Staying Sane: An Excerpt from Gepetto's Diary

Diary Entry 7:

I often dream of a melody sung by a beautiful fairy. She sings:

When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

Will come to you

As she sings, everything I wish slowly comes true.

I have always feared being lost and having no one to lean on. My calloused hands lose strength. Eyes so keen to detail, but no longer at 20/20 vision. A body that once was strong now struggles to carry itself from time to time. The days of being a woodcarver have become exhausting. I yearn for company, not from a lover, but a friend. Someone I can share the fun and tiring moments with. A person who will help me carry my burdens, carve toys with me, talk to customers for me; someone I can share a drink with when the day ends, laughing or looking back at what happened.

I channeled my longing to my work and eventually carved a boy. Call me crazy, but I would talk to him. I would share the frustrations encountered throughout the day and the things that bring me joy. In the beginning, it was enough. However, I started longing for more.

When I start to dream and drift, things become different. They become better; the boy comes to life in my dreams! He introduced himself as Pinocchio. Words cannot describe how shocked I was that he could talk, but I was also excited. He was not just a piece of wood, but a boy that could speak to me. In my thrill, I would endlessly share my life, starting from when I was a little boy, the choices I had to make, and the reason why I became a woodcarver. There were so many things I wanted to talk about, and Pinocchio was happy to listen. When the days are hard, I return to my dream. Pinocchio is the first to hear of my many frustrations, and he helps me dance all the worries away. The friend I longed for I found in my dream. The lonely feeling washed away as Pinocchio’s warmth embraced me. These dreams would always be constant, and it would excite me to sleep because then I wouldn't be alone.

"I wouldn't be alone." a wish echoing as I fall asleep.

Things were great, and I believed that there would be nothing that could surpass the happiness and joy I was experiencing.

Then things began to change, I could hear Pinocchio's voice responding to me when I would mumble to myself. I first brushed it away, but it never stopped. He would laugh when I would be clumsy with my tools. He comforts me when I fail to perfect a part of what I'm crafting; or when a customer is being difficult. It was surreal, but I enjoyed it. He’s here. The company I longed for. The friend I always wanted. I wasn't alone.

Pinocchio talks to me while I am awake. It seems confusing, but I want to cling to every ounce of happiness I can get. I am happy with Pinocchio. However, it is unfortunate when I introduce Pinocchio to some customers. He is not heard or even acknowledged. They just commend my fine woodwork. I know this brings sorrow to Pinocchio, but I tell him how real he is to me.

I am old. Things will go downhill, but I am not alone now. I have him. His presence makes me happy. I wake up excited because someone is there for me. Someone will laugh with me and cry with me. Honestly, there are days I believe in how real he is, but there are still times it feels too good to be true. Maybe this is all just a dream? But with him, life doesn’t feel stale. I could probably ask people my age if they have the same experience. I have to get back to Pinocchio after writing this entry. I am counting my days. He was talking about his name, something to do with being a lie? I guess I have to ask him more about that. And there is something new about him - his nose grows when we talk. Odd.

Geppetto

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Written by Callista Tan

Visual by Frichzy Anito

Layout by Kyla Mondejar