“Mom! You kept that big pumpkin aside for me right?!”
‘Oh dear, I gave it to Aunt Martha yesterday. She was ill so could not go buy one!”
“Mom! I have been keeping that for the Halloween party. Now where will I get such a big one?”
“Well, there is a pumpkin garden just round the corner. Mr Winston lives there, but he went to visit his son abroad. So I assume you can pluck one. Who knows, maybe you can find a bigger one?”
“Genius idea, Mom. I will go right away!”
“It’s just opposite-” Before she could complete her sentence Betty was racing off the gate in her cycle.
Betty was thrilled… just wait till I tell the girls I went to pluck my pumpkin, that too all alone!
She reached an intersection… now which way to go? Where did Mom say the Garden was?
“You said garden dearie?”
Betty almost fell off her bicycle in surprise. A stunted old lady stood right behind her. She could have sworn she was not here a minute ago.
“Er yes, I need a big pumpkin,” replied a quizzical Betty.
“A pumpkin eh,” she said flashing a toothless smile. “Come, follow me.”
They walked a good deal till they reached a small hut with a garden in front of it. Lo-and-behold! There was an enormous pumpkin sitting among lush green leaves along with two medium ones.
“It’s yours take it.”
“Really? You mean the biggest one?” exclaimed Betty beaming.
The old lady took out a knife from her apron. “Cut it!”
Betty hesitated.
“Yes else it will be too heavy to carry.”
“Oh yes, you are so right.”
Betty took the knife and started carving two big triangles for eyes and a mouth on the pumpkin. Suddenly a blue smoke started coming out of the holes made in the pumpkin. Betty stepped back aghast. Curiously, the smoke was taking an odd shape.
“At long last!  I could trick a child into freeing my jinn from that pumpkin!”
“Say three evil wishes my child,” the Jinn hissed.
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Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
2 years ago

Great story, Leena; it really sent shivers up my spine!

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
2 years ago

What fun, Leena! The Jinn in the Pumpkin. So imaginative and so perfect as we head into Halloween story time. I always love any story that takes place in a pumpkin patch.

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
2 years ago

Actually I think your title is the best – it doesn’t give away the surprise ending! By the way, I love all the pumpkin icons in your messages!

Chris
Chris(@chris)
2 years ago

I just listened to your audio recording of this story, which was an excellent way to bring the story alive! Great work Leena; please record more stories, as you seem to have a natural and unique voice talent 🙂

Juma
Juma(@juma)
2 years ago

I had already read and enjoyed your story before you made the recording, but now, with your wonderful voice acting out all the characters, it takes on a whole new dimension. I love your “stunted old lady” voice and the hiss of the Jinn. Great job writing, and great job reading!

Eric Radcliffe
Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
2 years ago

Just the story for the grandchildren. I enjoyed this read Leena, well told.

Eric Radcliffe
Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
2 years ago

Hi Leena, just listened to you reading your pumpkin story. It’s a real pleasure when one can place the original voice to the story. Lovely to hear you read.

Pragya Rathore
Pragya Rathore(@pragya-rathore)
2 years ago

This was chillingly well-written. I am usually fascinated and scared in equal parts of anything related to too-kind grandmothers and evil pumpkins, and you made it compelling for the reader.

Chris
Chris(@chris)
2 years ago

Hi Leena – I was out for a walk, and just listened to this story on Alexa! Very cool that your voice is now published on the Alexa Voice Club Skill 🙂 Your story is endearing and fun, but the only problem is now I am too scared to buy a Halloween pumpkin! 

Please keep writing and definitely continue recording…

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
1 year ago

I have goosebumps when reading your story. Your story is perfect for Halloween. Great story, Leena.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Leena Auckel
1 year ago

Chris
Chris(@chris)
1 year ago

Voice-Team
Voice-Team(@voice-team)
Admin
Reply to  Leena Auckel
1 year ago

Hi Leena – So glad you are back at the Voice Club! We have now reopened and enabled the Audio Recording via the Portal menu. We look forward to many more stories and recordings from you  ? 

Click the link below, and select Audio Record:
https://voice.club/portal

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