The Sinister Truth Behind Pinocchio

Most of us grew up watching Disney’s heartwarming 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio, a magical puppet whose nose grows when he lies and who dreams of becoming a real boy. However, the original story penned by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1883 is far from this cheerful narrative. It’s a dark and cautionary tale filled with violence and grim consequences.

The story begins with Mastro Cherry attempting to carve a log, only to be startled when it cries out, “Please be careful! Do not hit me so hard.” The log then begins to laugh like a child, unsettling Mastro Cherry, who decides to give the peculiar piece of wood to his friend Geppetto, who wishes to create a marionette.

 

From the outset, Pinocchio is far from the innocent character many know. Even before being fully carved, he mocks Geppetto, calling him “Polendino” (a derogatory term for cornmeal mush), leading to a scuffle between Geppetto and Mastro Cherry. Once completed, Pinocchio kicks Geppetto in the face and runs away, showcasing his ungrateful and mischievous nature.

As Pinocchio escapes, he causes chaos in the town. When Geppetto catches up to him, the townspeople, more concerned about potential child abuse than a living puppet, have Geppetto arrested and imprisoned, leaving Pinocchio to his own devices.

 

Returning home, Pinocchio meets a talking cricket who warns him about the consequences of disobedience. Instead of heeding the advice, Pinocchio throws a hammer at the cricket, killing it instantly. Unlike Disney’s Jiminy Cricket, which serves as a moral compass, Collodi’s Cricket meets a swift and grim end.

 

Pinocchio’s adventures lead him to the Great Marionette Theatre, where the puppet master, Fire-Eater, considers using him as firewood. Pinocchio pleads for his life, and Fire-Eater, moved by a sneeze, a sign of compassion, spares him. However, this act of mercy is rare in Pinocchio’s journey.

 

Pinocchio’s path is riddled with dark episodes: his feet are burned off, he’s nearly fried by a fisherman, transformed into a donkey, and even hanged by deceitful characters. These events serve as harsh lessons about the consequences of disobedience and naivety.

Collodi’s original Pinocchio is a far cry from the sanitized versions many are familiar with. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from depicting the severe repercussions of one’s actions, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience and integrity.