The Adventures of Pinocchio

The Adventures of Pinocchio: From Wooden Puppet to Real Boy

Edisi Indonesia: Petualangan Pinokio

Introduction to Pinocchio:

In a world where imagination can bring life to even the simplest objects, there lived a humble yet skilled woodcarver named Geppetto. His days were spent creating beautiful works of art from wood, but deep in his heart, he longed for companionship, for the warmth of having a child of his own. One day, with just a chisel, his hands, and a peculiar piece of wood, Geppetto carved a puppet unlike any other.

This puppet, named Pinocchio, wasn’t content to simply sit on a shelf or dance by strings. He had dreams, ambitions, and a deep curiosity about the world. But as Pinocchio embarked on his adventure, he quickly discovered that the path to becoming "real" was full of temptations, challenges, and important life lessons. Guided by the love of his father, Geppetto, and the wisdom of unexpected friends, Pinocchio's journey became one of self-discovery, testing not just his courage but also his heart.

An Italian Fable: From Wood to Life

Once upon a time in Tuscany, Italy, in a small village surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, there lived a woodworker named Mastro Antonio. The villagers affectionately called him Mastro Cherry because the tip of his nose was round and red, like a ripe cherry. One day, while strolling through the bustling village market, where the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the aroma of red wine, he stumbled upon a truly unique block of pinewood. The wood seemed special, with grains that shimmered like a springtime stream.

Mastro Cherry decided to carve the block of wood into one of his famous table legs, known for their fine carvings and intricate details that reflected the natural beauty of Tuscany. However, as he began his work, he sensed something unusual about the wood, as if it was destined to become something more than just a piece of furniture.

As Mastro Cherry started chiseling the wood, he suddenly heard a strange sound.

“Gently now, don’t carve me too hard!”

Mastro Cherry was startled and immediately stopped, looking around to see where the voice had come from. But there was no one else in the room, just him and the block of wood he was working on.

This strange occurrence happened several times. The voice continued to plead for him to be careful, until Mastro Cherry finally realized that the voice was coming from the wood he was carving. Shock and fear enveloped his heart. How could wood speak? Feeling overwhelmed, Mastro Cherry decided he could no longer handle this strange situation and, gripped by his fear, chose to give the wood to his neighbor, Geppetto—a very poor man but full of hope.

Geppetto was a puppeteer who lived in his humble little house. He planned to make a living by crafting wooden puppets for performances, hoping to earn “a crust of bread and a glass of wine” from his shows. Mastro Cherry hoped that Geppetto could manage this peculiar problem while wishing that the wood would bring good fortune to his neighbor.

Carefully, Geppetto carved the block of wood into the shape of a boy. Once finished, he gazed at his creation and decided to give it a name.

“I think I’ll call him Pinocchio. This name will bring him good luck. I know the whole Pinocchi family—Pinocchio the father, Pinocchia the mother, and the little Pinocchi children—and they’re all fortunate,” Geppetto said, hoping that the name would bring luck to his puppet.

However, as soon as Pinocchio’s nose was carved, something strange began to happen. The wooden puppet seemed to possess a mischievous and unruly nature. Even before his form was fully shaped, Pinocchio already displayed a naughty attitude. Not long after Geppetto finished carving Pinocchio’s legs, the wooden puppet began kicking him with a lively spirit.

Geppetto was astonished to see his newly crafted puppet come to life and act so bratty. Though he felt frustrated, he still hoped that Pinocchio would become a useful puppet and perhaps, one day, bring him the happiness and fortune he longed for.

After the marionette, or wooden puppet, was finished, Geppetto patiently taught him how to walk. However, not long after Pinocchio learned to walk, his mischievous nature began to show. In the blink of an eye, Pinocchio dashed out the door and sprinted toward the town with boundless energy.

Geppetto panicked and ran after Pinocchio, but the wooden puppet was too fast. In the town, Pinocchio caught the attention of many people with his unusual movements and strange behavior. His odd appearance and chaotic actions caused the townspeople and the Carabinieri—the local police—to grow suspicious.

The Carabinieri suspected that Pinocchio might have been mistreated and reported the incident. In a quick misunderstanding, they arrested Geppetto, believing that he was responsible for the puppet’s bizarre behavior.

