Dreamful Bedtime Stories
Dreamful Bedtime Stories
Pinocchio
Text a Story Suggestion (or just say hi!)
Curl up for a whimsical journey through the first few chapters of the original, darker tale of "The Adventures of Pinocchio."
In a quaint town, experience the peculiar and magical beginnings of Geppetto's creation, Pinocchio, who quickly becomes a whirlwind of mischief. A misunderstanding leaves Pinocchio grappling with hunger and regret, and his desperate search for food leads to misadventures, a stormy night, and a heartfelt reunion with Geppetto.
The music in this episode is Dordogne Peace II by Magnus Ludvigsson.
Visit BetterHelp.com/dreamful for 10% off your first month.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Need more Dreamful?
- For more info about the show, episodes, and ways to support; check out our website www.dreamfulstories.com
- Subscribe on Buzzsprout to get bonus episodes in the regular feed & a shout-out in an upcoming episode!
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes at apple.co/dreamful
- To get bonus episodes synced to your Spotify app & a shout-out in an upcoming episode, subscribe to dreamful.supercast.com
- You can also support us with ratings, kind words, & sharing this podcast with loved ones.
- Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/dreamfulpodcast & Instagram @dreamfulpodcast!
Dreamful is produced and hosted by Jordan Blair. Edited by Katie Sokolovska. Theme song by Joshua Snodgrass. Cover art by Jordan Blair. ©️ Dreamful LLC
Welcome to Dreamful Podcast bedtime stories for slumber. I would like to start this episode by thanking our newest supporters, tiana Royer and Cheyenne Eagle. Thank you both so much, and I hope you have the sweetest of dreams. If you'd like to support the show and gain access to subscriber-only episodes while receiving a shout-out, visit dreamfulstoriescom and, on the support page, find a link to become a Buzzsprout supporter or subscribe via Supercast. If you listen on Spotify, your support goes towards things like music licensing, equipment upgrades and paying my amazing editor, katie equipment upgrades and paying my amazing editor, katie. And speaking of supporting the show, this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.
Speaker 1:A big red flag that myself or a loved one has slipped into. Depression is usually that nothing is exciting or we're not curious or playful, but this is a common thing that happens when you're faced with the challenges of life. Therapy helps individuals revisit the emotional and mental states that once allowed them to see the world with fresh eyes, free from judgment and cynicism. If you've been missing your childlike sense of wonder, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and you'll be matched with a licensed therapist who can help gain back your curiosity, openness and delight in discovery. And you can switch therapists anytime and no additional charge. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp. com. Slash dreamful today to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp. H-e-l-p dot com slash dreamful.
Speaker 1:When picking a story for this episode, it occurred to me that I have not yet read Pinocchio to you. Though the real story is quite a bit different and a little darker than the version we see in movies, it's still a whimsical tale, perfect for bedtime. I hope you enjoy the first few chapters from the Adventures of Pinocchio. So snuggle up in your blankets and have sweet dreams.
Speaker 1:Centuries ago there lived, a king" My little readers will say immediately. No children, you were mistaken.
Speaker 1:Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive piece of wood, far from it, just a common block of firewood, one of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire in winter to make cold rooms cozy and warm. I do not know how this really happened, yet the fact remains that one fine day, this piece of wood found itself in the shop of an old carpenter. His real name was Maestro Antonio, but everyone called him Maestro Cherry for the tip of his nose was so round and red and shiny that it looked like a ripe cherry. As soon as he saw that piece of wood, maestro Cherry was filled with joy, rubbing his hands together happily. He mumbled half to himself this has come in the nick of time. I shall use it to make the leg of a table.
Speaker 1:He grasped the hatchet quickly to peel off the bark and shape the wood. But as he was about to give it the first blow, he stood still with arm uplifted. For he had heard a wee little voice say in a beseeching tone Please be careful, do not hit me so hard. What a look of surprise shone on Maestro Terry's face. His funny face became still funnier. He turned his frightened eyes about the room to find out where that wee little voice had come from, and he saw none. He looked under the bench no one. He peeped inside the closet no one. He searched among the shavings no one. He opened the door shavings no one. He opened the door to look up and down the street, and still no one. Oh, I see. He then said, laughing and scratching his wig. It can easily be seen that I only thought I heard the tiny voice say the words. Well, well, to work.
