Pinocchio could not sleep. He kept thinking of the money tree and the wonderful presents he would buy.
"Oh, I can’t wait to see my money tree," he said.
But, he could not leave.
"You must wait for sunlight before you go to the field," the cat had said.
"Yes, if you see the field before sunlight, the magic tree will die," the fox had agreed.
So Pinocchio waited and waited.
As soon as the sun came up, Pinocchio ran all the way to the Field of Follies. He didn’t stop once.
"Here is the field," Pinocchio said, "but, where is my money tree?"
He looked all over the field, but saw nothing that looked like a money tree.
"I know this is the right field," he said, puzzled. "Maybe the gold forgot to grow! I will dig it out." So Pinocchio got down and began to dig. He dug and dug until he was covered in dirt. This hole was five times as big as the first hole. But he saw no gold!
"I know this is the right place! Oh! Where is my gold?" Pinocchio cried.
Above his head, someone was laughing. Pinocchio looked up and saw Mr. Cricket.
"What are you doing here?" Pinocchio shouted. "And why are you laughing at me?"
"You are a foolish boy, Pinocchio," Mr. Cricket replied. "I tried to warn you about bad friends and bad choices. But you didn’t listen to me. The fox and cat have stolen your gold. They are very far away by now."
"Oh no! Oh no!" Pinocchio said. He sat in the dirt and cried. "I must tell the police. They will help me."
So Pinocchio ran off to the nearest town and went to the jail. He told the police his story. But, they did not help Pinocchio find his gold. They locked him in prison!
"Ha-ha-ha. What a foolish boy. Looks like another tip for us, huh, partner?" one said to the other.
"No, you don’t understand. I did nothing wrong! Please! Help me find my gold," Pinocchio said.
"Nope, you are stuck here for the rest of your life!" the jailer said, laughing.
Pinocchio didn’t know that the fox and cat owned this town. They paid the jailers for locking up people they had robbed. The police had become very rich because of the fox and cat.
Pinocchio sat in prison all day. But he didn’t cry. He looked out at the stars and said, "Mr. Cricket is right. I have been a foolish boy. I have made bad choices. It is my fault the gold is gone. If only someone would save me. I know I will be a good boy from now on. Please, is anyone listening? I need help."
"Yes, I am listening," said a pretty voice. Just then, Pinocchio saw a small blue light fly by his window.
"Who is out there?" he asked.
"I am the Blue Fairy. I protect good children from harm. I am here to help you."
"Please, get me out of jail," said Pinocchio.
"Why are you in jail?" asked the fairy. "What have you done wrong?"
"Nothing at all," said Pinocchio. "The fox and the cat tricked me. They stole all my gold coins."
"Where did you get the money?" asked the Blue Fairy.
"I earned it," said Pinocchio. "I starred in a show."
Pinocchio's nose suddenly started to grow. Within seconds, it was six inches long! Pioncchio stared at his nose in surprise.
Calmly, the Blue Fairy asked, "Did your father say you could work in the theater?"
"Oh yes, Blue Fairy," said Pinocchio. "My father told me I would be a great actor!"
His nose grew even longer at this new lie. Soon, Pinocchio's nose was eight inches long!
"What's happening to my nose?" Pinocchio screamed.