It was the day after Halloween, Charlie woke up and jumped out of bed. Mom hadn’t even come in to wake him up yet. Still so excited from last night, he ran to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, combed his hair and quickly washed his face. After putting his clothes on, he looked lovingly at his pirate costume laying on his chair. Wow, was last night the best. Being with his friends, free candy and seeing all the differently carved pumpkins. His favorite thing about Halloween, besides the candy of course, was picking out and carving the perfect jack-o-lantern. Mom and Dad always made it such a fun time for Charlie. And they let him choose what face to carve on his pumpkin. This year he had picked the cat. Actually every year he picked the cat, it was his favorite of all animals. But this year he was older, 6 is getting old these days, and he had done the best job ever on his cat. He couldn’t wait to go outside and look at it again.

Running into the kitchen to tell mom where he was going, Charlie smelled something sooo good. Mmmm, mom was baking again. Dinner tonight was going to be great! “I’m going outside to play, is that okay” Charlie asked. “Sure honey, just stay in the yard and have fun”.

Out the back door,running as fast as he could Charlie came barreling around the house. Stopping short at the front door, Charlie couldn’t believe his eyes. All he could do was stand and stare. Where was his jack-o-lantern? It was here last night but now it was no where to be seen. Had someone taken it? Was someone playing a trick on him? His prized jack-o-lantern was truly gone.

Think, thought Charlie, if I were a jack-o-lantern, where would I go? “I’ll find you” he said.” No matter how far I have to go, no matter who I have to talk too,  I will bring you home.”

Watch for part 2