一段有趣的对话

“我想请诸位先生看看，”仙女对围在皮诺乔床边的三位大夫说，“我想请诸位先生看看，这不幸的木偶是死了还是活着……”

　　听了仙女的请求，乌鸦第一位给皮诺乔摸脉，接着摸鼻子，接着摸小脚趾。等到都摸过了，它极其严肃地说了这一番话：

　　“我认为木偶完全死了，但万一他没有死，那就有可靠的迹像表明，他完全活着！”

　　“我很抱歉，”猫头鹰说，“我必须表示，我的看法跟我这位有名的朋友和同行乌鸦大夫正好相反。我认为，木偶完全活着，但万一他不幸没有活着，那就有可靠的迹像表明，他的确死了！”

　　“您说哩，”仙女问会说话的蟋蟀。

　　“我要说的是，一位小心谨慎的大夫在不知道他所要说的事情时，最好是不开口。


"I should like to know, signori," said the Fairy, turning to the three doctors gathered about Pinocchio's bed, "I should like to know if this poor Marionette is dead or alive."

At this invitation, the Crow stepped out and felt Pinocchio's pulse, his nose, his little toe. Then he solemnly pronounced the following words:

"To my mind this Marionette is dead and gone; but if, by any evil chance, he were not, then that would be a sure sign that he is still alive!"

"I am sorry," said the Owl, "to have to contradict the Crow, my famous friend and colleague. To my mind this Marionette is alive; but if, by any evil chance, he were not, then that would be a sure sign that he is wholly dead!"

"And do you hold any opinion?" the Fairy asked the Talking Cricket.

"I say that a wise doctor, when he does not know what he is talking about, should know enough to keep his mouth shut.