The Adventures of Pinocchio (1904)/Chapter 2
At this moment there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” said the woodcutter, without having strength enough to arise.
Then a lively old man called Geppetto entered the room. The boys in the neighborhood, when they wished to make him angry, called him Corn Meal, because his wig was of that color. Geppetto was very queer. Woe to any one who called him Corn Meal! He became suddenly like a beast and no one could hold him.
“Good morning, Master Antonio,” said Geppetto. “What are you doing on the ground?”
“I am teaching the ants their A B C’s.”
“Much good that does!”
“What has brought you here, brother Geppetto?”
“My legs. Do you know, Master Antonio, that I have come to ask a favor of you?”
“Here I am, prompt to serve you!” replied the woodcutter, raising himself on his knees.
“This morning I had an idea.”
“Let me hear it.”
“I thought that I would make a pretty wooden marionette; I mean a wonderful marionette, one that can dance, walk, and jump. With this marionette I wish to travel through the world and earn for myself a little bread. What do you think of it?”
“Very good, Corn Meal!” cried the same little hidden voice.
On hearing himself called Corn Meal brother Geppetto became as red as a pepper with rage, and turning toward the woodcutter, said to him furiously, “Why do you offend me?”
“Who has offended you?”
“You have called me Corn Meal.”
“I did not.”
“I say you did.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
And becoming more angry, they finally came to blows. They scratched, bit, and rumpled each other, and seized each other by the hair. At the end of the struggle Master Antonio found in his hands the wig of Geppetto, and Geppetto noticed that he had the speckled wig of the woodcutter in his mouth! “Give me my wig!” cried Master Antonio.
“Then give me mine, and let us make peace.”
The old men, after having returned their wigs, shook hands and swore to remain good friends all their lives.
Peace having been restored, the woodcutter said, “What then, brother Geppetto, can I do for you?”
“I should like a piece of wood to make a marionette. Will you give it to me?”
Master Antonio gladly took up the piece of wood that had frightened him so. But when he was about to hand it to Geppetto the piece of wood gave a spring, and, slipping violently from his hands, fell and struck the shins of poor Geppetto.
“Ah! you are very polite when you give presents! Truly, Master Antonio, you have nearly lamed me.”
“I swear to you that I did not do it.”
“Then I did it.”
“The fault is all in this piece of wood.”
“I know that, but it was you who threw it at my legs.”
“I did not throw it.”
“Story-teller!”
“Geppetto, do not offend me or I will call you Corn Meal.”
“Mule!”
“Corn Meal!”
“Ass!”
“Corn Meal!”
“Ugly monkey!”
“Corn Meal!”
Hearing himself called Corn Meal for the third time, Geppetto lost control of himself. He approached the woodcutter and gave him a blow. When the battle was ended Master Antonio found two scratches on his nose, and Geppetto a few buttons less on his jacket. They again shook hands and swore to remain good friends all the rest of their lives. Geppetto took up the piece of wood in his arms and, thanking Master Antonio, went home, limping all the way.