Geppetto was deeply saddened and confused by the situation, feeling distressed not only by the loss of Pinocchio but also by the legal trouble he had not anticipated. Meanwhile, Pinocchio, not fully understanding the consequences of his actions, continued to explore the town with unbridled curiosity and courage.

Amid his confusion and growing hunger, Pinocchio eventually returned to Geppetto’s home in search of food. He hoped to find something to fill his belly and perhaps a clue about what to do next.

However, when Pinocchio arrived at Geppetto’s house, he was not alone. A talking cricket, known as "Il Grillo Parlante"—which means "The Talking Cricket" in Italian—had been living in the house for more than a century. This cricket was known as a wise observer of the various happenings in Geppetto’s home.

“Woe to the boys who disobey their parents and run away from home!” said Il Grillo Parlante in a soft yet meaningful voice. “They will never be happy in this world, and when they are older, they will deeply regret it.”

Pinocchio was startled to hear the voice of the talking cricket. Although he felt skeptical, Il Grillo Parlante’s words sparked a sense of doubt and worry in his heart. However, Pinocchio was still too drawn to the promise of fun and adventure to truly heed the cricket’s advice.

Ignoring the warning, Pinocchio continued his search for food and fun, unaware of how important Il Grillo Parlante’s advice would be for his future. Meanwhile, the Talking Cricket kept a watchful eye on Pinocchio, hoping that one day the boy would understand the truth behind the warnings.

Il Grillo Parlante offered continuous advice, even delivering sharp words that struck a chord in Pinocchio’s heart. Each piece of advice and criticism from the cricket only made Pinocchio more frustrated and annoyed.

“Watch out, you ugly cricket! If you make me angry, you’ll regret it!” Pinocchio threatened with a voice full of fury.

“Poor Pinocchio, I feel sorry for you,” the cricket replied with deep empathy. “Because you are a marionette, and what’s even worse, your head is made of wood.”

Hearing these last words, Pinocchio couldn’t contain his anger. In a fit of fiery rage, he leaped up, grabbed a hammer from the table, and hurled it with all his might toward the cricket.

Perhaps Il Grillo Parlante didn’t expect Pinocchio to attack him. However, the hammer landed right on the cricket’s head, and with a faint “crick crick crick” sound, the poor cricket fell from the wall and died.

The cricket’s death might have terrified Pinocchio, but his fear only lasted a moment. As night fell and his empty stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten anything, a feeling of emptiness began to fill his heart. He remembered the cricket’s advice and regretted not listening to Il Grillo Parlante or obeying his father.

Pinocchio sat in a quiet place, reflecting on the cricket’s words and the fate that had befallen him. With deep remorse, he started to realize that perhaps there was truth in the cricket’s advice and that the path to happiness could not be found by defying wise counsel or ignoring one’s parents.

That night, poor Pinocchio fell asleep with his feet resting on a lit stove. When he awoke, he was shocked to find that both his feet had been burned. The discomfort from this damage only deepened his sense of despair and regret.

News of the incident reached Geppetto, who was soon released from jail after the misunderstanding was cleared up. Geppetto, full of empathy for Pinocchio, decided to carve him a new pair of wooden legs. Despite his poverty, Geppetto was determined to improve Pinocchio's situation.

Out of gratitude and to show his good intentions, Pinocchio promised Geppetto that he would attend school and study diligently. Understanding the importance of education for Pinocchio’s future, Geppetto, in a gesture of great sacrifice, sold his only coat to buy schoolbooks for Pinocchio.

Pinocchio accepted the books with excitement and promised to cherish the opportunity given to him. From that day forward, he was determined to live a better life, learn from his past mistakes, and honor the parent who had shown him unwavering support and love.

On his way to school the next morning, Pinocchio came across the grand *Teatro dei Burattini* (Puppet Theater). The theater doors were wide open, and Pinocchio could see the preparations for the upcoming show.

“Wow, look at that!” Pinocchio exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he gazed at the poster advertising the puppet show. “An incredible puppet show! I have to watch it!”

He approached the theater gate and spoke to a ticket seller standing there. "Excuse me, how much are the tickets?"

The ticket seller replied, “Tickets for this show cost five gold coins.”

Pinocchio reached into his pocket and saw the schoolbook he was carrying. He hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind. “I can’t wait! I must see this show. I’ll sell my book to buy a ticket.”

