Once upon a time on October 23, 2009 in Lala Land ...
As usual, to the side of the floral displays at Littlebottom Florists there was a pumpkin patch like every October, replete with pumpkins large and small. Ichobod Littlebottom converted his garden annually into the patch, not because he had a taste for pumpkins, but there was a humongous profit coming his way by Halloween.
Adults loved to come by and gaze, take their time and ponder just how big a pumpkin they would carve that year to place on their front stoops or in an upstairs window.
"Cut in, cut up - it's destruction and disfigurement - that's what's really on their pitiful minds! They don't give a hoot about the sweet, gentle pumpkin but only about the scary look of Hallows Eve. They turn
us into frightening creatures, against our very will."
Sorrowfully, some little children didn't even bother to look; they would immediately and unashamedly pick out one of the tiniest gourds and then one of the biggest and engage them in frenzied battle on the spot. Bashing, kicking or tossing against the back fence or side wall was a reckless sport for these abusive tykes whenever Ichobod turned his back.
"Wait just a gall darn minute! Precious plants should be treated with care and respect."
If only gourds could speak. If only they could defend themselves or assist the aid of someone who would step in, protect, and appreciate the sheer eccentric beauty of the pumpkin patch. Row upon row of mellow squash, an array of splendiferous orange delicacy diminished, hacked, reduced to pulp and ruined forever.
"The time has come for action. Yes, it is time. We have had enough! Look at that goof coming closer. Oh no, he's about to pick me up and ... Help me! Elphaba, are you out there hovering nearby? ... Jumpin' be- elzabub! ...Ouch! Put me down!"
All of a sudden as if out of nowhere a strong hurricane wind blew across the pumpkin patch - only through the pumpkin patch, as onlookers at Ichobod's shop looked on with horror. The little tyke fell backwards to the ground, picked himself up and ran towards his parents, "Mommy, mommy, help! That pumpkin just attacked me!"
Without explanation, all the gourds in the patch began to move forward as if they could walk ... as if they were marching in a parade. "One, two, three ... forward, march! One, two, three..." The lead pumpkin was making the call and every gourd was following the command, all in line, one behind the other, right off the lot, onto the street and down the block to the corner, then left and out of sight. It was an incredible happening.
"Ichobod, what the hell is going on?" asked one man. "I can't believe my eyes", cried a little old lady. All Ichobod Littlebottom could do was stand in amazement at what he was witnessing. Out he went, bought a new batch of pumpkins that night, set them in the patch, but...the next morning, they were GONE, every last gourd had disappeared. Stuck in the ground was a sign with big lettering for all to see:
Pumpkins Unite! We will no longer serve a mankind that cuts us up for food or decoration. We have our own special beauty and want to be revered for that and that alone. Until that is understood, we will no longer stay around long enough to let humans manipulate and abuse us.
Of course, news spread fast throughout Lala Land, and it soon appeared that pumpkins everywhere in town had taken heed. In 2010 patches are extinct. There is not a single pumpkin in sight. Where have they gone? Who is ultimately responsible? Did Elphaba or some wicked witch cause the hurricane and the sudden exit of the pumpkins from Ichobod Littlebottom's patch? No one can figure it out. But the word is that similar occurrences happened all over the world. And from what we hear there was not a single pumpkin pie to be had in this country last Thanksgiving.
Windows and stoops in Lala Land are barren this year. Without pumpkins to serve as decorations, and due to the severe lack of imagination of the townsfolk, everything looks pretty dull and dismal.
Well, rumor has it ...
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