Retold by
Mrs Atkinson
Kind old Geppetto stood at his workbench and carved a
puppet that looked just like a real boy. He sang as he
worked and Jiminy Cricket chirped along merrily. Little
Figaro his cat, played with the wood chips as they fell
from his knife.
“There! You’re finished,”
said Geppetto, as he held
his puppet and made
him dance.
“How I wish you were a
real live boy! What fun
we would have, you
Figaro and I! What shall I
call you? I think
Pinocchio. Little, wooden
headed Pinocchio!”
As Geppetto lay in bed
he whispered,
“Star light...Star bright...I
wish Pinocchio were a
real, live boy.” In a few
minutes he was fast
asleep.
Suddenly, Geppetto’s
cottage was filled with a
bright light, and there
stood a lovely fairy
dressed in blue.
The Blue Fairy flew to the workbench where little
wooden Pinocchio sat and said,
“Awake, Pinocchio, and live!
To you the gift of life I give.
Be good, and bring Geppetto joy,
And grow to be a real, live boy!”
Geppetto
could
not
believe his eyes when he
woke the next morning to
find Pinocchio running
around!
“Now Pinocchio, it’s time
for all good boys to go to
school”.
He gave Pinocchio his books and sent him on his way.
“Wait for me!” cried Jiminy Cricket. The Blue Fairy had told
Pinocchio that Jiminy Cricket was to be his friend and help
him do the right thing, but Pinocchio did not hear him.
Suddenly something tripped Pinocchio. It was the cane of a sly old
fox. He helped Pinocchio to his feet.
“Dear Pinocchio, you must have been going a little too fast, and in
the wrong direction! I have a plan for you. Come with me”, said the
fox.
“But I have to go to school,” cried Pinocchio.
“To school? Nonsense!” scoffed the fox. “I have a much better plan.”
They set off and
Jiminy Cricket ran
behind them. They
soon came to a grand
coach. The two sly
animals took a large bag from the driver.
They had tricked Pinocchio and sold him
for gold! Jiminy was frightened but hopped
on bravely just as the coach drove off. Pinocchio made
friends with the other children on board.
Jiminy sadly hid in a corner. He knew this was not good!
The coach stopped at Pleasure Island. Pinocchio thought
it was wonderful! Every day he played with his new
friends, and ate lollies, ice cream and cake. Jiminy Cricket
kept asking Pinocchio to go home with him, but
Pinocchio turned his back on his tiny friend.
After a while, Pinocchio began to grow into a donkey! He had
been tricked again! The mean old man cried, “Finally!
Another donkey to sell to the man at the salt mine!” and
chased after him.
“Run, Pinocchio! Come on!” shouted Jiminy Cricket.
This time, Pinocchio listened to him and they escaped just in
time.
At last they arrived safely at Geppetto’s house. “I was so
worried about you Pinocchio!” cried Geppetto. “What
happened?” he asked, noticing Pinocchio’s donkey ears.
“I’m sorry Father. I disobeyed you. But I do know better now”,
said Pinocchio quietly.
Suddenly, Geppetto’s cottage was again filled with a bright light
and the Blue Fairy appeared.
“You have learnt your lesson Pinocchio,” said the Blue
Fairy. She waved her magic wand and touched him.
Pinocchio felt himself turn into a real boy!
“Father!” he cried with excitement. “I’m a real boy at
last!”
Geppetto hugged him and laughed and cried for joy.
And they lived happily ever after.