He walked to a nearby book vendor and said, “I want to sell my schoolbook. How much will you give me for it?”

The vendor looked at the book and said, “This is a fine schoolbook. I’ll give you five gold coins for it.”

With gratitude and excitement, Pinocchio accepted the gold coins and quickly rushed back to the Teatro dei Burattini. "Thank you! Here's my ticket!" Pinocchio exclaimed, handing the gold coins to the ticket seller and receiving his ticket for the show.

After purchasing his ticket and entering the Teatro dei Burattini, Pinocchio was shocked when the puppets on stage recognized him among the audience. The puppets called out his name enthusiastically, which enraged Mangiafuoco, the puppet master.

"Who dares disrupt my show?" Mangiafuoco bellowed in a thunderous voice, pointing his finger at Pinocchio. "How dare you show up here and ruin everything?"

Terrified, Pinocchio tried to explain, "I just wanted to watch the show. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble!"

Initially furious over the disruption, Mangiafuoco declared, "You’ve ruined my performance, and now you’ll pay the price! I’m going to use you as firewood for the furnace!"

However, after noticing Pinocchio’s enthusiasm and listening to his pleas, Mangiafuoco softened a bit. "Hmm, you really wanted to see this show, huh? And you had no intention of causing a disturbance?"

Pinocchio nodded, "Yes, please. I just wanted to see what the performance was like."

With a softened expression, Mangiafuoco finally said, "Alright, I’ll change my mind. But in return, I’m going to give you a little help."

Mangiafuoco took out five gold coins and handed them to Pinocchio. "Give these to Geppetto as a token of kindness. But remember, every action has its consequences."

Pinocchio gratefully accepted the coins. "Thank you so much, Mangiafuoco. I’ll make sure to give them to my father."

As Pinocchio headed home to deliver the gold coins to his father, he encountered a fox with bright red fur and a weak-looking cat with black, spotted fur. The cat pretended to be blind, while the fox acted as if he were lame, lying on the ground with one leg raised.

"Where are you headed, child?" asked the Fox in a charming voice. "Of course, we can't let you walk alone on this dangerous road!"

"What are you carrying there?" asked the Cat, squinting suspiciously as he eyed the gold coins in Pinocchio's hand.

Pinocchio felt wary but also curious. "These are for my father, Geppetto. I need to get home."

With a sly tone, the Fox said, "Oh, but why not use those coins for something much greater? You know, if you plant them in the Field of Miracles just outside the town of Catchfools, they'll grow into a tree full of gold!"

"Yes, exactly!" the Cat added, trying to sound convincing. "Just imagine how many coins you could get! It's easy, and it'll make you rich!"

Suddenly, a small white magpie flew close by. "Pinocchio, don't trust them!" the bird cried out. "They're only trying to trick you!"

But sadly, before Pinocchio could respond, the Cat swiftly pounced and caught the bird in its claws. With a single bite, the bird disappeared, leaving Pinocchio shocked and confused.

"Don't listen to that bird!" shouted the Fox, grinning. "We will help you reach wealth! What do you say?"

Pinocchio doubted their words, but the dream of becoming rich began to cloud his mind. "Alright... maybe I'll try it," he said quietly, though an uneasy feeling gnawed at his heart.

They stopped at a modest yet cozy inn, where the Fox and Cat pretended to be friendly. With charming smiles, they coaxed Pinocchio into sharing his money for the meal. "We'll spend the night together, right?" said the Fox in a sweet voice.

Pinocchio, eager to have friends and enjoy their company, agreed without hesitation. They enjoyed a delicious feast, but as night fell, the Cat and Fox asked to be awakened at midnight.

However, two hours before the set time, the cunning pair left Pinocchio alone. "We have to go," whispered the Cat, glancing towards Pinocchio. "Tell the innkeeper we received an urgent message. My eldest child has fallen ill."

When the innkeeper returned to Pinocchio, he brought the news that the Fox and Cat had left, leaving Pinocchio to pay for their meal. With a heavy heart and growing anger, Pinocchio handed over one of his coins to the innkeeper.

"Don't worry, young one," said the innkeeper in a calming tone. "They will meet you again at the Field of Miracles. They must care about you greatly."

Despite trying to convince himself, worry began gnawing at Pinocchio’s heart. He felt that the Fox and Cat weren’t honest. In the darkness of the night, he was determined to go to the Field of Miracles and find them, hoping he could catch up before it was too late. However, he had to pass through Catchfools, a town known for its foolish residents who always suffered from their actions.

