The Little Striped Pumpkin

I walked down the sidewalk toward the corner flower shop to look at the autumn displays. Outside by the door, a tiny striped pumpkin had rolled off the low wooden crate and rested across the red brick walkway. I crouched down and wrapped both plush arms around its cool, ridged sides. It was plump and pleasantly firm, with a curled brown stem pointing toward the street. Shuffling my blue shoes one small step at a time, I nudged it across the bricks until it tucked neatly against the crate leg. Now it rests safely out of the walking path, catching the warm afternoon sun.