By the time they got back to the workshop, they were both exhausted and soaking wet, and they smelled terribly of fish. To their surprise, the fairy was waiting for them inside.

“I’m so sorry I broke your promise!” Pinocchio told the fairy. “I wanted to go to school and become a real boy, but being a real boy was pointless if I didn’t have a real father to come home to.”

Geppetto and the fairy were very touched by his son’s words.

“That’s exactly why I’ve come, Pinocchio,” the fairy said. “You may have a hollow head, but you have a heart of gold. Like I said, part of being a real boy is making good choices, and choosing to save your father was a very brave one. It would be my honor to turn you into a real boy.”

The fairy waved her wand, and Pinocchio’s wooden body turned into flesh. He was a real boy!