There was a boy. They called him Jack. He was young and fearful of all things Halloween. He had never before experienced the tricks or the treats. But, he had heard whispers, rumors and stories around the day. Like all the others on his block, Jack sat on his porch Hallows Eve awaiting the horror to come. That night, Jack didn’t sleep a wink, he was too preoccupied searching the skies for witches and ghosts, the streets for ghouls and goblins, and constantly looking over his shoulder for anything that might spook him.
When morning rose, Jack decided it was safe to sleep till night fall again. He knew nothing would hurt him during the day. That evening, Jack sat on his stoop awaiting the menace, this time holding a candle. Around 6:30, he started seeing some hustle in the streets. It looked like people dressed in costumes. Jack was bewildered, for there was nothing scary about this. He saw kids dressed as Disney princesses, superheroes, even condiments. Sure, he saw a few unsettling costumes here and there, but knowing there was a kid behind each pleading for free candy was comfort enough. So, then what was so scary about Halloween after all?
Toward the end of the night, a very little girl dressed as a black cat came to the porch, took one look at Jack and started crying. She turned into her mom to hide her face. Just then, the porch door opened,
“Aww, what’s wrong? I heard the commotion,” said Jack’s carver.
The little black cat pointed right at Jack.
“Does he scare you?” asked the carver.
The little black cat nodded in reply.
“How about I turn him this way while you grab your candy?” She said as she turned Jack facing the door with one hand and holding out her bowl of chocolate with the other.
As the little black cat wiped her eyes to pick a treat, Jack caught sight of his reflection in the glass door. He was horrified! The only scary thing about Halloween was himself, he thought.
The little black cat and her mom both thanked the carver before walking off. The carver then turned Jack to face the street again. She blew out his candle before going back inside, locking the door and turning off the porch light.
Jack wasn’t thrilled about being the night’s fright factor, but he did realize something very special…
After Halloween, Jack grew old quickly. He knew his days were limited but also knew he had next year to look forward to. For, he was sure there would be another Jack, on another porch somewhere. After all, what would Halloween be without Jack O’ Lanterns?
Happy Halloween, Everyone!
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