The Truth About Those Orange Things James L. Cowles (c) Copyright 2026 by James L. Cowles

Photo by  Norbert Szomszéd at Pexels.

National Pumpkin Day is celebrated every year on October 26, honoring the pumpkin as an iconic symbol of autumn in the United States and beyond. It highlights pumpkins’ cultural, culinary, and historical significance, from jacko’-lanterns to pies, and seasonal drinks, but what you may not know, some pumpkins are actually thought to become alive on that one day. Yes, we are talking about having a life of their own for a single day, just a few days before Halloween.

It is a strange phenominon, especially since not all pumpkins are affected. You probably do not believe this supposed “myth,” and if not, who could blame you. However, please allow me to call your attention to the pumpkin you may have recently purchased, especially if you plan to do any carving on it. I would caution you to go about the whole process very carefully. Here is what I would suggest you do.

1. Stand back from your pumpkin, oh, about 10 to 15 feet, and without moving any yourself, see if you can detect any movement from the outer skin of the pumpkin. This will require you to stay very still for at least two minutes, perhaps a bit longer. Now, what you are attempting to see is a breathing motion, one similar to the movement of your own chest when you breathe. Let me say again, it is most important you stand completely still. The distance is equally important, because if your pumpkin is alive, it will actually be looking back at you at the time you are staring at it. And, if it is alive, it will not want you to see it bteathing. I will cover the need for secrecy a little more later.

2. If you cannot detect movement of any kind, that is a good thing, but it is not the only test we will do. This is the second part of the process, and equally important as the first. I want you to carefully put both of your hands on either side of the pumpkin. Do not squeeze it, but do hold it with a firm grip. Again, this particular test will require about two minutes. You will be doing this for obvious reasons, for if the pumpkin is breathing, you are likely to feel it. Please be aware, if the pumpkin is alive, it will attempt to hide any breathing from you, hence the necessity for holding it for at least two minutes, maybe even a bit longer, and of course, do so while acting as nonchalantly as possible.

3. This final part of the test is perhaps the most important, but I strongly suggest you perform the first two tests before this one. It could save you a whole lot of grief, believe me. Here's what I want you to do. Choose a casing knife from your knife collection, a very sharp one. I will ask you to do this away from the pumpkin; in other words, do not allow it to see you either selecting the knife, or see it in your hand. I cannot emphasize this enough, because I have knowledge of some persons who have actually lost a finger during this procedure. I even know of one man who lost a lot of blood, supposedly from slipping and accidentally falling on the knife. Just be very careful not to let the pumpkin see you with it. Now, this part of the process should be done swiftly. You must decide which is the front and back of the pumpkin. Think of it like you would a human head, and imagine ears on each side (the chances are good that you will already have a good idea of the front and back of the pumpkin from the two prior tests). Okay, now go behind the pumpkin and swiftly stick the knife into the middle of the back of its head, and then remove it. This should be done in one motion; caution - do not leave the knife in the pumpkin! If the pumpkin is alive, it will definitely scream. It may be more like a low moan than a scream, but you will hear it if you listen closely. If it does scream, or even whimper,, whatever you do, you must not let the pumpkin see your face. It is said that it has the ability to put a spell on you by looking directly into your eyes, and I have heard tales of everything from a simple wart appearing on a person's nose, to a full-blown case of body blisters cast onto an unsuspecting victim.

So by now you are thinking I am entirely off my rocker, and I understand that completely. Sometimes I think so too. I thought it was a crazy story when a friend told me this same thing. I only wish I had listened, but I ignored him. I bought a pumpkin, and without the slightest provocation on my part, I got me a sharp butcher knife, went right ahead and began carving it. In my case, I hesitate to tell you the spell that was cast on me. In fact, I will not give you complete details, primarily because the pumpkin told me not to ever speak of it. The damn thing, or maybe I should say, that beautiful, orange pumpkin, claimed it would cast an even worse spell on me, if I did so. Yes, it did. It sure did. Enough said.