Based on Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel with the same name, the miniseries received a large critical success, and had an average of twenty-one and a half million viewers during its first airing.

Geppetto spends the evening carving his puppet, which he names Pinocchio in honor of a friend.

When Geppetto notices the log's sentience, he blames it on hunger and continues working, believing he can imagine himself interacting with the puppet, even talking to the painting of his late wife.

Geppetto's attempt to explain the situation leads the policemen to consider him insane and unfit to raise a child.

Finding no food at home, Pinocchio begs to his neighbors, but one of them believes the act to be a prank and dumps water on him.

On his way to the schoolhouse, Pinocchio is distracted by the music from Mangiafuoco's caravan and decides to see the show, selling his primer for a ticket.

He is brought on stage by the marionettes of the company and turns back into a wooden puppet, but Mangiafuoco takes Pinocchio.

The Master is so heartfelt he sneezes (which happens every time he gets emotional) and decides to eat his mutton raw.

The next morning, Pinocchio sets out and runs into two the Fox and Cat, now pretending to be Lame and Blind.

Pinocchio falls asleep at the table and when he walks up finds that the Fox & Cat have left.

When Pinocchio finds out he was robbed he rushes to a local judge but is put in prison for stupidity.

The Fairy makes Pinocchio slave for her before she takes him home and finally then recognizes him as her dear little puppet.

The Fairy gives Pinocchio a deal, he goes to school and stays good and she'll find Geppetto for him.

Pinocchio is sold to a Circus and during one of his performances he sees his Fairy in a box seat, he rushes up to her and when pulled by the Ringmaster he falls down and twists his leg.

But when the Drum Manufacturer pulls the rope he finds Pinocchio in his puppet form instead of a donkey.

The two rejoice in the belly and Pinocchio asks when they will be leaving, Geppettos wants to stay because he thinks they are living in comfort.

By morning they reach shore and the series ends as the two run off to a distant house to ask for food and shelter.