Dorktales Storytime
Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a storytelling journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities.
Recognized by Common Sense Media as outstanding entertainment with an official seal for quality and impact. Common Sense Selections include age-appropriate media with the potential to spark family conversations, entertain families of all kinds, and have a positive, lasting effect on society.
Reach out to us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
Dorktales Storytime
Pinocchio’s Jolly Holly Jumble - Holiday Story for Kids
It’s Jolly Holly season in the land of Once Upon a Time, and Pinocchio is in serious nose-growing trouble. He was left in charge of Geppetto’s chiming Jolly Holly clock—a cherished symbol of the season. When his curiosity gets the best of him, one clumsy mishap leads to another, and the clock breaks! In a panic, Pinocchio’s fanciful fibbing turns into a whale of a problem. Can his quest to right his wrongs ultimately save the Jolly Holly celebration?
This episode features a sample of our Dorktales original song, "Jolly Holly Hedgehog Holiday." If you enjoyed the festive tune, you can find the full song available for purchase and download on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/album/jolly-holly-hedgehog-holiday
Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/pinocchios-jolly-holly-jumble/
GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode:
https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep102freePDF
PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: In this reimagining of classic characters, Pinocchio takes on an important task for Geppetto but struggles with impulsivity, leading to a string of mishaps and fibs to cover them up. This story provides a meaningful opportunity to explore themes like honesty, trust, accountability, and the value of taking responsibility for your actions. Through Pinocchio’s journey, children will learn that while mistakes are part of life, no problem is unfixable if you remain truthful and seek out help when you need it.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about the land of Once Upon a Time’s Jolly Holly season, you might like another one of its holiday traditions in EP58: ’Twas a Night Most Jolly Holly: https://jonincharacter.com/twas-a-night-most-jolly-holly/
CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Monique Hafen Adams, edited and produced by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine
Check out our friends at Armchair Adventures, a join-in story podcast for kids: https://www.madebymortals.org/armchair-adventures/
Brand new secret message from Redge after the credits! Make a comment or ask him a question by texting (it's one way) or emailing dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com (if you want to hear back from him).
REACH OUT!
- Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out.
- Send us an email: dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
- DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime
- Newsletter/Free Resources: https://bit.ly/dorktalesplus-signup
- One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales
- Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music
Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
JONATHAN CORMUR: Hello Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur and you're listening to Dorktales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture-loving grown-ups.
THEME SONG: It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure and glory, new friends and old ones too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tail, so let us regale you.
(Rustling. Redge pulling together his snacks.)
JONATHAN: Redge?
(Redge still humming and rustling his snacks)
JONATHAN: Uh, Redge?
REDGE: Ah! Yes, Jonathan?
JONATHAN: Are you ready?
REDGE: I think so…yes. Yes! I’ve got all the snacks and warm beverages I’ll need. We can begin.
JONATHAN: You brought snacks?
REDGE: Of course! As narrators of a traditional Jolly Holly tale we must stay energized.
JONATHAN: With snacks?
REDGE: How else?!
JONATHAN: Good point.
REDGE: When do we start?
JONATHAN: Well, our listeners have already arrived.
REDGE: They have?! Oh! They have! Well, hello there listeners!
JONATHAN: Welcome to a very special telling of a Jolly Holly traditional tale-Pinocchio’s Jolly Holly Jumble.
REDGE: Oh! This story always puts me in the perfect mood for Jolly Holly Day.
JONATHAN: A great way to kick off the season! And remember Redge, you play a pivotal role in this tale.
REDGE: Don’t worry, I’ve been warming up. Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled—
JONATHAN: Very nice, Redge, but I think maybe we should jump in. We don’t want to keep our listeners waiting any longer.
REDGE: Light the lights! Curtain up!….Ummm but how do we begin our story?
JONATHAN: Well, to start: we wait.
REDGE: Wait? Wait, for what?
JONATHAN: For Pinocchio to come rushing down those stairs towards Geppetto.
REDGE: When?
JONATHAN: Rrrrrrrrriiiiiiiight…..now!
PINOCCHIO: Good morning!
GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! My boy!
PINOCCHIO: Whoa whoa whoooooooooa…
(A trip, thud, thud, thud, and crash as Pinocchio trips and falls down the last few stairs.)
