how the legend of the pumpkin man was born

Dear Friend,

have you heard of the legend of the pumpkin man of kennett square?

one full moon night in the cornfields on the outskirts of kennett square, mister scarecrow climbed down his stake and replaced his scarecrow head with a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, and became, mister pumpkin. “i shall try something different!” he said quite excitedly to no one.

along came some kids walking along the cornfield and he offered to them a little pumpkin treat. poor mister pumpkin, he only wanted to make a friendship offering to them, but their blood curdling shrill shrieks pierced the cold autumn air, and they could be heard many miles away. some have said as far away as philadelphia.

so the legend of the terror of the pumpkin man was born. since that frightfully misunderstood encounter, kennett square has never been the same.

Mister Pumpkin’s Friendship Offering (self portrait). Oil on panel, 8 by 6 inches.