Franklin's Thanksgiving

Story based on characters created by

Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark

Illustrated by
Brenda Clark

Kids Can Press

F
RANKLIN
liked everything about Thanksgiving. He liked eating pumpkin-fly pie and cranberry jelly. He liked making cornucopias and cornhusk dolls. But, most of all, he liked having his Grandma and Grandpa come for dinner. It was the family tradition, and Franklin could hardly wait.

A week before Thanksgiving, a postcard arrived from Franklin's grandparents.

“Oh dear,” sighed Franklin's mother. “Grandma and Grandpa can't make it back for the holiday.”

“But they have to!” cried Franklin. “They're always here for Thanksgiving.”

Franklin's mother gave him a hug. “There will still be the four of us,” she said.

“It won't be the same,” Franklin grumbled.

Over the next few days, Franklin was so busy that he didn't have much time to think about Grandma and Grandpa. He helped his mother pick apples and make applesauce. He helped his father dig up vegetables and store them in the cellar. Franklin and Bear helped Harriet and Beatrice pick berries and gather nuts.

In the gardens and orchards, forests and fields, everyone was bringing in the harvest.

Franklin counted all the jars of jams and preserves.

“I think this year was the most bountiful ever,” announced his father. “We could feed the whole town!”

“I just wish we could feed Grandma and Grandpa,” sighed Franklin.

His mother agreed. “We'll miss having company,” she said.

At school, Franklin's class made a harvest quilt and learned how the early settlers celebrated Thanksgiving.

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving, Mr. Owl?” asked Franklin.

“I'll have dinner with my mother,” he replied. “Our relatives can't visit this year.”

“Ours neither,” said Franklin.

Then he had an idea. He invited Mr. Owl and his mother for dinner.

“It's all right with my parents,” Franklin explained. “They want company.”

“Well, thank you, Franklin,” said Mr. Owl. “We'd be delighted to come.”

Franklin smiled. This would be a wonderful surprise for his parents.