REDGE: What an entrance!
JONATHAN: Pinocchio can be a bit clumsy.
GEPPETTO: Oh, my little one. Slowly. We must always staaaart…?
PINOCCHIO/GEPETTO: Slowly.
PINOCCHIO: Gosh, I’m sorry. I always seem to miss that final step. Hey! Whatcha working on?
GEPPETTO: I’m putting the finishing touches on the Jolly Holly cuckoo clock.
PINOCCHIO: You mean the clock that rings in the start of the Jolly Holly season?
REDGE: (Whispering) I just LOVE that tradition.
JONATHAN: (Whispering) Me too!
GEPPETTO: The very one!
PINOCCHIO: Wow! Can I see? Can I see?
GEPPETTO: Now, now, Pinocchio. Gently. We must always continue….?
PINOCCHIO/GEPPETTO: Gently.
GEPPETTO: Very good. Now, I’m off to deliver some toys and run a few other errands. While I’m gone, I need you to do something very important for me. A big responsibility!
PINOCCHIO: Really?! I can do it! I can do it!...Wait, what is it?
GEPPETTO: You must stay here and wait for the Treasurer of the Folktale Council. You remember him: the Hedgehog named Redge.
REDGE: (Whispering) Oooo, that’s me!
GEPPETTO: He’ll come by to collect the Jolly Holly clock. The event is tonight! Can you wait for him and bring him the clock when he arrives?
PINOCCHIO: Yes, sir!
GEPPETTO: Then, at seven tonight, the clock will chime and ring in a new Jolly Holly season for all of Once Upon a Time.
PINOCCHIO: I can’t wait! It’ll be the best Jolly Holly season yet!
GEPPETTO: That’s my boy. Ok! I’ll be back soon.
PINOCCHIO: Bye, Father!
GEPPETTO: Goodbye, my little Pinocchio.
JONATHAN: Geppetto had worked very hard on this year’s Jolly Holly clock.
(Gently ticking of a clock.)
He began building it early in the summer months so it would be ready by Jolly Holly season.
(A clock chimes the hour. Ticking. Then Jolly Holly instrumental music gently plays.)
As the clock chimed, little wooden figurines of the entire Folktale Forest revealed themselves and danced around tiny bulbs of firefly light. As each hour struck, a beautiful Jolly Holly jingle played and the lights would twinkle. It was a masterpiece. His best clock yet.
REDGE: Um, Jonathan?
(Music stops.)
JONATHAN: Yes, Redge?
REDGE: Is it time for my entrance?
JONATHAN: Not quite yet. Have another snack.
REDGE (delighted): Oh, if you insist.
JONATHAN: However, while waiting, Pinocchio’s curiosity got the better of him and he started to fiddle with the gadgets and gears of the Jolly Holly clock.
REDGE: Oh dear, but he’s so…
JONATHAN: Clumsy?
REDGE: Yes. This is sure to end in…
JONATHAN: Catastrophe?
REDGE: Without a doubt.
JONATHAN: As Pinocchio tinkered with the clock, he did manage to break it. Three figures fell off and tumbled to the floor, shattering to pieces. (Add the sounds of this under the line)
PINOCCHIO: Oh gee golly! What have I done?!
REDGE: Oh, how tragic.
JONATHAN: Redge?
REDGE: The clock was ruined!
JONATHAN: Reeeedge?
REDGE: Yes, Jonathan?
JONATHAN: That’s your cue.
REDGE: Oh, yippee! Here I go!
(Redge knocks on the door.)
PINOCCHIO: Uuuuuhhhh, hello?
REDGE: Hi there. This is Redge, Treasurer of the Folktale Forest Council, here to collect the Jolly Holly clock for our Jolly Holly celebration tonight? Can I come in?
(Redge knocks again. Door opens.)
PINOCCHIO: Oh, hello…
REDGE: I’m here for the Jolly Holly clock. Geppetto said it’s ready and waiting for me here.
PINOCCHIO: Yes…
REDGE: The celebration IS tonight!
PINOCCHIO: Yes…
REDGE: So…where is it?
PINOCCHIO: It’s not ready.
REDGE: Oh, it’s not?
