The Flying Egg by Carlo Collodi
A wooden puppet, feeling intense hunger after a day without food, searches desperately for something to eat in his home. His attempts yield nothing but disappointment, leading to a sense of despair and regret for having run away from his father. In his search, he discovers a round, white object in a dust-heap, which he believes to be a hen's egg. Overjoyed, he contemplates various cooking methods, ultimately deciding to cook it in a saucer. As he heats the saucer, a surprising turn of events occurs when, instead of the expected egg contents, a cheerful little chicken emerges, thanking him for freeing it from the shell before flying away. This unexpected encounter leaves the puppet in shock, realizing the futility of his situation. Overcome with emotion, he laments his choices and the absence of his father, feeling the pangs of hunger more acutely than ever. Determined to alleviate his suffering, he resolves to venture outside in search of someone who might offer him food.
By Carlo Collodi · First published 1888 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 759 words
First lines
Night was coming on and Pinocchio, remembering that he had eaten nothing all day, began to feel a gnawing in his stomach that very much resembled appetite.
After a few minutes his appetite had become hunger and in no time his hunger became ravenous.
What this Textopian page supports
The Flying Egg is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carlo Collodi, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carlo Collodi
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Moral Tale, Fable
- Length: 759 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Flying Egg by Carlo Collodi
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Flying Egg?
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Similar titles
- The Story Of A Cat A Mouse A Lizard And An Owl by S. M. Mitra
- The Miraculous Hen by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Mr Woodchuck by L. Frank Baum
- The Transformation Of Old Mombi by L. Frank Baum
- Rudy And Babette by Hans Christian Andersen
- Second Nature by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story features a child protagonist, Pinocchio, and addresses themes of hunger, longing, and moral lessons, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes magical elements, such as a talking chicken emerging from an egg, which is characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Adventure — Pinocchio's quest for food and his emotional journey reflect the adventurous spirit often found in children's adventure stories.
- Moral Tale — The story conveys moral lessons about obedience, the consequences of one's actions, and the importance of family.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Children's Literature · Fable · Satire · Social Commentary · Animal Fiction · Comedy · Humor · Morality Tale · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery
More by Carlo Collodi
- The Piece of Wood that Laughed and Cried Like a Child (1881)
- Master Cherry Gives the Wood Away (1881)
- Geppetto Names his Puppet Pinocchio (1881)
- The Talking Cricket Scolds Pinocchio (1881)
- Pinocchio's Feet Burn to Cinders (1881)
- Geppetto Gives his own Breakfast to Pinocchio (1881)
- Geppetto Makes Pinocchio New Feet (1881)
- Pinocchio Goes to See a Puppet Show (1881)
- All works by Carlo Collodi