Stories About Autumn

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This collection brings together a variety of autumn-themed stories, each exploring different aspects of the season, from Thanksgiving to Halloween and the changing weather. The stories feature a wide range of characters, including animals, children, and magical beings, highlighting themes of harvest, transformation, and the passage of time.

Thanksgiving Stories

Thanksgiving is a central theme in several stories, focusing on themes of gratitude, community, and family. In The Night Before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Robb, a lonely woman, is visited by Johnny, a boy she once cared for, who brings food and promises her care, marking a heartwarming Thanksgiving reunion. Uncle Wiggily’s Thanksgiving with Gobble Obble follows Uncle Wiggily and Nurse Jane as they welcome a turkey named Gobble Obble, who manages to escape being served for dinner. In Thanksgiving Dinner at Lathem’s Farm, Farmer Lathem prepares a grand feast using fresh produce from his farm, emphasizing the importance of family gatherings around the Thanksgiving table.

Halloween Stories

A wide variety of Halloween stories feature different characters, from ghosts and witches to pumpkins and elves, celebrating the spooky spirit of the holiday. The Legend of the Headless Horseman tells the tale of Ichabod Crane and his eerie encounter with the ghostly Headless Horseman. In Halloween ABC, each letter from A to Z is tied to a Halloween concept, capturing the full range of the holiday’s customs and symbols. The Halloween Witches follows a group of witches who gather on Halloween night to dance and play under the moonlight. The Jack-O-Lantern Song creates an atmosphere of fear and awe as the wind extinguishes the lights of the Jack-o’-lanterns, adding a sense of magic to the holiday.

Harvest and Autumn Traditions

Several stories explore the themes of harvest and preparation for winter, reflecting the agricultural cycle of autumn. The Fall of the Leaf explains why trees shed their leaves in autumn to conserve water during the colder months. Wassailing the Apple-trees recounts the tradition of singing and pouring a spiced brew at the base of apple trees to ensure a good harvest. In Who Brought the Harvest?, various nature-inspired creatures are credited with contributing to the harvest, celebrating the collective effort that brings about the abundance of the season.

Animal Stories

Autumn also brings about changes in the lives of animals, many of which prepare for the coming winter. In Inquisitive Mr. Possum, Mr. Possum’s curiosity about Mrs. Rabbit’s pantry leads to humorous consequences when he falls into a barrel of whitewash. The Chestnut Boys follows three baby chestnuts who grow under the protection of Mother Nature and later play outside during autumn before being covered in leaves and snow to wait for spring. In Uncle Wiggily and the Mushroom, Uncle Wiggily and his friend the porcupine search for fortune, encountering danger from a bear and a snake, but ultimately escaping safely.

Autumn Reflections

The stories in this category offer meditations on the passage of time and the changing seasons. Twas Later When the Summer Went reflects on the inevitable transition from summer to autumn, focusing on the fleeting nature of time. November Woods tells the story of a girl named November and her forest friends preparing for the coming winter, symbolizing the end of the harvest season. The Green Willow is about a young samurai who falls in love with Green Willow, only to lose her when the tree she loves is cut down, reflecting the transitory nature of life.

Fun and Mischief

In addition to stories of tradition and reflection, some autumn tales focus on playful or mischievous characters. The Pumpkin Ghosts follows three friends who tell stories about pumpkin spirits while holding onto their carved pumpkins. In Uncle Wiggily’s Halloween Fun, Uncle Wiggily and the rabbit children prepare for Halloween, but their fun is interrupted by a bear that they manage to scare away. Twinkling Feet’s Halloween tells the story of an elf named Twinkling Feet, who embarks on a quest to find his lost smile before midnight, highlighting the humorous side of Halloween misadventures.

Fall Tales with Magic and Fantasy

Some autumn stories introduce magical elements and fantastical beings, adding a sense of wonder to the season. The Witch’s Dream follows a witch who is unsettled by a figure named Fear, but her companions, the Owl and the Cat, help her find courage. The Elf Knight recounts the story of Janet, who rescues the Elf Knight, Tam Lin, from a curse, showcasing bravery and adventure. The God of Spring and the God of Autumn tells the story of a wager between the two gods, exploring the natural changes that occur as the seasons shift.