PINOCCHIO: No.
REDGE: How disappointing.
PINOCCHIO (very quickly): Buuuut that’s because Geppetto has decided to add some extra fun and frills to the clock this year!
REDGE: Oh, really!? Like what?
PINOCCHIO (rapidly): Like…ummmm…it’ll shoot fireworks high in the sky and…confetti into the crowd as the clock strikes seven.
REDGE: Nooooo! Wow! How impressive!
(Slide whistle as Pinocchio’s nose grows.)
REDGE: Oh, umm, Pinocchio? Is your nose alright?
PINOCCHIO: Huh?
REDGE: Your nose. It seems to have…grown?
JONATHAN: Unbeknownst to Redge, whenever Pinocchio told a lie, his nose would grow.
PINOCCHIO: Oh. No, it didn’t.
(Slide whistle. Nose grows.)
REDGE: There it goes again.
PINOCCHIO: It’s just allergies.
(Slide whistle. Nose grows again.)
PINOCCHIO (unconvincingly): Ah-choo.
REDGE: Oh, my allergies have been terrible this year as well! The ragweed has invaded my garden AND my sinuses. Should I come back later for the clock? After it’s had all the extra fun fireworks and confetti cannons added to it?
PINOCCHIO: No, no. That’s alright. I’ll…uhhh…bring it to the celebration tonight.
REDGE: That would be great! I have so many to-dos on my list before the evening begins. I’ll see you there. Seven tonight! Don’t be late! Tah Tah!
JONATHAN: Redge exited the shop never the wiser.
REDGE: How’d I do?
JONATHAN: Lovely, Redge. As usual.
REDGE: Thank you.
JONATHAN: Pinocchio’s shame and guilt bubbled inside him. Not only had he broken the clock, but now he needed to find a way to add fireworks and confetti to it so as to not let Redge down. An idea struck! He decided to travel to a shadier part of the Folktale Forest where he knew Fennec Fox could help him. Fennec, or Nick for short, was known for having a stockpile of pyrotechnics in his den.
(Eerie music softly plays.)
REDGE: Oooo, this part of the forest always gives me the hee bee gee bees. So much undergrowth and far too many shadows.
JONATHAN: Pinocchio held tight to the clock as he traversed the dark woods. Nick lived in a deep den beneath the twisted roots of a large oak tree, but as Pinocchio approached the den, Nick was nowhere to be found. Pinocchio waited. And waited…Until…Suddenly, a noise!
(Twig snap. Music stops.)
PINOCCHIO: Hello…is someone there?
(Rustling.)
PINOCCHIO: Hello?
REDGE: Oh! IS someone there? I’m wrecked with nerves!
NICK: Hey hey HEY! What have we here?
PINOCCHIO: Hello…
NICK: Pinocchio! How ya been, my little man?
JONATHAN: Nick was always causing mischief and mayhem in the forest.
REDGE: Was he the one that threw toilet paper on all the trees just before the fall rain?
JONATHAN: Yup. That was Nick!
REDGE: That took weeks to clean up!
NICK: What can I do for you, my wacky wooden friend?
PINOCCHIO: Well…
NICK: Whoa whoa whoa, what have you got there? A clock! A rather fine clock!
PINOCCHIO: A special clock! Geppetto made it to kick off the Jolly Holly season. The celebration is tonight, and I don’t know what happened, but it isn’t working!
(Slide whistle. Nose grows again.)
NICK: (in disbelief) Uh huh…Looks like damaged goods.
PINOCCHIO: (sighs) Ok, ok! I accidentally broke it. And when the Treasurer of the Folktale Forest Council came to get it…
NICK: Is that that meddlesome little Hedgehog?
REDGE: Meddlesome?
PINOCCHIO (rapidly): I didn’t want him to know that I broke it, so I told him that I couldn’t give it to him because we were adding fireworks and confetti to it. I figured if it shot fireworks and confetti then maybe no one would notice I broke it?
NICK: You … you… (Nick bursts into laughter)...Come, come. I have just what you need.
JONATHAN: Pinocchio followed Nick down into his deep den. Winding through the roots of the oak tree where Nick kept all sorts of pyrotechnics.
(Sounds of rummaging.)