Pinocchio continued walking toward Catchfools, despite being warned by the Talking Cricket. On the way, the Fox and the Cat disguised themselves as bandits and ambushed Pinocchio. They tried to take his gold coins, but Pinocchio managed to escape into the forest. There, he was eventually robbed and trapped in a tree by the bandits.

As Pinocchio hung from the tree, a young fairy with turquoise-blue hair, who had been watching from afar, decided to help him.

The fairy then called upon a large falcon to save Pinocchio. "Falcon, come! Pinocchio needs your help!" said the fairy in a soft yet commanding voice.

The falcon quickly flew down, using its strong claws to free Pinocchio from the tree. Pinocchio, who was nearly out of strength, was grateful to have been saved.

The kind-hearted Fairy sent her poodle servant to bring Pinocchio to her house in the middle of the forest, where he could receive the care he needed.

When they arrived at the Fairy’s house, Pinocchio was still weak. The Fairy called upon three famous doctors to examine his condition: an owl, a crow, and the Ghost of the Talking Cricket.

Two of them, the owl and the crow, appeared confused. "His condition is unclear," said the owl calmly. "He’s still alive, but it’s serious."

"Yes," added the crow. "He might still be saved."

Then, the Ghost of the Talking Cricket spoke firmly, "Pinocchio is physically fine, but it’s his heart that needs healing. He has ignored advice, worried his father, and now he is learning from his mistakes."

The Fairy quickly prepared a potion for Pinocchio, but he only agreed to drink it when four rabbits, tasked with carrying the dead, arrived at the Fairy's house.

After his recovery, Pinocchio awoke, lying beside the Fairy. He blinked his eyes and saw the beautiful Fairy next to him. "Where am I?" he asked, confused.

The Fairy smiled gently. "You’re safe now, Pinocchio. You were saved. But I’m curious, what happened to the gold coins you received?"

Pinocchio scratched his head awkwardly. "I... I’ve spent them," he replied, and his nose grew so long that he had trouble turning his head.

The Fairy sighed. "Lies make your nose grow, Pinocchio. But we can fix that." She immediately called a group of woodpeckers to carve his nose back to its original size.

"Don’t worry, I will help you," said the Fairy with a smile. "I’ll invite Geppetto to come and stay with us in the forest cottage. Together, we can rebuild your life."

Pinocchio felt moved and grateful. "Thank you, Fairy. I will try to be a better puppet!"

When Pinocchio stepped out of the fairy's cottage and ventured outside to meet his father, he once again crossed paths with the sly Fox and Cat. "Ah, Pinocchio, my dear friend!" greeted the Fox with a wide grin. However, as Pinocchio looked closely, he noticed that one of the Cat's legs seemed to be missing.

"Cat, what happened to you?" Pinocchio asked, concerned.

"Oh, it's just a small sacrifice," replied the Fox in a smooth voice. "We had to offer something to a very hungry old wolf. He needed food, so we made a sacrifice for the greater good."

Hearing this explanation, Pinocchio was a bit doubtful, but the Fox and Cat quickly reminded him of the Field of Miracles, filled with promises. "Remember, Pinocchio! If you plant your gold coins there, the tree will grow with abundant gold coins. This is your chance to become rich!"

Swayed by their sweet promises, Pinocchio finally agreed to go with them. With eager anticipation, they continued their journey toward the city of Catchfools.

When they arrived in Catchfools, the city had a strange atmosphere. Every animal in the town seemed to be suffering from their own foolishness. Some appeared confused, while others were trapped in absurd situations, creating chaos in the streets.

Pinocchio, briefly stunned by the sight, was quickly reminded by the Fox and Cat to stay focused. They made their way to the Field of Miracles, the place where the gold coins were to be planted.

Upon reaching the location, Pinocchio eagerly buried his gold coins in the fertile ground. "Now, I just need to leave for twenty minutes," he said excitedly. "After that, the tree with gold coins will grow!"

With high hopes, Pinocchio left the spot, counting down in his mind. However, as soon as he was gone, the Fox and Cat didn’t wait long. They quickly dug up the gold coins that Pinocchio had planted and fled in the opposite direction, laughing to themselves over the wooden puppet's foolishness.

