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PINOCCHIO

MASTER CHERRY AND THE LAUGHING LOG

Once upon a time there was—

"A king?" my little readers will cry instantly.

No, children, you are mistaken. Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not fine wood, but a simple stick, such as we put in stoves and fireplaces, to make a blaze and heat the rooms.

I do not know how it happened, but one day an old woodcutter found this wood in his shop. The old man's name was Antonio, but everybody called him Master Cherry, on