PINOCCHIO DISCOVERS the ROBBERS
by Carlo Collodi · from Pinocchio: The Tale of a Puppet
Adapted Version
Pinocchio slept in a small kennel. He was a watch-dog. This was a hard time. He did not like it. He wanted to go home. He slept for a long time.
Pinocchio woke up. He heard soft voices from the yard. Four small things came. They had dark fur. They looked like cats. But they were polecats. They were very sneaky. They came close to the kennel.
One polecat came close. "Hello," it said. "We want chickens. We will go to the yard. We will take many chickens. We will give you one. We will come each week. You must pretend to sleep. Do not bark."
Pinocchio nodded his head. He looked like he agreed. He shook his head slowly. This meant more. He had a secret plan. He was very clever. He did not agree in his heart.
The four polecats went to the chicken yard. They thought they were safe. They opened the wooden gate. They went inside, one by one. Pinocchio moved very fast. He shut the gate with force. He put a big stone there. The polecats were trapped.
Pinocchio barked very loud. "Bow-wow, bow-wow!" he said. He barked like a real dog. He called out for help. The Farmer heard the noise. He woke up quickly.
The Farmer came outside. He was very happy. He saw the polecats. He caught them all. He put them in a big sack. He took them far away.
The Farmer was very happy. He patted Pinocchio. "Good boy!" he said. "You caught the bad things. You saved my chickens. You are a very good watch-dog. How did you do it?"
Pinocchio told the Farmer. "They offered me a chicken. They said I must sleep. I must not bark. But I said no. I am a puppet. I am honest. I chose to be honest. I do not help bad people. It is always best to be good."
The Farmer smiled. "You are very brave," he said. He took off Pinocchio's collar. "You are free now. Go home!" Pinocchio was so happy. He felt very light. He learned truth is best.
Original Story
PINOCCHIO DISCOVERS THE ROBBERS
He had been sleeping heavily for about two hours when, towards midnight, he was aroused by a whispering of strange voices that seemed to come from the courtyard. Putting the point of his nose out of the kennel, he saw four little beasts with dark fur, that looked like cats, standing consulting together. But they were not cats; they were polecats—carnivorous little animals, especially greedy for eggs and young chickens. One of the polecats, leaving his companions, came to the opening of the kennel and said in a low voice:
"Good evening, Melampo."
"My name is not Melampo," answered the puppet.
"Oh! then who are you?"
"I am Pinocchio."
"And what are you doing here?"
"I am acting as watch-dog."
"Then where is Melampo? Where is the old dog who lived in this kennel?"
"He died this morning."
"Is he dead? Poor beast! He was so good. But, judging you by your face, I should say that you were also a good dog."
"I beg your pardon, I am not a dog."
"Not a dog? Then what are you?"
"I am a puppet."
"And you are acting as watch-dog?"
"That is only too true—as a punishment."
"Well, then, I will offer you the same conditions that we made with the deceased Melampo, and I am sure you will be satisfied with them."
"What are these conditions?"
"One night in every week you are to permit us to visit this poultry-yard as we have hitherto done, and to carry off eight chickens. Of these chickens seven are to be eaten by us, and one we will give to you, on the express understanding, however, that you pretend to be asleep, and that it never enters your head to bark and to waken the peasant."
"Did Melampo act in this manner?" asked Pinocchio.
"Certainly, and we were always on the best terms with him. Sleep quietly, and rest assured that before we go we will leave by the kennel a beautiful chicken ready plucked for your breakfast tomorrow. Have we understood each other clearly?"
"Only too clearly!" answered Pinocchio, and he shook his head threateningly, as much as to say: "You shall hear of this shortly!"
The four polecats, thinking themselves safe, repaired to the poultry-yard, which was close to the kennel, and, having opened the wooden gate with their teeth and claws, they slipped in one by one. But they had only just passed through when they heard the gate shut behind them with great violence.
It was Pinocchio who had shut it, and for greater security he put a large stone against it to keep it closed.
He then began to bark, and he barked exactly like a watch-dog: "Bow-wow, bow-wow."
Hearing the barking, the peasant jumped out of bed and, taking his gun, he came to the window and asked:
"What is the matter?"
"There are robbers!" answered Pinocchio.
"Where are they?"
