***Update November 12th***
We’re pretty close to having the finalist list, but even if it was ready in a couple hours, that wouldn’t give enough time to vote today and I have previously scheduled blog posts for Tuesday Debut tomorrow and Would You Read It Wednesday on Wednesday, so the finalist list will be posted on Thursday November 15th. Apologies for the delay, but there were a LOT of good entries and the judging process has been harrowing! 🙂
***Update November 5th***
So sorry everyone but the other judges and I need more time – my fault not their’s. Work deadlines, family needs, and 234 wonderful entries from you guys that all deserve careful and thoughtful consideration mean that I’m just not able to post finalists today. I will get them up as soon as I possibly can but I think Wednesday or Thursday is likely. Sorry for the delay!
Wool of bat and howlet’s wing! It’s time for . . .
The 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest!!!!!
~ for children’s writers ~
aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!
The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words shiver, cauldron, and howl. Your story can be scary, funny, or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂 (And yes, I know 100 words is short, but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got 235 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!) Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. shivery, cauldrons, howling, whathaveyou 🙂 NO ILLUSTRATION NOTES PLEASE! (And yes, you may submit more than one entry if you’re so inclined 🙂 )
Post: your story on your blog between right now this very second and Wednesday October 31st by 11:59 PM EDT and add your post-specific link to the list below. There will be no Perfect Picture Book or Would You Read It posts for the duration of the contest so the links will stay up for everyone to visit and enjoy. If you don’t have a blog and would like to enter, you can simply copy and paste your entry in the comments section below (please include your byline, especially if your posting handle is something like AwesomeWriter92 so I can identify you.) If you have difficulty posting in the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me at susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com and I’ll post it for you. Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title and byline at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS!
Please Note: although you are welcome to submit more than one entry, please only post each entry ONCE! If you post it on your blog (preferred method) everyone will come visit you and you’ll make new friends! 🙂 If you don’t have a blog, post it in the comment section below. If you’re unable to post, please email me with your entry and byline in the body of the email. Please DO NOT post on your blog, and in the comments, and send me an email to post. It makes things confusing!
P.S. Although I try to stay glued to my computer 24/7 I am sometimes forced to leave my desk. If you haven’t commented on my blog before, your comment won’t show up until I approve it. It may take a little while if I’m away from my desk. Likewise, if you send me an entry to post, I promise I will do it as soon as I can!
The Judging: in a grueling marathon over the following days, my devoted assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 top choices (hee hee hee – you know how much trouble I have with only 3, so we’ll see) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Monday November 5th (sooner if possible, later if necessary!) The winner will be announced on Thursday November 8th, good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise 🙂 If we get more than 25 entries, I will post 6 finalists and give prizes for 1st – 3rd. If by some chance we get the kind of turnout we’ve had the past couple years, I may post as many as 10-12 finalists and I’ll probably end up giving everyone a prize 🙂 But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it!
Judging criteria will be as follows:
- 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
- 2. Halloweeniness – the rules state a Halloween story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Halloween, not just some random spooky night.
- 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 🙂 Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
- 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 🙂 Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.
- 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
The Prizes: (it is currently 1:40AM and I’m at the stage where I’m going to make mistakes, so I will finish posting the prize list properly in the morning. Apologies for the delay!)
First, the amazingly awesome prize I promised!
– Skip The Slushpile with Editor Hannah Lambert of Little Simon!!!
The lucky winner of this prize will get to place the picture book manuscript of his/her choice directly into editor Hannah Lambert’s hands! (In case you are wondering, Hannah is the editor of all 4 of my books in the WHEN YOUR… series.) Hannah will read the manuscript and then send you an email to let you know she’s read your story. She will include a brief mention of something she likes, and something you can work on. (Not a full critique.) Of course what makes this prize so incredible is that if you send her a really, really good manuscript the dream could come true! 🙂 So good luck to whoever wins this! Hannah is particularly interested in mss with a very low word count, and always has an eye out for excellent holiday stories.
(with thanks to Tania Guarino for thinking up the idea of skipping the slush pile!)
– several picture book manuscript critiques from amazing critiquers (details to come – I need to spread my generous volunteers out over 3 contests, so, planning…)
– a personalized signed copy of NOT SO SCARY JERRY by the wonderful and gifted Shelley Kinder
– Bundle Of Books – assorted PBs, MGs, YAs (details to come) – generously donated by KidLit411
– an e-pub or PDF copy (winner’s choice) of Linda Ashman‘s Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books. OR paperback of Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication.
Please join me again in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N or anywhere else if you like them, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up 🙂
Now then. Time for my sample entry which I finished at 1:30 AM and provide because I would never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. Also, in case anyone is worried about the quality of their entry they have only to read my truly horrific attempt to be filled with confidence that their’s is MUCH better!
Tricky Witches (100 words)
On a dark All Hallow’s night,
Shivering with cold and fright,
Tiny trick-or-treaters dare
To approach the witches’ lair.
Past the lighted edge of town
Black-cloaked witches stand around.
Something sticky, thick, and hot
Bubbles in their potion pot.
“Come and get it!” witches lure.
“It’ll warm you up for sure!”
Ghostly howls warn, “Stay away!
Don’t be fooled by the bouquet!
Cauldron’s contents might smell sweet,
But that’s trickery, not treat!”
Little candy-hunters flee!
Plan has worked out perfectly.
Witches cackle gleefully,
“Now there’s more for you and me!”
Final check, the brew is done.
“Fresh hot chocolate anyone?”
Now then, darlings! Is everyone feeling better about their way-better-than-that! stories? I certainly HOPE so! 🙂
I can’t wait to read all of your entries! I’m so looking forward to them! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still nearly 5 days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!
Contest Entrants, remember to add your post-specific link to the google form below so we can all come read your awesome stories! (Post-specific means not your main blog url, but the actual url of the post that has your story in it – otherwise if you post again before the contest ends, your link will take readers… and judges!… to the wrong place!)
Eager Readers – just go along the list of links, click on them, and enjoy the stories!
Happy Writing and Happy Halloween!!! 🙂 🎃
Susanna Leonard Hill 
No Bones About It (100 Words)
By JC Kelly
No bones about it, Charlie Skelton was forgetful.
A shiver went up his spine when he realized he’d misplaced something very important.
Momma was going to howl!
He had been carving a jack-o-lantern on his porch, and didn’t realize anything was was missing until the witch next door beckoned him with her craggily finger…
and he couldn’t stand up.
Charlie slowly hobbled next door, and his eyes nearly fell out of their sockets…
the witch was stirring her cauldron…
WITH HIS FEMUR!
“I found this in the driveway, “ she said kindly. “Let’s put you back together so you can go trick-or-treating.”
Love that your witch showed kindness. This is a really sweet story!
Nice that the witch helped Charlie pull himself together! Good luck!
Hahaha! You’d think it would be kind of hard to notice losing your femur! But I’ve got to say, Charlie sounds like the boys in my house! 🙂 I’m glad the witch next door was so nice! Thanks for an original, creative, and funny entry, JC!
I hope mine posted on the list. It’s been so long, I’m rusty at this blog thing. LOL. I will get my treats this week with all these reads. https://www.stacysjensen.com/halloweensie-2018-pipers-new-potion/ (Hopefully, I input it into the list). Thanks!
Yes, it did, Stacy! I’ve been to read and comment. So lovely to hear from you!!! 🙂
Sorry for posting twice on the google list–I figured it would automatically appear, but it did not. Here’s the link: http://buffysilverman.com/blog/?p=1432
Thanks for the fun prompt and all your organizing work, