While Pinocchio and Annabelle were having dinner with Alex and her Juliana, Jiminy sat comfortably back at the house reading his favorite book on the couch while Figaro and Figgy laid cuddled up next to each other by the fireplace. For a while, everything was normal when suddenly a bright light filled the whole house. When Jiminy looked, he was greeted by the blue fairy.
"Welcome back, milady," he stood up and greeted her with a bow.
"Hello, Sir Jiminy. I've come to see how Pinocchio and Annabelle have been doing so far." said the fairy.
"Pinoke and Annabelle aren't home right now, Miss Fairy. They went to have dinner with some friends."
"I know. I wanted to talk to you."
"Me huh ?" he replied with a blush.
"Yes. I wanted to ask how is Pinocchio doing as a father? And how Annabelle has been behaving."
"Oh right! Heh heh. Pinocchio is thrilled about being a dad but can be overprotective at times. As for Annabelle, she's been pretty good so far. The girl does make mistakes from time to time, but she learns fast and tries her best to do right. You think she might be ready to become real yet?"
"I'm glad. But I don't think she's ready yet. Pinocchio became real by proving himself brave, truthful, and unselfish. Annabelle is a different case. I want her to learn what it truly means to be real. When she's proven herself, I will make her human."
"I understand. By the way, any chance you might be able to grant her friend Alex's wish?"
"Little Alexandra? Yes, I've been watching her and her mother for a long time. I appreciate how she's been helping guide Annabelle on the straight and narrow path. As long as stays on the same path, I might be able to grant her wish as well.
"Thank you, Miss Fairy. I'll make Annabelle and her friends stay out of trouble and keep them straight."
"Very well. I'll return to check up on Annabelle again. Goodbye, Sir Jiminy." The fairy slowly disappeared, and Jiminy went back to reading his book while he waited for Pinocchio and Annabelle to come home. At around eight-thirty, Pinocchio and Annabelle finally returned. Figgy woke up and ran over to greet them, and Annabelle scooped up the kitten and cuddled her.
"Did you guys have a good time with Juliana and Alex?" Jiminy asked.
"We sure did, Jiminy," Pinocchio replied.
"I tried pizza, Jiminy, and it was delicious!" Annabelle exclaimed.
"That's nice, Annabelle. By the way, the fairy was here about an hour ago to check up on Annabelle's progress."
"She was here, Jiminy? What did she say?" Pinocchio was surprised and a little disappointed that he missed seeing her.
"She said that she's glad to hear Annabelle's doing good, but still has a lot to learn before she becomes a real girl. She also said that if Alex keeps helping her, then she'll grant her wish too."
"Really? Thanks, Jiminy," Annabelle cheered. "Alex will be so happy when she can see better without her glasses. I can't wait to tell her." Annabelle looked at the clock and saw it was passed her bedtime. As she went to go upstairs, Pinocchio stopped her.
"Tell you what, Annabelle, since its the weekend, I'll let you stay up for another hour okay?"
"Thanks, Daddy! Can I still wear my new dress till it s time for bed?"
"Sure, my little wooden princess. I'll wash your dress and shoes now so they can be dry in time for the morning." Pinocchio soon felt the house was a bit cold, so he lit a fire in the fireplace to make the room warmer. Annabelle sat on the couch looking at the flames, and it frightened her. "What's wrong, princess?" Pinocchio saw her trembling and sat next to her.
"I don't like fire daddy! It burns wood, and it's scary!" She replied shivering with fear and hugged her father tightly. Due to Annabelle s body being flammable, Pinocchio had warned her to stay away and never to play fire.
"Don't be scared Annabelle," Pinocchio put his arms around his daughter and tried to comfort her. "You want to know something? When I first came to life, I played with a candle, and my finger caught on fire!"
"Oh no, daddy! That's awful! Were you scared?"
"No, I wasn't scared because it didn t hurt and I didn't understand that fire was dangerous to puppets. Your grandpa was afraid though. He picked me up and ran all over the house looking for some water to save my finger. Then when we got eaten by a giant whale named Monstro, we built a big fire, and the smoke made him sneeze us out." Hearing his stories, Annabelle didn't feel scared anymore. Pinocchio continued telling her more about his childhood until she finally fell asleep. He then carried upstairs, put her to bed, and went back downstairs. "Hey Jiminy, could you come with me? I'd like to show you something."
