“Here we are at last,” said the Fox. “Now stoop down and dig a hole and put the money inside.”
Pinocchio obeyed, dug a hole, put in the money, and then covered it over with earth.
“Now then,” said the Fox, “go to that well and take a little water and sprinkle the ground where you have sown.”
Pinocchio went to the well. Because he had nothing in which to carry water, he took his shoe and, filling it, came back and sprinkled the spot where he had sown the money. Then he asked, “Is there anything else?”
“Nothing else,” replied the Fox. “Now we shall go away. You may return here in about twenty minutes and you will find a large vine with its branches covered with money.”
The poor marionette, nearly crazy with joy, thanked the Fox and the Cat a thousand times and promised them a beautiful present.
“We wish nothing,” they replied. “To us it is enough to have taught others the way to get rich without doing anything; and we are as contented as can be.”
Thus saying, they bowed to Pinocchio and, wishing him a good harvest, went away.
