"And the little donkey that I threw into the sea? What has become of him?"
"I am the little donkey!" said Pinocchio, laughing.
"You?"
"I."
"Ah, you young scamp!! Do you dare to make game of me?"
"To make game of you? Quite the contrary, my dear master? I am speaking seriously."
"But how can you, who but a short time ago were a little donkey, have become a wooden puppet, only from having been left in the water?"
"It must have been the effect of sea water. The sea makes extraordinary changes."
"Beware, puppet, beware! Don't imagine that you can amuse yourself at my expense. Woe to you if I lose patience!"
"Well, master, do you wish to know the true story? If you will set my leg free I will tell it you."