The Adventures of Pinocchio

by Carlo Collodi

“What’s your father’s name?” “Geppetto.” “And what’s his job?” “Being poor.” “Does he make a lot of money doing it?”

“My belief is that the puppet is well and truly dead. But if by any regrettable chance he were not dead, then that would be a sure indication that he was still alive!”

“My boy,” said the Fairy, “those who say that always end up either in prison or in a poorhouse. For your information, people in this world, whether born rich or poor, must do something, be busy—must work. Bad things will happen to those who let themselves fall prey to idleness. Idleness is a terrible sickness, and it must be cured immediately, from the time we are children. Otherwise, when we grow up, we become incurable.”