The Adventures of Pat the Potato

By Michael P. Gannon

The Adventures of Pat the Potato is a story of a undersized second grade potato who leaves home to escape the intolerable ridicule of his classmates after he is told he will never grow again. Pat, along with his friend squishy, an earthworm, with a salacious appetite, travel to unknown places such as FryTown, the Island of Mash, Sweet Potato Village, Baked Potato Beach, Scallop Island and Big Potato City in seach of a place where his difference will be embraced.

In the midst of his travels, Pat starts to miss his family and tries unsuccessfully to get back home. Pat ends up at New Potato City where he realizes that his small stature is the desperate hope of the most famous potato of all.

The Adventures of Pat the Potato is a story of heartache, courage and triumph. It turns a young potato's humiliation into an entire communitys acceptance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450250290

Michael P. Gannon

Michael Gannon, through the Adventures of Pat the Potato tries to teach young people the concept of acceptance of all people no matter their differences. The Adventures of Pat the Potato is his first published work. Mr. Gannon lives in Connecticut with his family.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The Idaho Potato Plantation

Deep down under the ground in the middle of the Idaho Potato Plantation lived Pat the Potato. Pat was born a very normal young potato, but as the years passed, he began to realize that he was going to be different from all the other potatoes. You see, as the other potatoes his age grew bigger Pat stayed the same size… except for one thing — his feet. His feet were growing, but his body was not. This would cause Pat to be picked on in a way that not even he could take any more. Pat decided to take a journey with his best friend Squishy to find a place of acceptance.

Pat lived at 771 Potato Patch Drive. His home was a typical potato home. It was made of rocks, dirt, carrot shavings and eggplant soup to fill in the cracks. Pat was a normal young potato who loved to play basketball on his potato play station and play with his best friend Squishy. Squishy was an earthworm that Pat discovered stuck in his sister’s hair one day and they have been best friends ever since. Squishy’s only hobby was eating. He ate everything in sight. He ate ten times that of a normal earthworm.

Pat had a loving family that he loved very much. His mom was the best cook on the whole potato plantation. Her specialties were eggplant ala Eddie, carrot cake and bug stew. His dad worked in the irrigation business. He helped other potatoes set up watering systems so they could water all their carrots. (All potatoes ate carrots.) Pat had an older sister named Sissy. She was a teenage potato who loved shopping and talking to her boyfriend Spike on the phone. Spike drove a loud motorcycle and as you might have guessed, had spiky hair.

Everything in Pat’s life was going great, however, Pat was about to find out that when you look different from everyone else sometimes you are not treated so nice.

CHAPTER TWO

William C. Baked Potato Elementary School

The day Pat had been excited about for months finally came. It was the first day of school. Pat quickly got dressed topping his outfit off with his lucky blue baseball hat. He ran downstairs to the kitchen where his mother made him a big stack of pancakes. Wow! These pancakes look great," said Pat.

I need to make sure I feed that big brain of yours, replied his mom.

I can’t wait to go to school and meet a bunch of new friends, said Pat.

Eat up or we are going to be late, explained Mom.

Pat and his mother got into the car. Pat had the biggest smile you have ever seen. He was so happy to be starting school. Pat hoped into his car seat. Pat was so small he still needed to use a child’s safety seat to travel in the car.

As they arrived at William C. Baked Potato Elementary School, there were young potatoes running all over the place. Pat was in his family’s car lined up behind several buses waiting to be dropped off in front of the school. Several Young potatoes walked past Pat’s car. They all start pointing and laughing at Pat. Look at that kid; he still uses a car seat. What a loser. The excitement on Pat’s face was replaced by a crinkled face determined to hold back tears. Pat turned to his Mom and said, Please… please, Mom, don’t make me go. I will do anything.

I know it’s tough, but these kids will love you once they get to know you, replied Mom. Pat slowly unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. I’ll pick you up after school. We have to go to the doctors for your check up. We’ll ask him when you’re going to start growing, said Mom.

That gave Pat a little hope. He closed the door and walked slowly towards the entrance of the school… tripped over his enormous feet and fell to the ground. Young Potatoes all around pointed and laughed. Look at the midget. My two-year-old sister is bigger than he is. Look at his feet! You could live in those shoes! Another kid walked over, knocked Pat to the ground and took his lunch from his backpack. Every kid in the schoolyard laughed at Pat.

Pat picked up his backpack and walked into the school wiping tears from his face. He thought to himself, All I want is a chance for kids to get to know me so I can make some friends. I hope the doctor tells me when I will grow into my feet. Then maybe I will have friends.

CHAPTER THREE

You Mean He Will Never Grow Again?

Pat was in his room playing Potato PlayStation. He was sitting in his favorite wooden rocking chair rocking back and forth pushing the buttons on his controller as fast as he could. Spud for three! The Idaho Potatoes take the lead! Spud was the best basketball player ever to come from the Idaho Potato Plantation. He was a hero to the whole community.

Pat’s mom was downstairs cooking dinner. The door opened and Pat’s dad walked in. How was your day, dear? asked Mom.

It was a tough day. I had to drive to New Potato City. A lady got an eggplant stuck in her pipes. What a mess! answered Dad. Dad opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of carrot juice. He took a big drink from the bottle. Boy those carrots sure make a good juice, said Dad. Dad looked around for Pat. Where is Pat? How did he make out at the doctor’s?

Before Mom could answer him, the loud noise of a motorcycle came from the driveway outside the house. Mom