Charlie, his friend Emily and the neighbor’s dog Bear had spent most of the day searching for Charlie’s jack-o-lantern. Charlie thought that Sassy, his kitty had seen the pumpkin with the cat face and wanted it for her own. After looking for Sassy every where, Bear had spotted her going into the garage. The three friends had quietly followed her and saw Sassy go behind some boxes Dad had stored.

“This is it” Charlie said happily,”I’m going to get back my pumpkin now.” The three friends snuck up to look behind the boxes. Thinking thy were going to find Charlie’s missing jack-o-lantern, they had a great shock. There was Sassy but instead of laying beside Charlie’s jack-o-lantern, Sassy was laying beside five kittens! “Sassy has babies!” Charlie yelled. “They are so cute, just look at them Emily.” Emily and Charlie first took Bear out of the garage than went back in , sat and watched Sassy with her babies. “She’s a good mom” said Charlie, “just like my mom. They always take care of us.” “My mom too”, replied Emily. “But we still don’t know what happened to your jack-o-lantern.” “Sassy doesn’t have it, so who could have taken it.” Charlie was lost. He had been so sure Sassy had his pumpkin that now he didn’t know what to think. “I guess I’ll never find out what happened.”

About that time Charlie’s mom yelled for him to come inside for dinner. Charlie ran to his mom and asked if Emily could eat with them. “Sure honey, I’ll just call and make sure it’s okay with Emily’s parents and then we can eat. Emily’s parents agreed so after both children washed their hands the family sat down to dinner. Charlie’s favorite, hot dogs and french fries. After they had all eaten mom got up to bring in dessert. It sure smelled good,what were they having? “I have a surprise for you tonight,Charlie” his mom said.” I know how much you like pie so I made a homemade pumpkin pie.” Pumpkin pie, Charlie thought. When had mom gone to the store, he hadn’t seen her leave. “Where did you get the pumpkin, mom?” “I used your jack-o-lantern Charlie” his mom said. I figured it wouldn’t stay fresh for long so I had better use it now.” Charlie’s mystery was solved! Mom had taken his jack-o-lantern and she had turned it into a surprise for him! “I love you, mom” Charlie cried, getting up and giving her a big hug.” You always do so much for me, boy am I lucky!” “What did you two do all day” Charlie’s dad wanted to know. “Oh we just solved a mystery” Charlie answered.