It was a sunny autumn morning, and the air smelled like leaves and cinnamon. Bibi, a bright and curious little girl with bouncy curls and a big heart, bounced out of bed with excitement. Today was a special day—her family had just adopted a new puppy named Nino, and Dad had promised her they would also harvest pumpkins from the garden to make pumpkin soup for dinner!
Bibi raced down the stairs, still in her rainbow pajamas. “Good morning, Dad!” she shouted as she spotted him in the kitchen. Dad turned around, holding a steaming mug of coffee and grinned.
“Morning, Bibi! Ready for a big day?”
“YES!” she said, stretching her arms wide. “I want to help with everything!”
Just then, a small bark came from the corner of the kitchen. There was Nino—fluffy, golden-brown, and barely bigger than a loaf of bread. His ears were floppy, his eyes shiny, and his tail wagged like a windshield wiper.
“Hi, Nino!” Bibi knelt down and scooped him up into her arms. The puppy licked her nose and wiggled happily.
“Remember,” Dad said gently, “puppies need a lot of care. He’ll need food, a walk, some training, and plenty of love. Think you’re up for the job?”
“I was born for this job!” Bibi declared proudly.
After breakfast, Bibi carefully helped Dad pour puppy food into a small dish. She made sure Nino had clean water too. When Nino finished eating, he looked up at her and wagged his tail again. “Time for walkies!” Bibi said in a sing-song voice.
Outside, the air was crisp and cool. Leaves crunched beneath their feet as they walked through the backyard. Nino sniffed everything—flowers, grass, rocks, and even a sleeping squirrel! He tugged on the leash with all his tiny strength, and Bibi giggled.
After the walk, Bibi gave Nino a cozy spot on the porch with a soft blanket and one of her old teddy bears to cuddle. He lay down and let out a happy sigh.
Now it was time for pumpkins!
Dad handed Bibi a small gardening basket and a pair of gloves. “Ready to harvest some pumpkins, Pumpkin?” he asked with a wink.
“Yes!” Bibi said, pulling on her gloves and heading toward the pumpkin patch. It was her favorite part of their garden, filled with orange orbs of all shapes and sizes. Some were big and round, others were bumpy and small, and one even looked like it had a funny nose!
Dad showed her how to twist the stem gently so the pumpkin would come off the vine without hurting the plant. Bibi carefully harvested one, then two, then five pumpkins, placing each one in her basket with a proud smile.
“I think this one has a face!” she said, holding up a funny-looking pumpkin.
Dad chuckled. “That one might be good for carving later. Let’s pick a few sweet ones for cooking first.”
Back in the kitchen, the two of them washed the pumpkins and placed them on the counter. Bibi watched as Dad sliced them open and scooped out the seeds.
“Can I help with the seeds?” she asked.
“Of course! Separate the seeds from the stringy stuff, and we’ll roast them with salt for a snack.”
While Dad peeled and chopped the pumpkin pieces, Bibi rinsed the seeds and laid them out on a baking tray. She even sprinkled a little cinnamon sugar on half for a sweet version.
Soon, the kitchen was filled with the rich smell of roasted seeds and simmering soup. Dad added onions, garlic, and a few secret spices, then poured in some broth and cream. Bibi stirred the pot carefully, wearing a big apron that reached down to her toes.
Nino sat nearby, sniffing the air with great interest. He sneezed once, wagged his tail, and curled back up on his blanket.
When the soup was ready, Dad poured it into two big bowls and placed a small dish of plain pumpkin puree next to Nino’s bowl. “Even puppies can enjoy a little taste of fall,” he said with a smile.
They all sat together at the table—Dad, Bibi, and Nino. The soup was creamy, warm, and delicious, perfect for a chilly autumn evening. The roasted seeds were crunchy and fun to snack on, and even Nino licked his bowl clean.
“I think we make a great team,” Bibi said, dipping a piece of bread into her soup.
“I think so too,” Dad agreed. “You took such good care of Nino and helped so much with the pumpkins. I’m proud of you.”
Bibi beamed. “Can we do this again tomorrow?”
Dad laughed. “Absolutely. Tomorrow we can try making pumpkin muffins!”
“And I can teach Nino how to sit!” Bibi added.
They clinked their spoons together like a toast, and Nino barked as if to say, “Count me in!”
That night, as Bibi snuggled into bed, she felt warm and happy inside. It had been a big day, full of puppy cuddles, crunchy leaves, and delicious pumpkin treats. She couldn’t wait for more adventures with Dad and Nino.
Outside, the moon shone gently over the quiet garden, where new pumpkins waited patiently on the vines for tomorrow’s harvest.
