. . . But how did you manage to grow so fast?'
'That is a secret.'
'Teach it to me, for I should also like to grow. Don't you see? I always remain no bigger than a ninepin.'
'But you cannot grow,' replied the Fairy.
'Why?'
'Because puppets never grow. They are born puppets, live puppets, and die puppets.'
'Oh, I am sick of being a puppet!' cried Pinocchio, giving himself a slap. 'It is time that I became a man. . . .'
'And you will become one, if you know how to deserve it. . . .'
'Not really? And what can I do to deserve it?'
'A very easy thing: by learning to be a good boy.'
'And you think I am not?'
'You are quite the contrary. Good boys are obedient, and you. . . .'
'And I never obey.'
'Good boys like to learn and to work, and you. . . .'
'And I instead lead an idle vagabond life the year through.'
'Good boys always speak the truth. . . .'
'And I always tell lies.'
'Good boys go willingly to school. . . .'
'And school gives me pain all over my
