Multicultural Education: A Story about Italy
	Pinocchio: Carving a Boy from Wood

Sally was on vacation in Florence, Italy, with her parents. They visited the famous sculpture of David that had been created by Michelangelo. They also visited many famous art galleries. Art and music have always been important to people living in Florence. Sally liked walking around the old city and seeing the beautiful buildings. She was puzzled, though, about why all the street vendors and shops had Pinocchio puppets for sale.

Sally loved the movie about Pinocchio and had wallpaper in her room with Jiminy Cricket, Figaro, Cleo, and the Blue Fairy. Finally, she asked a shopkeeper why Pinocchio was so popular in Florence. Proudly, the Italian lady answered, "The man who wrote Pinocchio was born in Florence almost two hundred years ago! Would you like to hear a story about his life?" Since Sally was interested (and her feet hurt from walking on the streets made of stone and brick), her parents said she could listen to the story. Here it is:

Carlo Lorenzini was born in Florence in 1826. His father was a cook and his mother was a servant. His parents had 10 children, but only four of them lived to become adults. (They did not have hospitals and medicines back then like we have today.)

Carlo studied to be a priest for a while, wrote for a newspaper, and then fought in some wars. Italy is in the middle of Europe. Many countries, such as Germany, France, and Austria, wanted to take control of Italy. Finally, in 1861, the wars were over, and Italy became a united nation. Then, Carlo could spend his time writing.

When Carlo started writing, he decided to use a different name. Many authors use different names (called pseudonyms) instead of their real names. Carlo chose the name Collodi because that was the city where his mother was born.

At first, Carlo translated children's stories from French to Italian. One day he saw a small boy in the plaza. The boy was having fun, but was causing a lot of trouble for his parents. Carlo decided to write a story about a "real" boy who was naughty.

At first he titled the story The Adventures of a Puppet. It begins with an old carpenter and a piece of wood:

Centuries ago there lived—"A king!" my little readers will say immediately.

No, children, you are mistaken. 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 Mastro Antonio, but everyone called him Mastro 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, Mastro 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."

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 Mastro Cherry's face! His funny face became still funnier.

After Mastro Cherry carves the wood, Pinocchio comes to life. But Pinocchio is a naughty boy and has to learn many lessons. He and his friends (Jiminy Cricket, Cleo, and Figaro) have many adventures. When Pinocchio tells a lie, his nose grows. Although Pinocchio gets into a lot of trouble, he finally learns to be generous and honest. Then the Blue Fairy keeps her promise and Pinocchio becomes a "real" boy. The story has a happy ending: "How ridiculous I was as a Marionette! And how happy I am, now that I have become a real boy!"

The Adventures of a Puppet was not published as a book. Instead a little part of the story appeared in the newspaper every week. Many people enjoyed reading about the puppet and waited anxiously for the next chapter. Almost two years later (1883), all of the chapters were put together and published as a book, called Pinocchio. Since then, Pinocchio has been translated into 260 languages and read to millions of children.

When the shopkeeper finished the story, Sally said: "Now I understand why Italy is so proud of the famous artists, musicians, and authors." Sally thanked the shopkeeper and bought a wooden Pinocchio puppet to take back to her home. She knew it would be very happy in her bedroom with all the characters from Pinocchio.

Map of Italy. Rome is the capital.

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