Pinocchio

There are often spiritual motifs in children’s stories, especially the classics. One great example is the story of Pinocchio, which, like my recent blog post about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, seems inspired by the story of The Prodigal Son, with perhaps some other biblical influences. In Pinocchio, Geppetto, an older man, without wife or family, desires a child of his own. But at such an old age, and in his current circumstances, could only think to make one, a wooden puppet, who he names Pinocchio.

In the story, Pinocchio leaves his father’s home, like the Prodigal Son, and seeks joy and belonging in a world that has little of such things to give him. Pinocchio desires to be a “real boy”, viewing the world as the place to become one. And Geppetto desires to be a father to a real son. The Blue Fairy, after witnessing Pinnochios trials and having compassion for him, as well as seeing Geppetto’s desire and having compassion for him too, makes their wishes come true. Pinocchio becomes a real boy who can experience real love, and Geppetto becomes a father who can love him.

So much is the story of our own lives when we learn to be a Loving Parent to our Inner Child. What once was wooden and unfeeling, becomes flesh. What once was barren and desolate, becomes fertile and filled with love.