- We hear "When You Wish Upon a Star" while some beautiful animated credits roll. What a classic.
- Once we're done, we see a book entitled Pinocchio appear in the middle of a spotlight in the center of the screen. How convenient.
- The spotlight pans up and we see the person who's singing. It's...it's…well, we're not sure. A small, green bug?
- Once he's done with his song, this strange top-hatted cricket addresses us directly, admonishing us for not believing the lyrics of his song.
- He used to be just like us, he claims, but then he heard the story of Pinocchio. With that, he opens the book and we zoom in on a picture of a quaint village.
- One night, a long time ago, the cricket was walking through that very same town in the dead of the night. There was just one light on in the entire village—it belonged to a woodcarver named Geppetto.
- It's a cold night, and the cricket is dressed in rags, so he creeps inside for shelter.
- Once he determines that the coast is clear, he warms himself beside the fire. Or, more specifically, he warms his butt.
- Satisfied, the cricket looks around and admires Geppetto's handiwork: clocks, toy, and music boxes galore. It's impressive stuff.
- Then something particular catches his eye—a puppet with red overalls, a bright blue hat, and a funny fedora with a feather sticking out.
- As the cricket hops over to make a closer inspection, he hears a noise. Oh no. It's Geppetto and a little cat (whom he calls Figaro) coming down the stairs. The cricket hides.
- Geppetto approaches the puppet to lay down the finishing touches: most notably, the eyebrows and mouth. He sings a jolly little tune all the while.
- When he's finished, Geppetto proudly announces that he has named the puppet—it shall be known as Pinocchio. Figaro doesn't dig it, but Geppetto won't take no for an answer.
- Geppetto turns on a music box and starts dance-puppeting with Pinocchio. Uh, we're a little worried about this dude's mental health.
- We also meet Geppetto's pet fish, Cleo. She seems to have a crush on our puppet friend. Figaro, on the other hand, is a little jealous.
- Suddenly, all of the clocks in the house start going off. That seems like it would be annoying, but Geppetto's machines are so cool that it's actually an amazing sight.
- This means it's time for bed. Even the cricket finds a nice, cozy spot on the mantle.
- Before falling asleep, Geppetto points at the puppet and tells Figaro that it almost looks like a "real boy." The ramblings of a mad man...
- Geppetto also asks Figaro to open the window. When he does (which is pretty impressive for a cat), Geppetto gleefully shouts that he sees a "wishing star."
- He then makes his wish—that Pinocchio becomes a real boy. Yeah, right, buddy. Never going to happen. Lock him up in the loony bin and throw away the key.
- As Geppetto snoozes, the cricket is kept awake by the incessant ticking of clocks. It's maddening, especially once Geppetto's snoring enters the chorus. Yikes.
- Suddenly, a bright light shines through the window. It's followed by a swirl of glitter and the sudden appearance of a fairy in a blue dress.
- She doesn't wake Geppetto, but tells him that she'll grant his wish because he has brought so much joy to others. And with that, she taps on the puppet and…
- That puppet comes to life. Oh no—is this going to turn into a Chucky scenario?
- Pinocchio grapples with the existential horror of consciousness. And by that we mean he asks the fairy if he's a real boy.
- She's says no—not yet. If he proves himself to be brave, truthful, and unselfish, he will become one, however.
- But how will he choose between right and wrong, he asks? The fairy responds simply: his conscience. But what's that? Pinocchio has only known language for, like, thirty seconds. He doesn't know these fancy terms.
- The cricket has been watching all of this, and he decides that this is his cue for a striking debut. He slides down to the table and lands beside Pinocchio.
- The fairy has another proposition: the cricket should become Pinocchio's conscience. We also finally learn the cricket's name: Jiminy.
- Jiminy takes the gig. In payment, the fairy taps on his ragged clothes and turns them into the classy suit/top hat combo we saw in the opening scene.
- Unsatisfied, Jiminy asks for a fancy badge to make himself look even more legit, but the fairy says that he'll have to prove himself first.
- And with that, our mystical fairy guide disappears.