Pumpkin Fairy and the Orange Pumpkins

“I just don’t understand it,” said Linda Patterson, the owner of the pumpkin patch. “The pumpkins are still green. Opening day for this autumn season is only a few days away.”

“It has been an extra warm autumn so far,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “The pumpkins will turn orange eventually. They just need some time.”

“I don’t have time,” said Linda. “People will be coming here on opening day to see fields full of orange pumpkins.”

“There is nothing anyone can do,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “They will change colour on their own.”

“I want orange pumpkins right now,” yelled Linda. “Find a way to turn them orange or you are fired!”

Linda walked away and Pumpkin Fairy was devastated. She had no way of turning the pumpkins orange. She just didn’t know what to do. She decided she would go for a walk. She thought a walk might make her feel better.

“What is wrong?” asked Farmer John, who lived up the road from the pumpkin patch.

“Opening day for the pumpkin patch is coming up,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “The pumpkins are still green.”

“I have the same problem,” said Farmer John. “It is just too warm outside right now.”

“That is what I told Linda,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “She threatened to fire me if I don’t turn them orange.”

“You could always paint them orange,” said Farmer John, laughing.

“That just would be deceitful,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “You know that I could never do anything that would deceive anyone.”

“Yes,” said Farmer John. “I do know that. I know that you always seek and demand the truth.”

“That is correct,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “I just don’t know what I am going to do about my job though.”

“I wouldn’t worry so much about it,” said Farmer John. “I think Linda was being a little harsh on you. I think she will come to her senses.”

“I hope so,” said Pumpkin Fairy.

Pumpkin Fairy walked back to the pumpkin patch. She avoided Linda for the rest of the day. She thought about the situation and she couldn’t think of anyway to resolve it.

The next morning, Pumpkin Fairy was surprised to see Linda standing on her front porch.

“I don’t know what you did,” said Linda. “But I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me,” said Pumpkin Fairy, confused. “Why do you want to thank me?”

“I take it you haven’t seen the pumpkins,” said Linda. “They are starting to turn orange.”

“Really,” said Pumpkin Fairy. “I didn’t do anything. It is a little colder outside this morning so the weather may have contributed to turning them orange.”

“I don’t believe that you didn’t do anything,” said Linda. “Whatever you did, you have made me very happy.”

“Linda is happy,” thought Pumpkin Fairy. “I told her the truth but she doesn’t believe me. I guess I will just have to let it go.”

By opening day, all the pumpkins had turned orange. Pumpkin Fairy still had her job, so, in the end, it all worked out for the best.