Pinocchio, unaware of their deceit, was full of hope that riches would soon come his way.

When Pinocchio returned, he learned of the Fox and Cat’s betrayal from a parrot who mockingly scolded him. Feeling tricked, Pinocchio rushed to the Catchfools courthouse to report the theft of his coins to the gorilla judge. Though moved by Pinocchio’s plea, the judge sentenced him to four months in prison on the grounds of foolishness, which was considered a crime in that city.

However, fortune smiled upon him; all criminals were released early by the prison guards when the invisible Emperor of Catchfools declared a celebration of victory over the city’s enemies. The air was filled with festivity, in stark contrast to the punishment Pinocchio had just received. After his release, Pinocchio left Catchfools, determined not to fall into foolishness again.

After leaving Catchfools, Pinocchio made his way back to the forest, hoping to find peace at the Fairy's house. However, in the midst of his journey, hunger began to take over him. He spotted a farmer’s yard filled with delicious grapes, and with strong determination, Pinocchio sneaked in to steal some fruit. But just before he could devour his stolen goods, a fox trap ensnared him, and he was caught.

At that moment, Pinocchio noticed a small flickering light—a firefly. Before they could speak, the farmer appeared and found him. With an angry expression, the farmer grabbed Pinocchio and tied him up in the chicken guard dog's kennel, Melampo, who was sleeping in the corner. "You will replace Melampo to guard my chickens from the foxes!" the farmer said sternly.

Though trapped in a difficult position, Pinocchio didn’t want to cause any further trouble. When a group of foxes came to steal the chickens, Pinocchio managed to thwart their efforts. Grateful for his help, the farmer released Pinocchio.

After being freed, Pinocchio finally arrived at the Fairy's cottage, but horror enveloped his heart. The cottage was no more—only a gray gravestone stood firmly in the ground. With tears flowing, Pinocchio believed the Fairy had died from the sorrow he caused.**

As Pinocchio sat despondently near the gravestone, a friendly dove flew up to him. In a gentle voice, the dove said, "I see your sorrow, Pinocchio. Don’t let despair control you. I can take you to the beach, where your father, Geppetto, is building a ship to find you."

The dove guided Pinocchio with its wings, and they flew together towards the beach. With newfound hope, Pinocchio felt his spirit rise again. However, upon arriving at the beach, he saw Geppetto preparing to launch his ship into the sea.

Without a second thought, Pinocchio jumped into the water, trying to swim towards his father. But the raging waves threw him back onto the shore, helpless. In the chaos, Pinocchio saw Geppetto struggling against the current, but suddenly, the Giant Shark Monster emerged from the depths of the ocean, swallowing Geppetto mercilessly.

Pinocchio felt devastated, knowing his father was in danger. In frustration and panic, he didn’t know what to do. However, a friendly dolphin appeared, leaping out of the waves. "Climb on, Pinocchio! I will take you to Busy Island, where you can find help to save your father."

Pinocchio climbed onto the dolphin’s back, grateful for the sea creature’s assistance. As they traveled towards Busy Island, he couldn’t stop thinking about Geppetto and was determined to find a way to save him.

Dolphin

Upon arriving at Busy Island, Pinocchio could only earn food in exchange for his labor. During his journey, he met an old woman in need of help. Pinocchio offered to carry the woman's jug home in exchange for food and water. When they arrived at the woman's house, Pinocchio was shocked to recognize her as the Fairy, now old enough to be his mother.

With a warm smile, the Fairy reminisced about the past and promised to act as a mother figure. "Listen, Pinocchio," she said gently, "you will start school. If you do well and strive to be good for a whole year, then you will become a real boy."

Pinocchio felt excited and happy to hear those words. He was determined to learn and do his best, not just for himself but also to make the Fairy proud. With newfound hope, Pinocchio stepped into the world of school and new adventures that would shape his future.

Pinocchio studied hard and rose to the top of his class, but his success made the other schoolchildren jealous. They devised a trick to get Pinocchio out of class without permission. They said there was a huge sea monster at the beach—the same one that swallowed Geppetto. With curiosity and worry about his father, Pinocchio was tempted to follow them.

However, when they arrived at the beach, Pinocchio realized the children were lying. They only wanted to lure him out of school. A fight broke out, and in the chaos, a boy named Eugene was hit by a thrown schoolbook. Although Pinocchio hadn’t thrown the book, he was blamed for hurting Eugene.

