A Wonderful Day For a Papa and His Boy/Issues Dealing With Society
Figaro was a little iffy at first of Pinocchio and vice-versa, but soon the longish-furred black/brown/white tabby kitten with golden-yellow orbs for eyes and a wee black nose soon warmed up to the tiny dark-haired and blue-eyed boy dressed in colorful clothes who brought his 'pet' Geppetto (for you see, cats *own US*, not the other way around!) such sincere happiness that he had so longed for: a 'kitten' of his own.
So Figaro did his best to get along with Pinocchio while Geppetto showed his new son around the workshop and home, very quickly becoming wrapped around his miniscule white-gloved finger and devoted to his new 'pet'- loving him just as much as 'Geppy' did -if in a different sense and way-.
Geppetto, meanwhile, was on cloud number nine- finally, FINALLY: *a boy of HIS VERY OWN*!! A child whom he could call 'son' not just in the casually-affectionate way that adults did to kids sometimes, but TRULY *mean it*- and whom HE could be called '*FATHER*' by...!
He no longer had to envy those parents whom he either just passed by on the street or came in and out of his shop while his empty heart ached to be filled; now he could plan out and do the same father-and-son activities with his own child (if more than a bit modified, given his small size; ah-! No matter) when he was not busy with woodcarving; share meals not just with Figaro any longer; tuck his own dear child into bed after a long day; being able to read stories aloud to his son, share favorite songs with him...! Oh, the possibilities were ENDLESS!
Pinocchio himself -being very new to the world- was just very happy in the meantime to be with his beloved Father and their kitten whom he had been somewhat afraid of at first given their respective different sizes (and the feline's sharp teeth and claws), but had soon warmed up to pretty quickly as much as Figaro had with him given his soft fur, nice sounds (meowing, purring, trilling, chirruping, and 'mrrp'-ing), funny tickling yet soothing rough tongue when he was gently licked on the cheek, soon-affectionate nuzzles, and how willing he was to give Pinocchio a ride on his back if he needed it. -He also very much came quickly to love their humble but cozy cottage with Father's many wonderful treasures that he said that he had created with his own two hands consisting of cuckoo clocks, music boxes, toys both wooden and stuffed, and figurines.
All in all, it was a wonderful day for a papa and his boy to be sharing activities properly planned by a dad *at LAST* for his lad at last, if more than slightly different than he had often imagined...!
After showing Pinocchio around and giving him his very first meal while they all had breakfast together, Geppetto filled up one of his larger bowls printed with flowers with water, plucked a colorful little toy boat with oars from one of his shelves, and after gently placing his small son in it taught him how to row- and swim, when Pinocchio accidentally took a dunk into the water his third time around and across the 'lake'; he turned out not only to be a pretty good swimmer, but he rather liked it!.
Then after they had managed to stop laughing merrily at his mishap and Pinocchio was dried off (Geppetto joked that that was his very first bath), the toymaker taught his son how to ride a bicycle by way of the latter's riding another teensy replica of the much-larger vehicle, keeping a close watch along with Figaro as he rode around on the big tabletop as happily as he had rowed and swam. After lunch and a little bit of a rest during which Geppetto read Pinocchio his very first story -which happened to be a flipped-around retelling of 'The Three Little Pigs' called 'The Three Little Wolves'-, he took out his mother's wedding ring and pearl necklace from the box where he kept his dearly departed parents' belongings to be used as a makeshift hoop and swing for Pinocchio until he could make the actual toys (Mama wouldn't have minded- even thought it sweet and endearing for what would have been her beloved grandson).
Pinocchio was more than a bit tired out from his first three 'big' father-son activities once night had fallen, so when supper and dessert had been eaten, he was given his very first *ACTUAL bath* and then tenderly tucked into his new bed -for now a makeshift walnut cradle with three violet petals for a mattress and sheets and a rose petal for a blanket until Geppetto could make him his own actual bed- while another story was read (this one 'Mother Holle'). He then fell asleep into sweet dreams as Geppetto softly sang a lullaby.
~"Happy little chap
With a feather in your cap,
Though they made you of wood
You NEVER give *a RAP*;
Always doing good
As a little puppet should-
Chasing each gloomy day away...
Little woodenhead with eyes that shine,
Little woodenhead that's made of pine-
In a weary world, you do your share:
Spreading laughter everywhere...!
Funny little toy, go play your part:
Bring a little joy to every heart-!