"Sure thing pal." Jiminy rode on Pinocchio's shoulder as he walked into the workshop. He opened a wooden crate and took out an elegant looking music box. It was painted gold and silver with small diamonds encrusted on it and a big metal key sticking out of the back. When Pinocchio turned the key, the top part opened up and revealed two little figurines. A girl dressed in a purple gown and a man wearing a beige jacket and blue trousers. The two figures danced around in circles while lovely music played.
"Incredible, Pinoke! The craftsmanship is stunning! I'd say this is your best work on a music box yet!" Jiminy admired his friend's creation.
"Thanks, Jiminy. I made this as a birthday present for mayor Lorenzini's daughter. I need to deliver it to his office tomorrow, but the problem is I'm so busy with other things and running the shop, so I won't have time to make the delivery." Jiminy thought for a moment and got an idea.
"Why not let Annabelle deliver it for you? I believe that this is a perfect chance for her to learn how to be responsible."
"I don't know, Jiminy. Suppose Annabelle loses it or someone steals it from her? The mayor paid a lot of money for this music box, and if it doesn't get delivered, then we won't have money for food, and his daughter won't have her present."
"Come on, Pinoke, give her a chance! Let her prove she can be responsible. I'll go with her and make sure she delivered it safely." Pinocchio wasn't sure if his daughter was capable of running such an important errand like this, but the music box needed to be delivered by tomorrow or he might lose this important customer.
"Hmm...I'll think about it, Jiminy." Pinocchio put the music box away and headed off for bed.
When morning came, Pinocchio made breakfast and Annabelle put on her now clean traditional clothes. While his daughter did her chores, Pinocchio thought about letting her deliver the music box for him. After much thought, he decided to give her a chance.
"Annabelle? Could you come to the workshop and bring Jiminy too?" Annabelle came in with the cricket riding on her shoulder.
"Yes, daddy?" She answered happily.
"Princess, I have an important job for you to do," He opened the box and showed her the music box.
"Wow, daddy! That's a lovely music box!" Annabelle was memorized by the craftsmanship.
"I need you to deliver this music box to Mayor Lorenzini. It's a birthday present for his daughter. I'd take it to him myself, but I'm too busy running the shop to deliver it right now." Annabelle was surprised. Her father had never asked her to do such a thing before.
"You want me to take it to him, daddy? But I don't know who Mister Lorenzini is or where he lives!"
"I know where the mayor's office is, Annabelle," Said Jiminy. "I'll go with you and make sure you don't get distracted or anything. This will teach you about responsibility."
"Okay! I'll do it!" Annabelle said confidently.
"Good girl. Now, remember to be very careful with this gift! You have to make sure you get it to the mayor safely and don't lose it or break it, or his daughter will be sad. If you can do this, I'll be very proud. Okay?"
"Okay, daddy. I promise I'll be careful and make sure it gets to the mayor."
"That's the spirit, Annabelle," said Jiminy. Pinocchio put the music box back in the box, walked Annabelle to the door and gave it to her.
"Remember princess, don't stray off or let anything happen to the music box. Understand?"
"Yes, Daddy. I promise won't let anything happen to the music box." Annabelle replied with a smile.
"I'll make sure she doesn't mess up, Pinoke. So don't worry yourself," Jiminy assured him. Pinocchio opened the door, and Annabelle started off on her mission. Figgy followed her out and walked alongside her. He hoped she'd be okay this time after what happened when he first sent her off on her own. But this time Jiminy was with her so he thought she'd be alright.
"Jiminy? Who is this Mayor Lorenzini? I've never heard of him before," Annabelle asked as she walked through the village carrying the music box.
"The mayor is the person who is in charge of the town and makes the laws. He paid your father a lot of money to make that music box for his daughter," Jiminy explained to her.
"You think his daughter will like it?" Annabelle asked peeking inside the box.
"I'm sure she will. After all the hard work your father put into making it. If you can complete this job, it will show him that you can be responsible." As they approached the town square, Annabelle noticed two familiar people walking towards her. It was the bullies Andre and his girlfriend Melissa. When they saw her alone, they walked over and stood in front of her.
"Well, well, if it isn't the living log!" said Andre with a mean-looking grin.
"Whatcha got there, Woody?" asked Melissa eying the music box. Figgy didn't like these kids and hissed at them, but they ignored her.
"Daddy asked me to take a music box he made to mayor Lorenzini's for his daughter's birthday," Annabelle answered.
"The mayor huh? Sounds like a big responsibility," said Andre looking at Melissa.
