“But these pearls, where shall I put them? I wish I had a bag or a box.”
“It will not be so hard to find that. Let’s look around.”
The dolphin swam around. He did not stay away long. Soon he came back, holding a small object out to Pinocchio. It was a little cubical body, and seemed like a strange-looking box.
“Here is the box, my friend,” he called.
“Well, what is this?” asked Pinocchio, looking at the object. It was hard and dark, and reminded him of the shell which had saved his life.
“That was a fish.”
“A fish? That box?”
“Exactly. This is only its shell, but once a fish lived in it. It is called the sea urchin. That box you have there helps him to defend himself. Do you notice how hard it is?”
“Well, the sea is certainly a wonderful place. Once upon a time I hated it. Now I should like to be a fish, so as to live in it always.”