"In the poultry-yard."
"I will come down directly."
In fact, in less time than it takes to say "Amen!" the peasant came down. He rushed into the poultry-yard, caught the polecats, and, having put them into a sack, he said to them in a tone of great satisfaction:
"At last you have fallen into my hands! I might punish you, but I am not so cruel. I will content myself instead by carrying you in the morning to the innkeeper of the neighboring village, who will skin and cook you as hares with a sweet and sour sauce. It is an honor that you don't deserve, but generous people like me don't consider such trifles!"
He then approached Pinocchio and began to caress him, and amongst other things he asked him:
"How did you manage to discover the four thieves? To think that Melampo, my faithful Melampo, never found out anything!"
The puppet might then have told him the whole story; he might have informed him of the disgraceful conditions that had been made between the dog and the polecats; but he remembered that the dog was dead and he thought to himself:
"What is the good of accusing the dead? The dead are dead, and the best thing to be done is to leave them in peace!"
"When the thieves got into the yard, were you asleep or awake?" the peasant went on to ask him.
"I was asleep," answered Pinocchio, "but the polecats woke me with their chatter and one of them came to the kennel and said to me: 'If you promise not to bark, and not to wake the master, we will make you a present of a fine chicken ready plucked!' To think that they should have had the audacity to make such a proposal to me! For, although I am a puppet, possessing perhaps nearly all the faults in the world, there is one that I certainly will never be guilty of, that of making terms with, and sharing the gains of, dishonest people!"
"Well said, my boy!" cried the peasant, slapping him on the shoulder. "Such sentiments do you honor; and as a proof of my gratitude I will at once set you at liberty, and you may return home."
And he removed the dog-collar.
CHAPTER XXIII
Story DNA
Moral
It is always better to be honest and do the right thing, even when tempted by easy gains.
Plot Summary
Pinocchio, serving as a watch-dog, is approached by four polecats who offer him a weekly chicken in exchange for allowing them to steal from the poultry-yard. Pinocchio pretends to agree but then traps the polecats and alerts the peasant. The peasant captures the thieves and, impressed by Pinocchio's honesty in refusing the bribe, sets him free, recognizing his integrity despite his puppet nature.
Themes
Emotional Arc
temptation to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a simpler, rural society where honesty and hard work were highly valued, and justice was often swift and practical.
Plot Beats (11)
- Pinocchio is asleep in a kennel, acting as a watch-dog as punishment.
- He is woken by four polecats who mistake him for the deceased dog, Melampo.
- The polecats propose a deal: they will give Pinocchio a chicken each week if he allows them to steal seven and pretends to be asleep.
- Pinocchio pretends to agree, shaking his head in a way that suggests he has other plans.
- The polecats enter the poultry-yard, and Pinocchio immediately shuts and secures the gate, trapping them.
- Pinocchio barks loudly, alerting the peasant.
- The peasant comes out, catches the polecats, and decides to have them skinned and cooked.
- The peasant praises Pinocchio for catching the thieves, wondering how he succeeded where Melampo failed.
- Pinocchio, out of respect for the dead, does not reveal Melampo's past complicity.
- Pinocchio explains that he was offered a bribe but refused, stating his integrity despite being a puppet.
- Impressed by Pinocchio's honesty, the peasant removes his collar and sets him free.
Characters
Pinocchio ★ protagonist
A small, wooden puppet, carved from pine. His body is jointed, allowing for movement, and he is light enough to be easily carried or to move quickly. His most distinguishing feature is his nose, which is prone to growing when he tells lies, though it is not explicitly mentioned as long in this particular excerpt.
Attire: In this scene, he is wearing a dog collar, indicating he has been forced into the role of a watch-dog. Otherwise, he would typically wear simple, brightly colored peasant clothing, perhaps a short tunic and breeches, consistent with Italian folk attire of the 19th century.
Wants: To escape his punishment as a watch-dog and return home. He is also driven by a sense of justice and a refusal to compromise his integrity.
Flaw: His past tendency to lie and get into trouble, which led to his current predicament. He is also physically vulnerable as a wooden puppet.
In this segment, he demonstrates growth by choosing honesty and integrity over personal gain, leading to his freedom and the peasant's approval.
