“The worse for you!” replied the coal man. “Then, my boy, if you are dying with hunger, eat a couple of slices of your pride and take care that it does not give you indigestion.”
After a few moments a bricklayer passed along, carrying on his shoulder a basket of lime.
“Good gentleman, will you be kind enough to give a penny to a poor boy who is dying with hunger?”
“Come with me, and I will give you five if you will carry a basket of lime for me.”
“But the lime is heavy,” replied Pinocchio, “and I do not want to get tired.”
“If you do not want to get tired, my boy, go hungry. Good-by.”
In less than half an hour twenty other people walked by and they all said to Pinocchio: “Shame on you! Instead of finding a little work and earning some money, you stand there and beg like a vagabond.”
Finally along came a good woman who carried two pitchers of water.
“Will you be so good as to give me a sip of water?” asked Pinocchio, who was burning with thirst.
“Certainly, my boy,” said the good woman, placing the two pitchers on the ground.
