with a serious expression, “doctors have speculated that, where puppets are concerned, there's a direct correlation between the telling of lies and sudden nose growth. Now, through extensive experimentation and the use of highly sophisticated scientific equipment, their theories have been substantiated. They've discovered that when a puppet tells a lie, the part of its brain that controls nose growth becomes hyperactive; that is, it produces an abundance of chemicals that incite swelling. And they've disseminated the results of their painstaking research to fairies all around the world. That's how I know.”

Pinocchio didn't know whether or not the fairy was kidding with him. But mostly, he didn't know where to hide his shame. He tried to escape from the room, but his nose had grown so long that he couldn't get through the door!

Chapter 14 “The Field of Wonders”

Crying as if his heart would break, Pinocchio mourned for hours over the length of his nose. No matter how he tried, it wouldn't go through the door. The fairy showed no pity toward him, for she was trying to teach him a lesson that would put an end to his habitual lying once and for all. But when she saw him pale with fright and with his eyes half out of his head from terror, she weakened. Perhaps the circumstances didn't warrant such drastic measures after all. Feeling sorry for him, she clapped her hands together and a thousand woodpeckers flew in through the window and settled themselves on Pinocchio's nose. They pecked and pecked so hard at his nose that in a few moments it was the same size as before.

“How good you are, my fairy,” said Pinocchio, drying his eyes, “and how much I love you!”

“I love you, too,” answered the fairy, “and if you wish to stay with me, you may be my brother and I'll be your good sister.”

“I would like to stay…but what about my poor father?”

“I've thought of everything. Your father has been sent for, and before nightfall he'll be here.”

“Really?” cried Pinocchio joyfully. “Then, my good sister, if you're willing, I'd like to go to meet him. I can't wait to kiss that dear old man, who has suffered so much for my sake.”

“How do you feel?”

“I feel fine. More than fine. Really.”

“Okay, go ahead. But be careful not to lose your way—and don't run! Take the path through the woods and you'll surely meet him.”

Pinocchio set out and soon found himself in the woods. When he reached the tall oak tree he stopped, for he thought he heard a rustle in the bushes. He was right. There stood the fox and the cat, the two traveling companions with whom he'd eaten