Abstract: A portable electronic device is selectively connected to a master. Durring conection, a plurality of conversation scripts and associated dictionay are downloaded to provide a video game comprising a virtual pet, which game is capable of being executed independently from the master. The virtual pet is able to provide an interactive conversation with a user by the use of the script programs and a dictionary. In addition, the user is able to teach the virtual pet new words. Attributes of the words are modified when the user teaches the pet the words, and their intended meaning, and durring later conversations. The attributes are modified based upon the responses of a user to questions asked by the pet. The user responds by selection of one of a number of possible replies.