“What do you want, you small piece of humanity?” he asked proudly.
Pinocchio very humbly and very quickly told him the story of the poor dolphin.
“And as it is my fault that he is in this condition, I want to try to save him!” he exclaimed. “You seem so strong, will you please give this rock a few knocks with that tooth of yours? I know you’ll be able to break it.”
At this earnest supplication the narwhal, for that is what the animal was, was highly pleased. He looked at Pinocchio in a tolerant way.
“First of all,” he answered, “before I do anything for you, let me ask you a question.”
“Yes, sir, but please make haste, or Marsovino will die.”
“Do not interrupt me again, boy. First of all, what are you willing to give me in return for this favor?”
“I have nothing, sir. I would give you anything I have—I wish I had something—but I have nothing.”
“I do nothing for nothing. Good-by, then,” the narwhal replied. “But answer me this. What have you in that box in your hands? That box you are trying to hide.”
“This box? Oh, do not ask me for this. This will make my father rich and happy. Oh, no, not this! It is full of beautiful pearls.”