Pumpkin and the Lord Jesus
Pumpkin and the Lord Jesus
by Lynda Keen
Now, Pumpkin didn't know what a birthday was. Twice now he'd helped to get a present for Hilary's birthday and still didn't know what it was.
He didn't like to show his ignorance so he asked Julie:
Where do I find out something I don't know?
Look it up in a dictionary, she said.
Cats can't read so that was no use.
Hilda said, at school.
Cats don't go to school so that was no use.
Hilary said, you ask the Lord Jesus.
Where is he? Pumpkin asked.
In church, of course, she replied.
So Pumpkin walked down to St James', the other side of the Village Green.
He recognised the Lord Jesus instantly, from photos he had seen in a book of Hilary's.
Hello, Lord Jesus, he purred.
Hello, Pumpkin. Would you like a cup of coffee? I'm just going to have one.
I'd prefer milk, said Pumpkin.
Of course you would. Here we are then.
They drank their drinks.
Now, what can I do for you? asked the Lord Jesus.
I'd like to know what a birthday is, please.
Ah. That's the day you're born.
But I don't understand, said Pumpkin. It's Hilary's birthday next week but she was born nine years ago.
Yes, but she was born nine years ago on that day. Humans remember the birthday and celebrate it each year.
Pumpkin looked puzzled.
Look, said Jesus, I was born on 25th December. Now, every year on that date people celebrate my birthday with Christmas.
Oh, I see, cried Pumpkin. I know about Christmas. So this is a Hilarymas, this birthday thing?
Jesus smiled.
Then, Pumpkin went on, we all give one another presents, like at Christmas and have a tree and chicken and parties and ...
Not quite, interrupted Jesus. Everybody gives Hilary a present. There might be a party, with a cake and nine candles for her.
So I must give her a present too, thought Pumpkin.
Yes, said Jesus.
Pumpkin went to leave the church. Then he turned back slowly.
I'd like to have a birthday, too, he said shyly. Can cats have one?
Of course they can, smiled the Lord Jesus. Yours is 9th September.
Pumpkin grinned, delighted. He said goodbye to Jesus and left the church.
Whatever can I give Hilary? he wondered. What would she like? he thought.
Now, Pumpkin's all-time favourite thing was a kitten. He loved a kitten more than he loved milk or fishfingers or Spurs, even. So he thought a kitten would be just the thing to give Hilary.
She'll love a kitten all the world and sixpence, he thought.
As it happened, one of his friends had had kittens not long ago so he went along to see her and fix up about giving Hilary a kitten as a birthday present.
And on her birthday, Hilary was thrilled to bits to get a lovely skirt with a red ribbon hem, a pot full of wild pansies and fern, and presents from Mum and Dad and brothers of course, a toy train from David and buttons from Stephen.
And when she blew out the candles on her cake, she wished for a black kitten and so when she opened her eyes and saw Pumpkin's present, she loved him all the world and sixpence and then some.
Now Pumpkin decided it was time to go on with his walk. He decided to go to Liverpool.
