The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin Quotes

“The Bears waited nervously while the judges studied, measured, and weighed, and then studied, measured, and weighed some more. Finally, they made their announcement: “THE FIRST-PRIZE WINNER--AND STILL CHAMPION…”
Of course, that meant Farmer Ben had won. It was close--it turned out that Ben’s Monster was just a little bigger, rounder, and oranger than Papa’s Giant. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The Giant didn’t even come in second. A beautiful pumpkin grown by Miz McGrizz won second prize. The Giant came in third. Papa and the cubs were crushed…crushed and very quiet as they pushed their third-prize winner home.
It wasn’t until they reached the crest of a hill that overlooked Bear Country that Mama decided to have her say. “I know you’re disappointed. But third prize is nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, Thanksgiving isn’t about contests and prizes. It’s about giving thanks. And it seems to me that we have a lot of be thankful for.”
Perhaps it was Mama’s lecture, or maybe it was how beautiful Bear Country looked in the sunset’s rosy glow. But whatever the reason, Papa and the cubs began to understand what Mama was talking about.
Even more so on Thanksgiving Day. After the Bears gave thanks for the wonderful meal they were about to enjoy, Sister Bear gave her own special thanks. “I’m thankful,” she said, “that we didn’twin first prize: if we had, The Giant would be on display in front of City Hall instead of being part of the yummy pies we’re going to have for dessert!”
As the laughter faded and the Bears thought about the blessings of family, home, friends, and neighbors, they knew deep down in their hearts that there was no question about it--indeed they did have a great deal to be thankful for.”
― Stan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin

“One afternoon, the cubs got off the school bus with something important to tell Papa, but they were stopped in their tracks by what they saw: he was talking to The Giant.
Mama explained that Papa had bought a book from the swindler Raffish Ralph about how to encourage your plants to grow by talking to them.
“Well,” said Brother, “I don’t suppose it can do any harm…”
“It sure could harm his reputation,” said Sister, “if anybody saw him talking to a pumpkin.”
― Stan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin

“Pumpkins are just like everything else in nature,” said Papa Bear as he and the cubs finished weeding the pumpkin patch. “No two of them are exactly alike.”
“That’s for sure,” agreed Brother Bear. “Look at that funny flat one and that lumpy one over there.” Then there was The Giant, which is what Papa had named one that just seemed to be getting bigger and bigger.
“Why is it that no two things are exactly alike?” asked Sister Bear.
“It’s just the way nature is,” answered Papa.
“Time to wash up for supper!” called Mama Bear from the tree house steps.
“What about Queenie McBear’s twin brothers?” asked Sister.
“They certainly look a lot alike,” said Papa. “But I’ve noticed that Mrs. McBear can tell them apart quite easily.”
“In you go,” said Mama, shooing her family into the house.
But Sister didn’t go right in. She stood on the stoop for a moment and looked out over Bear Country.
It was well into fall, so the days were getting shorter. Halloween had come and gone. Pretty soon the Bears would start thinking about Christmas. But right now Bear Country was aglow in the setting sun. Farmer Ben’s well-kept farm looked especially fine, with its baled hay, corn shocks, and pumpkins casting long shadows.
“I guess nature’s pretty amazing,” Sister said as she looked out over the beautiful scene.
“It’s the most amazing thing there is,” said Mama.”
― Stan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin