The Adventures of Pinocchio · Chapter
XII: Pinocchio Receives a Present of Five Gold Pieces explained
Fire-Eater gives Pinocchio five gold pieces to take to his father Geppetto.
What happens
Fire-Eater gives Pinocchio five gold pieces to take to his father Geppetto. On his way home, Pinocchio meets a lame Fox and a blind Cat, who trick him into believing they can multiply his money by burying it in the Field of Miracles. Despite a warning from a Blackbird (whom the Cat eats), Pinocchio is persuaded by greed and decides to follow them, abandoning his good intentions.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Gullibility
The Fox and Cat exploit Pinocchio's greed and naivety, convincing him to abandon his good intentions with false promises of easy wealth.
Consequences of Bad Companions
Pinocchio ignores the Blackbird's warning and chooses to follow the Fox and Cat, leading him away from his father and his virtuous plans.
Characters to notice
- Pinocchio
Receives five gold pieces from Fire-Eater; initially plans to buy a coat for Geppetto and a spelling-book, but is swayed by the Fox and Cat's promises.
- Geppetto
Mentioned as Pinocchio's father, a beggar who sold his coat for a spelling-book; Pinocchio intends to buy him a new coat.
- Fire Eater
Gives Pinocchio five gold pieces as a gift for Geppetto.
- The Fox
Lame Fox who, with the Cat, deceives Pinocchio into believing his money can be multiplied in the Field of Miracles.
- The Cat
Blind Cat who, with the Fox, tricks Pinocchio; eats the Blackbird that warns Pinocchio.
Key passages
“Here are five gold pieces. Go at once and take them to him with my compliments.”
Fire-Eater gives Pinocchio five gold coins to deliver to his father as a gift.
Fire-Eater's generous act sets the plot in motion.
“Pinocchio, don’t listen to the advice of bad companions; if you do you will repent it!”
The Blackbird warns Pinocchio not to trust the Fox and Cat, or he will regret it.
A direct warning that Pinocchio ignores, leading to his downfall.
“Every sovereign will give you an increase of five hundred; multiply five hundred by five, and the following morning will find you with two thousand five hundred shining gold pieces in your pocket.”
The Fox claims each gold coin will yield five hundred more, so five coins will become two thousand five hundred overnight.
The Fox's absurd promise that lures Pinocchio into the scam.