"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.