“I am very hungry,” added Pinocchio.
“Let us stop at this dove house a few minutes, and afterward we will start on our way again, so as to be at the shore to-morrow morning.”
They entered a dove house which they found deserted except that there was a little basin of water and also a small basket of chick peas placed near the door.
In all his life the marionette had never been able to eat chick peas; to hear the name always made him sick. But that night he ate them ravenously, and when he had nearly finished he turned to the Dove and said, “I would never have believed that chick peas could taste so good.”
“It is well to know, my boy,” replied the Dove, “that when you are truly hungry even the chick pea seems delicious. Hunger has no whims or fancies.”
Having eaten their lunch quickly, they started on their journey. The next morning they arrived on the seashore.
The Dove placed Pinocchio on the ground, and, not wishing the annoyance of hearing himself thanked for his good action, flew suddenly away and disappeared.
The shore was crowded with people who were crying and gesticulating, looking toward the sea.
