Sr. Vitalis is an elderly Italian street performer traveling across France with his troupe: the monkey Joli-Coeur and dogs Capi, Dolce, and Zerbino. He earns his living through public performances, showcasing exceptional skill on the violin alongside his animal companions.

Vitalis rescues the protagonist after they were sold by their foster father to an unethical individual. He takes the young person in, treating them like his own child. Recognizing their singing talent, he integrates them into his performing group. Aware of their lack of formal education, Vitalis personally teaches them to read and write during their travels.

As guardian and mentor, Vitalis provides practical survival skills and emotional support throughout their journey. His background includes an undisclosed past, later revealing a period of wrongful imprisonment after being framed for theft by an acquaintance named Navarre.

During a severe snowstorm, Vitalis sacrifices himself to protect the protagonist from the extreme cold, succumbing alongside Dolce and Zerbino. This final act emphasizes his protective role. His death leaves the protagonist alone with only Capi, forcing them to continue independently.

Vitalis's influence endures through the values he instilled and the survival techniques he taught. His relationship with the protagonist establishes the narrative's foundational dynamic of found family, positioning him as their first genuine guardian following displacement from home.