Piteous or piteous ( one word ) means evoking or deserving compassion or empathy--
The dog's piteous wail brought a neighbor to his aid.
No one could ignore the child's piteous cries for help.
Pity us or pity us ( two words ) means show compassion or empathy to ( pity ) the speaker and at least one other person (us)--
He refuses to pity us; he won't give us a dollar.
Please pity us and stop that racket!
Now that you know that, you can say--
"Surely they will pity us when they hear our piteous cries."
Note--"pitiful" may mean evoking or deserving pity, but it is more commonly used to mean deplorable, or deserving contempt for inadequacy or ineptitude--
That was a pitiful attempt. Try again, and do it right this time.
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