ying a Little
Bier]

His breath failed him and he could say no more. He shut his eyes, opened
his mouth, stretched his legs, gave a long shudder, and hung stiff and
insensible.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XVI

THE BEAUTIFUL CHILD RESCUES THE PUPPET

While poor Pinocchio, suspended to a branch of the Big Oak, was
apparently more dead than alive, the beautiful Child with blue hair came
again to the window. When she saw the unhappy puppet hanging by his
throat, and dancing up and down in the gusts of the north wind, she was
moved by compassion. Striking her hands together, she gave three little
claps.

At this signal there came a sound of the sweep of wings flying rapidly
and a large Falcon flew on to the window-sill.

"What are your orders, gracious Fairy?" he asked, inclining his beak in
sign of reverence.

"Do you see that puppet dangling from a branch of the Big Oak?"

"I see him."

"Very well. Fly there at once: with your strong beak break the knot that
keeps him suspended in the air, and lay him gently on the grass at the
foot of the tree."

The Falcon flew away and after two minutes he returned, saying:

"I have done as you commanded."

"And how did you find him?"

"To see him he appeared dead, but he cannot really be quite dead, for I
had no sooner loosened the running noose that tightened his throat than,
giving a sigh, he muttered in a faint voice: 'Now I feel better!'"

The Fairy then struck her hands together twice and a magnificent Poodle
appeared, walking upright on his hind legs exactly as if he had been a
man.

He was in the full-dress livery of a coachman. On his head he had a
three-cornered cap braided with gold, his curly white wig came down on
to his shoulders, he had a chocolate-colored waistcoat with diamond
buttons, and two large pockets to contain the bones that his mistress
gave him at dinner. He had, besides, a pair of short crimson velvet
breeches, silk stockings, cut-down shoes, and hanging behind him a
species of umbrella case made of blue satin, to put his tail into when
the weather was rainy.

"Be quick, Medoro, like a good dog!" said the Fairy to the Poodle. "Have
the most beautiful carriage in my coach-house harnessed, and take the
road to the wood. When you come to the Big Oak you will find a poor
puppet stretched on the grass half dead. Pick him up gently and lay him
flat on the cushions of the carriage and bring him here to me. Do you
understand?"

The Poo