"Tell you what, Annabelle. Today we're feeling generous, so how about we take it to the mayor for you?" Melissa offered.
"Huh...I don't know. What should I do Jiminy?" Annabelle asked the cricket.
"Don't do it, Annabelle!" Jiminy told her. "Their only trying to cause trouble for you! Remember, your father entrusted you to deliver that music box!"
"How pathetic! You're so dumb taking orders from a grasshopper! "Andre mocked her.
"GRASSHOPPER!" Jiminy shouted furiously. "Listen here you little punk! If you're smart, you'll listen to your conscience, or you'll be sorry one day! You too, Melissa!"
"Conscience! Ah, phooey! That's the stupidest thing in the world!" Melissa laughed.
"Ya! No one listens to their conscience these days!" Andre laughed too. Jiminy shook his head. It was clear these kids were only interested in making trouble for others.
"Come on, Annabelle! Just ignore these brats. Remember you've got a job to do."
"Okay, Jiminy. I'm sorry, Andre and Melissa, but I have an important job to do. I have to deliver this music box to Mister Lorenzini. Bye!" Annabelle tried to leave, but the girl stood in her way.
"You think you're just going to walk away from us woody?" The girl smiled wickedly making Annabelle nervous.
"Hand over the box, or we'll take it from you!" Demanded Andre.
"No! Leave me alone!" Annabelle tried to run away, but the Melissa stuck her foot out and tripped her. She fell over and dropped the box causing the music box to fall out. When she reached for it, Andre ran over and snatched it away.
"Hey! Give that back!" Annabelle yelled at them.
"Sorry, Woody. It's ours now!" Andre replied with a malicious grin. "See ya later, Termite brains!" The two bullies ran off laughing leaving her behind.
"Annabelle, you alright?" asked Jiminy. She sat up and felt very sad.
"I lost the music box, Jiminy!" She started to cry. "Daddy trusted me, and I let him down! Now the mayor's daughter won't get her birthday present!"
"Please don't cry, Annabelle! It wasn't your fault!" said Figgy trying to make her feel better.
"You can't just cry about it, Annabelle! When someone pushes you down, you gotta get back up! Take responsibility!" Annabelle realized the cricket was right. She wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up.
"Your right, Jiminy! Come on! I've gotta get that music box back!" She said with determination and started running after the bullies. She searched around the village but didn't see them. Then spotted her friend's Alex and Toby.
"Alex! Toby! Help!" She cried out and ran towards them.
"Annie! What's wrong?" asked Alex seeing her friend was in trouble.
"My daddy told me to deliver a music box to the mayor for his daughter's birthday and those mean kids Andre and Melissa stole it!"
"WHAT!? Why those no-good rotten jerks!" Toby growled furiously.
"Please! You have to help me find them and get back the music box, or daddy will be mad and never trust me again!" Annabelle cried desperately.
"Of course we'll help you," said Alex hugging her friend to comfort her. "We're your friends, and friends help each other. Right, Toby?"
"Sure thing, Alex. As a matter of fact, I know where those creeps hang out. Follow me!" The girl's and the kitten followed Toby, and he led them to an alleyway behind the brewery. They heard laughing coming from the alley. They peeked around and saw Andre and his friend Melissa with their other friend Thomas. Andre was holding the music box.
"That was too easy! Once we sell this at the pawnshop, we'll make a fortune!" said Andre.
"Ya, Andre! We'll be able to buy all the candy and Soda pop we want!" Thomas cheered.
"All thanks to that little wooden freak! I bet she ran home crying to her daddy. He'll surely punish her for losing the music box." Melissa laughed.
"Ya, and that stupid little grasshopper of hers thinks he's so smart! He's nothing but a pint-sized little pest!" They all burst out laughing. Annabelle became angry hearing them make fun of her and Jiminy, so she walked out to confront them.
"Hey! Give me back that music box!" She shouted at them. They were shocked to see her again.
"How did you find our hideout, woody?" Melissa yelled. As soon as she said this, Alex and Toby appeared behind her.
"You and your friends have got some nerve stealing from our Annabelle, Andre!" Toby said furiously at their leader.
"Annabelle's dad worked hard to make that for the mayor's daughter! So you had better give it back right now!" Alex demanded.
"Or else what, four eyes?" said Andre laughing at them.
"You goody goods can't tell us what to do! We're older and bigger than you wimps!" said Melissa.
