Squidge the Squash’s Halloween Bedtime Story 🎃 ✨ | Rewind

[00:00:10] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original bedtime stories and sleep meditations for kids, designed to make bedtime a dream. Now then, if any of you listening have ever had a small thought that you wish you were someone or something else, tonight's story is for you. It's very common for us to look at someone else and think they are having a better time of it than us.

[00:00:36] But there's an important truth we all miss when we do that, which is that we stop noticing ourselves and our own unique and special features. This lovely story, and if you don't make it to the end, perhaps play it again tomorrow, tells the tale of a squishy, squashy squash called Squidge and how he truly, madly, deeply wants to be a pumpkin.

[00:01:00] It's coming up to Halloween, after all, and everyone wants pumpkins to carve faces into. Well, when that wish is finally granted, is it all he expected? Let's find out soon, but first, hop into bed and let's do some pumpkin face breathing. We'll breathe in deeply, and each time you let out your breath, pull a different pumpkin face.

[00:01:30] You could try a big toothy grin, or an open mouth, or breathe out through pursed lips, you choose. So breathe in, and then pull a face to breathe out. Great. Again, breathe in, and pull a face to breathe out. And finally, breathe in, and pull a face to breathe out. Perfect.

[00:02:00] It's time now to begin Squidge the Squash's Halloween Dream by Sarah Kate Howarth. Before we begin, here's a quick ad break, then we'll start tonight's bedtime story. If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and unlock all our premium stories, you can join the Coco Club. To join, follow the link in the show notes.

[00:02:24] It was late October, in the charming little village of Puddleford. The trees hung heavy with crisp autumn leaves, their branches strewn with flashes of crimson, snippets of scarlet, bursts of russet and glimmers of gold.

[00:02:50] Whispers of winter already hung in the air, speckles of frost gripped onto blades of grass, and spiderwebs clung to the porch rafters. Pale sunlight twinkling through their delicate threads. At the end of a winding country lane, Graham the greengrocer was already up and dressed, carrying heavy bundles of vegetables out of the storeroom and over to the shop front.

[00:03:17] Graham's produce was the best in town. Carrots, the colour of the setting sun. Aubergines glistening like amethysts, then towering piles of premium potatoes. The villagers never shopped anywhere else for their greens. Graham stomped his feet in the cool morning chill, his breath crystallising in front of his face in a silvery cloud.

[00:03:44] He laid out the parsnips, the beetroots and the artichokes, arranging them in sensible stacks. He poured the broad beans into a tub and set out his squash proudly. But given that Halloween was fast approaching, there was only one thing that really mattered at the moment. Swollen pumpkins, straight from the nearby pumpkin patch.

[00:04:10] Every morning, Graham received a brand new delivery of pumpkins from Farmer Wyatt at Puddlefoot Farm. A towering pile of splendid orange spheres. And yet, by the end of the day, there wouldn't be a single one left. They were his seasonal bestseller, year in, year out.

[00:04:32] In fact, the local folk were so doolally about their pumpkins, there was even an annual pumpkin carving competition. With the prize awarded for the most creatively carved design. Given their immense popularity, Farmer Wyatt's pumpkins had become a little too big for their boots.

[00:04:54] They sat smugly in prime position on the top shelf, their skins gleaming in fiery shades of apricot, marmalade, saffron and peach. They smirked at the other produce and whispered amongst themselves pompously. The sidelined vegetables couldn't help but feel a little put out. They're so full of themselves, grumbled the garlic.

[00:05:24] What a load of show-offs, piped the peppers. So superior, lamented the leeks. I'm much better in a pie, remarked the rhubarb bitterly. But the squidgy little butternut squash didn't join in their moaning. In truth, Squidge the squash longed to be a pumpkin himself. It didn't seem fair.

[00:05:53] He was from the very same squash family, practically a sibling. And yet, no one wanted to enter him into the Halloween competition. He was far too squishy. Heaps too squashy. Everyone went straight for the firm, strong pumpkins instead. October really was not his month to shine.

