remember? You left me when I was a little girl and now you find me a grown woman. I am so old, I couldalmost be your mother!""I am very glad of that, for then I can call you motherinstead of sister. For a long time I have wanted a mother,just like other boys. But how did you grow so quickly?""That's a secret!""Tell it to me. I also want to grow a little. Look at me!
I have never grown higher than a penny's worth of cheese.""But you can't grow," answered the Fairy.
"Why not?""Because Marionettes never grow. They are born Marionettes,they live Marionettes, and they die Marionettes.""Oh, I'm tired of always being a Marionette!" cried Pinocchio disgustedly.
"It's about time for me to grow into a man as everyone else does.""And you will if you deserve it--""Really? What can I do to deserve it?""It's a very simple matter. Try to act like a well-behaved child.""Don't you think I do?""Far from it! Good boys are obedient, and you, on the contrary--""And I never obey.""Good boys love study and work, but you--""And I, on the contrary, am a lazy fellow and a tramp all year round.""Good boys always tell the truth.""And I always tell lies.""Good boys go gladly to school.""And I get sick if I go to school. From now on I'll be different.""Do you promise?""I promise. I want to become a good boy and be a comfort to my father.
Where is my poor father now?""I do not know.""Will I ever be lucky enough to find him and embrace him once more?""I think so. Indeed, I am sure of it."At this answer, Pinocchio's happiness was very great.
He grasped the Fairy's hands and kissed them so hard thatit looked as if he had lost his head. Then lifting his face,he looked at her lovingly and asked: "Tell me, little Mother,it isn't true that you are dead, is it?""It doesn't seem so," answered the Fairy, smiling.
"If you only knew how I suffered and how I wept when I read `Here lies--'""I know it, and for that I have forgiven you. The depth of your sorrow made me see that you have a kind heart.
There is always hope for boys with hearts such as yours,though they may often be very mischievous. This is thereason why I have come so far to look for you. From nowon, I'll be your own little mother.""Oh! How lovely!" cried Pinocchio, jumping with joy.
"You will obey me always and do as I wish?""Gladly, verygladly, more than gladly!""Beginning tomorrow," said the Fairy, "you'll go to school every day."Pinocchio's face fell a little.
"Then you will choose the trade you like best."Pinocchio became more serious.
"What are you mumbling to yourself?" asked the Fairy.
"I was just saying," whined the Marionette in a whisper,"that it seems too late for me to go to school now.""No, indeed. Remember it is never too late to learn.""But I don't want either trade or profession.""Why?""Because work wearies me!""My dear boy," said the Fairy, "people who speak as you do usually end their days either in a prison or in ahospital. A man, remember, whether rich or poor, shoulddo something in this world. No one can find happinesswithout work. Woe betide the lazy fellow! Laziness is aserious illness and one must cure it immediately; yes, evenfrom early childhood. If not, it will kill you in the end."These words touched Pinocchio's heart. He liftedhis eyes to his Fairy and said seriously:
"I'll work; I'll study; I'll do all you tell me.
After all, the life of a Marionette has grown verytiresometo me and I want to become a boy, no matter how hard it is.
You promise that, do you not?""Yes, I promise, and now it is up to you."
好心的小妇人起先说她不是那位天蓝色头发的小仙女。可后来看到识破了，也不想再把这场喜剧继续演下去，终于承认她就是小仙女，她对皮诺乔说：
“你这木头小鬼!你怎么认出是我的?”
“我热爱您，就认出是您了。”
“你记得吗?你扔下我的时候，我还是个小姑娘，可你现在碰到我，我已经是个妇人了。我简直可以做你的妈妈了，”
“那我太高兴了，这样我就不是叫您姐姐，而要叫您妈妈了。多少日子以来，我一直想跟所有的孩子那样有个妈妈!……可您怎么会长得这样快的?”
“这是一个秘密。”
“告诉我吧。我也想长大一点。您没看到吗?我还是跟一个子儿的干酪那么高。”