Pumpkin and the Red Ribbon
Pumpkin and the Red Ribbon
by Lynda Keen
Pumpkin decided to go home and see how his humans were. He miaowed at the front door and Hilda let him in.
Hello, he said, and gave her a big cuddle. She stroked him and he purred and purred.
Eventually Hilda went off to do some washing and Pumpkin strolled into the back room. Julie was sitting at the table, her head in her hands.
Hello, Julie.
Hello, Pumpkin.
She stroked him.
What can I do, Pumpkin, she asked. It's my little sister's birthday next week.
Pumpkin wondered what a birthday was and was just about to ask but Julie was still talking.
I'm making her a skirt and I need some red ribbon for round the bottom. Where can I get red ribbon on a Sunday?
Nevins, said Pumpkin.
Don't be silly. Nevins isn't open on a Sunday.
Oh, said Pumpkin. Miaow, I'm sure. My mistake.
He thought.
I know where we can get red ribbon, he said. Put your coat on.
They walked past the shops and across the Village Green and Pumpkin went and sat on the skateboard rink.
Julie grew impatient.
There's no red ribbon here, that's a skateboard bowl. And anyway it's no good for anything, not even skateboarding, it's too soft.
Pumpkin sighed. Humans were such silly animals, always wanting things to happen too fast.
Listen, he said. This is where the rainbow comes down to skate. Nobody else skates here so he can enjoy himself without being disturbed.
A rainbow on a skateboard. Don't be daft, Pumpkin.
Wait and see.
She waited and saw.
Does he ice-skate as well? she asked, I went ice-skating once, to Manchester.
Watching the rainbow skating quite took their breath away. They almost forgot why they had come.
Suddenly Julie remembered.
The ribbon for Hilary's skirt, she said.
Ask the rainbow for some red, Pumpkin told her, when he stops for a rest.
So she did.
How much do you want? asked the rainbow.
Enough for a skirt hem, said Julie.
How much?
Three yards, said Pumpkin, should do.
That'll be 30 pence, said the rainbow. Thank you.
And he gave Julie the ribbon. And her 30 pence back.
Why did he give me my money back? Julie asked Pumpkin on the way home.
Even I don't know everything, replied Pumpkin. I'm only a cat, after all.