[00:06:21] It was pumpkin season through and through. It was such rotten luck to be the wrong kind of squash in autumn. Squidge the squash tried his very best to look appealing as the early morning shoppers began to arrive on their way into town. He watched forlornly as their hands unfurled clean over his head, stretching out towards the gleaming pumpkins above him,

[00:06:50] who tittered and chortled as they sailed straight over Squidge's head. I see you, sucker, the pumpkin sneered as they disappeared down the country lane, tucked into wicker baskets hooked in the elbows of shoppers. Soon, they'd be carved into a beautiful design, filled with the flickering, cosy light of a candle,

[00:07:17] and proudly displayed on a porch step for passers-by to marvel at. A wise old pepper gently nudged Squidge and threw him a kindly smile. Wise up, kid, you don't want to be a pumpkin. They'll be shivering on the doorstep before this day's out.

[00:07:41] But the squishy squash's head drooped down to his chin and his shoulders slumped dejectedly. He really did want to be a pumpkin. He wanted it more than anything. That night, when all the unwanted vegetables were safely tucked away from the frost inside Graham's dusty storeroom, Squidge heard a strange snickering sound.

[00:08:11] He peered through the darkness towards the corner of the room, where a pale lilac glow was beginning to swell. The butternut squash blinked. He must be dreaming. He looked around at the rest of the vegetables, snoring soundly by his side. He glanced back over to the lilac shimmer,

[00:08:37] which was beginning to creep closer and closer towards him. The snickering sound devolved into a curious melody, tripping and falling with chromatic grace notes, and Squidge suddenly felt a little spooked. What was going on? Before he could nudge the neighbouring squash awake from their slumbers, the sound stopped,

[00:09:05] and the sparkling mirage transformed into something or rather someone familiar. There, before his very eyes stood Isabel, the friendly woodland sprite who resided in the forest encircling the village. Isabella? Squidge's eyes lit up like candles on a birthday cake.

[00:09:33] Hello, little butternut. I wanted to pay you a little visit whilst everyone else was asleep. I had a hunch that you've been feeling a little glum lately. Is that true? Squidge smiled. Isabella always knew when her magic was needed. She came precisely when you needed her the most.

[00:10:00] But Isabella, he whispered, I'm so glad you're here. The truth is, I've been feeling miserable. Really, truly miserable. As gloomy as a troll. Isabella smiled, her kind violet eyes gleaming like jewels in the dark store cupboard.

[00:10:31] And why is that, little one? Squidge sighed. Well, I know it might sound silly. I'm grateful for lots of things, you know. It's just, I can't help but wish. Isabel's eyes darkened into a deep indigo. She was known for her powerful magic.

[00:10:58] With a flick of her wand, she could grant anyone their heart's desire. Wish? She purred. What? Wish? Squidge. The squidgy squash took a deep breath. I wish I was a pumpkin, he proclaimed. A strong, firm, Halloween pumpkin.

[00:11:25] And that someone would choose me from the shelf. I'd be carried away in a wicker basket and carved into the most impressive design and sit proudly on someone's doorstep for all to see. Isabella narrowed her eyes. Are you sure?

[00:11:50] Do you really believe that being a Halloween pumpkin is your true calling? Squidge nodded eagerly. Oh, I do, he insisted. I believe. Very well then, but you must be aware. Once I change you, there's no going back. Squidge smiled blithely. It's quite all right.

[00:12:18] I won't change my mind. I'm certain of it. Isabella took out her wand and gave it a flourish, the tip coursing through the air, trailing tiny flickers of flame behind like a sparkler. Squidge felt his skin beginning to bulge and swell, as if he was being inflated like a hot air balloon.

[00:12:45] He grew rounder and rounder, firmer and firmer until he wasn't the least bit squidgy. He was a perfectly swollen sphere. He looked down at his skin, which had deepened from a creamy beige to a burnt orange jacket. Wow, he breathed. I'm not a butternut squash anymore.

[00:13:15] I'm... I'm a pumpkin. Alast! He gazed up, ready to shower Isabella with thanks, but there was nobody there. All that remained were a few glittering embers from the tip of Isabella's wand that danced onto the ground and fizzled in the gloom.

