The Adventures of Pinocchio

Chapter 13

Carlo Collodi · Scouts 1st–3rd

Copywork

Round about him, not a leaf stirred. A few bats skimmed his nose now and again and scared him half to death.

Read the passage aloud. Which words make the night feel quiet, and which make it feel scary?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens, from the Inn of the Red Lobster to the moment the Cricket's light goes out.

  1. The Innkeeper winks “in a knowing way” at the Fox and the Cat. What do you think the wink means? What makes you think so? Inference
  2. The Cat eats thirty-five mullets, and the author says the Fox “tried his best to eat a little.” Is the author being funny? What makes you think so? Tone
  3. The Fox and the Cat leave without paying, and Pinocchio pays a gold piece for all three suppers. Is that fair? What makes you think so? Moral reasoning
  4. Pinocchio first gives the Cricket a reason, then only says “I want to go on,” then calls it nonsense. What changes in him? Character
  5. The Cricket's light goes out “just as if someone had snuffed it out,” and the road is dark again. Why might the author end the chapter that way? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone gave you good advice and you did not want to take it.

Vocabulary

stirred
Round about him, not a leaf stirred. Moved a little.
skimmed
A few bats skimmed his nose now and again Flew very close and lightly touched.
coaxing
after a great deal of coaxing Gentle begging to get someone to do something.
glimmering
a tiny insect glimmering on the trunk of a tree Shining with a faint, soft light.
echoed
the far-away hills echoed back to him Sent a sound back.
swindlers
they are either fools or swindlers People who cheat others out of money.
insist
boys who insist on having their own way Keep demanding something and will not give in.
dangerous
The road is dangerous. Likely to hurt you.
plunged
Once again the road was plunged in darkness. Dropped suddenly into something.

Critical thinking

  1. Pinocchio dreams of vines heavy with gold coins. Using two things from the chapter, tell what the dream shows about what he wants.
  2. Pinocchio asks the Innkeeper why his friends left, and whether they paid. Using two things from the chapter, tell what Pinocchio thinks of the Fox and the Cat.
  3. Pinocchio walks on alone in the dark road. Using two things from the chapter, tell how he feels.
The Adventures of Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi, translated by Carol Della Chiesa. Project Gutenberg ebook 500.