Lila and the Jack-o'-Lantern Halloween Comes to America

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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SPEAKER_2 (0:31)

This is Believe. One Network. Every Topic. Everywhere.

SPEAKER_3 (0:37)

Okay, our friends, so one spooky pumpkin story deserves another.

Philip (0:43)

What do you say?

Lisa Bueno (0:44)

Today we're going to not just read about a pumpkin, but about something very specific that you might do with a pumpkin. And did you know that this has been going on for a very long time? So we're going to do a little bit of time traveling too.

Philip (0:57)

What do you say? You ready?

Lisa Bueno (0:59)

I don't like time traveling.

SPEAKER_3 (1:00)

No? I love it!

Philip (1:02)

You?

SPEAKER_3 (1:03)

I don't like it?

SPEAKER_1 (1:03)

I love it!

Philip (1:04)

Because then I can tell Christopher Columbus that all of the Indians in North America aren't Indians, they're Native Americans.

SPEAKER_1 (1:13)

You need to go around that place, bro.

Lisa Bueno (1:15)

Pro Show? Yeah, he was a little misinformed, huh?

Well, he figured it out.

Philip (1:19)

Oh, well, she won't miss anyway, that'd be fun.

Lisa Bueno (1:22)

I mean, you got to do something, don't you? Okay. So today, we're going to learn about somebody else who came to America. You ready for this?

Today's story is called Lila and the Jack O'Lantern. Halloween Comes to America. This story was written by Nancy Churin and it's illustrated by Annaleigh Bray.

It is read today by Mommy and... Philip.

Philip (1:54)

Philip.

Lisa Bueno (1:54)

Are you ready?

Philip (1:56)

Yeah. I have a special announcement to make.

Lisa Bueno (1:59)

Is it birthday week?

Philip (2:01)

It's birthday week.

SPEAKER_3 (2:04)

It's birthday week.

Lisa Bueno (2:06)

That's right. This week is Philip's birthday, so we're celebrating a little bit here and a little bit there. Are you ready, my little pumpkin head?

Philip (2:14)

Yeah.

Lisa Bueno (2:16)

In the dark, cold ship, Lila's hair gleamed like a flame. Her little brother and sister, missing Ireland, drew close as she reassured them about their new home. We'll have a cool cannon in America, Lila told Billy and Grace. They sighed, hungry for Ma's savory mashed potatoes and kale and onions.

That's what cool cannon is.

SPEAKER_3 (2:46)

It's a dish. It's food.

Lisa Bueno (2:49)

But what about Halloween? Billy asked. We have turnips. Lila hesitated. She remembered her father's letter from America. October 15th, 1850 Dear heart, I've sent Ma money to buy tickets for you all to join me.

PS. Sorry, there are no turnips anywhere.

She couldn't tell them that. In Ireland, Billy and Grace had looked forward to tricking a sly spirit named Jack, who walked the streets on Halloween playing pranks. With Dawes help, they always carved a face into a turnip and put a glowing coal inside, so Jack would see it and run away, thinking a spirit was already in their house. They wore sheets to make him think they were spirits as they knocked on doors for treats. America had to have Halloween!

Lila made a promise she hoped to keep. Jack is on his way to America right now, she whispered, on a faster boat.

Billy and Grace knew it. Jack was clever. And when he comes, we'll be ready! That night, Lila dreamed of potatoes growing as they had before Gautamur, the potato famine, which had forced them to leave their home. When she tried to pick them, the potatoes turned into turnips, and an angry stranger snatched them. As Lila backed away, she stumbled over something round and orange. She woke frightened, hungry and worried. What would their new home be like? Would the people be friendly? Ma gave her a bit of biscuit and soothed her back to sleep.

See, in the picture, we can see they're on a boat, right? Lila and her brother and sister, Billy and Grace.

SPEAKER_1 (4:54)

And her mom. Mm-hmm.

Lisa Bueno (4:58)

And they are headed to America.

SPEAKER_1 (5:02)

Okay.

Lisa Bueno (5:03)

A week later, they raced down the plank into Dawes Arms. The city was filled with new sights and sounds and smells. Lila squeezed Billy's and Grace's hands as they passed horses clop, clop, clopping on muddy streets. She lifted them to see the peddlers, carts teeming with treats. Peaches, apples, hot corn and gingerbread. But as Billy and Grace raced up the steps to their new home, Lila paused. Instead of running through green rolling hills to their farm, she climbed slowly, helping Ma and Da lug suitcases up to a small cramped apartment.