Pinocchio

There are many spiritual motifs in children’s stories, especially the classics. One great example is Pinocchio. In Pinocchio, Geppetto, an older man, without wife or family, desires a child of his own. But at such an old age he could only think to make one—a wooden puppet, who he names Pinocchio.

In the story, Pinocchio leaves his father’s home, like in The Prodigal Son, seeking adventure and belonging in a world that has little of such things to offer 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, witnessing Pinocchio’s 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. We fall into believing the world is where we experience real life and real love, seeking one adventure after the next, purchasing one item after another, entreating the approval of whomever might bestow it. But none really give us what we’re seeking. Disheartened and forlorn we come to the realization that what we seek cannot be found in the world, and by grace realize it can be found within ourselves. It is God (i.e., the Blue Fairy) who helps us learn this. When we become a Loving Parent to our Inner Child what once was wooden and unfeeling, becomes flesh. The Child gains a Father, and the Father his Child.