A Very Special Pumpkin

The story of a boy and his Jack-O-Lantern

The morning came with a chill in the air

As the sun took its time rising over the beautiful Rocky Mountains,

Ablaze with the splendid colors of autumn

 

But down in the valley, out behind a big old red barn

and down a skinny dirt road was the biggest pumpkin patch in the area

Folks would come from miles around for the horse drawn wagon rides through the patch as the children ran from pumpkin to pumpkin trying to find that special one for their Halloween jack o lanterns

There were pumpkins of every size, shape and variety of colors to choose from

One by one the pumpkins were picked

and the children would carry their prize to the wagon for the ride home

 As the patch got thinner and the fields lost their happy polka dot pattern

the children no longer ran around like goblins chasing shadows

But there in the very back corner, hidden beneath some really large leaves from a giant pumpkin

lay a small, sad and somewhat strange colored pumpkin

 

Now one might think that a pumpkin is just a pumpkin, but deep in that hollow inside, buried behind all the seeds and gooey stuff, this little pumpkin had feelings, He was a sad pumpkin

You see, he knew all the children wanted the big pretty ones, the perfect ones

and he just couldn’t match what they had to offer

He wasn’t big

He wasn’t bright orange

He just wasn’t pretty or shiny

He was shaped kind of weird

Yes, he knew he was far from perfect

 

Well, he thought to himself;

“As much as I wish it could be,

I guess nobody wants me, Nobody can see what I can be.”

 

It was the last weekend before Halloween

And the frost had withered the leaves of all the giant pumpkins because they were so tall

But when that happened the little pumpkin could feel the warmth of the sun for the first time all season

 

Now every year, after the pretty pumpkins have been sold, the farmer opens the fields to the children from the orphanage, the homeless shelter, and to those less fortunate, or,  if you just couldn’t afford one, to come and get a free pumpkin, so the funny little one that had been hidden under the leaves of the giants thought he would finally get to go home with a child

 

But as the day went on, all the laughing and running and playing, and pumpkin picking was almost over

The little pumpkin was sad, for there he sat in the corner of the field,,,,    all by himself

And as the autumn sun started to play hide and seek behind the afternoon clouds and the chill crept through the patch, the little pumpkin heard a child’s voice,   a little boy’s whispers as if he was sneaking up on someone, or something

 

If the pumpkin could hold his breath he would have, but he really just wanted to scream out loud for someone to take him home, yet all he could do is wait and hope

 

The little pumpkin heard the foot steps getting closer and the voices of someone else as they stopped next to him.  Then he felt the warmth of the tiny hands touching him and the quiet little voice say

"I want this one "

 

The little pumpkin couldn’t be happier

He had waited so long for someone to notice him and want to take him home, and today was the day

He couldn’t wait to become a jack o lantern for Halloween, and hoped his new owner could make him into a very special one

 

A woman’s voice said; 

"Are you sure this is the one, its not very big"

Neither am I mommy,

"It's not very pretty"

I didn't see any I liked better

 

As the little boy struggled to pick up his choice

He could not see the warm tears on his mother’s somnolent cheeks

 

Sitting at the table with his little pumpkin, the little boy smiled when his mommy asked;

“How should we carve your jack o lantern?”

 

"Mommy, can we just give him two big eyes with a candle lit in each one?”

“Are you sure that is all you want to give him?”

“Yes mommy, two eyes that can see all the fun and scary costumes of the trick-or-treaters ,,,,,,,

 

“The ones I will never be able to see.”

 

As her trembling hand slowly started to carve the little pumpkin, She looked at her sweet son and wondered:  How could this boy that has never had the blessing of sight, be able to see so much?

Just then the boy said:

 

“Don’t cry mommy,

This pumpkin waited a long time to be my special jack o lantern,,,,,,

“He told me so”

 

Author's Note

Hope you liked m y story of the special pumpkin for the blind boy

Reviews

[Audrey M.]

I loved this story. The boy may not be able to see but he's very well gifted with sight nonetheless and a bit of a magical streak to his hearing. Great story, Trace.😁

[Trace]

Sometimes I start writing and never know where the story will take me. Someyime I have an idea and enjoy filling in the blanks.

Than you for reading my work and for your wonderful comments.

[Audrey M.]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories

[Roland Petrov]

Aw, this is just so sweet! The blindness, that isn't revealed until the very end, is a sad but unique twist. This almost reads like a poem. I liked it.

[Trace]

I enjoy creative writing, whether it be poetry or short stories.
I have written a novel also but mostly post my poetry here.

Thank you for reading and your wonderful compliments on my writing.

Trace

[Woody]

such a touching story, Trace. a very heart-warming one. wonderfully told, description n' all.

[Trace]

Thank you so very much Woody.
So sorry it took me too long to reply.
It's been crazy lately.

I appreciate your wonderful compliments.
Trace

[Rita L. Sev]

A sweet story, a Halloween tale and so much more, a reminder to listen with the heart... Glad I read this tonight, Trace.

[Trace]

Exactly, Thank you for your wonderful compliments and comments,
Have a happy Halloween,
read moreExactly, Thank you for your wonderful compliments and comments,
Have a happy Halloween,


Trace

[Lyn Anderson]

I like this. Like Charlie Brown's Christmas trees.

[Trace]

I am so glad you liked it, I think the two were meant for each other.

Thank you for your wonderful comments.

Trace

[NoelHC]

This has a Hans Christian Andersen childrens' fable feeling to it, I enjoyed reading this. I should send it to my grandchildren to have it read to them. Well done Trace.

[Trace]

I will take that as a most wonderful compliment.
Thank you my friend for your excellent comments on this piece.

Trace

[Siwu]

This was truly heart-touching for me. Beautifully written poem, and good choice of words.

[Trace]

I am also touched by your wonderful comments and compliments.

Hope you have a wonderful Halloween.

Trace

[Siwu]

Thank you!

[hardeep sabharwal]

A wonderful write, its interesting to read such a story and you told so nicely,
thankyou for sharing

[Trace]

Thank you for your wonderful comments and compliments on my writing.

Trace

[Prakruti]

Well, as a new user, I was wandering here and there for some good stuff to read and I this this really touchy story in "popular writings"...Loved this :)
A big hug Trace..

[Trace]

Thank you for reading my work and your taking the time to comment.
Welcome to the cafe my new friend.

Trace

[MsJewel]

You know this is one of my favorites of all your writing Trace. It shows your big, beautiful heart....and that is why, sweet beast, I adore you and this wonderful story.

Hugs, Julie

[Trace]

I am so happy to see you enjoying my writing. ...
And I appreciate your excellent comments and compliments for my Halloween story.

HUGGS. .
Trace