"I've had enough of you and your gang always being mean to my friends, Andre! Knock it off and give back that music box!" Toby ordered. Andre handed the music box to Melissa and walked over to Toby.
"You're a wimp, Toby! Your brother was cool because he didn't care about school and doing right! You're a dork not wanting to follow in his footsteps!"
"I'm not a Jackass like he was! Lampwick was lazy and careless, and he got turned into a donkey! I'd never want to be like him! If you're not careful, you and your friends might end up like him someday!"
"Ha! You honestly believe that ridiculous story the Toymaker told you about misbehaving kids turning into jackasses? You're just as dumb as your freaky girlfriends!" Andre replied. Melissa and Thomas laughed and started brayed pretending to be donkeys. Hearing this made Toby angry. He clenched his fist wanting to punch the boy in the face, but just then, Jiminy hopped onto his shoulder.
"Don't let him get to you, Toby! I know you're trying to defend Annabelle, but fighting won't solve anything! If you hit him, you'll only prove your no better than him and his friends!" Jiminy warned him. Toby looked back at Annabelle and remembered he promised to help teach her to do right and didn't want to be a bad influence by showing her that fighting was the way to get back at someone for hurting or mistreating her. He took a deep breath and claimed himself.
"Come on, Andre! Let's not fight over this! Isn't there some way we can resolve this without violence?" Toby tried to reason with the bully.
"Hmm...alright. How about we make a deal?" Andre suggested.
"What kind of deal?" asked Alex.
"We're going to play a game. If you win, we'll return the music box, but if we win, then we keep it."
"What kind of game do you want to play?" Annabelle asked.
"How about we playing a game of marbles?" said Thomas taking a small brown sack out of his pocket.
"Marbles? What do you play that?"
"Two people take turns shooting a larger marble at smaller marbles in a circle trying to knock as many marbles as they can out ring. The person who shoots the most marbles out of the circle wins. We'll play five games and whoever wins three out of five rounds wins the match," Melissa explained.
"Alright. I'll play your game. But if I win, then you have to return the music box. Deal?" Toby held out his hand, and Andre shook it.
"Deal. Though I think you should know that no one has ever beaten me at marbles," Andre smirked.
"There's always a first time for everything," Toby replied.
"I'll be the judge and keep score," said Jiminy. Andre and his friends began setting up the game. Melissa drew a small white circle on the ground with a piece of chalk, and Thomas placed twelve small glass marbles in a triangle pattern in the center of the ring. Annabelle was curious about this game because she had never seen it before. Toby was familiar with it and often played it several times with his fellow schoolmates but had never played against Andre who everyone at school said was a master marble player.
"Please don't lose, Toby! Daddy will be super mad if I don't get that music box to the mayor!" said Annabelle worryingly.
"Don't worry, Annabelle. I promise I won't lose," Toby reassured her.
"Good luck, Toby," said Alex.
"Alright then. Let's get this game started!" Jiminy announced.
"I'll go first!" said Andre taking a large white marble out of his pocket. He kneeled down, laid his hand on the ground with and flicked the big marble at the smaller ones with his thumb. It struck the smaller ones causing them to scatter and several rolled outside the circle. Jiminy hopped over and counted them.
"Andre hit five marbles out of the ring! Now it's Toby's turn." Thomas scooped up the marbles and lined them back into the center. Toby took the white marble from Andre, kneeled down, aimed carefully, and flicked it as hard as he could. The ball struck the others, and they scattered again.
"Woo-ooh! Toby managed to get six!" Jiminy hollered.
"Way to go, Toby!" Annabelle and Alex cheered happily. Andre was irritated that Toby won the first game.
"You got lucky this round, Lampwimp!" said Andre pointing his finger at him. Thomas and Melissa gathered up the marbles and set up for the next second round. Since Toby won, he went first. He made his move and managed to hit six again. But Andre hit seven and won. The game went on for twenty minutes. Both Toby and Andre won two times each, and now it was time for the final round.
"Whoever wins this time gets to keep the music box," said Melissa.
"Prepare to lose! Candlewimp!" Andre taunted him.
"You can do it, Toby! We believe in you!" Alex encouraged him. Toby glanced at Annabelle, and she looked worried. He knew he had to win to get the music box back or she would be in trouble with her father. Andre took his turn and knocked seven marbles out of the circle. Toby had to get eighth to win. His nerves were on edge and waste ran down his face as he prepared to make his move. He kneeled down, held his breath, took aim, and flicked the ball as hard as he could. It struck the pile, and to everyone's amazement, all twelve rolled out of the ring.
