# Fire Eater — The Adventures of Pinocchio character guide

> Fire Eater in The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** XI Fire - Eater

**First appearance:** 0009-x-the-puppets-recognize-their-brother-pinocchio

## Snapshot

The fearsome puppet-show master whose terrifying appearance conceals a heart soft enough to spare a puppet from the flames.

## Who they are

Fire Eater commands the puppet theatre where Pinocchio is nearly burned as firewood for the roasting spit, ruling his troupe with roars and threats. Yet when he hears Pinocchio's pleas, his fierce exterior cracks and he releases him rather than destroy a fellow puppet. This early act of mercy shows Pinocchio that even frightening figures can be moved by compassion, and it plants the idea that kindness, not fear, is what truly spares him.

## In the story

### [X: The Puppets Recognize Their Brother Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/x-the-puppets-recognize-their-brother-pinocchio)

The showman who threatens to burn Pinocchio; described as very big and ugly with a long black beard.

### [XI: Fire-Eater Sneezes and Pardons Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xi-fire-eater-sneezes-and-pardons-pinocchio)

The fearsome showman with a black beard who sneezes when moved by compassion; he spares Pinocchio and pardons Harlequin after Pinocchio's brave plea.

### [XII: Pinocchio Receives a Present of Five Gold Pieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xii-pinocchio-receives-a-present-of-five-gold-pieces)

Gives Pinocchio five gold pieces as a gift for Geppetto.

### [XVII: Pinocchio Will Not Take His Medicine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xvii-pinocchio-will-not-take-his-medicine)

Mentioned as having given Pinocchio gold pieces before his misadventure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/characters/fire-eater
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/characters