Two Carabinieres immediately arrived and accused Pinocchio, but before they could catch him, he ran away. In his escape, he saw a Mastiff dog named Alidoro drowning in the river. With great courage, Pinocchio rescued him from the swift currents.

In return for Pinocchio's heroic act, Alidoro later saved Pinocchio from a Green Sea Creature that tried to eat the wooden boy while he was on his way home. Exhausted, Pinocchio finally arrived home and was welcomed by a Snail who worked for the Fairy.

The Snail informed Pinocchio that he still had a second chance from the Fairy, who continued to believe in his goodness. Thanks to this encouragement, Pinocchio refocused on school and managed to graduate with high honors. The Fairy was very proud of Pinocchio's progress and promised that the next day, he would become a real boy.

"Tomorrow you will become a real boy," said the Fairy with a gentle smile. "Invite all your friends to celebrate with a big party."

Pinocchio was overjoyed to hear this and began preparing for a grand celebration for his friends. However, behind this happiness, a new temptation soon emerged that could thwart his dreams.

Excited to invite his friends to the big party, Pinocchio met a boy named Candlewick. Candlewick was on his way to a place called Toyland, a magical land where children could play all day without having to work or study. This temptation was too great for Pinocchio to resist, and without thinking twice, he decided to join Candlewick. They were taken to Toyland by the Coachman, a mysterious man who wore a sly smile throughout the journey.

In Toyland, everything felt like a dream. Pinocchio and the other children had endless fun. They played, ate candy, and never worked or studied. Five months passed in what seemed like endless happiness. However, one morning in the fifth month, Pinocchio woke up feeling strange. He scratched his head and felt something unusual—his ears had grown into donkey ears!

Shocked and confused, Pinocchio quickly met a Mouse who informed him about the terrible fate awaiting all the children in Toyland. "Children who do nothing but play and don't work always turn into donkeys," said the Mouse seriously. Panicked, Pinocchio rushed to find Candlewick, but he had also turned into a donkey.

It didn't take long for Pinocchio and Candlewick to fully transform into donkeys. The Coachman sold Pinocchio to a circus owner, who forced him to train for painful tricks. Day by day, Pinocchio was made to work hard, performing increasingly complicated stunts, until one day he fell and sprained his leg. The cruel ringmaster didn't care about his injury and quickly sold him to a man who wanted to skin him to make a drum.

Pinocchio felt powerless as the man threw him into the sea, intending to drown him. However, as the donkey's body was submerged, the sea fish swarmed around and began to eat away at the donkey skin. When the man returned to retrieve the donkey's remains, he was astonished to find that only Pinocchio, in his original wooden puppet form, was left.

"How is this possible?" the man asked in confusion.

Pinocchio joyfully explained, “The fish ate all of my donkey skin, and now I’m back to my true self—a wooden puppet!”

Grateful for his escape, Pinocchio fled, leaving the bewildered man behind. Though he had returned to his original form, Pinocchio’s journey was far from over, as he still needed to find his way back to Geppetto.

After escaping the man who intended to skin him, Pinocchio realized that his adventure was not yet complete. He had to find and rescue Geppetto. With determination, Pinocchio dove back into the water and swam across the vast sea.

It wasn’t long before the dreaded Giant Shark, which had been spoken of for so long, emerged from the dark depths of the ocean. Its gaping mouth looked like a vast cave, swallowing everything in its path. Pinocchio panicked and swam with all his might, but the current was too strong. Amid the chaos, he suddenly heard a familiar voice. Standing on a high rock, a small blue-furred goat waved at him—it was the Fairy in another form!

"Hurry, swim toward me!" cried the little goat. Pinocchio tried to follow her direction, but he was too slow. Before he could reach the rock, the Giant Shark had swallowed him in one swift gulp!

Inside the dark, salty belly of the shark, Pinocchio felt devastated. He walked through the darkness, but suddenly, in the distance, he saw a faint light. Filled with curiosity and hope, he approached the source of the light. To his amazement, Pinocchio found Geppetto! His father was sitting inside a small boat, struggling to survive in the belly of the giant fish.

"Pinocchio!" Geppetto cried with joy, "I never stopped searching for you!"

