Pinocchio, Annabelle, and Alex started walking back to the workshop. Pinocchio was delighted that his daughter already made a friend so quickly given her out of the ordinary appearance. Alex still seemed a little bewildered that Annabelle was alive and able to move freely on her own without strings. But the puppet girl was so kind to her and it made her feel happy inside.
"Hey, Alex, who was that lady you were talking to?" Annabelle asked her friend.
"That was my mom. I don't have a dad, so it's just her and me." Alex explained.
"A mom? Is that like a daddy?"
"Yes. But a dad is a man, and a mom is a woman. My mom said she knew your dad when they were kids and that they were friends."
"That correct, Alex," said Pinocchio. "Your mother Juliana and I went to school together, and she was like an older sister to me. Her grandfather Mister Antonio and my father Mister Geppetto were childhood friends. He was a retired carpenter. Julie and I used to visit him after school, and he'd tell us stories of when he and my father were boys."
"I never met my great grandfather. Mom said he passed away years before I was born."
"You would have loved him, Alex. He was like an uncle to me. My father Geppetto was very sad when he died though, and so was your mother."
"Hey, daddy I was wondering. Where's grandpa Geppetto?" When Annabelle asked this question, Pinocchio was afraid to answer.
"Uh...I'll tell you some other time Annabelle okay?"
"Okay!" Annabelle smiled. Pinocchio felt she was too young to learn about death just yet.
"Excuse me, but, how long has Annie been alive for Mr. Pinocchio?" Alex asked.
"She just came to life last night. Everything is new to her because she's like a newborn child and doesn't understand a lot of things about the world yet."
"Oh. That s so amazing that she can walk and talk without strings. You did a great job building her. She almost looks like a real girl."
"Someday Alex I'm going to be a real girl like you," Annabelle told her. "But the fairy lady said I have to learn how to be a real girl by learning right from wrong and being brave, truthful and unselfish like Daddy."
"Really? Well if you want to learn right from wrong and how to be smart, you should come to school with me Annie!"
"School? Daddy, what's school?"
"It's where children go to learn to read, write, and count, make friends and learn to do what's right. Now that you're alive you ll have to go to school like I did when I was a boy."
"But I thought you and Jiminy were going to teach me."
"Jiminy and I can't teach you everything, princess. You have to learn and experience things on your own too. That's what your grandfather taught me."
"Okay! I'll go to school with Alex then."
"Yay, that s fantastic, Annie!" cheered Alex happily. "You re going to love school so much, I just know it!" Soon the group arrived back at the workshop where Jiminy was sitting on a chair reading a book when they walked in.
"Welcome back. How did Annabelle behave Pinoke?" Jiminy asked, then he noticed Alex. "Oh, I see we have a guest!"
"We were walking around, and she got too excited and ran off. Luckily this girl found her and brought her back." Pinocchio explained the situation.
"Jiminy this is my new friend, Alex!" Annabelle introduced her friend to the cricket. He hopped over, jumped on Annabelle's shoulder and introduced himself.
"Pleased to meet you Alex. Cricket's the name. Jiminy Cricket."
"It s very nice to meet you mister Jiminy Cricket!" replied Alex.
"Jiminy is my conscience. He teaches me about what's right and what's wrong," said Annabelle.
"That amazing! I hope you don't mind me helping teach Annabelle how to be real as well Jiminy?"
"Not at all! The more, the merrier!" Jiminy nodded in approval.
"Jiminy was my conscience when I was a puppet like Annabelle too," said Pinocchio reminiscing on when he was younger. "We had some crazy adventures together, and they taught me a lot of things. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be the man I am today."
"Hold on a sec! You were a puppet too?!" said Alex in surprise.
"Yes, I indeed was. Like Annabelle here I was built by my father and brought to life in the same way." Alex still was trying to absorb the information still in shock.
"You both are amazing people! If you became real Mr. Pinocchio, then I just know that Annie will too!"
"Thanks, Alex! I hope so too!" replied Annabelle with a big smile. After the introduction, Pinocchio led the girls into the kitchen and made some peanut butter sandwhichs for everyone. The girls then went upstairs to Annabelle's room and played with some of the toys while Jiminy watched. Figgy took a nap on the bed with Figaro as the girls played. Jiminy was pleased to see Annabelle interacting with a real human girl. Alex seemed pretty educated and was a good influence on the puppet girl.
"So what's this school place like Alex?" Annabelle asked curiously.
"Well, we sit at our desks and read our spelling books while the teacher tells us things like how to read and write and count. We also go outside for recess to play with other kids and make friends."
"Sounds like fun! I can't wait to go!" Annabelle cheered with excitement.
"That's the right attitude kiddo," said Jiminy standing up on the bed. "If you want to be real you'll need a good education along with good behavior."
"Hey, Annie I was wondering about something. If you become a real girl do you think maybe someday I'll be able to see better and won't have to wear my glasses?" Alex asked.
"Sure you will Alex!" Annabelle crawled over and hugged her friend. "Maybe when I become real, then your eyes will get better too, and we'll both be happy."
"As long as you girls stay on the right track, work hard and believe in your goals then you'll both get what you desire," Jiminy assured them. "Before I met Pinocchio I never believed that dreams and miracles could happen. But now I do after my days with Annabelle s father. If you keep believing than nothing is impossible."
"Thanks, Jiminy!" Alex smiled. She was happy to have made such wonderful and encouraging friends. It was the first time she had felt happy and confident about herself. After lunch, Pinocchio decided to celebrate Annabelle's birth which he forgot to do on the night it happened. He brought out some music boxes and turned them on while the girls danced around to the lovely music. Annabelle had a bit of trouble dancing and fell a few times, but Alex helped her up and taught her how to move and balance herself. Pinocchio played his father s old accordion and joined in while Jiminy Cricket danced with a small female figurine on one of the music boxes. Everyone was having a wonderful time. Soon it was becoming evening, and the sun was starting to set.
"It's getting late," said Alex looking at the clocks. "I'd better get home before it gets dark and my mom starts to worry. I had a wonderful time meeting you, Annie, and celebrating. But I have to go now."
"Aw, do you have to go, Alex?" Annabelle asked sadly.
"I do. My mom is waiting for me at my house. But don't be sad Annie. I'll come back and visit you. And I'll see you when you come to school. Okay?"
"Okay, Alex. I had fun meeting you! I can't wait to see you again!" Annabelle was a bit sad to see her friend leave, so she gave her one last hug and a kiss on the cheek. Alex was surprised by the kiss, assuming that Annabelle was still in the early days of understanding how to act around others.
"Thank you for inviting me to your house, Mister Pinocchio," Alex said to Pinocchio.
It was nice having you here, Alex. You're welcome here anytime, and tell your mother I said hello."
"I will. And I'll see you at school on Monday Annie! Goodbye!" She waved and headed out the door. They watched her until she was out of sight.
Pinocchio was very proud of his daughter for learning so much in just one day. Though he and Annabelle both still had a lot to learn, he was confident that everything would work out fine.
End of Chapter 4