In long days past there was a wood nymph who loved to frolic and play among her kind, and often adorned her braided hair with flowers and put berry juice stains on her lips. This made her feel like her most beautiful self and her life was good. But she had a deep desire for more.
Every year a wood cutter would come to the forest and choose a tree to become a puppet. How she longed to be a human doll! She waited several decades. One day when the man was in his elderly years it happened! She was chosen. How thrilled she was to finally take a corporal form. But when the carpenter had finished... She was an ugly little boy! She sat on her wooden rump on a wooden shelf and wallowed in her sorrow.
One day her friend from the forest, the Blue Fairy came to visit her. She transformed the little puppet so it came alive.
"Oh Fairy dear," the puppet called Pinocchio said, "How I wish to become myself again. Whatever shall I do?"
"You must quest to the Springs of Truth. They will be able to transform you to your original state. But on the way you must be true to yourself, or you will turn back to wood. If your whole body becomes wooden you'll turn back to a puppet forever."
And so Pinocchio carefully wrote a note for the puppet master.
Dearest Gepetto,
My friend the Blue Fairy has brought me to life. I am venturing to the Springs of Truth so I can be a real girl again.
Thank you for your care,
Pinocchio
When Gepetto got Pinocchio's note, he was filled with confusion. A girl? Pinocchio was a boy. He clearly built him that way. Frustrated, he packed a lunch and took off after his former puppet.