Steemit Story Competition @marxrab: Pie Eating Contest

"The Tale of Pumpkinburg"
by Sarah Liang (poetrychick)

Once in a while, there’s a town called Pumpkinburg. But you can only find it during Pumpkin Season. The massive pumpkin field is tended by orange-glowing pumpkin fairies that flit about, endowed with pumpkin seeds and growing dust. The people here make many things from pumpkins: savory pumpkin soups, pumpkin cookies with oatmeal and chocolate chips, and of course, pumpkin pies made with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Each year, the town holds a pumpkin pie-eating contest. The winner gets the golden pumpkin trophy and a prize: the largest pumpkin from the field, which is brought out with a parade-like procession to the winner’s home to conclude the festivity. The sociable man in charge of the annual contest is the Mayor of Pumpkinburg, Mayor Jack Odell Lantern.
The final contestants will take their positions at the head table. Three finalists will compete head to head. From the most experienced competitor to the least: there is Bob, whose competition name is “the Belly”; then there’s Peony, “the Pie Lady”; and Pete, “the Pit”… And here they come to the table now! Once the whistle sounds, the race will begin! And Nora the Narrator will act as the commentator to keep everyone updated on what’s happening throughout the competition. So everyone took their places, including the audience. Mayor Jack introduced Nora to the stage, and the beginning whistle sounded. Everyone cheered the contestants on.
Sitting amid the audience, loyally by Peony’s Mother, was Barca, Peony’s adorable little Dachshund dog. Barca’s nose went up into the breeze, which wafted the tempting aroma of fragrant pumpkin pies her way, causing her to eye the pies with desire. Barca longed to taste the pumpkin flavored, round treats that sat before her human. Peony’s Mom looked at the bundle of cuteness and ordered, “Stay, Barca.” Alas, she would have to watch from the sidelines…
The race continued as all races do. But about halfway through, there was a buzzing sound around the head table. It was bees. While Nora continued commenting on the events of the race, one of the bees stung Bob’s hand and he let out a shrieking “Ouch! I’m allergic to bees!” Mayor Jack called time to temporarily halt the contest. “Does anyone have an epi? Call an ambulance!” They wanted to make sure Bob was okay before finishing the contest. Barca didn’t understand what the fuss was about, but it wasn’t the moment she hoped for. After Bob was treated, he stayed on the sidelines, afraid to return to the table where he was stung. He was checked to make sure he was both stable and okay. The race would continue without him. Barca wished she could take the empty spot next to her master…
The race restarted. The skinny, 20 year-old Pete was consuming pie faster than Peony could stomach and she fell behind as the end came. Pete won. Perhaps he was a born pumpkin eater. Nora held out the golden pumpkin trophy to him. Peony walked back to her Mom and Barca. “You did great, dear.” Her Mom stated. “Thanks, Mom.” She answered. Then spotting her loyal companion, she pulled something out… it was a piece of fresh pumpkin on the rind. She held it out and knelt down to Barca, and said, “Do you want pumpkin? You can’t have the pie because it has nutmeg in it. Dogs shouldn’t have nutmeg. It’s toxic for you. Okay? But the fresh pumpkin is good for you. Say please.” And Barca woofed out a cute little bark with delight. She finally got her piece of the pumpkin. And that was more important to her than the contest. Barca contently wagged her tail while gnawing on her pumpkin. But dogs are like that, to think that their little treat is such a prize, as if she was the one who won. And that is a glimpse into a day in Pumpkinburg.

The End.

**Note: The Picture is from the original contest post by marxrab

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