all the director who, cracking his whip, shouted:
'Courage, Pinocchio! Now let the audience see how gracefully you can jump through the hoops.'
Pinocchio tried two or three times, but each time that he came in front of the hoop, instead of going through it, he found it easier to go under it. At last he made a leap and went through it; but his right leg unfortunately caught in the hoop, and that caused him to fall to the ground doubled up in a heap on the other side.
When he got up he was lame, and it was only with great difficulty that he managed to return to the stable.
'Bring out Pinocchio! We want the little donkey! Bring out the little donkey!' shouted all the boys in the theatre, touched and sorry for the sad accident.
But the little donkey was seen no more that evening.
The following morning the veterinary, that is the doctor of animals, paid him a visit, and declared that he would remain lame for life.
The director then said to the stable-boy:
'What do you suppose I can do with a lame donkey? He would eat food without earning it. Take him to the market and sell him.'
When they reached the market a
