The Little Pumpkin Who Could - 1. The Little Pumpkin Who Could

The Little Pumpkin Who Could

by Anna

It was the first day of October. The Pumpkin Patch was all a buzz with the talk of who was going to be picked as the winner of the Halloween Pumpkin Contest. Every year it was always some big studly pumpkin that was mean to the other pumpkins. He always intimidated the others in the contest to back out so he would be picked to win. But this year an unexpected surprise was about to happen.

~~~

Down by the stream were Charlie and his friends Mark and Daniel. They always stuck together out of fear of being tormented because they weren’t like the other pumpkins. They were always picked on by Otto and his goons Steve and Larry, the biggest bullies in the patch.

This year all the residents of the Pumpkin Patch assumed the “tradition” of winning Best Carved Pumpkin for the Halloween Contest would be passed on to Otto and his goons. But little did they know that Charlie and his friends intended to give them a run for their money. The day before the contest everyone was getting ready for the big event. Pumpkins big and small came to help set up the stage and the decorations. Charlie, Mark, and Daniel were at Mark’s house thinking of what to carve on their faces. Daniel wanted to carve a witch’s face, complete with hooked nose and a large wart, and curl his vines so they would lay around his face for extra detail. Mark was thinking about a polka dot dressed clown with a matching hat to sit off to the side of his brightly polished stem. But Charlie was still unsure. He would have to decide soon though.

The three pumpkins went out to the store to buy carving supplies for tomorrow. Along the way they were stopped by Otto, Steve, and Larry.

“Why don’t you girlies back out of the contest so me and my boys here can take the top prizes,” said Otto threateningly.

“I don’t think that would be smart seeing as how we’re going to win,” Mark said positively.

“Well you better quit now if you know what’s good for you!” screamed Steve.

As they were walking away Charlie muttered,” I think Steve was gypped a few pumpkin seeds since he ain’t too bright.”

The other two boys giggled as they made their way to the store.

~~~

Halloween night, and every pumpkin in the patch was headed for the Contest. Mark and Daniel were all dolled up, carved to perfection, to go on stage. They were waiting for Charlie to come out of his room so they could leave. When he finally came out he had a large brown bag over his head.

“What are you doing?” asked Mark and Daniel at the same time.

“I don’t want anyone to see my design until it’s time to show the judges,” claimed Charlie.

“Whatever floats your boat.” Daniel smirked.

When they were all back stage Otto approached them with a mean glaze in his eyes.

“I thought I told you to back out. Now you’re gonna be pie after the Contest. Especially you, bag boy!” he bellowed.

“Don’t worry,” whispered Daniel, “he’s just afraid he’s going to lose to you and whatever you have carved on your face.”

The contest was going smoothly; finally the announcer called out Charlie’s name.

“And last but not least, we have Charlie. And on his face is … Is that… It is, it’s Barbra Streisand, folks. What intricacy he used. Look at all that detail. Well done. Now we’ll have a short break while we tally the judges’ votes.”

Backstage Mark and Daniel were animatedly talking to Charlie.

“I can’t believe you. You look so cute,” said Daniel.

The announcer called all the contestants back to the stage to announce the winner.

“We have tallied the votes and I’m pleased to say the winner is … Charlie!”

Everyone clapped and screamed for Charlie as he went up to the podium. He was handed his trophy and the microphone.

“I would just like to say thank you to my two best friends Mark and Daniel. And that even though some pumpkins might be different, they’re still like everyone else,” said Charlie almost tearing up.

As he walked down the stage, he gave Otto a little smirk that screamed “don’t underestimate people.” And as the sun sets in the distance, we see Charlie, Mark, and Daniel walking vine and vine and vine down towards the stream.

© 2006 Anna

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