"Toby wins!" Jiminy announced.
"WHAT!? IMPOSSIBLE!" Andre was astonished. It seemed luck was on Toby's side, and he managed to knock every marble out of the circle.
"Hurray! Toby won! Toy won!" Annabelle and Alex both cheered with joy and relief. Andre and his friends were furious having lost the game. Toby smiled confidently and walked over to the bullies.
"I won fair and square. Now please give us back the music box," He asked politely.
"FORGET IT, LAMPWIMP!" Melissa suddenly shoved Toby to the ground. The girls were shocked and surprised by this.
"If you want it back you'll have to take it from us! Right, Andre?" asked Thomas.
"NO!" Andre replied. He walked over and to everyone's surprise helped Toby up. "I may be bad, but I always honor my deals. Give him the music box, Melissa."
"WHAT!? But Andre!"
"Just do it!" he ordered. Melissa regretfully handed Toby the music box and stepped back. "You're an excellent marble player, Toby. But don't think this means we're going to lay off you and your girlfriends! We'll get you back for this, understand?"
"I understand. Thanks for honoring your promise, Andre. But if you and your friends keep teasing Annabelle, Alex, or anyone else, I'll do what I can to stop you!" Toby replied.
"Heh! Whatever! Just take the stupid box and go!" Toby walked over to the girls and handed the music box to Annabelle, and they all exited the ally.
"Thanks for helping me get the music box back, Toby," Annabelle handed the box to Alex and gave her the boy a big hug. Toby started to blush as the puppet girl hugged him.
"No problem, Annabelle. If Andre and his friends give you any more trouble, just let me know, and I'll straighten them."
"I'm very proud of how you handled that situation, Tobias. You made the right choice and listened to your conscience. Your parents will be very proud when they hear about this," Jiminy told him.
"If you hadn't given me advice back there, Jiminy, I probably would have gotten into a fight with Andre, and I didn't want to be a bad influence on Annabelle."
"Your welcome, Kid." said the cricket.
"I'm sure Andre and his friends will find some way to get back at us for this," said Alex worryingly.
"I'm sure they will, Alex. But we'll worry about that later. Come on Annabelle! We still got to deliver that music box to the mayor!"
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" Annabelle's friends escorted her through the town making sure no one else bothered her till finally they arrived at the mayor's office and went inside. When they entered the building, they saw a tall, thin man sitting behind a wooden desk. He had a bald head, grey mustache, wore a bright red velvet jacket, white trousers, and polished shoes.
"Um...Excuse me sir, but are you, the mister Lorenzini?" Annabelle asked politely. The man looked at the children.
"Yes, I am. Can I help you?" He asked in a friendly manner.
"I have a delivery for you sir. From my daddy, Pinocchio, the toymaker," Annabelle walked closer and showed him the music box.
"Oh! Philomena's birthday present!" Mister Lorenzini stood up, walked over and Annabelle handed the box to him. He examined the music box, and it appeared to be in perfect working condition. "You must be Pinocchio's little puppet daughter. Thank you very much for delivering my daughter's gift! Here, this is for your father." He reached into his pocket and handed her a bag filled with shiny coins which were Pinocchio's payment.
"Thank you, Mister Mister Lorenzini sir!" Annabelle smiled happily and as he handed her the bag.
"You're very welcome! Please give your father my best regards."
"I sure will. It was very nice meeting you, and I hope your daughter likes her present my daddy made for her." Annabelle and her friends said goodbye and started walking her home.
"I'm very proud of you Annabelle," Jiminy told her.
"You are? But Jiminy I lost the music box earlier "
"Yes, but you took responsibility and got back and made the delivery. You did an excellent job. I'm sure your father will be proud of you."
"Thanks, Jiminy," Annabelle said with a smile.
"By the way, Alex! I spoke with the blue fairy last night, and she said she might be able to grant your wish to be able to see better if you keep helping to teach Annabelle right from wrong."
"Really? Thanks, Jiminy! I promise, I'll do my best to guide Annabelle on the right path!" said Alex.
"Me too!" Toby added.
"Thanks, everyone! I'm glad to have such good friends to teach me to do good." Annabelle gave them each a hug. She had learned many valuable lessons today, and Jiminy hoped she would remember them in the future.
End of Chapter 13