with difficulty, two heavy carts filled with coal.

Pinocchio looked at him and, judging him by his looks to be a kind man,
said to him with eyes downcast in shame:

"Will you be so good as to give me a penny, for I am faint with hunger?"

"Not only one penny," answered the Coal Man. "I'll give you four if you
will help me pull these two wagons."

"I am surprised!" answered the Marionette, very much offended. "I wish
you to know that I never have been a donkey, nor have I ever pulled a
wagon."

"So much the better for you!" answered the Coal Man. "Then, my boy, if
you are really faint with hunger, eat two slices of your pride; and I
hope they don't give you indigestion."

A few minutes after, a Bricklayer passed by, carrying a pail full of
plaster on his shoulder.

"Good man, will you be kind enough to give a penny to a poor boy who is
yawning from hunger?"

"Gladly," answered the Bricklayer. "Come with me and carry some plaster,
and instead of one penny, I'll give you five."

"But the plaster is heavy," answered Pinocchio, "and the work too hard
for me."