A Halloween Fairy Tale

A Wish

Young Jack was an only child. He grew up quite alone on his parent's farm way in the country. There were the neighbors to visit, yes, but, none of the children in his neighborhood never really hung out with him.

None of them had the same interests as him, or that he didn't have the right kind of social skills and he'd end up embarrassing himself.

So he took up his lonely time by working in the farm and in the pumpkin patch.

Ah, the pumpkin patch. Jack's parents were known all around the county as the best pumpkin farmers there were. And people from the city too came to Jack's family farm to pick pumpkins for the Halloween season. Everyone loved their pumpkins. Some made into Jack-O-Lanterns, some into pies and cakes, some were entered in the local county fair and won blue ribbons!

But despite this reputation his family got, Jack was still lonely. So taking a watering can and some dirt he tend the massive pumpkin patch to distract him from his loneliness. What a shame.

Each night he'd sit by the window on his bed that overlooked the pumpkin patch and the garden. He'd often sigh and stare off into the stars, feeling as small and lonely as a speck of dust.

One particular night as October was just a night away, Jack was at his usual spot where he'd gaze at the stars and sigh. When suddenly he noticed one of the stars twinkle brightly in the deep black sky.

A sudden realization dawned on him.

"That must be a wishing star!" He said with a smile.

Of course it had to be just that. He didn't know for sure, however. But what other star in the endless sky could shine and twinkle so bright unless it had to be a wishing star.

Closing his eyes, Jack put his hands together and with all his might, made a wish.

"I wish I had a friend..." he thought in his mind, and concentrated as much as he could, to make the magic of the star work.

He opened an eye and frantically looked around, his child-like wonder in full throttle expecting to see a wooden boy or someone at least by his side; a new friend to play and have fun with!...but there was nothing. Just an empty room, a desk, a bed, and himself..

Jack sighed. And finding it hopeless to try and wish again, laid down into his bed, snuggled under the covers, and fell asleep.

Little did he know that in the distance outside, a figure with a pointed hat and sweet but yellow glowing eyes, was watching him behind the fence that surrounded the property. It soon turned away and walked slowly back through the small thicket of trees.