[00:13:39] The next morning, Graham the greengrocer was astonished to find a gleaming pumpkin nestled between the rows of smooth butternut squash. That's funny, he said, placing the pumpkin up onto the top shelf where it shone in the watery autumn sunlight. I thought we sold out of pumpkins yesterday. I guess one must have rolled down into the squash.

[00:14:09] Well, never mind. There gives me one more to tide me over until Farmer Wyatt does his morning rounds. Soon enough, the early morning shoppers began to trickle down the lane, sleep still scrunched in the corner of their eyes. Has Farmer Wyatt been yet?

[00:14:31] An outspoken teenager called over to Graham, racing towards the greengrocers and hopping from one foot to the other eagerly. No, son, Graham replied, a dimple floating on his left cheek. But as luck would have it, I do have something practically unheard of. One pumpkin, leftover from yesterday's stock.

[00:15:00] The boy's cheeks dropped in surprise. But it always sell out, he protested, his eyes wide with disbelief. Graham the greengrocer smiled and gestured over to Squidge, sat on the top shelf in what he hoped was a convincing pumpkin-like posture. See for yourself, Graham sang.

[00:15:25] And the young lad rushed forwards to claim the singular pumpkin, which was the most vivid shade of orange you ever did see. It's perfect, he breathed, examining the pumpkin's tough tangerine skin and swollen belly. I'll take it if you please. Squidge couldn't believe his luck.

[00:15:50] He thought about all the days he'd sat on the shelf, feeling utterly invisible to pass us by. And now, within mere minutes as a pumpkin, it was already claimed. Tucked inside a shopping basket and bouncing away down the lane, as the young boy scampered over the cobbles, eager to get him home and show his siblings the most perfect Halloween pumpkin,

[00:16:19] they would surely win the carving contest with such a brilliant canvas. The wise old pepper watched Squidge disappear down the street. Oh dear, oh dear, he sighed to himself. That poor little butternut squash doesn't know what he's got himself into.

[00:16:47] The young teenager's siblings were beside themselves when Simon returned home with the prize pumpkin. What a beauty! exclaimed Polly, her cheeks glowing rosy red. It's so orange! marveled Mimi, tracing her finger over his bright skin. And so firm! Squidge swelled with pride.

[00:17:16] It was just as he'd always dreamed it would be. Now he was a Halloween pumpkin, and no longer a useless squidgy squash, everyone instantly fell in love with him. Simon cleared a space on the table. What kind of design should we do? He mused. We want to stand out after all.

[00:17:43] Mimi rested her chin in her hands, her mouth puckering into a pout. Hmm, she contemplated. I'm not sure. It's almost too perfect to carve, don't you think? Squidge's breath caught in his throat. They surely weren't going to leave him out of the competition. Why, that was the whole point of being a Halloween pumpkin.

[00:18:12] Simon laughed. Give over, Mimi. This is a prize pumpkin. We'll win the old contest with this one. What about a scary face? Something typically spooky? Polly tuttered, raising her eyebrows high so that they disappeared into her tousled fringe. Don't be silly, Simon. That's what everyone will do. We need to be inventive.

[00:18:40] How about we carve a witch's broom? Or a black cat? Suggested Mimi. Or the silhouette of a frog? Proposed Polly. Or a haunted house? Offered Mimi. Or a ghost? Countered Polly. Or a wizard? Continued Mimi.

[00:19:08] Hey, interrupted Simon. A bright idea glinting in his eyes. How about we carve our last name? That way, everyone will know it's our pumpkin. The jewel of the pumpkin patch. Simon's suggestion hung in the air invitingly. Not bad, Polly murmured.

[00:19:34] Twisting the pumpkin from side to side to see if all the letters would fit. B-U-T-T-E-R-N-U-T, she counted. I think we could do it. Squidge froze. Of all the surnames in the world, surely these children weren't called...

[00:20:03] Butternut, Mimi announced, trying out the word for size. I like it. How funny. How funny. A butternut pumpkin. She dissolved into giggles. Squidge couldn't believe his luck. How frightful.

[00:20:31] To go to all the trouble of being changed into a pumpkin and end up branded with the very word he'd been trying to escape. It was rotten luck indeed. A salty tear streamed down his leather skin. I've been transformed into a pumpkin and yet I still can't seem to escape the name Butternut Squash.

