"Do you remember? You left me when I was a little girl and now you find me a grown woman. I am so old, I could almost be your mother!"

"Oh, I'm tired of always being a Marionette!" cried Pinocchio disgustedly. "It's about time for me to grow into a man as everyone else does."

"You rascal of a Marionette! How did you know it was I?" she asked, laughing.

"That's a secret!"

"Tell it to me. I also want to grow a little. Look at me! I have never grown higher than a penny's worth of cheese."

"I am very glad of that, for then I can call you mother instead of sister. For a long time I have wanted a mother, just like other boys. But how did you grow so quickly?"

"My love for you told me who you were."

If Pinocchio cried much longer, the little woman thought he would melt away, so she finally admitted that she was the little Fairy with Azure Hair.

"But you can't grow," answered the Fairy.

"Why not?"

"Because Marionettes never grow. They are born Marionettes, they live Marionettes, and they die Marionettes."

"And I, on the contrary, am a lazy fellow and a tramp all year round."

"Don't you think I do?"

"Will I ever be lucky enough to find him and embrace him once more?"

"Good boys love study and work, but you --"

"I do not know."

"I think so. Indeed, I am sure of it."

"Good boys always tell the truth."

"I promise. I want to become a good boy and be a comfort to my father. Where is my poor father now?"

"Good boys go gladly to school."

At this answer, Pinocchio's happiness was very great. He grasped the Fairy's hands and kissed them so hard that it looked as if he had lost his head. Then lifting his face, he looked at her lovingly and asked:

"And I always tell lies."

"And I get sick if I go to school. From now on I'll be different."

"And you will if you deserve it --"

"And I never obey."

"Far from it! Good boys are obedient, and you, on the contrary --"

"Really? What can I do to deserve it?"

"Do you promise?"

"Tell me, little Mother, it isn't true that you are dead, is it?"

"It's a very simple matter. Try to act like a well-behaved child."

"It doesn't seem so," answered the Fairy, smiling.

"I know it, and for that I have forgiven you. The depth of your sorrow made me see that you have a kind heart. There is always hope for boys with hearts such as yours, though they may often be very mischievous. This is the reason why I have come so far to look for you. From now on, I'll be your own little mother."

"No, indeed. Remember it is never too late to learn."

"Beginning tomorrow," said the Fairy, "you'll go to school every day."

"You will obey me always and do as I wish?"

"Gladly, very gladly, more than gladly!"

"I was just saying," whined the Marionette in a whisper, "that it seems too late for me to go to school now."

"If you only knew how I suffered and how I wept when I read 'Here lies -- '"

Pinocchio became more serious.

"What are you mumbling to yourself?" asked the Fairy.

"But I don't want either trade or profession."

"Then you will choose the trade you like best."

Pinocchio's face fell a little.

"Oh! How lovely!" cried Pinocchio, jumping with joy.

"Because work wearies me!"

"Why?"

These words touched Pinocchio's heart. He lifted his eyes to his Fairy and said seriously: "I'll work; I'll study; I'll do all you tell me. After all, the life of a Marionette has grown very tiresome to me and I want to become a boy, no matter how hard it is. You promise that, do you not?"

"My dear boy," said the Fairy, "people who speak as you do usually end their days either in a prison or in a hospital. A man, remember, whether rich or poor, should do something in this world. No one can find happiness without work. Woe betide the lazy fellow! Laziness is a serious illness and one must cure it immediately; yes, even from early childhood. If not, it will kill you in the end."

"Yes, I promise, and now it is up to you."