Listen to “Ice Cream Truck” on Spreaker.
The Haunted Ice Cream Truck
It was a cool October evening, just a few nights before Halloween. The sun was setting behind the trees, painting the sky orange and purple. Danny and his two best friends, Emily and Max, were riding their bikes down Maple Street.
“Race you to the end!” Max shouted, pedaling fast.
But before they reached the corner, they all stopped.
“Do you hear that?” Emily asked, her eyes wide.
At first, it was quiet. Then, slowly, a sound drifted through the air — plinky-plinky-plonk. It was the tune every kid in town knew by heart.
The ice cream truck song.
But that was impossible. The town’s old ice cream truck hadn’t run in years. Everyone said it broke down and was left in the junkyard at the edge of town.
Danny’s heart thumped. “It can’t be the ice cream truck… can it?”
The music played again — faint, but real. The sound was coming from the old park down the road.
“Let’s go!” Danny said.
The Park and the Truck
The park was empty, covered in crunchy leaves. The swings creaked gently in the wind. And there, under the big oak tree, stood the ice cream truck.
Its white paint was faded, the pictures of popsicles and sundaes peeling away. A soft light glowed from inside, and the old song played on a loop.
Emily gulped. “This is creepy.”
Max grinned nervously. “Creepy but cool!”
Danny took a deep breath. “Come on. Let’s see what’s going on.”
They walked slowly toward the truck. The door was half open. Inside, they could see dusty shelves, a cracked freezer, and a small counter with an old bell.
“Hello?” Danny called out.
The bell on the counter rang all by itself — ding!
The freezer door creaked open. Cold mist spilled out, curling across the floor. And then… something floated up.
A ghost.
It wasn’t a scary ghost. It was a short, round ghost with kind eyes and a soft smile. He wore a paper ice cream hat and held an ice cream scoop in his hand.
“Welcome, kids!” the ghost said cheerfully. “Would you like a scoop?”
The Ghost’s Story
The kids froze. Emily squeaked, “Y-you’re a ghost!”
The ghost chuckled. “Yes, but not a scary one! I’m Mr. Frosty, the Ice Cream Man. I used to give out cones and popsicles right here in this park every summer.”
Danny lowered his flashlight. “So… what happened?”
Mr. Frosty sighed softly. “One day, my truck broke down for good. It made me so sad to stop serving ice cream that I stayed behind — just for one last scoop.”
The kids looked around. The truck didn’t feel scary anymore. It felt… magical.
Max smiled. “Wait—can ghosts even make ice cream?”
Mr. Frosty winked. “Only the best kind! Watch this.”
He waved his scoop in the air, and suddenly, colorful lights sparkled around the freezer. Out floated glowing scoops of ice cream—blueberry starlight, minty moonbeam, and strawberry sunset.
Emily clapped. “They’re beautiful!”
Danny took a bite of the strawberry one. It was cold but tasted like the best ice cream he’d ever had—sweet and creamy with a little sparkle.
The Last Scoop
Mr. Frosty floated closer, smiling. “But I have one last job before I can rest. My final scoop was never given away.”
“What do you mean?” asked Danny.
The ghost pointed to a single silver cone sitting on the counter. It shimmered like frost. “This scoop is special. It’s meant for the child who shows kindness—even in the face of fear.”
Emily looked around. “You mean… us?”
Mr. Frosty nodded. “You came here even though you were scared. You didn’t run away. That’s real bravery.”
He handed the silver cone to Danny. It glowed softly in his hands.
“Share it,” Mr. Frosty said. “Because the best ice cream is shared with friends.”
The three friends each took a bite. It tasted like every flavor they loved mixed into one—chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and even cotton candy.
When they looked up, the truck’s lights began to fade. The music slowed.
“Goodbye, kids,” Mr. Frosty said with a smile. “Thanks for helping me give away my last scoop.”
And then, just like that, the ghost and the truck slowly vanished into the night, leaving behind a few sparkles of frost in the air.
The Next Morning
The next day at school, Danny couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened.
“Do you think anyone will believe us?” Emily asked.
Max laughed. “Not a chance!”
But when they passed the park that afternoon, they saw something strange. Right under the big oak tree, where the truck had been, stood an ice cream cart—bright, shiny, and brand new.
On top of it was a sign that read:
“Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream — One Last Scoop for Everyone.”
The freezer was full of cones, and no one knew where it had come from. The kids smiled at each other.
Danny whispered, “Maybe Mr. Frosty’s spirit is still spreading sweetness.”
They each grabbed a cone and laughed as the familiar tune began to play once again—soft, cheerful, and a little magical.
The End!
Follow-Up Questions
- What would you have done if you heard spooky music coming from an old ice cream truck?
- Why do you think Mr. Frosty stayed behind after his truck stopped working?
- If you could create your own magical ice cream flavor, what would it be and what would it taste like?
THIS STORY FUNNY