Once there was a block of wood. It had a life, albeit short, before it came into the hands of a woodcarver, named Geppetto. This block of wood is nothing but trouble from the start. As Geppetto carves out the legs and arms of his future puppet, his creation instantly strikes out and hurts him. No wish or Blue Fairy are necessary here to bring the little marionette to life. But do not fear, the Blue Fairy does play an important role in the overall story.
Pinocchio has his share of adventures as he learns to be a good boy. He is tempted by the Fox and the Blind Cat, kidnapped by Stromboli - the shady entertainer - and goes to "The Land of Toys." Along the way, he meets many unusual and frightening characters with whom Disney fans will not be familiar. Pinocchio spends most of his time searching for Geppetto or the Blue Fairy, who raises him as her boy. For a time he lives with the Blue Fairy and obediently attends school. Then, a couple of hours before he becomes a boy, he falls to the greatest temptation of running away from home with a bunch of other boys. There at "The Land of Toys" all the boys turn into donkeys, including our little marionette friend - miserable, mute donkeys.
After watching Disney's fun, family-friendly 1940 animated version of Collodi's fairytale, I figured I should read the original. While it follows the basic plot line of Disney's classic, the book has many subplots and characters that did not make it into the movie. The story is much darker than the film: Pinocchio actually kills the Cricket who tries to help him, and, when he falls asleep by the fire, his little feet burn off. Pinocchio is certainly not a character to be admired. He constantly disobeys and is easily deceived by those who wish him harm. Certainly most of us can relate to Pinocchio - we've given in to things we know we should not have, gone down the wrong roads, met the wrong people. We repent and try to make things right, but the damage can already be done and may be pass repairing.
Published in 1881, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" follows one puppet's journey from "puppethood" to boyhood. It's a long lesson and a long journey to becoming a real boy, but it is well worth the sacrifice and struggles.
Pinocchio has his share of adventures as he learns to be a good boy. He is tempted by the Fox and the Blind Cat, kidnapped by Stromboli - the shady entertainer - and goes to "The Land of Toys." Along the way, he meets many unusual and frightening characters with whom Disney fans will not be familiar. Pinocchio spends most of his time searching for Geppetto or the Blue Fairy, who raises him as her boy. For a time he lives with the Blue Fairy and obediently attends school. Then, a couple of hours before he becomes a boy, he falls to the greatest temptation of running away from home with a bunch of other boys. There at "The Land of Toys" all the boys turn into donkeys, including our little marionette friend - miserable, mute donkeys.
After watching Disney's fun, family-friendly 1940 animated version of Collodi's fairytale, I figured I should read the original. While it follows the basic plot line of Disney's classic, the book has many subplots and characters that did not make it into the movie. The story is much darker than the film: Pinocchio actually kills the Cricket who tries to help him, and, when he falls asleep by the fire, his little feet burn off. Pinocchio is certainly not a character to be admired. He constantly disobeys and is easily deceived by those who wish him harm. Certainly most of us can relate to Pinocchio - we've given in to things we know we should not have, gone down the wrong roads, met the wrong people. We repent and try to make things right, but the damage can already be done and may be pass repairing.
Published in 1881, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" follows one puppet's journey from "puppethood" to boyhood. It's a long lesson and a long journey to becoming a real boy, but it is well worth the sacrifice and struggles.
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