​     It was finally that time when the lights were lowering, and the cars were leaving. The King and Queen were ready to say those magic words: “It’s the time of the pumpkins.”  A wonderful spirit came over all the pumpkins in the patch at First UMC. Within moments all the pumpkins were alive, and they began to laugh, sing and dance. It was going to be another wonderful night in the patch.      When all the pumpkins had a chance to visit and greet one another, the King and Queen brought all the pumpkins together. It was time to thank Jesus for the wonderful spirit that came every day to protect and love them. Then it was time to share stories! Each pumpkin took a turn to tell how earlier that day they visited the children who came to the patch. They were a little sad that they weren’t chosen, but they knew even if they didn’t go home with a child, they were still loved.       Then the alarm sounded. The Purple Pumpkin Eater was in the patch! All the pumpkins ran to get back in their places before the Purple Pumpkin Eater could catch them. He was different; he was purple, not orange or white. The King thought he had to protect all the pumpkins, so he started to roll away. The Purple Pumpkin Eater followed him.       He rolled and rolled, then stopped and turned. The Purple Pumpkin Eater was on his trail. He tried to roll faster, but he was getting tired. The Purple Pumpkin Eater cried out, “I don’t eat pumpkins!!” The King tried to stop, but he was going too fast. There were chairs on the sidewalk, and he couldn’t stop. He crashed into the chairs. The Purple Pumpkin Eater cried out, “NO!” But it was too late. The King had been cracked.      The Purple Pumpkin Eater started to cry, “It’s all my fault.” The King told him, “No, it’s not your fault. Please don’t cry. We were the wrong ones because you are different from us so we thought you would eat us. Jesus tells us we should love everyone even if they look different.”      The Purple Pumpkin Eater said, “I have to get you back to the patch, so we can fix you.” The King replied, “No, I am too broken. Just put me up on these chairs so no dogs or cats can get me, please. See the smile on my face? I know I will be ok because Jesus will come for me.”      “Now go back to the patch and tell the other pumpkins I have gone home to see our Father, and they should rejoice. Let them know I have sent you and they will listen. Tell them that yes, you are different and are a Purple Pumpkin, but not a Purple Pumpkin Eater. Now go and don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” said the King.      So, the Purple Pumpkin returned and told the Queen and all the pumpkins in the patch what had happened. They did love the Purple Pumpkin just at the King had said and they taught the Purple Pumpkin all about the love of Jesus.