

Lanterns glowed all around Hill Spring International School.
It was Halloween Day, and everyone was excited!
Sara dressed as a brave space explorer, bounced on her toes, “I can’t wait for the Pumpkin Parade!” she said.
Beside her, Vihaan swished his shiny vampire cape with a grin.

The Giant Halloween Pumpkin, painted with gold stars and spooky faces, gleamed in the hallway.
Suddenly—whoosh!—it wobbled, rolled down the hallway and disappeared.
"Where is the pumpkin?," Vihaan gasped. 'After it!' Sara shouted, racing ahead.
Vihaan gave a quick salute. “Pumpkin Detectives, on the case!” he said.
And just like that, their great pumpkin chase began!

Sara and Vihaan burst into the Art Room. Paint pots clattered, and colorful brushes danced in jars.
Krishaay was painting monster masks.
'Did our pumpkin roll through?' asked Vihaan. Krishaay nodded, pointing with a paintbrush. 'It sparkled by!' he giggled. He pointed to a trail of shiny, glittery smudges leading out the door.
“Let's follow the sparkles!” said Vihaan. "Thanks, Detective Krishaay!'
Sara waved thanks, and they dashed onward.

Out on the playground, they skidded. Kiaan kicked a ball, then waved. "Something round zoomed by!" he called. Sara asked, "Which way, Kiaan?" He pointed left, toward the hallway.

They dashed past the snack table. Vidyut offered them a cookie and whispered, "I saw sparkles rolling that way."
Vihaan sniffed cinnamon. His tummy rumbled, but he was on a mission! "Thanks, Captain Cookie"' he laughed. "Let's follow the cookie crumb trail!" said Sara.
They tiptoed toward the music building.

Varun practiced songs in the Music Room. He sang a song called "Into the Unknown" in a beautiful voice.
They stopped to listen for a moment.
“We have lost our pumpkin,” Sara said.
Varun smiled. “Sparkles floated toward the garden path,” he said. “Follow the twinkles!

Behind the bushes came a faint giggle.
“Who’s there?” called Vihaan.
A tiny voice squeaked, “Oh dear! I didn’t mean to make a mess!”
Out fluttered a tiny forest sprite no bigger than a cupcake. Her wings shimmered like sugar. She wore a dress made of flower petals and held a wand that looked like a pencil dipped in glitter.
“I’m sorry!” said the forest sprite. “I borrowed your pumpkin to practice my flying spell — but it rolled away before I could stop it!”

Vihaan tilted his head. “So you didn’t mean to steal it?”
The forest sprite shook her head sadly. “I only wanted to make it shine brighter. But now it’s all muddy.”
Sara knelt. "It’s okay to make mistakes," she said. "Thanks for telling the truth," Vihaan added. The sprite sniffled. "I’m sorry." "Let’s fix it together," Sara smiled.

They washed the pumpkin with gentle swishes. The sprite giggled and swiped glitter. Sara painted bold stars and moons. Vihaan added glowing lightning bolts. "Team Pumpkin," they cheered together.

The sprite lifted her tiny wand. "Glow bright, pumpkin friend," she whispered. A warm shimmer wrapped the pumpkin. Stars twinkled across its golden paint. Sara laughed. "It's brighter than fireworks!"

They rolled the pumpkin back to school. Everyone cheered, drums booming joyfully. Confetti fluttered like tiny comets. Sara, Vihaan, and the sprite led proudly. The giant pumpkin glowed like magic.

Sara looked at her friend. “We make a great team.”
Vihaan smiled. “The best detectives ever!”
The sprite flew above the pumpkin, wings glowing softly. “Thank you for helping me. I’ll never forget my friends at Hill Spring.”
Sara winked. “Come back next Halloween!”
And with a twirl and a sparkle, the sprite disappeared into the sky — leaving behind a trail of stardust. As it shimmered down, Vihaan whispered, "Best. Halloween. Ever."
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