ALL-TIME FAVORITE CLASSICS: Disney

PINOCCHIO

Hi, there! I'm Jiminy Cricket, and I wanted to tell you a little story about dreams coming true. Now, maybe you don't believe that dreams and wishes can come true. I didn't either, but let me tell you what made me change my mind.

You see, I wander from hearth to hearth, singing, and one night my travels took me to a sleepy little town. I noticed a cozy house that belonged to an old woodcarver named Geppetto, and decided to stay there for the night.

You never saw such a place! Full of clocks and music boxes and wooden toys. Geppetto was putting the finishing touches on a wooden puppet.

"Now, I have just the name for you," Geppetto said when he finished. "Pinocchio!"

Geppetto was so pleased with his new creation that he danced around the room with Pinocchio, introducing him to Figaro the cat and Cleo the goldfish.

Later that night, just before he went to sleep, Geppetto looked out at the night sky. "Oh, Figaro, look! The wishing star!" he said.

'Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight,

I wish I may,

I wish I might,

Have the wish I make tonight!'

"Figaro, you know what I wished?" Geppetto asked. The cat shook his head. "I wished that my little Pinocchio might be a 'real' boy," Geppetto said.

Soon, everyone except me was fast asleep. And so I was the only one to see the Blue Fairy arrive to grant Geppetto's wish.

The fairy pointed her wand at Pinocchio, and recited a spell. Pinocchio turned his head. "I can move!" he said. "I can talk!"

"Yes," the Blue Fairy said. "I have given you life."

"Am I a real boy?" Pinocchio asked.

"Not yet," the fairy explained. "But prove yourself brave, truthful and unselfish, and somebody you will be a real boy."

The fairy explained that Pinocchio would also have to learn to choose between right and wrong. And she appointed me to be his conscience. 'Sir' Jiminy Cricket, she called me!

Then she gave Pinocchio one last piece of advice. "Be a good boy, and always let your conscience be your guide," she said.

After she had left, I tried to explain to Pinoke how to follow the straight and narrow path. "And anytime you need me, just whistle," I told him.

Of course, then I had to teach him how to whistle, and we woke up Geppetto. Was he ever surprised!

"My wish! It's come true!" he cried. "This calls for a celebration!"

But soon Geppetto realized how late it was and told Pinocchio it was time for bed. "Tomorrow, you've got to go to school," he said.

"Why?" asked Pinocchio.

"To learn things and get smart," Geppetto replied.

Bright and early the next morning Pinocchio was on his way to school, like a good boy, when he ran into two scoundrels, Honest John and Gideon. They tripped him with a cane, and then they convinced him to forget about school.

"Take the easy road to success," Honest John said. "Acting!"

I had slept in. My first day on the job, too! So by the time I caught up with Pinocchio, he was on his way to the theater.