Pinocchio

Although Pinocchio promises the Blue Fairy he'll be good, temptation can be a powerful force for any boy -- even one made of wood. Curious and naive, Geppetto's "little wooden head" has got a solid thirst for adventure but a shaky sense of what's right and wrong, despite the persistent advice of his "official" conscience, Jiminy Cricket. An easy mark for the practiced con-men of the world at large, Pinocchio must beat temptation and learn to become brave, truthful, and, most of all, unselfish. Only when he proves himself deserving of the Blue Fairy's trust, and his father's love, will he become a real boy.

Ahhhh So, Pinocchio learns that he must BE loved to become REAL.

Do you see the dilemma here? The Velveteen's skin horse said, one had to BE loved to become real... with nothing required of the rabbit, except to BE. However, Pinocchio's Blue Fairy said he had to BE loved to become REAL by "earning" or being "deserving" of it ~ meaning that he actually had to do something (being trustworthy, brave, unselfish...) to become REAL.

Which is TRUE?

Here's the deal... We are LOVED, regardless of what we do... we simply ARE. However, to become REAL... well, it IS by our actions (words, behaviors, unselfishness, servant hood... loving others) that we become REAL (or authentic).

Oh, the lessons in children's book ARE so profound and thought provoking!