Clever, quick-witted, morally upright (in this instance), and somewhat mischievous. He is also honest, refusing to lie about his intentions or make deals with dishonest characters.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, wooden puppet boy standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a carved wooden face with painted features, bright, round eyes, and a small, carved wooden nose. His hair is carved wood, styled like a short, dark cap. He wears a simple, red tunic, blue breeches, and a brown dog collar around his neck. His wooden joints are visible at his elbows and knees. He has a determined and slightly mischievous expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Peasant ◆ supporting
A sturdy, practical man, likely of average height and build, accustomed to physical labor. His hands would be calloused from farm work.
Attire: Simple, functional peasant clothing appropriate for 19th-century rural Italy: a coarse linen shirt, sturdy trousers, and possibly a waistcoat. He would wear practical, worn boots.
Wants: To protect his property (poultry-yard) and livelihood. He also values honesty and loyalty.
Flaw: He was unaware of Melampo's previous deal with the polecats, indicating a potential blind spot or over-trusting nature regarding his animals.
He learns that his old dog was not as faithful as he thought, and he gains a new appreciation for Pinocchio's honesty, leading him to grant Pinocchio freedom.
Practical, decisive, grateful, and fair-minded. He is quick to act against thieves but also shows generosity and appreciation for honesty.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a weathered face with a short, dark beard and kind, observant eyes. His hair is dark and practical, slightly disheveled. He wears a coarse, off-white linen shirt, a dark brown waistcoat, and sturdy, patched grey trousers. He holds a long, simple hunting gun in his right hand. He has a serious but appreciative expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Polecats ⚔ antagonist
Four small, slender, agile animals with dark fur. They have sharp teeth and claws, characteristic of carnivorous predators.
Attire: Natural fur coat, dark brown or black, with lighter markings typical of a polecat.
Wants: To steal chickens from the poultry-yard for food.
Flaw: Overconfidence and underestimation of Pinocchio's integrity, leading to their capture.
They are caught and face punishment, marking a downfall due to their continued dishonest practices.
Cunning, greedy, deceitful, and opportunistic. They are accustomed to tricking others to get what they want.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, slender polecat standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has sleek, dark brown fur with lighter markings on its face and belly. Its eyes are small, black, and cunning, and its snout is pointed. Its body is long and flexible, with short legs and sharp claws. It has a sly, predatory expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Peasant's Farm Courtyard
A rustic farm courtyard, likely unpaved earth or packed dirt, adjacent to a poultry-yard and a kennel. It is dark and quiet, illuminated only by moonlight or the faint glow from the peasant's house.
Mood: Eerie, tense, secretive, then suddenly active and triumphant.
Pinocchio, acting as a watchdog, overhears the polecats' plan, confronts them, and then traps them in the poultry-yard.
Image Prompt & Upload
A moonlit Italian farm courtyard at midnight. The ground is packed earth, with a rustic wooden kennel in the foreground. Shadows are long and deep, cast by unseen farm buildings. In the middle distance, a simple wooden gate, slightly ajar, leads into a poultry-yard. The air is still and cool. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Poultry-yard
An enclosed area within the farm courtyard, specifically for chickens, with a wooden gate. The ground is likely soft earth or straw. It becomes a trap for the polecats.
Mood: Confined, panicked for the polecats, secure for the peasant.
The polecats enter the poultry-yard, expecting to steal chickens, but are immediately trapped by Pinocchio.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic Italian farm poultry-yard at midnight, enclosed by a low wooden fence. The ground is covered in straw and soft earth, with faint indentations from fowl. A simple, weathered wooden gate stands firmly shut, secured by a large, rough-hewn stone. The scene is bathed in cool moonlight, casting subtle shadows from the fence posts. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Peasant's Farmhouse Window
A window of a simple, rural Italian farmhouse, likely with wooden shutters. A light from inside suggests the peasant's presence.
Mood: Alert, concerned, then relieved.
The peasant looks out from his window, alerted by Pinocchio's barking, to discover the robbers.
Image Prompt & Upload
A simple, rustic Italian farmhouse window at midnight. The window is made of rough-hewn timber, with a faint, warm glow emanating from within, suggesting a light source. The exterior wall is made of rough plaster or stone. The night sky is dark above. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