Never let a single tear be shed,
My little woodenhead...
Little wooden feet- and best of all,
A little *wooden SEAT*
In case you fall;
Little do you know, and yet it's true
That I'm mighty proud of you...!
Funny little toy, go play your part;
Bring a little joy to every heart-!
Never let a single tear be shed,
My little woodenhead...
Woodenhead; woodenhead-
-*My little woodenhead*...!"~
Aforementioned tiny child in the song smiled softly in his sleep as Geppetto gently kissed his forehead and murmured, "'Buonanotte, mio prezioso figlio' (Goodnight, my precious son); I'll see you in the morning when the sun shines. -'Sogni d' oro' (Sweet dreams)!"
"-Sweet dreams to you too, Father..." Pinocchio whispered unconsciously. "N' Figaro, too..."
Geppetto smiled and gave a soft chuckle at 'Little Wooden-Head's' thoughtfulness; Figaro 'mrrp'-ed in thanks and loving goodnight of his own by way of giving Pinocchio a gentle cheek-rub. Then he mewed tiredly and yawned as his now-elder 'pet' scooped him up into his warm and caring arms and took them both upstairs to bed, leaving a sweetly-sleeping Pinocchio tucked in his makeshift bed in his 'room' by one of the windows.
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Tiny white pearls of teeth ran over a small pale-rosy lower lip as one white-gloved hand anxiously clutched at an opposite fair-skinned thin arm even as their owner excitedly bounced gently on his heels, bright blue orbs for eyes roving over the yet-to-be-opened front door as Pinocchio, his Father, and Figaro all waited patiently for the children of Villagio and their parents/grandparents/older siblings/aunts and uncles/elder cousins/guardians to enter Geppetto's shop today selling his spring line of toys (and other wares, too; but today it would mostly be the toys). It would also be Pinocchio's very first time seeing other (larger) children like himself; *other PEOPLE*, in general! He was both very excited and nervous while standing on Father's check-out desk where he kept his register (which was where he kept his money that he had made for the day, he'd said earlier) where one could bring a clock, music box, toy, and/or figurine to him, they would pay for it, and then the wonderful wooden-or-stuffed treasure would be theirs to keep- after which they would leave the shop -if one didn't just browse around afterwards-...
Suddenly everyone's ears perked up (Figaro's literally) at the happy noisy sound of boys and girls rushing to Geppetto's shop and chattering either amongst themselves or to their caretakers.
~"I want that model train that blows REAL smoke!"
"I want the rocking-horse with big brown eyes-!"
"You KNOW *Geppetto's latest*
Are *SURE* to be *the GREATEST*;
Like the *flying fish* that *REALLY fly*...!"
"There's *TONS* of toys in *EVERY shape and size*!"
I don't know *HOW much longer I can wait*-!
*PLEASE* turn your sign to 'Open', dear Geppetto!
ALL spring, I keep an eye out;
Now I *can't WAIT* to *try out*
Each new top and boat and block
And marionette...!
"-*Ohhhh*...!!"
TOYS!
I see a room that is *FULL* *of TOYS*!
I see a shop that is BURSTING with *toys*-
Things that you can pull and pummel!
I see: toys you jiggle, toys you JUGGLE;
Toys you *hold at night and snuggle*...!
Boys- *or GIRLS*; whichever the case
NEED *toys* to put a smile on their face
Before they lose their pieces, or their wheels,
Or their shine!
*Give me TOYS*; I *LOVE* toys,
ESPECIALLY when they're *mine*...!~
Geppetto laughed heartily as he stepped up front and faced the horde of excited boys and girls with their friends and family once he opened the door, turning the sign hanging on it from 'I'm sorry- Closed; please come back later or tomorrow' to 'Come on in- we're Open!'
"'Buongiorno' (Good morning), my friends! Geppetto's is now... *Open*!"
From there it was a laughing, squealing further mess of noise that actually caused Pinocchio (who was still standing on the register desk so as to keep safely out of the way and not be hurt) to cover his ears once or twice when things got especially loud. Figaro mewled in annoyance from his perch on the railing, '*L'hai detto tu* (You *SAID it*)-!!' while his own furry triangular ears flattened and golden eyes narrowed in response, his white-tipped tail twitching while his fur stood slightly on end.
~"I want the castle with the working moat!"
"I want those marching soldiers- and to *HAUL them*,
This little wooden wagon!"