"Father!" Pinocchio shouted, running toward him. They embraced tightly, finally reunited after being apart for so long.

Now wiser and smarter from all his experiences, Pinocchio began to plan their escape. They waited until the Giant Shark fell into a deep sleep, then used the strong current to swim out of its mouth together. With bravery and teamwork, Pinocchio and Geppetto successfully escaped from the belly of the terrifying fish.

Once they safely reached the shore, they found refuge in a nearby village. Pinocchio was determined to take care of Geppetto and be a good son, while Geppetto was immensely proud of the growth and changes in Pinocchio. Despite the hardships they had endured, they now felt closer and happier, ready to start a new life together.

As Pinocchio and Geppetto continued their journey, they encountered the Fox and the Cat, who were now living in miserable conditions. The Cat was completely blind, while the Fox was lame, almost hairless, and looked frail and thin. The Fox had even sold his tail to buy food. These once-cunning tricksters now begged for mercy from Pinocchio, pleading for money or food.

However, Pinocchio, having learned from his past misfortunes, refused to help them. He told them that their misfortune was a fitting consequence of the wrongdoings they had committed in the past. Pinocchio was no longer easily fooled, and this time he chose not to show mercy to those who had tried to deceive and harm him.

After this brief meeting, Pinocchio and Geppetto continued their journey, which led them toward a happier ending.

Pinocchio and Geppetto arrived at a small house, which turned out to belong to the Talking Cricket. The Cricket kindly offered them a place to stay and revealed that the house was actually a gift from a small goat with bluish-green hair, who had previously helped Pinocchio. Pinocchio felt incredibly grateful for this help, especially because he knew the goat was the Fairy in disguise.

To support Geppetto and himself, Pinocchio found a job working in the fields for a farmer. While working there, he discovered that the farmer’s donkey, who was near death, was Candlewick, his friend from Toyland. Candlewick was very weak and dying after a harsh life as a donkey, forced to work tirelessly. Pinocchio felt sorrow seeing his friend’s condition, and even though Candlewick couldn’t return to being human, Pinocchio stayed by his side until the end of his life.

This scene was filled with sadness but also showed how much Pinocchio had changed—he now possessed deep empathy and a strong sense of responsibility toward those around him.

After months of hard work for the farmer and caring for Geppetto, who was ill, Pinocchio finally managed to save forty cents. With a heart full of joy, he decided to use the money to buy the new clothes he had long dreamed of.

“I’ll go to the market to buy a coat, hat, and a pair of shoes. When I return, I’ll look like a rich man,” Pinocchio said with enthusiasm.

With high spirits, Pinocchio ran out of the house, laughing and singing on his way to the village. He imagined himself dressed in neat clothes, like someone important. However, on his way, Pinocchio suddenly heard someone calling his name. He stopped, looked around, and tried to find where the voice was coming from. It turned out to be a large snail slowly crawling out from the bushes.

Pinocchio immediately recognized the Snail as the Fairy’s messenger from Busy Island. The Snail delivered shocking news to Pinocchio: the Fairy was gravely ill and in desperate need of help. Without hesitation, Pinocchio reached into his pocket and gave all the money he had to the Snail, even though he had saved it to buy new clothes.

That night, instead of resting after a long day of hard work, Pinocchio decided to make more baskets than usual. Instead of making eight baskets like he normally did, he managed to complete sixteen baskets. Although exhausted, he felt satisfied and happy to have done something kind for someone else, especially for the Fairy, who had been like a mother to him.

After finishing his work, Pinocchio finally lay down and fell into a deep sleep. In his dream, he saw the Fairy. In the dream, the Fairy appeared beautiful, healthy, and happy. She smiled at Pinocchio and gently kissed his forehead.

“Well done, Pinocchio!” said the Fairy in his dream. “In return for your kindness, I forgive all your past mischief. Children who love and care for their parents when they are old and sick deserve praise, even if they have not always been models of obedience and good behavior. Keep doing good, and you will live a happy life.”

As the dream ended, Pinocchio woke up with a feeling of peace. However, when he opened his eyes and looked around, he was astonished by something incredible—he was no longer a wooden puppet! His hands, legs, and body had all changed. Pinocchio was now a real boy!

He noticed that everything around him had changed. The once simple room now appeared beautiful and luxurious—the most beautiful room he had ever seen. Filled with curiosity, he jumped out of bed and looked at a chair nearby. There lay a new coat, hat, and a pair of shoes, all looking so neat and elegant.

