The Enchanted Lantern

Amelia loved Halloween more than any other day of the year. This year, she was finally big enough to carve her very own jack-o'-lantern! She picked the biggest, roundest pumpkin at the pumpkin patch. At home, she scooped out all the squishy seeds and carved two triangle eyes and the biggest, friendliest smile. That evening, Amelia placed a candle inside and set it on the front porch. When her dad lit the candle, it glowed with a warm, orange light. "It's beautiful!" said Amelia. She looked down the street at all the other jack-o'-lanterns glowing in the darkness. But then she noticed something. Mrs. Chen's house next door was dark. No jack-o'-lantern at all. The next morning, Amelia knocked on Mrs. Chen's door. "Mrs. Chen, why don't you have a jack-o'-lantern?" asked Amelia. Mrs. Chen smiled sadly. "I love Halloween, but I can't carve a big pumpkin by myself anymore. My hands are too shaky." "I can help you!" said Amelia. That afternoon, they picked out a perfect pumpkin together. Amelia helped scoop and carve while Mrs. Chen told Halloween stories. When they lit the candle, Mrs. Chen's jack-o'-lantern glowed beautifully. "Thank you, Amelia," said Mrs. Chen with a big hug. As Amelia walked home, Mr. Martinez called out from across the street. "Could you help my kids carve pumpkins too? We've never made one before!" "Yes!" said Amelia. Soon, more neighbors asked for help. Amelia spent the whole day carving with some and giving tips to others. Finally, Halloween night arrived. Amelia stepped onto her porch in her costume and gasped. Every single house on the street had a jack-o'-lantern glowing! Happy faces, silly faces, spooky faces - the whole street sparkled with warm, orange light. Trick-or-treaters walked up and down, pointing at all the beautiful pumpkins. Neighbors stood on their porches, chatting and smiling. Amelia's mom hugged her. "You did something very special. You helped bring the whole neighborhood together." Amelia smiled. She had started with just one pumpkin and one small act of kindness. But that kindness had spread and spread, until the entire street was filled with light and Halloween magic. And that was the best kind of magic of all. Happy Halloween!