"Buy me *that SCARY DRAGON*!"
CLIMBING MONKEYS- *dancing donkeys*;
*LOOK- AT*- all them...
TOYS!
I'm in a shop that is *FULL* *of TOYS*!
I'm in a room that is BURSTING with *toys*;
With things to pummel and pull-
I see: toys you wiggle, toys *you WIND UP*!
*How'll I ever MAKE MY MIND UP*-??!~
Pinocchio didn't actually begin to wince or flinch in response to the noise until...
~"-No, dear; that's *much too* FRAGILE."
"No, dear- that's *too EXPENSIVE*."
"*NO, dear*! That makes *too much NOISE* (remember Mommy's headaches!)-,"
"...No, dear- you'll only *break* that!"
"*NO, dear*; your DAD could make that-!"
You ALREADY have *so many* toys...!
"Don't be *greedy*!"
"-Please, dear; don't start that sniffling!"
"*PLEASE, dear*- don't throw a tantrum!"
"...*You KNOW* Mommy HATES it when you *whine*.
(It's *so UGLY*-!)"
Just say 'Goodbye' and 'Thank you';
Don't make me have to *SPANK you*-
DON'T *make me SORRY* that you're mine...!~
Before, Geppetto would have wondered why the people who shouldn't have children' -who didn't know HOW *lucky* they were- were blessed with a little boy or girl of their own; why were the ones who saw children *as BOTHERS* the ones who got to be fathers (and mothers) when someone *like HIM* CLEARLY would be the *best*?? -But now, he knew especially from the gentle warning of a certain good witch two nights before and current careful watching over that just because he was *a TOYMAKER* as well as woodcarver, didn't mean that he would be '*the BEST*' kind of parent (let alone '*PERFECT parent*'). He could see just how much of a brat/spoiled child boys and girls could be, and how tired and stressed the parents became as a result, hence the constant snapping-at and scoldings sometimes paired with a brief swat on the backside, now that he had gotten a new prescription of glasses since his rose-tinted lenses had worn out.
-Was he rose-tinted in his view of his own son Pinocchio too, he had to wonder? Yes, so far he seemed to be a genuinely sweet, kind, loving and courteous child, but...
As if sensing his thoughts, Figaro sharply swatted at him and meowed indignantly. Geppetto shook his head and said "'Grazie' (Thank you)" to his kitten before picking him up for a cuddle. WHAT *nonsense* that had been!
Would mishaps and misunderstandings likely occur further along the way of Geppetto and Son? *Yes, OF COURSE*; it was only natural: the way of life! JUST *how* said mishaps and misunderstandings would come about ...now *THAT* was the *NON-foolish* question.
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So far, no one had really noticed Pinocchio- the kids were too excited about the many amazing toys, and the parents were too harried and stressed (sweet 'Little Wooden-Head' felt bad for the latter, especially the poor lady who'd pleaded weakly to her errant offspring that had wanted a noisy toy, "-REMEMBER *Mommy's headaches*...!" *'Ahi'* [*Ouch*]!)
...But he couldn't stay unnoticed forever -and didn't want to be-; eventually a sniffling little girl with half-held back light brown hair and wearing a long brown coat who had wanted a yet-unknown toy covered by a white sheet and had nearly thrown a full-blown tantrum until she had sulkily participated in 'Signor' Geppetto's 'Pick a Hand' mini-game (you had to guess which closed-up hand he was holding a piece of candy in; if you guessed correctly, you got the candy right away- if you guessed wrong, then you still got it for being a good sport and trying) suddenly acknowledged the tiny 'figurine' of a cute little boy with big bright blue eyes, a rounded rosy-cheeked face, elongated button nose, thin build, pale skin, thick black hair, and wearing colorful clothes placed upon 'Signor' Geppetto's check-out desk.
At first, she thought of demanding to her mother that she wanted *THIS toy* INSTEAD -but then *saw it MOVE ON ITS OWN* with NO *strings attached* like a very small marionette puppet or any kind of visible machinery that would proclaim it to be a clockwork doll! It was a REAL *live* *LITTLE boy*!
-You would think that when Pinocchio saw the much-larger young girl and gave her his usual sweet smile while brightly saying, "Hello-!" as he waved to her, what remained of her near-tantrum tears would dry up, and she would genuinely smile and say "-Hello!" back while venturing over to see the miniature young boy up close and talk to him, soon forgetting all about what she had yelled and stomped her feet about as she chatted merrily with her new friend.
