Chapter 1: Initialization; Chapter 2: Passwords; and Chapter 3: Up and Running Summary

Nita wakes to the arrival of the new family computer, and Dairine can hardly wait to get it set up. She realizes there is no point trying to go back to sleep. A catbird hops onto the elm outside the window and Nita, speaking in the language that all living things understand, asks it to take a message to her best friend Kit for her in return for half a muffin. It repeats the message back to her before leaving, and Nita gets dressed. Christopher Rodriguez and his dog, Ponch, arrive soon after, the bird having done its job. Nita's parents, Harry and Betty Callahan sit on the floor with the manuals, trying to sort out how to set the computer up. Nita asks and gets permission...