Speaker 1:Once more, he struck a most solemn blow upon the piece of wood. Oh, oh, you hurt, cried the same faraway little voice. Maestro Cherry grew dumb, his eyes popped out of his head, his mouth opened wide and his tongue hung down to his chin. As soon as he regained the use of his senses, he said, trembling and stuttering from fright when did that voice come from when there is no one around? Might it be that this piece of wood has learned to weep and cry like a child? I can hardly believe it. Here it is a piece of common firewood, good only to burn in the stove, the same as any other. Yet might someone be hidden in it? If so, the worse for him. I'll fix him.
Speaker 1:With these words, he grabbed the log with both hands and started to knock it about unmercifully. He threw it to the floor, against the walls of the room and even up to the ceiling. He listened for the tiny voice to moan and cry. He waited two minutes, nothing. Five minutes, nothing. Five minutes, nothing. Ten minutes, nothing. Oh, I see, he said, trying bravely to laugh and ruffling up his wig with his hand. It can easily be seen. I only imagined I heard that voice. Well, well, to work once more.
Speaker 1:The poor fellow was scared half to death, so he tried to sing a gay song. In order to gain courage, he set aside the hatchet and picked up the plane to make the wood smooth and even. But as he drew it to and fro, he heard the same tiny voice. This time it giggled as it spoke. Stop it, oh, stop it. You tickle my stomach this time.
Speaker 1:Poor Maestro Cherry fell as if shot. When he opened his eyes, he found himself sitting on the floor. His face had changed Fright had turned even the tip of his nose from red to deepest purple. In that very instant, a loud knock sounded on the door. Come in, said the carpenter. Not having an atom of strength left with which to stand up At the words, the door opened and a dapper little man came in.
Speaker 1:His name was Geppetto, but to the boys of the neighborhood he was Polandina. On account of the wig he always wore, which was just the color of yellow corn, geppetto had a very bad temper. Woe to the one who called him Polandina. He became as wild as a beast and no one could soothe him. Good day, maestro Antonio, said Geppetto. What are you doing on the floor. I am teaching the answer ABCs. Good luck to you. What brought you here, friend Geppetto? My legs, and it may flatter you to know, maestro Antonio, that I have come to you to beg for a favor. Here I am, at your service, answered the carpenter, raising himself onto his knees.
Speaker 1:This morning, a fine idea came to me. Let's hear it. I thought of making myself a beautiful wooden marionette. It must be wonderful, one that will be able to dance, fence and turn somersaults With it. I intend to go around the world, turn my crust of bread and cup of wine. What do you think of it? Bravo, polendina, cried the same tiny voice which came from no one knew where.
Speaker 1:On hearing himself called Polendina, maestro Geppetto turned the color of a red pepper and, facing the carpenter, said to him angrily why do you insult me? Who is insulting you? You called me Polandina. I did not. I suppose you think I did, yet I know it was you. No, yes, no, yes.
Speaker 1:And growing angrier each moment, they went from words to blows and finally began to scratch and bite and slap each other. When the fight was over, maestro Antonio had Geppetto's yellow wig in his hands and Geppetto found the carpenter's curly wig in his mouth. Give me back my wig, shouted Maestro Antonio in a surly voice. You return mine and we'll be friends. The two little old men, each with his own wig back on his own head, shook hands and swore to be good friends for the rest of their lives.
Speaker 1:Well then, maestro Geppetto, said the carpenter to show he bore him no ill will. What is it you want? I want a piece of wood to make a marionette. Will you give it to me? Maestro Antonio, very glad indeed, went immediately to his bench to get the piece of wood which had frightened him so much. But as he was about to give it to his friend, with a violent jerk it slipped out of his hands and hit against poor Geppetto's thin legs. Ah, is this the gentle way, maestro Antonio, in which you make your gifts? You have made me almost lame. I swear to you I did not do it. It was I. Of course it's the fault of this piece of wood. You're right, but remember, you're the one to throw it at my legs. I did not throw it. Liar Geppetto, do not insult me, or I shall call you Polandina, idiot Polandina, donkey, polandina, donkey, polandina, ugly monkey, polandina. On hearing himself call Polandina for the third time, geppetto lost his head with rage and threw himself upon the carpenter. Then and there, they gave each other a sound thrashing. After this fight, maestro Antonio had two more scratches on his nose and Geppetto had two buttons missing from his coat. Thus having settled their accounts, they shook hands and swore to be good friends for the rest of their lives. Then Geppetto took the fine piece of wood, thanked Maestro Antonio and limped away toward home.
