Why Pumpkins Smile at Night — Under the buttery moon, Aiko tied her mask and set herself a small challenge: cross the old pumpkin patch without grabbing her sword or running back to the gate. Read the full story →
Under the buttery moon, Aiko tied her mask and set herself a small challenge: cross the old pumpkin patch without grabbing her sword or running back to the gate. The leaves made dry skritch-skritch sounds around her sandals, and the bare trees reached like bony fingers. She took one step, then another, breathing in the cold smell of vines and damp earth.
A round pumpkin near the path gave a hollow clunk. A tiny voice inside whispered, “Is it safe to glow?” Aiko’s knees buzzed like bees, but she did not run. She carved three careful shapes with her little blade: two triangle eyes and a crooked, gentle smile. Warm orange light spilled out, and the pumpkin sighed, “Oh.” All the dark vines seemed to loosen.
Ever since that night, pumpkins wear smiles to show their shy lights where to come out. If you spot the biggest grin in the patch, you might find Aiko’s first brave smile waiting under the buttery moon.
