teacher praised him, for he saw
him attentive, hard working, and wide awake, always the first to come in
the morning, and the last to leave when school was over.

Pinocchio's only fault was that he had too many friends. Among these
were many well-known rascals, who cared not a jot for study or for
success.

The teacher warned him each day, and even the good Fairy repeated to him
many times:

"Take care, Pinocchio! Those bad companions will sooner or later make
you lose your love for study. Some day they will lead you astray."

"There's no such danger," answered the Marionette, shrugging his
shoulders and pointing to his forehead as if to say, "I'm too wise."

So it happened that one day, as he was walking to school, he met some
boys who ran up to him and said:

"Have you heard the news?"

"No!"

"A Shark as big as a mountain has been seen near the shore."

"Really? I wonder if it could be the same one I heard of when my father
was drowned?"

"We are going to see it. Are you coming?"

"No, not I. I must go to school."

"What do you care about school? You can go there tomorrow. With a lesson
more or less, we are always the same donkeys."

"And what will the teacher say?"

"Let him talk. He is paid to grumble all day long."

"And my mother?"

"Mothers don't know anything," answered those scamps.

"Do you know what I'll do?" said Pinocchio. "For certain reasons of
mine, I, too, want to see that Shark; but I'll go after school. I can
see him then as well as now."

"Poor simpleton!" cried one of the boys. "Do you think that a fish of
that size will stand there waiting for you? He turns and off he goes,
and no one will ever be the wiser."

"How long does it take from here to the shore?" asked the Marionette.
"One hour there and back."

"Very well, then. Let's see who gets there first!" cried Pinocchio.

At the signal, the little troop, with books under their arms, dashed
across the fields. Pinocchio led the way, running as if on wings, the
others following as fast as they could.

Now and again, he looked back and, seeing his followers hot and tired,
and with tongues hanging out, he laughed out heartily. Unhappy boy! If
he had only known then the dreadful things that were to happen to him on
account of his disobedience!

CHAPTER 27

The great battle between Pinocchio and his playmates. One is wounded.
Pinocchio is arrested.

Going like the wind, Pinocchio took but a very short time to