NICK: Hmmm. Where is it? Ah ha! There’s the one! This one will be perfect! Here, give me the clock.
(Sounds of wrench tightening)
There! That should do it! And now, to test it!
PINOCCHIO: What?
NICK: We gotta make sure it works. Come on! I know a clearing nearby.
JONATHAN: They hurried to a clearing in the woods to test the fireworks.
REDGE: That’s terribly unsafe. They should never be fiddling with fireworks without adult supervision.
JONATHAN: You’re right, Redge, but Nick was often doing things he shouldn’t and he dragged Pinocchio into his mischief this time. Nick lit the fireworks. And they stood back at quite a distance. The fireworks erupted…
(fireworks sounds)
NICK: WOO HOO! LOOK AT ‘EM GO!
PINOCCHIO: NOOOOOOOOOOO!
NICK: Woooops. I wasn’t expecting that.
PINOCCHIO: The clock has been blown to pieces!
NICK (unconcerned): Oh. Well. Not completely. Just a bit of the back. And look! The confetti poppers are still attached.
PINOCCHIO: But It’s stopped ticking!
NICK: Just use the confetti! Poof! Problem solved.
PINOCCHIO: I’ve ruined all of Jolly Holly.
JONATHAN: Feeling completely defeated and ashamed, Pinocchio decided the only thing he could do now was run away.
REDGE: No! If only he would ask me for help!
JONATHAN: Pinocchio felt too guilty to ask for help. Instead of traveling home, he headed straight for the waters of the Fantasea.
REDGE: The Fantasea? What was he going to do there?
JONATHAN: Pinocchio figured he would set sail. No one would ever find him or the broken clock out on the open water.
PINOCCHIO: I don’t want to cause anyone anymore trouble.
JONATHAN: Pinocchio traveled onward and as he did, the sun started to hang lower and lower in the sky. The crowds were beginning to gather for the start of the Jolly Holly season.
REDGE: Is this my cue again?
JONATHAN: You bet!
REDGE: Oh goodie! Hold my snack!
GEPPETTO: Redge, I’m confused. Explain it to me again. He said he’d meet you here?
REDGE: Yes. He said the clock wasn’t ready and that he’d bring it here to the celebration.
GEPPETTO: He said the clock wasn’t ready?
REDGE: He said you were adding fireworks and confetti cannons to it this year! I’ve told the whole town about it!
GEPPETTO: Oh, Pinocchio…
REDGE: Was that not true?
GEPPETTO: Did his nose seem to do anything funny while you talked together?
REDGE: Oh yes! It grew quite long. Allergies he said.
GEPPETTO: Oh dear, Pinocchio. I hope he hasn’t gotten himself into too much trouble. Excuse me. I’ll be back!
REDGE: How’d I do that time, Jonathan?
JONATHAN: Perfect performance as usual!
REDGE: Shucks!
JONATHAN: Meanwhile, Pinocchio had fastened some logs together for a makeshift raft and set out on the Fantasea.
PINOCCHIO: I can never show my face again in the Folktale Forest.
JONATHAN: But suddenly, in the distance, he heard:
GEPPETTO (calling out): Pinocchio? Pinocchio!
PINOCCHIO: Father? Father!
GEPPETTO: Pinocchio, my boy!
PINOCCHIO: Father, I’ve ruined everything!
GEPPETTO: Stay there, Pinocchio, I’m coming for you.
JONATHAN: Geppetto wasted no time. He found a large piece of driftwood to make a raft. But before he could go…he saw something even larger looming in the water…
GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! Watch out!
REDGE: Ah! What?! What is it?!
JONATHAN: Monstro, a large whale, was barreling through the waves toward Pinocchio’s raft. It’s huge mouth wide open as if to swallow him whole!
REDGE: Oh goodness! I can’t look, I can’t look!
GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! Behind you!
JONATHAN: Water started to rush into the whale’s mouth pulling Pinocchio closer and closer.
REDGE: I simply cannot watch!
JONATHAN: Suddenly, the whale leapt out of the water!
REDGE/PINOCCHIO: WOAH!
JONATHAN: He soared through the air, heading right towards our sailing friend!
REDGE/PINOCCHIO: OH NO!