[00:21:01] Squidge shook his head miserably. It's no use. I'll never be a real pumpkin from the patch. I'll be the laughingstock of the village, like always. That evening, the siblings placed Squidge proudly out on their porch step, a solitary candle flickering from inside the hollow pumpkin.

[00:21:30] In the darkening twilight, their creation glowed like an enchanted orange orb. Candlelight flickered through the skillfully carved letters, illuminating the word so that it shone down onto the front steps. There was no mistaking it. This pumpkin was definitely a Butternut. Polly smiled proudly.

[00:21:59] That was an amazing idea you had, Simon. Now everyone will immediately see that this pumpkin belongs to the Butternut household. As Polly, Mimi and Simon headed back inside for dinner, Squidge stood alone, lighting up the porch with his solitary flame. The night began to close in overhead,

[00:22:28] drawing its inky black cloak around Squidge's shoulders with an icy chill. The temperature plummeted and he began to shiver, his teeth chattering in the biting wind. He gazed up and down the street, each house illuminated by the dim glow of a pumpkin on the doorstep. He peered through the muddy darkness,

[00:22:55] fixing his gaze onto the shimmering orange spheres, each one quivering violently in the frosty air. His eyes widened. He thought it was just him, not being used to being outside this late. But every single pumpkin was similarly shivering. He called out, emboldened by this newfound sense of community. Hello? Hello?

[00:23:26] His voice rang out into the air and echoed like a church bell. A sea of orange faces turned to look at him expectantly. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth a second time. It's my first night outside. I'm new here, you see. Is it always this cold? It's cold. The pumpkins began to titter and guffaw.

[00:23:54] What a baby, they stammered through their shivers. It's practically summer. Squidge's brow creased in confusion. But I can see you all shivering, he persisted. You're freezing. Why don't we all take shelter inside for a bit? The neighbourhood pumpkins erupted into a fit of the giggles. Inside?

[00:24:24] Pumpkins don't go inside at night? Don't be so ludicrous. The pumpkin next door craned her neck to take a closer look at this newbie. Upon reading the word carved into Squidge's chest, she couldn't contain her merriment. This one has butternut spelled out in capital letters, she chortled,

[00:24:50] prompting all the other pumpkins to join in with her cackles. No wonder you're cold, mate. Butternut squash belongs in a nice cosy store cupboard, not out here on a doorstep in spooky season. That's a job for a real pumpkin. Squidge hung his head in embarrassment. But at the same time, he couldn't help feeling a little wistful.

[00:25:20] It certainly wasn't nice to be the laughing stock, or rather the laughing squash of the village. But the thought of being tucked up inside Graham the Greengrocer's cosy store cupboard, out of the clutches of the chilly night air, nestled in beside his button-up besties, well, it did sound rather tempting. Squidge shook his head and puffed out his chest.

[00:25:49] This was no time for nostalgia. He had to prove himself as a pumpkin before the night was out. And so he braved himself, shouldered the frost that nipped at his navel, and got ready to withstand his first gruelling night as a Halloween pumpkin. As the morning of Halloween unfolded, and sunlight trickled through the rafters of the porch,

[00:26:19] Squidge heaved a sigh of relief, closely followed by an almighty sneeze. He had managed to catch a cold, sitting out on the freezing step all night. Perhaps his formerly squidgy skin was a little less resistant to the cold. He hoped he wouldn't cough and splutter during the pumpkin carving competition. The other pumpkins didn't need another reason to believe he wasn't up to the job.

[00:26:49] Later that morning, Squidge found himself squashed amidst rows and rows of endless pumpkins at the annual carving competition in the village square. As the judging panel strode up and down, surveying the entries and taking notes on their official-looking clipboards, Squidge did his best to blend in. The butternut siblings gazed over at their entry hopefully,

[00:27:18] whispering to one another with gleaming eyes. Beside them, the villagers cast eager looks around the room, their eyes alighting on any judge who lingered for a moment to regard a particular pumpkin. Graham the greengrocer stood looking at the festive display, a little jaded. Truth be told, he couldn't wait until Halloween was over and the rest of his produce could finally get a look in.

