Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi    

Chapter 4: The Talking-Cricket Scolds Pinocchio

Performer: Librivox - Phil Chenevert


While poor Geppetto was being taken to prison for no fault of his, that imp Pinocchio, finding himself free from the clutches of the soldier, ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. That he might reach home the quicker he rushed across the fields, and in his mad hurry he jumped high banks, thorn hedges and ditches full of water.

Arriving at the house he found the street door ajar. He pushed it open, went in, and having fastened the latch, threw himself on the floor and gave a great sigh of satisfaction.

But soon he heard someone in the room who was saying: "Cri-cri-cri!"

"Who calls me?" said Pinocchio in a fright.

"It is I!"

Pinocchio turned round and saw a big cricket crawling slowly up the wall.

"Tell me, Cricket, who may you be?"

"I am the Talking-Cricket, and I have lived in this room a hundred years or more."

"Now, however, this room is mine," said the puppet, "and if you would do me a pleasure go away at once, without even turning round."

"I will not go," answered the Cricket, "until I have told you a great truth."

"Tell it me, then, and be quick about it."

"Woe to those boys who rebel against their parents and run away from home. They will never come to any good in the world, and sooner or later they will repent bitterly."

"Sing away, Cricket, as you please, and as long as you please. For me, I have made up my mind to run away tomorrow at daybreak, because if I remain I shall not escape the fate of all other boys; I shall be sent to school and shall be made to study either by love or by force. To tell you in confidence, I have no wish to learn; it is much more amusing to run after butterflies, or to climb trees and to take the young birds out of their nests."

"Poor little goose! But do you know that in that way you will grow up a perfect donkey, and that everyone will make fun of you?"

"Hold your tongue, you wicked, ill-omened croaker!" shouted Pinocchio.

But the Cricket, who was patient and philosophical, instead of becoming angry at this impertinence, continued in the same tone: "But if you do not wish to go to school why not at least learn a trade, if only to enable you to earn honestly a piece of bread!"

"Do you want me to tell you?" replied Pinocchio, who was beginning to lose patience. "Amongst all the trades in the world there is only one that really takes my fancy."

"And that trade—what is it?"

"It is to eat, drink, sleep and amuse myself, and to lead a vagabond life from morning to night."

"As a rule," said the Talking-Cricket, "all those who follow that trade end almost always either in a hospital or in prison."

"Take care, you wicked, ill-omened croaker! Woe to you if I fly into a passion!"

"Poor Pinocchio! I really pity you!"

"Why do you pity me?"

"Because you are a puppet and, what is worse, because you have a wooden head."

At these last words Pinocchio jumped up in a rage and, snatching a wooden hammer from the bench, he threw it at the Talking-Cricket.

Perhaps he never meant to hit him, but unfortunately it struck him exactly on the head, so that the poor Cricket had scarcely breath to cry "Cri-cri-cri!" and then he remained dried up and flattened against the wall.

    Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi    

Chapter 4: The Talking-Cricket Scolds Pinocchio

Performer: Librivox - Phil Chenevert

Directions

Study the story for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the story one or more times.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Study the vocabulary words.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Pinocchio returns home and meets the Talking Cricket, who scolds him for rebelling against Geppetto. Pinocchio plans to run away the next day, for he does not want to go to school. The Talking Cricket warns Pinocchio that he will grow up to be a donkey to be ridiculed by others. The cricket advises Pinocchio to learn a trade. Pinocchio says the only trade he's interested in involves eating, drinking, sleeping, amusement, and leading a vagabond life. The Cricket counters that those following that trade end up in prison or a hospital. The Cricket pities Pinocchio, and this so enrages Pinocchio that he hits the Cricket with a hammer.

Vocabulary

Cricket: An insect related to the grasshoppers. The male produces a characteristic rhythmical chirping sound.
Rebel: Rise in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or ruler.
Repent: Feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.
Philosophical: Relating or devoted to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.
Impertinence: Lack of respect; rudeness.
Trade (profession): A skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training.
Vagabond: A person who wanders from place to place without a home or job.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Book Information

  • Before and after reading or listening to the story, recite aloud the name of the author, the title of the book, and the title of the chapter.

Activity 2: Narrate the Story

  • After reading or listening to the story, narrate the events aloud in your own words.

Activity 3: Recite a Passage from the Chapter

Practice reciting aloud the following passage, with drama and feeling.

  • 'Cri-cri-cri!'
  • 'Who calls me?' said Pinocchio in a fright.
  • 'I am the Talking-Cricket.'

Activity 4: Dictate a Sentence from the Chapter

I have told you a great truth.

  • Step 1: Instructors write the sentence, and children copy it.
  • Step 2: Instructors say the sentence aloud, and children write it.
  • Sentence: I really pity you!

Review

Question 1

Who does Pinocchio meet when he returns home?
1 / 6

Answer 1

Pinocchio meets the Talking Cricket.
1 / 6

Question 2

According to the Talking Cricket, what type of animal will Pinocchio grow up into if he goofs off and does not behave?
2 / 6

Answer 2

According to the Talking Cricket, Pinocchio will grow up into a donkey if he goofs off and does not behave.
2 / 6

Question 3

According to the Talking Cricket, what happens to those who follow a vagabond life?
3 / 6

Answer 3

According to the Talking Cricket, those who follow a vagabond life are likely to end up in hospitals and prisons.
3 / 6

Question 4

Why does Pinocchio decide to run away?
4 / 6

Answer 4

Pinocchio decides to run away because he does not want to go to school.
4 / 6

Question 5

What is the only trade Pinocchio wishes to learn?
5 / 6

Answer 5

Pinocchio is only interested in the trade of eating, drinking, sleeping, amusement, and leading a vagabond life.
5 / 6

Question 6

Why does Pinocchio throw the hammer at the Cricket?
6 / 6

Answer 6

Pinocchio becomes angry and throws the hammer at the Cricket after the Cricket says he pities Pinocchio for his wooden head.
6 / 6

  1. Who does Pinocchio meet when he returns home? Pinocchio meets the Talking Cricket.
  2. According to the Talking Cricket, what type of animal will Pinocchio grow up into if he goofs off and does not behave? According to the Talking Cricket, Pinocchio will grow up into a donkey if he goofs off and does not behave.
  3. According to the Talking Cricket, what happens to those who follow a vagabond life? According to the Talking Cricket, those who follow a vagabond life are likely to end up in hospitals and prisons.
  4. Why does Pinocchio decide to run away? Pinocchio decides to run away because he does not want to go to school.
  5. What is the only trade Pinocchio wishes to learn? Pinocchio is only interested in the trade of eating, drinking, sleeping, amusement, and leading a vagabond life.
  6. Why does Pinocchio throw the hammer at the Cricket? Pinocchio becomes angry and throws the hammer at the Cricket after the Cricket says he pities Pinocchio for his wooden head.