...But unfortunately, this was a very spoiled little 'lady' indeed; and she had very much wanted that mysterious new toy of Geppetto's covered up by a sheet. So she only sneered and muttered, "WHO are *you*??"
Pinocchio was not a little taken-aback at her rude response to his friendly wave, but managed to muster up back his warm smile and say courteously, "I'm 'Signor' Geppetto's son, Pinocchio! What's your name, 'signorina'?"
Poor 'Little Wooden-Head' never got the girl's name; all he got in reply was *a LAUGH* that was awful in its rudeness and MEANNESS, which spread quickly to the other children -boys *AND girls*- when she sputtered out the tiny boy's moniker, and who his father was.
"'*Pinocchio*'; 'PINOCCHIO'!?"
"'*Devi prendermi in giro*' (You've GOT TO be *KIDDING me*)!"
"He's a TINY little *pipsqueak*; and he's *NOT supposed to be*!"
"Yeah ...OR a *'goody-two-shoes'*! *YECH*-!!"
"You're SUPPOSED TO be a *BAD boy*, didn't ya know?"
"And WHY are you a *real* boy right now?! 'Sei fatto *di LEGNO*' (You're made *of WOOD*), *DUH*!!"
"You're not supposed to be *flesh-and-blood* YET! ...'Aspettare; forse non lo sei' (Wait; maybe *you're NOT*) -maybe 'Signor' Geppetto's work is just SO *good* that 'sembri solo reale' (you *ONLY* *LOOK LIKE you're 'real'*)!"
"Yeah! Let's flick him around and pinch him to make sure-!"
"'*Questo 'e BASTA*, piccolo branco di marmocchi!! LASCIA *MIO figlio* *DA SOLO*! (That's QUITE ENOUGH*, you little pack of brats!! LEAVE *MY son* *alone*)! ...*Out*; everybody out, now, please!
"Kids, your 'mamme e papa' (moms and dads) are right; you already have *SO MANY toys* currently that you don't need any more right now. Enjoy the ones that you have, and remember to share and play nicely with your brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends; 'non essere avido' (don't be greedy)!
"'Buona notte, e grazie per essere venuti' (Goodnight, and thank you for coming)."
With those last words, even though it was hardly anywhere near time to actually close up (it had only just edged into late afternoon by now), Geppetto shut his doors early, his warm heart twisting and aching in a different way when he saw how a gently trilling and nuzzling Figaro was trying to comfort a crestfallen and despondent Pinocchio as his tiny slender body trembled with quiet confused, heartbroken sobs and his sweet cerulean eyes filled with tears that briefly overflowed and trickled down his now-pale face.
"-OH, *my son*...!!" said Geppetto softly, his own tone of voice infused with heartbroken confusion and tender sympathy as he knelt down by his desk. "'Sono- ...*Mio dispiace tanto*' (I'm- ...I'm SO *sorry*), Pinocchio! 'La mia gioia' (My joy), I *DIDN'T intend* for THIS to happen; I thought you would 'fai un amico o due' (make a friend or two)- NOT *be LAUGHED AT* or *bullied*!
"-'Sei ferito' (Are you hurt)? Did one of those- *those BRATS* actually manage to flick or pinch you?" He couldn't SEE any faint impression of a bruise or fingernail scratch -i.e. *blood*- on Pinocchio's little person, -but were there possibly any *UNDER his clothes*...?
To the woodcarver's relief, Pinocchio shook his head, but- "They- ...they c-cr-*CROWDED me*, F-Father! H-*Hemmed in* so- SO TIGHT I a-almost *COULDN'T* breathe-! They said- Th-They- they s-said *things I d-don't UNDERSTAND*! Wh-Why ...*WHY* d-did they say that I- I'm n-not 'supposed to be' m-*my size*, a g-goo-'goody-two-shoes', and n-not ...*NOT* *'real'*, but ma-made o-of WOOD??
"I- ...I just- *I j-just*- ...I was *just tr-trying to b-be f-fr-friend-FRIENDLY*; '*Non capisco*' (I DON'T *understand*)-!"
-Well, Geppetto now knew what kind of story he was going to read to his son tonight. (At least the pictures in the book were nice; the illustrator was a *VERY good* artist!) He just hadn't expected it to be so soon ...maybe he *SHOULD have*.