JONATHAN: But! At the very last moment, Pinocchio had an idea!
PINOCCHIO: I did?
JONATHAN: You did!
PINOCCHIO: Oh yes! I did! The confetti contraptions are still attached! I can set off one last burst of confetti from the clock to distract the beast!
REDGE: That’s so clever!
JONATHAN: Just before the whale came down in his direction, Pinocchio set off a final, rainbow colored burst of confetti. What was left of the clock’s mechanisms chimed and lights all burst out at once. Monstro stopped in midair, mesmerized by the sight!
MONSTRO: (Said slow and with booming voice…like a whale) Wow! It’s beautiful! Happy Jolly Holly Day!
JONATHAN: And with that, the whale changed course and crashed back into the water, missing Pinocchio’s raft. His landing sent up a huge wave that carried Pinocchio right back to the shore.
GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! Pinocchio!
PINOCCHIO: Father, you shouldn’t have trusted me with the clock. I’ll never be able to handle big responsibilities.
GEPPETTO: Don’t say that, Pinocchio. In time, we all learn responsibility. Bit by bit. Little by little.
PINOCCHIO: But, the clock. It’s gone.
GEPPETTO: An accident, yes?
PINOCCHIO: And I lied to Mr. Redge.
GEPPETTO: Something we’ve learned can bring no good. Yes?
PINOCCHIO: I know. I should have told the truth.
GEPPETTO: Yes, and?
PINOCCHIO: Asked for help.
GEPPETTO: Correct, Pinocchio! Good!
PINOCCHIO: Wait, you’re not mad?
GEPPETTO: How could I be mad at you? We all have to learn these things on our own. Bit by bit. Little by little. You may not have gotten it right this time, but you will next time. I just know it.
PINOCCHIO: But I’ve ruined the celebration.
GEPPETTO: It’s just a clock, Pinocchio. A symbol is only as good as the memories it creates. The real Jolly Holly season starts when we all come together. So what do you say we make it back to the celebration? There’s still time!
PINOCCHIO: Ok.
JONATHAN: They raced back to the Jolly Holly celebration with moments to spare. Redge?
REDGE: Huh?
JONATHAN: Redge? You can open your eyes now. The whale is gone.
REDGE: Oh yes. Of course.
JONATHAN: And you’re back in the scene!
REDGE: Oh dearie me! (coughs) Geppetto! Pinocchio! You’ve arrived just in time! Do you have the clock?
GEPPETTO: Pinocchio, why don’t you tell them what happened.
PINOCCHIO: Well you see…it all started when…
(Instrumental Jolly Holly plays)
JONATHAN: In the end, Pinocchio told the tale of his adventure with the clock. He saw that mistakes happen, but no problem is unfixable if you remain honest and true and seek out help when you need it. Also everyone in the forest ooo’d and aww’d when he described the great and maybe not so terrible Monstro who loved colorful confetti. It was a story to remember!
GEPPETTO: You see, Pinocchio. Jolly Holly isn’t about clocks or fireworks or confetti. It’s about being together and celebrating the love that continues to grow between us all.
PINOCCHIO: Happy Jolly Holly, Father!
GEPPETTO: Happy Jolly Holly!
JONATHAN: And now, Jolly Holly is a time to reflect on how much we’ve learned and how much we’ve grown. Just like Pinocchio in the story!
REDGE/JONATHAN: The end!
JONATHAN: (Sighs) Another great retelling of the Jolly Holly Jumble! And now the season can truly begin. Bravo, Redge!
REDGE: Um, Jonathan, where’d all my snacks go?
JONATHAN (mouth full): Oh. Uhhhh, were you saving those?
REDGE: Not to fret! I always pack extra! Let Jolly Holly begin!
(Jolly Holly Holiday song plays)
JONATHAN CORMUR: This has been a Jonincharacter production. This story was written by Monique Hafen Adams, edited by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. Contact us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com or try our one-way text feature as a safe way to reach out. You can find a link at the top of our show notes.
Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
THEME SONG: So gather your squad for all to see. It's a universe that we've imagined. There's twists and turns and lessons learned. This is where the unexpected happens. Join our humble hosts and hit the trails of the wonderful, wacky, wild world of Dorktales.
© Dorktales Storytime 2024
