Pumpkins?

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra

This story, "Pumpkins?", by Jacinta Recha, with illustrations by Marion Drew, is an English Story Book from the African Storybook Initiative. Published in 2015, it grants users the freedom to adapt, share, and make commercial use of the work, provided the original copyright and credits are maintained. The narrative begins with a family of twelve children and their father planting mysterious seeds in their garden. The father warned them not to eat the fruit until its origin was known. The seeds grew into plants resembling pumpkins, and soon ripe fruit were ready for harvest. However, the father left for work, and the mother went to the market. Driven by hunger, the eldest child persuaded the others to pick and eat the supposed pumpkins, despite the prior warning. Tragically, all the children died immediately after consuming the fruit. The mother returned to find her children lifeless and saw the pumpkin skins on a plate, realizing the devastating consequences of their impatience. The story explores themes of obedience, consequences, and the potential dangers of the unknown.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel