Zadie’s Pumpkin Knock — Under the bendy lane trees, Zadie pressed one boot into the crunchy leaves and raised her twig wand. Read the full story →
Under the bendy lane trees, Zadie pressed one boot into the crunchy leaves and raised her twig wand. She had given herself a tiny challenge: one knock on the enormous jack-o’-lantern, no second tries. The pumpkin smelled like cold earth and candle smoke. Bats zipped overhead, squeak-squeak-squeak, as if they were racing the crescent moon.
Zadie counted the pumpkin’s ribs with her fingertip. “Just one,” she whispered. Her hand buzzed like a bee in a teacup. From the crooked house on the hill came a warm window-glow, and the vines curled closer, not pulling, just listening. Tap! The wand touched the pumpkin stem. The jack-o’-lantern’s grin brightened wide.
Then the curly little ghost beside her clapped both wispy hands. “That was beat number thirteen!” it cried. Zadie blinked. The ghost had not been waiting to be brave; it had been keeping time for everyone trying something new on the lane.
The bats swooped into a loop, the stars seemed to hop, and Zadie laughed so hard her hat stars bobbled. Next time you see that pumpkin grin, see if you can spot the one wand knock still shining under the bendy lane trees.
