The Adventures of Pinocchio

Chapter 33

Carlo Collodi · Scouts 1st–3rd

Copywork

He felt himself fainting, his eyes filled with tears, and he wept bitterly.

Read it aloud. What do you picture happening to Pinocchio?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happened, from the Little Man's kick at the door to the cliff above the sea.

  1. The Little Man pets and brushes the donkeys, then sells them. Is his gentleness real or part of his work? What makes you think so? Character
  2. The Manager tells the crowd the Donkey “fears and hates” him. Why might he say that out loud? Inference
  3. When Pinocchio falls, the boys call, “We want the little Donkey!” Are they worried for him, or do they just want the show? What makes you think so? Moral reasoning
  4. The Fairy appears in a box, and then she is gone. Why might the author give Pinocchio a moment of hope and then take it away? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you saw someone smile when they felt sad.

Vocabulary

fainting
He felt himself fainting Feeling weak, about to pass out.
bitterly
he wept bitterly In a very sad, hard way.
savage
the savage look of his eye Wild and fierce.
pompous
in a loud, pompous voice Acting very proud and important.
applause
greeted by much laughter and applause Clapping to show you like it.
arrayed
He was handsomely arrayed. Dressed up in fine things.
grief
And what was his grief Deep sadness.
disappeared
the Fairy had disappeared Went out of sight.
lame
he was lame and could hardly limp Hurt in a leg, so walking is hard.

Critical thinking

  1. Pinocchio refuses the straw and the hay, then later eats the hay. Using two details, tell what changes his mind.
  2. Pinocchio tells himself “Patience!” again and again. Using two details, tell what he is trying to do.
  3. Pinocchio is owned by the Manager and then by the drum buyer. Using two details, tell which one treats him worse.
The Adventures of Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi, translated by Carol Della Chiesa. Project Gutenberg ebook 500.