Speaker 1:Little as Geppetto's house was, it was neat and comfortable. It was a small room on the ground floor with a tiny window under the stairway. The furniture could not have been much simpler A very old chair, a rickety old bed and a tumbledown table chair. A rickety old bed and a tumbledown table. A fireplace full of burning logs was painted on the wall opposite the door. Over the fire, there was painted a pot full of something which kept boiling happily away and sending up clouds of what looked like real steam.
Speaker 1:As soon as he reached home, geppetto took his tools and began to cut and shape the wood into a marionette. What shall I call him? He said to himself. I think I'll call him Pinocchio. This name will make his fortune. I knew a whole family of Pinocchio once Pinocchio the father, pinocchia the mother, and the Pinocchi the children, and they were all lucky, the richest of them, begged for his living.
Speaker 1:After choosing the name for his marionette, geppetto set seriously to work to make the hair, the forehead, the eyes. Fancy was surprised when he noticed that these eyes moved and then stared fixedly at him. Geppetto, seeing this, felt insulted and said in a grieved tone Ugly, wooden eyes, why do you stare? So there was no answer. After the eyes, geppetto made the nose, which began to stretch as soon as finished. It stretched and stretched and stretched till it became so long it seemed endless. Poor Geppetto kept cutting it and cutting it. But the more he cut, the longer grew that impertinent nose. In despair, he let it alone.
Speaker 1:Next, he made the mouth. No sooner was it finished than it began to laugh and poke fun at him. He spoke fun at him. Stop laughing, said Geppetto angrily. But he might as well have spoken to the wall. Stop laughing, I say. He roared in a voice of thunder. The mouth stopped laughing, but it stuck out a long tongue.
Speaker 1:Not wishing to start an argument, geppetto made believe he saw nothing. It went on with his work. After the mouth he made the chin, then the neck, the shoulders, the stomach, the arms and the hands. As he was about to put the last touches on the fingertips, geppetto felt his wig being pulled off. He glanced up and what did he see? His yellow wig was in the marionette's hand. Pinocchio, give me my wig. But instead of giving it back, pinocchio put it on his own head, which was half swallowed up in it.
Speaker 1:At that unexpected trick, Geppetto became very sad and downcast, more so than he had ever been before. Sad and downcast, more so than he had ever been before. Pinocchio, you wicked boy, he cried out. You are not yet finished and you start out by being impudent to your poor old father. Very bad, my son, very bad, and he wiped away a tear.
Speaker 1:The legs and feet still had to be made. As soon as they were done, geppetto felt a sharp kick on the tip of his nose. I deserve it, he said to himself. I should have thought of this before I made him. Now it's too late. He took hold of the marionette under the arms and put him on the floor to teach him to walk.
Speaker 1:Pinocchio's legs were so stiff that he could not move them, and Geppetto held his hand and showed him how to put out one foot after the other. When his legs were limbered up, pinocchio started walking by himself and ran all around the room. He came to the open door and with one leap he was out into the street Away. He flew. Poor Geppetto ran after him but was unable to catch him. Poor Pinocchio ran in leaps and bounds, his two wooden feet as they beat on the stones of the street, making as much noise as twenty peasants in wooden shoes. Catch him, catch him.
Speaker 1:Geppetto kept shouting, but the people in the street, seeing a wooden marionette running like the wind, stood still to stare and to laugh until they cried. At last, by sheer luck, a policeman happened along who, hearing all that noise, thought it might be a runaway colt and stood bravely in the middle of the street with legs wide apart, firmly resolved to stop it and prevent any trouble. And prevent any trouble. Pinocchio saw the policeman from afar and tried his best to escape between the legs of the big fellow, but without success. The policeman grabbed him by the nose it was an extremely long one and seemed made on purpose for that very thing and returned him to Maestro Geppetto.
