The Cat, the Fox, and Pinocchio walked all day. In the evening, they were very tired. They arrived at the Inn (a small hotel where people can eat and sleep) of the Red Lobster.
“Let’s stop here,” the Fox said. “We will eat and rest. At midnight, we will walk again. We must be at the Field of Wonders tomorrow morning.”
They sat at a table. But they were not very hungry. The Cat ate thirty-five fish and a lot of cheese. The Fox was on a "diet." He only ate a rabbit, many chickens, some birds, and some lizards. Pinocchio ate almost nothing. He only thought about his gold pieces.
After dinner, the Fox talked to the owner of the Inn (a small hotel where people can eat and sleep).
“We need two rooms,” the Fox said. “Call us at midnight. We must continue our journey.”
Pinocchio went to bed and fell asleep. He dreamed about a field full of gold coins. The coins moved in the wind and made a beautiful sound.
Suddenly, the owner knocked on his door. It was midnight.
“Are my friends ready?” Pinocchio asked.
“No, they left two hours ago,” the owner said.
“Why?” Pinocchio asked.
“The Cat received a message. His child is very sick. He had to leave quickly,” the owner said.
“Did they pay for the dinner?” Pinocchio asked.
“No,” the owner said. “They are very polite. They want you to have the honor of paying the bill.”
Pinocchio was not happy, but he paid one gold piece for the dinner. Then he started to walk in the dark. It was very quiet. Some bats flew near his face. He was very scared.
Then, he saw a small light on a tree.
“Who are you?” Pinocchio asked.
“I am the ghost (the spirit of a dead person) of the Talking Cricket,” a small voice said.
“What do you want?” Pinocchio asked.
“Go home,” the Cricket said. “Give your gold to your poor father. He is crying for you.”
“Tomorrow my father will be rich,” Pinocchio said. “My four gold pieces will become two thousand.”
“Do not listen to people who promise you easy money,” the Cricket said. “They are swindlers (people who trick others to get money). Go home now.”
“I want to go on!” Pinocchio shouted.
“The night is dark and the road is dangerous,” the Cricket said. “Bad things happen to boys who do not listen.”
“Goodbye, Cricket,” Pinocchio said.
“Good night, Pinocchio,” the Cricket said. “I hope the assassins (dangerous people who kill others for money) do not find you.”
Suddenly, the light of the Talking Cricket went out. The road was dark again.