The Cat, after pretending to be blind for so many years had really lost the sight of both eyes.

And the Fox, old, thin, and almost hairless, had even lost his tail.

That sly thief had fallen into deepest poverty, and one day he had been forced to sell his beautiful tail for a bite to eat.
"Oh, Pinocchio," he cried in a tearful voice.

"Give us some alms, we beg of you! We are old, tired, and sick." "Sick!" repeated the Cat.
"Addio, false friends!" answered the Marionette.

"You cheated me once, but you will never catch me again." "Believe us! Today we are truly poor and starving." "Starving!" repeated the Cat.
"If you are poor; you deserve it! Remember the old proverb which says: 'Stolen money never bears fruit.' Addio, false friends." "Have mercy on us!" "On us." "Addio, false friends.