After Pinocchio put on his new clothes, he reached into his pocket and found a small leather pouch. Inside it was a note that read:

“The Fairy with Bluish-Green Hair returns fifty cents to dear Pinocchio as a token of gratitude for his kindness.”

Pinocchio was amazed. The money he had given to the Fairy, in the form of the Snail, was now returned to him—not just forty cents, but fifty gold coins! Overjoyed, he ran to Geppetto’s arms, exclaiming, “Father! Father! What has happened? Please explain if you know!”

Geppetto, now looking healthy and full of energy, replied with a warm smile, “All these changes in our home are the result of what you’ve done, my dear Pinocchio.”

Pinocchio, confused, asked, “What have I done, Father?”

Geppetto gently explained, “It’s simple. When a mischievous child becomes kind-hearted and noble, they have the power to transform their home into a place filled with light, happiness, and renewal.”

Still bewildered, Pinocchio looked around and asked, “Where is the wooden puppet Pinocchio hiding now?”

Geppetto then pointed to a corner of the room, where the large Marionette that was once Pinocchio sat slumped in a chair. The Marionette was now lifeless, its head tilted to one side, its arms limp, and its legs folded beneath it.

Pinocchio stared at it for a long time, reflecting. After thinking deeply, he said thoughtfully, “How foolish I was when I was a Marionette! And how happy I am now, for I have become a real boy!”

Geppetto, whose health was restored thanks to Pinocchio’s love and care, resumed his work as a woodcarver, living a happy life. Meanwhile, Pinocchio lived with immense gratitude and joy as a real human child. He knew that kindness and responsibility were the keys to a life filled with meaning and happiness.

At last, Pinocchio and Geppetto lived happily together, surrounded by love and warmth.

A beautiful story, full of character transformation and a moral lesson about the importance of kindness and responsibility.

The End

Original Author: Carlo Collodi, 1883

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Moral Messages

The moral lessons in the story of *Pinocchio* are profound and meaningful, especially for both children and adult readers. Here are the key lessons:

1. Honesty is Key: One of the main messages of the story is the importance of honesty. Pinocchio often lies, and as a result, his nose grows longer. This illustrates how even small lies can lead to bigger problems in life. Honesty always brings good, while lies complicate situations.

2. Responsibility and Discipline: Pinocchio frequently seeks fun without thinking about the consequences of his actions. However, as the story progresses, he learns that hard work, responsibility, and discipline are the paths to true happiness. Although he initially avoids school and work, he eventually realizes that education and working to support loved ones are essential.

3. Love for Parents: Pinocchio’s relationship with Geppetto shows the importance of love and responsibility towards parents. By the end of the story, Pinocchio takes care of the ailing Geppetto, and as a reward, he is turned into a real boy. This teaches that caring for and loving one’s parents as they age is a noble act.

4. Consequences of Poor Choices: Pinocchio constantly faces the consequences of his bad choices. When he follows bad advice or takes the easy path (like going to the Land of Toys), he must deal with the repercussions. This teaches that every choice we make brings consequences, good or bad, and we must be responsible for our actions.

5. Kindness and Sacrifice: Pinocchio’s kindness is shown through his actions towards the Blue-Haired Fairy. Even though he wants to buy new clothes for himself, he willingly gives all his money to help the Fairy when she is sick. This sacrifice ultimately earns him forgiveness for his past mistakes, and he is transformed into a real boy.

6. Change is Possible: The story of *Pinocchio* is about growth and transformation. Although he starts as a mischievous and irresponsible puppet, he evolves into a kind, caring, and responsible child. This shows that anyone can change for the better with effort and sincere intentions.

7. True Happiness: Finding Meaning in Play and Preservation: Toyland may seem like a paradise for children, but behind the endless fun and laughter lies an important lesson. Instant gratification and freedom without responsibility eventually lead to suffering. On the other hand, experiences connected to nature and efforts to preserve the environment, such as in Faunaland or places that support conservation, offer more genuine happiness. In these places, we not only play but also learn and protect the balance of life around us. True happiness comes from understanding, caring for, and giving back to the world we live in.

Overall, Pinocchio teaches that to achieve true happiness, we must be honest, responsible, respectful of our parents, and kind-hearted.