Pinocchio

Spoooooky but cool?

Pinocchio is one of those tales that has travelled far and wide, starting in 19th-century Italy and weaving its way into the hearts of readers (and viewers) all over the world - including here in Britain, where it’s become part of the wider fairy-tale tradition. Written by Carlo Collodi in 1883, The Adventures of Pinocchio is a curious, sometimes unsettling story about a wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy. But unlike the polished Disney version most people know, the original tale is far darker, full of strange characters, harsh lessons, and a fair bit of mischief.

Pinocchio himself is no innocent child. From the very beginning, he’s disobedient, cheeky, and more than a little selfish. When Geppetto, the poor woodcarver, carves him from a magical talking log, Pinocchio springs to life and immediately runs off, causing chaos wherever he goes. He skips school, lies repeatedly, falls in with the wrong crowd, and gets himself into no end of trouble - including being swindled, turned into a donkey, and even hung from a tree at one point. Not exactly the gentle bedtime material many imagine.

But that’s what makes Pinocchio so enduring - it’s not just a sweet story about becoming a “real boy.” It’s a moral tale, full of sharp edges and hard truths. It’s about growing up, learning responsibility, and understanding the difference between right and wrong. Every poor choice Pinocchio makes leads to a consequence, and Collodi doesn’t shy away from showing the cost of foolishness and dishonesty.

That said, there’s warmth in the story too - especially in the relationship between Pinocchio and Geppetto. The old man may scold and struggle, but he never stops loving the puppet he carved. His patience and sacrifice are what give the story its emotional depth. When Pinocchio finally learns to care for others and puts Geppetto’s wellbeing before his own, he earns his transformation - not through magic, but through growth and understanding.

The image of Pinocchio’s nose growing whenever he tells a lie has become part of global culture, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a brilliantly simple metaphor - visible, unmistakable, and oddly funny. In British culture, that nose has popped up in everything from classroom warnings to political cartoons. It’s one of those rare moments where a children’s story crosses into the adult world with surprising force.

In modern retellings, especially in British theatre and literature, Pinocchio is often given a more whimsical tone, with plenty of humour and heart. But even when softened, the tale still carries that central message: that becoming “real” isn’t about how you’re made, but about how you act - how you treat others, tell the truth, and take responsibility.

In the end, Pinocchio is a coming-of-age story disguised as a fairy tale. It reminds us that growing up is messy, often painful, but ultimately worthwhile. And perhaps that’s why it still resonates today. After all, who hasn’t made a few foolish choices on the road to becoming real lol?