What was the name of the rat that almost ended Pinocchio's life? - briefly
«Il Grande Ratto» was the rat that almost ended Pinocchio’s life. It appears in Carlo Collodi’s original novel as the giant rat that nearly devours the puppet.
What was the name of the rat that almost ended Pinocchio's life? - in detail
In Carlo Collodi’s novel «Le avventure di Pinocchio», the rodent that threatens the wooden puppet is identified simply as Il Ratto, translated as “the Rat”. The character appears in the chapter describing Pinocchio’s escape from the “Field of Miracles”, when the puppet is lured by a seemingly generous farmer. Il Ratto emerges from a dark corner of the barn, eyes fixed on the unsuspecting boy‑puppet, and attempts to gnaw him to death. The creature’s description emphasizes a gaunt, mottled body, sharp incisors, and a feral, relentless demeanor.
Key aspects of Il Ratto’s role:
- Motivation: driven by hunger, the rat sees Pinocchio as an easy source of sustenance.
- Interaction: it attacks while Pinocchio is distracted by the promise of wealth, illustrating the perils of gullibility.
- Outcome: a passing fox, named “the Fox”, intervenes, forcing the rat to retreat; Pinocchio escapes with minor injuries, reinforcing the narrative’s theme of danger hidden behind false promises.
Although the rat never receives a personal name beyond the generic label, its presence serves as a stark reminder of the lethal threats that lurk in seemingly benign environments within the story. The episode underscores Collodi’s cautionary stance toward naïve trust and the importance of vigilance.