In a desperate escape, a puppet finds himself pursued by a dog named Alidoro. Just as the dog nearly catches him, the puppet leaps into the sea, prompting the dog to follow. Alidoro struggles to swim and calls for help. Despite his initial hesitation, the puppet saves the drowning dog, who promises not to bother him again. After ensuring the dog is safe, the puppet swims along the shore until he discovers a cave with smoke rising from it. Curious, he approaches the cave but is caught in a net by a grotesque fisherman who mistakes him for a type of fish. The fisherman, excited about his catch, prepares to cook the fish he has caught, including the puppet. The puppet protests, insisting he is not a fish but a puppet, hoping to convince the fisherman to let him go. The fisherman, intrigued by the talking puppet, offers him a choice of cooking methods: frying or stewing. The puppet pleads for his freedom instead, lamenting his poor choices that led him to this predicament. However, the fisherman is determined to cook him, binding him and preparing him for frying alongside the other fish. As the fisherman flours the fish, the puppet trembles in fear, realizing the gravity of his situation. Despite his desperate pleas, he is ultimately thrown into the frying pan, facing a grim fate.
By Carlo Collodi · First published 1881 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure