The First Story (continued...)

Jonathan couldn't tell if Popo was serious or not.
'Have you heard the story of Rapunzel?' Popo asked.
'Heaps,' Jonathan said flatly. 'My little sister never tires of hearing it!'
'How about Snow White then?'
'No Popo. Those are all girly stories!'
'Little Red Riding Hood?'
'Popo!' Jonathan bemoaned. 'Please, something not Hans Anderson? How about stories of dragons, knights or monsters instead?'
'Tssk. Such active imagination. So violent too. You need to calm down and learn to accept new stories, whether you like it or not!' Popo admonished.
'But Popo, I've heard them all. I'd like to listen to something new!'
'I have just the story for you then. Guaranteed you've not heard it before!'
'Cool! What's it about?'
'It's about a doll.'
Jonathan groaned. 'A doll? This is going to be dull.'
'Nonsense! It's a very exciting story. It's got scarecrows, princes, evil witches and talking animals in it. Cool stuff!'
Jonathan perked up at 'scarecrows' and 'princes'. It sounded promising.
'But it's a very long story,' Popo warned. 'I won't be able to finish it today or tomorrow or the next day. This story takes time. Plus I'm an old woman who cannot speak so fast.'
Jonathan cocked an eye at her. He wanted to disagree over her last statement. He had seen her talk to another old chinese man the other day and she had spoken like a machine gun. It had been very scary, with the two elderly people yelling away as if the other was deaf.
'Ok then. Sit down. You got a drink? This is gonna be a long story.'
Jonathan heeded her advice, ran to the bar where he bought himself a soda and on afterthought, a cup of tea for Popo - incase she got thirsty and stopped telling the story.
'Why thank you,' Popo said as he gave her the tea. 'You're a very good boy. Now sit down and I will begin.'
Jonathan opted for the padded footstool next to Popo's chair.
'Hmmmm let me see. What was her name? Miso? Misa? Something Mi....Mari? Oh that's right! Marianne! Her name was Marianne!'
'Who was Marianne?' Jonathan asked.
'Why, the little girl of course,' came the reply.
Jonathan groaned inwardly. 'Popo, I thought you said this was an exciting story. What is Marianne doing in it?'
'You'll see Jonathan. You'll see. Ok, I will begin. The story of the doll, the scarecrow and the witch.'