As he finished these remarks Pinocchio arrived at the fountain. It was delightful to see the clear water rushing out, but he could not help thinking of those poor creatures who were waiting for him. He had to stop.
“Shall I or shall I not?” he asked himself. “After all, they are good people, who are forced to imitate wild animals; and besides, they have treated me with some kindness. I may as well carry some water to them; a trip more or less makes no difference to me.”
He approached the fountain, filled the bucket, and ran down the road.
“Hello within there!” he said in a low voice. “Here is the bucket of water; come and take it, for I am not going in.”
“Good marionette,” said the beasts, “thank you!”
“Don’t mention it,” replied Pinocchio, very happy.
“Why will you not come in?”
“It is impossible, thank you. I must go to school.”
“Then you are not going to Africa?”
“Who told you that! I am returning to school to bid farewell to my teacher, and to ask him to excuse me for a few days. Then I wish to see my father and ask his permission to go, so that he will not be anxious while I am away.”