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Updated: May 4, 2025
Still, judging by your face, I think you, too, are a good-natured dog." "I beg your pardon, I am not a dog!" "What are you, then?" "I am a Marionette." "Are you taking the place of the watchdog?" "I'm sorry to say that I am. I'm being punished." "Well, I shall make the same terms with you that we had with the dead Melampo. I am sure you will be glad to hear them." "And what are the terms?"
It is really too great an honor for you, one you do not deserve; but, as you see, I am really a very kind and generous man and I am going to do this for you!" Then he went up to Pinocchio and began to pet and caress him. "How did you ever find them out so quickly? And to think that Melampo, my faithful Melampo, never saw them in all these years!"
The Marionette could have told, then and there, all he knew about the shameful contract between the dog and the Weasels, but thinking of the dead dog, he said to himself: "Melampo is dead. What is the use of accusing him? The dead are gone and they cannot defend themselves. The best thing to do is to leave them in peace!" "Were you awake or asleep when they came?" continued the Farmer.
Of these chickens seven are to be eaten by us, and one we will give to you, on the express understanding, however, that you pretend to be asleep, and that it never enters your head to bark and to waken the peasant." "Did Melampo act in this manner?" asked Pinocchio. "Certainly, and we were always on the best terms with him.
"This is our plan: We'll come once in a while, as in the past, to pay a visit to this henhouse, and we'll take away eight chickens. Of these, seven are for us, and one for you, provided, of course, that you will make believe you are sleeping and will not bark for the Farmer." "Did Melampo really do that?" asked Pinocchio. "Indeed he did, and because of that we were the best of friends.
"Well, then, I will offer you the same conditions that we made with the deceased Melampo, and I am sure you will be satisfied with them." "What are these conditions?" "One night in every week you are to permit us to visit this poultry-yard as we have hitherto done, and to carry off eight chickens.
"Then where is Melampo? Where is the old dog who lived in this kennel?" "He died this morning." "Is he dead? Poor beast! He was so good. But, judging you by your face, I should say that you were also a good dog." "I beg your pardon, I am not a dog." "Not a dog? Then what are you?" "I am a puppet." "And you are acting as watch-dog?" "That is only too true as a punishment."
He then approached Pinocchio and began to caress him, and amongst other things he asked him: "How did you manage to discover the four thieves? To think that Melampo, my faithful Melampo, never found out anything!"
But they were not cats; they were polecats carnivorous little animals, especially greedy for eggs and young chickens. One of the polecats, leaving his companions, came to the opening of the kennel and said in a low voice: "Good evening, Melampo." "My name is not Melampo," answered the puppet. "Oh! then who are you?" "I am Pinocchio." "And what are you doing here?" "I am acting as watch-dog."
One of them left her companions and, going to the door of the doghouse, said in a sweet voice: "Good evening, Melampo." "My name is not Melampo," answered Pinocchio. "Who are you, then?" "I am Pinocchio." "What are you doing here?" "I'm the watchdog." "But where is Melampo? Where is the old dog who used to live in this house?" "He died this morning." "Died? Poor beast! He was so good!
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