And it was just as magical as she expected. The Ball was held outdoors, despite the autumn chill, with a large tent assembled in case of rain. Glowing orange bulbs hung from the rafters, and wooden tables lined the walls. At the center, the floor was open for dancing, and at the head of it all sat the Pumpkin Throne.

Every year at the Pumpkin Ball, a Pumpkin Queen was chosen from the throngs of party goers and given the chance to preside over the festivities, deciding the dances, the songs, the games. It was magical indeed, as long as the Pumpkin Queen was not the sort to favor quiet games of cards or music with too much bass.

But that year, it seemed as though things were going to be different. It started out magically enough: the lucky girl was chosen, crowned, and led to the throne. But once she was seated, things started to go wrong. The commands she issued had nothing to do with the Ball or dancing or games. They were political in nature, and also, sort of evil.

And then she noticed the eyes. Everyone around her had red eyes, and all were staring adoringly at their new Queen.

She began to feel a little suspicious. And then she began to feel a little bit scared, as everyone else looked suspicious at her. Assuming of course that dozens of red eyes staring her down as if she’d just changed the channel without asking, meant they were suspicious.

“Not on the guest list!” someone cried, before they began to chase her.

“Not on the guest list!” they chanted, as they removed rifles, spears and pitchforks from petticoats and topcoats and trench coats.

And then she ran. It seemed the only logical thing to do.

And at some point, amidst the running and hiding and occasional taunting, something important occurred to her.

She wasn’t on the guest list.

She hadn’t been expected.

So whatever had afflicted her fellow townsfolk was not afflicting her, and therefore, she was the only one who could do anything.

At that point, she stopped running. She waited until the crowd caught up, and demanded to see the Queen. And when the Queen appeared, all red eyes and orange finery, the girl challenged her.

“A teasing contest,” she declared. “For the town.”

And so it began. Long into the night, it seemed, they insulted each other’s hair, clothes, intelligence, girth and mothers. Finally, the Queens crumpled and burst into tears. All around her, the townspeople returned to normal. They crowned their new Queen, and finished the night with food, dancing and games.

Far later into the night, everyone started to make their way home, laughing and talking, so that they hardly noticed her.

Even the girl almost didn’t noticed the former Queen crouching in the bushes, waiting.

She wondered how long she would wait.

© Beatrix Cottonpants Original

This news was very upsetting indeed. She’d gone to the Pumpkin Ball every year, and this time she even had a beautiful new orange dress to wear, which clearly would be wasted.

Luckily, she had, during an earlier punishment, sneaked a few cookies and pieces of candy into her room. At least she wouldn’t starve.

So she put on her orange dress anyway, and sulked a bit, and found a cookie. She was preparing to bite into it when…

a little bird appeared at the window. “Could I have that cookie, please?” the bird asked. “It’s just that I’m so hungry.”

Reluctantly, she handed over the cookie.

Next, she found a brownie, and was just about to take a bite when…

a squirrel hopped onto her windowsill.

“May I have that brownie?” he asked. “I like brownies more than anything!”

He looked so happy and helpful that she gave him the brownie.

Luckily, she still had a candy bar left. But just as she unwrapped it, a hippo stuck his head through the window.

He didn’t say anything, but he did lick his lips.

And he was very large, and not nearly as cute or friendly looking as picture books had suggested, so she handed over her candy.

Left with no candy or cookies, and still stuck at home, she gazed out of the window and sulked rather loudly.

“If only I could get outside,” she said. “But my mother is blocking my way out.”

“I can help,” a little voice said. At first. she had no idea where it had come from, but then she saw the bird out the window. “I can fly you down, it explained. “As a thank you for the cookie.” And so, the girl held on to the bird, and together they flew down to the ground. The bird was gasping for breath from the girl’s weight by the time they reached the ground, but they made it.

“Thank you bird!” she cried. “But I think I hear my mother coming! How will I get past her?”

“I can help you there.” a little voice said. At first, she couldn’t tell where they voice was coming from, but when she looked down, she saw the squirrel nibbling at her boot.

“I can distract her,” the squirrel offered. “As a thank you for the brownie.” And before she could even reply, the squirrel had raced off into the house. She could hear screams and the sounds of things breaking inside.

“But how will I even get to the Pumpkin Ball?” she wondered. “It’s too far to walk.”

This time, no little voice responded, but the hippo appeared as if out of nowhere, with traces of chocolate on his lips.

She hoped she was right in assuming his offer of help as she climbed on his back. More quickly than she would have thought possible, they raced away into the night.

The End. For Now…

© Beatrix Cottonpants Original