[00:27:48] And as for poor Farmer Wyatt, he was collapsed in a heap in the back of the marquee, totally and utterly exhausted. Halloween had always been a busy time for him, but this year's stint on the pumpkin patch was ridiculous. He hadn't had a decent night's sleep in weeks, with the villagers pestering him morning, noon and night for endless deliveries of pumpkins. Soon,

[00:28:17] the judges called for quiet in the village square. It was finally time for the grand announcement. The village mayor took to the podium and cleared his throat. Ladles and jelly spoons, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. The winner of the annual Halloween carving contest is... A hush fell over the villagers,

[00:28:47] who clung to one another with bated breath. The mayor stalled, enjoying the captive audience. First, we'd like to say that we've never seen so many entries. Each one is so fantastically carved. It's been a terribly difficult choice, but one pumpkin still managed to stand out, on account of being, well,

[00:29:16] a little bit different. The winning entry goes to... the butternut siblings, Polly, Mimi and Simon, for their humorous idea. They've not only carved their surname into the pumpkin, but they've also given us food for thought. Polly, Mimi and Simon's faces shone with pride

[00:29:44] as the villagers began to applaud the winning entry, and Squidge was carried over to the podium, blinking with disbelief at his own victory. The mayor patted Squidge on the head fondly. You see, this year, things seem to have gotten a little out of hand. Poor Farmer Wyatt has been working non-stop

[00:30:12] to source enough pumpkins, and Graham the Greengrocer has been a saint to keep the stock flowing so efficiently. But we can't keep expecting this of them every year. It isn't fair. The message carved on this little pumpkin is genius. After all, the season brings us so many different types of squash.

[00:30:42] It's high time we expanded the contest to include them all. From butternut to acorn, let's leave no hubbard in the cupboard. Farmer Wyatt's face dissolved into a picture of sheer relief, and Graham's cheeks swelled with joy. What a fantastic idea that was,

[00:31:11] to include all the other squash in the contest, and give the overworked pumpkin patch a bit of a rest. Squidge couldn't believe his ears. He thought he'd be cast out for being a butternut squash, but as it turned out, he was very much included. He could still be a part of the festivities of Halloween,

[00:31:40] but as his true self instead. How marvellous. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a lilac shimmer beginning to swell into a familiar, sprightly shape. Isabel, he breathed. Boy, am I glad to see you. Isabella giggled. So,

[00:32:10] how's life as the prize pumpkin? Squidge didn't hesitate. Please, Isabella, you have to help me. I know you said there was no going back, but I've never wanted to be a butternut squash quite so much as I do now. Isabella smiled. You're sure you don't want to be a pumpkin anymore?

[00:32:39] I thought it was your dream. Squidge shook his head fervently, and Isabella nodded content. All right, pet, I just needed you to realise that nothing feels as sweet as being your own true self. A beam of light danced across the marquee, and the villagers,

[00:33:09] the pumpkins, the butternut siblings, and the mayor all began to dissolve into the distance, until Squidge found himself all alone in a quiet pool of darkness. As his eyes adjusted to the inky shadow, he glanced around the room, which was warm and cosy, and felt oddly familiar.

[00:33:38] My store cupboard, he exhaled, hugging himself in delight, his sides squidging in on themselves. I'm back to being me, he whispered, his eyes shining with warmth. There he was, back in the gloomy depths of Graham's store cupboard, nestled in tight amongst the rest

[00:34:08] of the butternut squash, exactly where he belonged. He thought of his Halloween adventure, of all that had happened since he was last home, and sighed contentedly. Ah, I'm so, so happy to be me again, he whispered. Careful not to wake

[00:34:36] the other snoozing vegetables snuggled up beside him. As his breathing slowed into a calm and regular pattern, somewhere, on the other side of the village, Farmer Wyatt was tucked inside his own bed, the covers pulled up tight to his chin. A sleepy smile dangled loosely from his face,

[00:35:05] and he whispered his thanks into the stillness of the sleeping farmhouse. Next year won't be a chore, it'll be a dream, and all thanks thanks to that little Halloween hero. Bravo for butternut squash. butternut squash. I love you. I love you. I love you.