'I came into the field to pick two bunches of these muscatel grapes, and . . .'
'But were the grapes yours?'
'No. . . .'
'Then who taught you to carry off other people's property?'
'I was so hungry. . . .'
'Hunger, my boy, is not a good reason for appropriating what does not belong to us. . . .'
'That is true, that is true!' said Pinocchio, crying. 'I will never do it again.'
At this moment their conversation was interrupted by a slight sound of approaching footsteps. It was the owner of the field coming on tiptoe to see if one of the polecats that ate his chickens during the night had been caught in his trap.
His astonishment was great when, having brought out his lantern from under his coat, he perceived that instead of a polecat a boy had been taken.
'Ah, little thief!' said the angry peasant, 'then it is you who carry off my chickens?'
'No, it is not I; indeed it is not!' cried Pinocchio, sobbing. 'I only came into the field to take two bunches of grapes! . . .'
'He who steals grapes is quite capable of stealing chickens. Leave it to me, I will give you a lesson that you will not forget in a hurry.'
