good, obedient boy. I have found out that boys who are disobedient always lose in the long run. And my poor father has waited for me so long! Shall I find him at the Fairy's house? It is so long since I have seen him that I will give him a thousand hugs and kisses. And will the Fairy forgive my naughtiness in going away? To think of all the kindness I have received from her! And to think too that I owe my life to her!" He stopped suddenly, frightened half to death and took four quick steps backward. What do you think he saw? There was an immense Serpent stretched out across the road. It had a green skin, fiery eyes, and a tail that smoked at the end just like a chimney. It is impossible to describe the terror of the marionette, who, retreating some distance, sat down on a heap of stones and waited for the Serpent to go away about its own business, so that the road would be left clear. He waited an hour, two hours, three hours, but the Serpent did not move, and even from a distance Pinocchio could see the fiery eyes and the smoking tail. At last, getting up his courage, the marionette
