It was a cold and frosty morning at Mr. Brown's farm. The pumpkins
were huddled together, and their frosty coats glistened in the morning
sunshine.
"I heard Mr. Brown talking about Thanksgiving," said a little pumpkin.
"I wonder what Thanksgiving is?"
"Long ago," began a big pumpkin, "when the first white people came to
this country, it was in early winter, and these settlers could raise
no food. Many of them died of hunger and cold. But the next year the
settlers planted many crops, and they grew wonderfully. So they had a
day to thank God for the crops they had. The day they celebrated is
called Thanksgiving."
"Oh, I see," said the little pumpkin. "I am sure Teddy was thankful he
had such a nice big pumpkin to make his Jack o' lantern out of on
Hallowe'en."
"I think the cattle are thankful that they have us to eat in winter,"
said a middle-sized pumpkin, trying very hard to look wise, but the
November air was so delightfully chilly and crisp he had to laugh.
"I'm sure Farmer Brown and his family are thankful to have such a nice
pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving," said a big pumpkin.
"I never knew pumpkins were so useful," sighed the little pumpkin
sleepily. Then he turned over and went to sleep.
HARRIOT OLIVIA CARPENTER, Form IV.
[Illustration: THE SENIOR CLASS