Speaker 1:A little old man wanted to pull Pinocchio's ears. Think how he felt when, upon searching for them, he discovered that he had forgotten to make them. All he could do was to seize Pinocchio by the back of the neck and take him home. As he was doing so, he shook him two or three times and said to him angrily we're going home now. When we get home, then we'll settle this matter. Pinocchio, on hearing this, threw himself on the ground and refused to take another step.
Speaker 1:One person after another gathered around the two. Some said one thing, some another. Poor Marionette, called out a man. I am not surprised he doesn't want to go home. Geppetto no doubt will beat him unmercifully. He is so mean and cruel. Geppetto looks like a good man, added another, but with the boys he's a real tyrant. If we leave that poor marionette in his hands, he may tear him to pieces. He's a real tyrant. If we leave that poor marionette in his hands, he may tear him to pieces. They said so much that, finally, the policeman ended matters by setting Pinocchio at liberty and dragging Geppetto to prison. The poor old fellow did not know how to defend himself, but wept and wailed like a child and said between his sobs Ungrateful boy to think I tried so hard to make you a well-behaved marionette. I deserve it. However, I should have given the matter more thought. I should have given the matter more thought. Very little time did it take to get poor old Geppetto to prison.
Speaker 1:In the meantime that rascal Pinocchio, free now from the clutches of the policemen, was running wildly across fields and meadows, taking one shortcut after another towards home. In his wild flight, he leaped over brambles and bushes and across brooks and ponds as if he were a goat or a hare, chased by hounds, chased by hounds. On reaching home, he found the house door half open. He slipped into the room, locked the door and threw himself on the floor, happy at his escape. But his happiness lasted only a short time, for just then he heard someone saying Cree, cree, cree. Who's calling me? Asked Pinocchio greatly frightened. I am.
Speaker 1:Pinocchio turned and saw a large cricket crawling slowly up the wall. Tell me, cricket, who are you? I am the talking cricket and I have been living in this room for more than one hundred years. Today, however, this room is mine, said the marionette, and if you wish to do me a favor, get out now and don't turn around even once. I refuse to leave this spot, answered the cricket, until I have told you a great truth, tell it then, and hurry Woe to boys who refuse to obey their parents and run away from home. They will never be happy in this world and when they are older they will be very sorry for it. Sing on crooked mind as you please. What I know is that tomorrow at dawn I leave this place forever. If I stay here, the same thing will happen to me, which happens to all other boys and girls they are sent to school and, whether they want to or not, they must study.
Speaker 1:As for me, let me tell you I hate to study. It's much more fun, I think, to chase after butterflies, climb trees and steal birds' nests. Poor little silly, don't you know that if you go on like that, you will grow into a perfect donkey and that you'll be the laughing stock of everyone? Keep still, you ugly cricket, cried Pinocchio. But the cricket, who is a wise old philosopher, instead of being offended at Pinocchio's impudence, continued in the same tone If you do not like going to school, why don't you at least learn a trade so that you can earn an honest living?
Speaker 1:Shall I tell you something, asked Pinocchio, who was beginning to lose patience, of all the trees in the world, there is only one that really suits me, and what can that be? That of eating, drinking, sleeping, playing and wandering around from morning till night. Let me tell you for your own good Pinocchio said the talking cricket in his calm voice that those who follow that trade always end up in the hospital or prison. Careful ugly cricket. If you make me angry, you'll be sorry, poor Pinocchio. I am sorry for you. Why? Because you are a marionette. And, what is much worse, you have a wooden head.
Speaker 1:At these last words, pinocchio jumped up in a fury. And, what is much worse, you have a wooden head. At these last words, pinocchio jumped up in a fury, took a hammer from the bench and threw it with all his strength at the talking cricket. Perhaps he did not think he would strike it but, sad to relate, he did hit the cricket straight on its head with the last weak creak, creak, creak. The poor cricket fell from the wall dead. If the cricket's death scared Pinocchio at all, it was only for a very few moments, for as night came on, a queer, empty feeling at the pit of his stomach reminded the marionette that he had eaten nothing as yet. A boy's appetite grows very fast and in a few moments the queer, empty feeling had become hunger, and the hunger grew bigger and bigger, until soon he was as ravenous as a bear.
