Pinocchio navigates the innards of the Dogfish to discover, at last, his dear papa, and finally puts into practice the many lessons his beloved Fairy and the Cricket have been patiently giving him all his life.

Despite his best intentions and promises, Pinocchio gives ear to the rascal Candlewick who convinces him to forget his promise to the Fairy and to run away together. It's not long before the Fairy's disappointment is the least of their worries.

Intermission: Johannes Brahms, String Quartet No.1 in C minor Op.51, No.1 - III. Allegretto molto moderato

Licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Pinocchio makes a noble effort to live his promise to the Fairy, but false friends lure him away with a promise of a sight of the great Dogfish. A few narrow escapes save him from becoming a tasty catch himself.

Theme music: Aleksandr Winkler, String Quintet, Op. 11 (for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello) - III. Andante semplice   

Intermission: The Lewandowski String Sextet, Op. 5 - I. Allegro assai (1904)   

Licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0) via Musopen (www.musopen.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on improving access and exposure to music by creating free resources and educational materials.

Pinocchio foils the pole cats' shameful scheme and earns his freedom, only to discover that the Fairy is dead. A search for his papa on the high seas leads him to his mama instead.

Intermission: Johannes Brahms, String Quartet No.1 in C minor Op.51, No.1 - III. Allegretto molto moderato

Pinocchio's Lament: Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, Op. 46 - II. Aase's Death

Unable to let go of the chance to a shortcut to his fortune, Pinocchio again falls into the hands of the Fox and the Cat , and is trapped like a polecat.

Theme music: Aleksandr Winkler, String Quintet, Op. 11 (for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello) - III. Andante semplice. Licensed under Creative Commons via Musopen (www.musopen.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on improving access and exposure to music by creating free resources and educational materials.

Licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Intermission: Antonin Dvorak, String Quintet No. 3, Op. 97 - III. Larghetto

A mysterious Child rescues the puppet from a terrible fate.

Theme music: Aleksandr Winkler, String Quintet, Op. 11 (for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello) - III. Andante semplice. Licensed under Creative Commons via Musopen (www.musopen.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on improving access and exposure to music by creating free resources and educational materials.

Licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Intermission: Arvo Pärt: Vater unser (arr. J. van Rijen for trombone and string ensemble)

Pinocchio finds some new company--some more genial than others.  

Theme music: Aleksandr Winkler, String Quintet, Op. 11 (for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello) - III. Andante semplice. Licensed under Creative Commons via Musopen (www.musopen.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on improving access and exposure to music by creating free resources and educational materials.  

Licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Pinocchio and Gepetto reunite, and find the puppet some new feet (along with something to eat).

Theme music: Aleksandr Winkler, String Quintet, Op. 11 - III. Andante semplice. 

Intermission: P.I. Tchaikovsky, String Sextet in D Minor ''Souvenir de Florence'', Op. 70 - III. Allegro Moderato, by the U.S. Army Strings.

Licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

This is the first episode of Season Two of the Christ the King Story Hour. Join us for the wild path from puppetry to boyhood in this classic tale!

Theme music: Aleksandr Winkler, String Quintet, Op. 11 (for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello) - III. Andante semplice. Licensed under Creative Commons via Musopen (www.musopen.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on improving access and exposure to music by creating free resources and educational materials.

Odysseus takes up his bow and proves himself a worthier warrior than the wooers of his wife. He at last unmasks himself, takes revenge on his enemies in a brief but furious battle, and is reunited with his beloved wife Penelope and his father Laertes. 

All media courtesy Wikimedia Commons.