The Pumpkin Giant by Mary E. Wilkins
In a time long before pumpkins existed, a fearsome giant known for his terrifying presence and insatiable appetite terrorized a kingdom. This giant, with a massive yellow head and a mouth full of sharp teeth, was particularly fond of fat little boys and girls, causing widespread panic among the populace. The King, whose own daughter was the plumpest princess, suffered from anxiety due to the giant's threat, leading him to issue a proclamation promising knighthood to anyone who could slay the giant. Despite the fear gripping the kingdom, one poor farmer named Patroclus, who had a fat son named AEneas, decided to confront the giant. While digging potatoes, the giant approached, and in a moment of bravery, Patroclus hurled a large potato into the giant's mouth, causing him to choke and ultimately die. The family rejoiced, and AEneas played with the giant's head, which led to an unexpected harvest of pumpkin-like heads in their field. As the family experimented with cooking the giant's heads, they discovered they could make delicious dishes, including pies. The King, upon smelling the delightful aroma from their cottage, demanded to taste the pies. He was so impressed that he knighted Patroclus and elevated the family to royal status. The kingdom transformed, with pumpkin fields replacing royal gardens, and AEneas eventually married the princess. The story concludes with a humorous inscription marking the giant's former residence, celebrating the end of his reign of terror and the newfound joy brought by pumpkins.
By Mary E. Wilkins · First published 1927 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale · 3,844 words
First lines
A very long time ago, before our grandmother's time, or our great-grandmother's, or our grandmothers' with a very long string of greats prefixed, there were no pumpkins; people had never eaten a pumpkin-pie, or even stewed pumpkin; and that was the time when the Pumpkin Giant flourished.
What this Textopian page supports
The Pumpkin Giant is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary E. Wilkins, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary E. Wilkins
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 3,844 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Pumpkin Giant by Mary E. Wilkins
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Pumpkin Giant?
- How does this short story by Mary E. Wilkins fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Cow With Golden Horns by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Pot Of Gold by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Silver Hen by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Umbrella Man by Mary E. Wilkins
- Toby by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Child That Went With The Fairies by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Genres
- Fantasy — The story features a mythical giant and magical elements, typical of the fantasy genre.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is aimed at a younger audience, with themes of adventure and moral lessons.
- Fairy Tale — The structure and elements resemble traditional fairy tales, including a giant, a king, and a heroic act.
- Adventure — The plot involves a quest to defeat the Pumpkin Giant, embodying adventure themes.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · American Literature · Short Story Collection · Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Horror · Literary Fiction · Regionalism · New England Setting