Speaker 1:Poor Pinocchio ran to the fireplace where the pot was boiling, and stretched out his hand to take the cover off. But to his amazement the pot was only painted. Think how he felt. His long nose became at least two inches longer. He ran about the room, dug in all the boxes and drawers and even looked under the bed in search of a piece of bread, hard though it might be, or a cookie, or perhaps a bit of fish. A bone left by a dog would have tasted good to him, but he found nothing. And meanwhile his hunger grew and grew. The only relief poor Pinocchio had was to yawn. And he certainly did yawn, such a big yawn that his mouth stretched out to the tips of his ears. Soon he became dizzy and faint. He wept and wailed to himself the talking cricket was right. It was wrong of me to disobey father and to run away from home. If he were here now I wouldn't be so hungry. Oh, how horrible it is to be hungry.
Speaker 1:Suddenly he saw among the sweepings in a corner something round and white that looked very much like a hen's egg. In a jiffy he pounced upon it. It was an egg. The marionette's joy knew no bounds. It is impossible to describe it. You must picture it to yourself. Certain that he was dreaming, he turned the egg over and over in his hands, fondled it, kissed it and talked to it. And now, how shall I cook you? Shall I make you an omelette? No, it is better for you to fry in a pan. Or shall I drink you? No, the best way is to fry you in the pan. You will taste better.
Speaker 1:No, sooner said than done, he placed a little pan over a foot warmer, full of hot coals. In the pan, instead of oil or butter, he poured a little water. As soon as the water started to boil, tack, he broke the egg shell. But in place of the white and the yolk of the egg, a little yellow, chick, fluffy and gay and smiling, escaped from it. Bowing politely to Pinocchio, he said to him Many, many thanks indeed, mr Pinocchio, for having saved me the trouble of breaking my shell. Goodbye and good luck to you and remember me to the family. With these words he spread out his wings and, darting to the open window, he flew away into space till he was out of sight.
Speaker 1:The poor marionette stood as if turned to stone, with wide eyes, open mouth and the empty halves of the eggshell in his hands. When he came to himself, he began to cry and shriek at the top of his lungs, stamping his feet on the ground and wailing all the while. Stamping his feet on the ground and wailing all the while. The talking cricket was right. If I had not run away from home and if father were here now, I should not be dying of hunger. Oh, how horrible it is to be hungry. And as his stomach kept grumbling more than ever ever, and he had nothing to quiet it with, he thought of going out for a walk to the nearby village in the hope of finding some charitable person who might give him a bit of bread, who might give him a bit of bread.
Speaker 1:Pinocchio hated the dark street, but he was so hungry that in spite of it, he ran out of the house. The night was pitch black, it thundered, and bright flashes of lightning now and again shot across the sky, turning it into a sea of fire. An angry wind blew cold and raised dense clouds of dust, while the trees shook and moaned in a weird way. Pinocchio was greatly afraid of thunder and lightning, but the hunger he felt was far greater than his fear. In a dozen leaps and bounds. He came to the village tired out, puffing like a whale and with tongue hanging. The whole village was dark and deserted. The stores were closed, the doors, the windows, in the streets, not even a dog could be seen. It seemed the village of the dead.
Speaker 1:Pinocchio, in desperation, ran up to a doorway, threw himself upon the bell and pulled it, wildly, saying to himself someone will surely answer that he was right. An old man in a nightcap opened the window and looked out. He called out angrily what do you want at this hour of night? Will you be good enough to give me a bit of bread? I'm hungry, wait a minute and I'll come right back. Will you be good enough to give me a bit of bread? I'm hungry, wait a minute and I'll come right back, answered the old fellow, thinking he had to deal with one of the boys who loved to roam around at night ringing people's bells while they were peacefully asleep. After a minute or two, the same voice cried get under the window and hold out your hat. Pinocchio had no hat, but he managed to get under the window just in time to feel a shower of ice-cooled water pour down on his poor wooden head. Poured down on his poor wooden head, his shoulders and over his whole body.
