by Montana Gray – Guest Blogger
The first secret is that his place of permanent residence is right here at The Ken-Caryl Ranch in suburban Denver.
The Great Pumpkin Roams In Ken Caryl Valley
The Great Pumpkin is a very special being with an amazing history. And he’s really magic. That’s why the only ones who have actually seen him (besides the forest animals) are the ones who still have a child’s heart – the kind of heart that believes in wishes, dreams and fairytale endings.
It’s all very real, you know. Just look out your door during that special time of year and you’ll see the evidence that The Great Pumpkin was indeed there and left his gift.
“Who is he?” you ask.
Well, Virginia, He is a lot of things to a lot of people. You of course remember one of his most famous achievements when he changed from a mere pumpkin into the coach that took Cinderella to the ball.She was so happy that night, and The Great Pumpkin was too. That’s because The Great Pumpkin knows the real secret to happiness is making others happy.
That night was one of his best ever. But times changed after Cinderella and so did the world. Little by little, the people seemed to forget their dreams as they became oh so busy. The Great Pumpkin watched what was happening with great sadness.
He had to do something. He wanted to keep making people happy, sohe thought and thought and then, finally, he got it.After his long period of seclusion he found the perfect solution.
Instead of taking all his energy and that of the Fairy Godmother to become One Great Huge Pumpkin, he would, once a year, spread little parts of himself all over and just appear on people’s doorsteps as a surprise.
He chose Ken-Cary Ranch, because in the midst of a great smog-filled city, there was still one place where nature’s beauty reigned as a reminder of greater things and natural tranquility. A place where laughter and joy echoed continuously. A place just perfect for an October surprise.
So The Great Pumpkin came to rest in this special place to remind everyone that the greatest joy of all comes from giving a part of oneself to others. Now, early in the morning at that special time of year, the doorsteps on Ken Caryl Ranch are graced with The Great Pumpkin’s gifts. And one by one, the residents of Ken Caryl pick up their happy surprise and smile. Their hearts fill with joy and so does the Great Pumpkin’s!
He’s accomplished what he hoped to do. He’s kept the magic alive for one more year.
Yes Virginia, there is a Great Pumpkin.
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P.S. Here’s more of the magic of this story. This story was written more than 15 years ago, and somehow, through all of his life changes, Dennis Martin managed to keep it. Last year, in 2007,he re-published it as originally written. This version is a tiny rewrite. But the real magic is that the message held its place for all that time and obviously wanted to be shared once again at a time when remembering the joy of helping others is so needed on our planet. I guess that makes Dennis a”Great Pumpkin Elf,” don’t you?
Great pumpkin Note: If you have a pumpkin story, please share it with us. Share it below as a comment or email it to us.
he is so cute