Fire Eater gives Pinocchio five gold pieces for his father, Geppetto;but the Marionette meets a Fox and a Cat and follows themThe next day Fire Eater called Pinocchio aside and asked him:

　　"What is your father's name?""Geppetto.""And what is his trade?""He's a wood carver.""Does he earn much?""He earns so much that he never has a penny in hispockets. Just think that, in order to buy me an A-B-Cbook for school, he had to sell the only coat he owned, acoat so full of darns and patches that it was a pity.""Poor fellow! I feel sorry for him. Here, take thesefive gold pieces. Go, give them to him with my kindest regards."Pinocchio, as may easily be imagined, thanked hima thousand times. He kissed each Marionette in turn,even the officers, and, beside himself with joy, set out onhis homeward journey.

　　He had gone barely half a mile when he met a lameFox and a blind Cat, walking together like two goodfriends. The lame Fox leaned on the Cat, and the blindCat let the Fox lead him along.

　　"Good morning, Pinocchio," said the Fox, greeting himcourteously.

　　"How do you know my name?" asked the Marionette.

　　"I know your father well.""Where have you seen him?""I saw him yesterday standing at the door of his house.""And what was he doing?""He was in his shirt sleeves trembling with cold.""Poor Father! But, after today, God willing, he willsuffer no longer.""Why?""Because I have become a rich man.""You, a rich man?" said the Fox, and he began to laughout loud. The Cat was laughing also, but tried to hide itby stroking his long whiskers.

　　"There is nothing to laugh at," cried Pinocchio angrily.

　　"I am very sorry to make your mouth water, but these,as you know, are five new gold pieces."And he pulled out the gold pieces which Fire Eaterhad given him.

　　At the cheerful tinkle of the gold, the Fox unconsciouslyheld out his paw that was supposed to be lame, and theCat opened wide his two eyes till they looked like livecoals, but he closed them again so quickly that Pinocchiodid not notice.

　　"And may I ask," inquired the Fox, "what you aregoing to do with all that money?""First of all," answered the Marionette, "I want tobuy a fine new coat for my father, a coat of gold andsilver with diamond buttons; after that, I'll buy an A-B-C book for myself.""For yourself?""For myself. I want to go to school and study hard.""Look at me," said the Fox. "For the silly reason ofwanting to study, I have lost a paw.""Look at me," said the Cat. "For the same foolish reason,I have lost the sight of both eyes."At that moment, a Blackbird, perched on the fencealong the road, called out sharp and clear:

　　"Pinocchio, do not listen to bad advice. If you do,you'll be sorry!"Poor little Blackbird! If he had only kept his wordsto himself! In the twinkling of an eyelid, the Cat leapedon him, and ate him, feathers and all.

　　After eating the bird, he cleaned his whiskers, closedhis eyes, and became blind once more.

　　"Poor Blackbird!"............