Speaker 1:He returned home as wet as a rag and tired out from weariness and hunger. As he no longer had any strength left with which to stand, he sat down on a little stool and put his two feet on the stove to dry them. There he fell asleep, and while he slept his wooden feet began to burn. Slowly, very slowly, they blackened and turned to ashes. They blackened and turned to ashes. Pinocchio snored away happily as if his feet were not his own.
Speaker 1:At dawn he opened his eyes just as a loud knocking sounded at the door. Who is it? He called yawning and rubbing his eyes. "'it is, i' asked a voice. "'it was the voice of Geppetto'".
Speaker 1:The poor marionette, who was still half asleep, had not yet found that his two feet were burned and gone. As soon as he heard his father's voice, he jumped up from his seat to open the door, but as he did so, he staggered and fell headlong to the floor. In falling, he made as much noise as a sack of wood falling from the fifth story of a house. Open the door for me. Geppetto shouted from the street. Father, dear father, I can't answered the marionette in despair crying and rolling on the floor. Why can't you? Because someone has eaten my feet. And who has eaten them? The cat answered Pinocchio, seeing that little animal busily playing with some shavings in the corner of the room. Open I say, repeated, geppetto, or I'll give you a sound whipping when I get in. Father, believe me, I can't stand up. Oh dear, oh dear, I shall have to walk on my knees all my life.
Speaker 1:Geppetto, thinking that all these tears and cries were only other pranks of the marionette, climbed up the side of the house and went in through the window. At first he was very angry, but on seeing Pinocchio stretched out on the floor and really without feet, he felt very sad and sorrowful. Picking him up from the floor, he caressed him, talking to him while the tears ran down his cheeks. My little Pinocchio, my dear little Pinocchio, how did you burn your feet? I don't know, father, but believe me, the night has been a terrible one and I shall remember it as long as I live.
Speaker 1:The thunder was so noisy and the lightning so bright and I was hungry. And then the talking cricket said to me you deserve it, you are bad. And I said to him Careful cricket. And he said to me, you are a marionette and you have a wooden head. And I threw the hammer at him and killed him it was his own fault, for I didn't want to kill him and I put the pan on the coals. But the chick flew away and said I'll see you again, remember me to the family.
Speaker 1:And my hunger grew and I went out and the old man with the nightcap looked out the window and threw water on me and I came home and put my feet on the stove to dry them because I was still hungry. And I fell asleep and now my feet are gone, but my hunger isn't. And poor Pinocchio began to scream and cry so loudly that he could be heard for miles around. Geppetto, who had understood nothing of all that jumbled talk, except that the marionette was hungry, felt sorry for him and, pulling three pears out of his pocket, offered them to him, saying these three pears were for my breakfast, but I give them to you gladly. Eat them and stop weeping. If you want me to eat them, please peel them for me. Peel them, asked Geppetto very much surprised. I should never have thought, dear boy of mine, that you were so dainty and fussy about your food. Bad, very bad In this world. Even as children, we must accustom ourselves to eat of everything, for we never know what life may hold in store for us. You may be right, answered Pinocchio, but I will not eat the pears if they are not peeled. I don't like them.
Speaker 1:And good old Geppetto took out a knife, peeled the three pears and put the skins in a row On the table. Pinocchio ate one pear in a twinkling and started to throw the core away, but Geppetto held his arm. Oh no, don't throw it away. Everything in this world may be of some use, but the core I will not eat, cried Pinocchio in an angry tone. Who knows, repeated Geppetto calmly. And later the three cores were placed on the table next to the skins. Pinocchio had eaten the three pears, or rather devoured them. Then he yawned deeply and wailed I'm still hungry, but I have no more to give you, really Nothing, nothing. I have only these three cores and these skins. Very well then, said Pinocchio, if there is nothing else, I'll eat them. At first he made a wry face, but one after another, the skins and the cores disappeared. Ah, now I feel fine, he said after eating the last one. You see, observed Geppetto that I was right when I told you that one must not be too fussy and too dainty about food. No-transcript.
