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The second time that Pierino wanted to go to Africa, alone, he didn’t make it. Here’s how it went. Every evening after dinner, Pierino’s father used to read the newspaper out loud, and so, day by day, the boy knew when soldiers left for Africa. Today, tomorrow, and he finally got the idea to go to Africa too. It was the first time that something like this had happened, because his teacher always said that in order to convince him about something, he needed a surgery. He had confused understandings about Africa, in fact he was looking for Eritrea and Somalia on the shores of Libya! After greatly studying the atlas, he figured out where he wanted to go, and what route he had to take: embarkation at Naples, passage through the Strait of Messina, crossing of the Red Sea, disembarkation at Addis Abeba. He obviously didn’t mention anything to his mother and father, to keep them from crying, and saying that he’d gone mad. Pierino couldn’t help thinking about Africa, and when he walked into a confectioner’s he ate all the “africans” (pastry puffs covered in dark chocolate, TN.) One morning, he took the money from his piggy bank, he put his Geography book, his atlas and some food in a cloth, and, without saying a second word, he left, with his bundle under the arm. At the train station he bough a ticket for Naples, he got on the train with nobody telling him anything, and away he went! Once in Naples, he wrote a letter to his “dear parents”, telling them not to worry, that he was going to Africa, that he would be back soon, and that he would bring them, as a gift, a leopard skin. After he wrote the letter, he went to the harbour. When he saw a ship loaded with soldiers, he was speechless. They were loading merchandise with a crane. Without letting anybody see him, Pierino hid in a great wooden crate and crouched in it, with his heart beating fast. Air was coming in through the cracks. At a certain point they lifted him from the ground, and placed him in the ship’s lower deck. Ah, finally! After a while two workers came to sit on the crate. Pierino heard their conversations. One of the workers, from Veneto, had already been in Africa, and was telling his stories: -I worked many years in the home of a “ras”, and a learnt a bit of their language. This “ras” took a Sudanese as his server. I’ll give you – he told him – ten silver coins a year, some tobacco, some brandy, and I will also dress you. Are you pleased? Of course! The Sudanese replied. The day after he waited all morning for the servant to show up. What does this mean? –the “ras” shouted- that that rascal escape already? Go on and see. I ran to his hut and I saw the Sudanese comfortably resting on his bed. What! You’re still in bed? Don’t you know it’s noon already? I know, he replied – but I don’t want to dress up. Because yesterday the master told me that he would dress me up himself-. Underneath, Pierino was straining not to laugh. Hear this one – the worker went on. – The first time that I want to the “ras’ ” house, I brought him a box of Italian biscuits as a gift. Two funny men were in front of his bedroom’s door. When they saw the box of biscuits they jumped on me, pulled it away from me, broke the lid, and avidly begun eating the biscuits. I was initially frightened; but later, thinking that they might have been the ras’ sons, I tokk off my hat, and said: enjoy. They continued munching biscuits, without listening to me. They’re good, eh? Italian biscuits. Eat them, go on, but leave some for father, too. In the meanwhile they were engorging like chickens. When they were full, they gave me back the almost empty box. I went in o the “ras’ ” room and, embarrassed, I gave him the box. Why didn’t you bring me a full one? – he asked, frowning. Sir “ras”, it was full, but your children emptied it. What children! Those sitting outside, in front of the door. Ah! Ah! Ah! You stupid, didn’t you see they were two big monkeys? Ah. That’s why thay were grabbing the biscuits with four hands! At that point, Pierino could no longer resist, and exploded with laughter. Ah! Ah! Ah! The two workers, hearing that release from below, jumped up, lifted the lid of the crate and discovered the boy, that didn’t know if he should laugh or cry. The ship officers had him disembark and return to his hometown. So for a laugh, Pierino’s trip to Africa didn’t happen.