4. Pinocchio Among The Wild Animals

"LADIES and gentlemen! kind and gentle people! citizens of a great
town! officers and soldiers! I wish you all peace, health, and
plenty.

"Ladies and gentlemen, first of all, let me make a brief
explanation. I am not here for gain. Far be it from me to think of such
a thing as money. I travel the world over with my menagerie, which is
made up of rare animals brought by me from the heart of Africa. I
perform only in large cities. But to-day one of the monkeys in the
troupe is fallen seriously ill. It is therefore necessary to make a
short stop in order that we may consult with some well-known doctor in
this town.

"Profit, therefore, by this chance, ladies and gentlemen, to see
wonders which you have never seen before, and which you may never see
again. I labor to spread learning, and I work to teach the masses, for
I love the common people. Come forward, and I shall be glad to open my
menagerie to you. Forward, forward, ladies and gentlemen! two small
francs will admit you. Children one franc, yes, only one franc."

Pinocchio, who stood in the front row, and who was ready to take
advantage of the kind invitation, felt a sudden shock on hearing these
last words. He looked at the director in a dazed fashion, as if to say
to him, "What are you talking about? Did you not say that you traveled
around the world for - "

Then, as he saw one of the spectators put down a two-franc piece and
walk inside, he hung his head and suffered in silence.