# XXVI: The Terrible Dog Fish explained — The Adventures of Pinocchio

> Chapter companion for The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.

## What happens

Pinocchio goes to school and gains the respect of his classmates after standing up to bullies, but he begins to associate with mischievous boys. Despite warnings from the master and the Fairy, he is persuaded by his friends to skip school and go see a giant Dogfish that has appeared near the shore, leading him toward disaster.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obedience and Rebellion

Pinocchio initially obeys school rules but rebels by skipping school to see the Dogfish, ignoring warnings from the master and the Fairy.

### Consequences of Bad Companions

Pinocchio's bad schoolfellows persuade him to abandon his studies and rush into danger, foreshadowing disaster.

## Character check-ins

### Pinocchio

Attends school, defends himself against bullies, gains popularity, but is easily swayed by bad companions to skip school and see the Dogfish.

### The Fairy

Warns Pinocchio repeatedly about the dangers of his bad schoolfellows.

## Key lines

> Take care, Pinocchio! Those bad schoolfellows of yours will end sooner or later by making you lose all love of study, and perhaps they may even bring upon you some great misfortune.

Be careful, Pinocchio! Your troublesome friends will eventually make you hate learning and could lead you into serious trouble.

_The Fairy's warning highlights the theme of bad companions leading to ruin._

> Whether we have a lesson more or a lesson less, we shall always remain the same donkeys.

One more or one fewer lesson won't change us—we'll still be the same fools.

_The bad boys rationalize skipping school, showing their disdain for education._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xxvi-the-terrible-dog-fish
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters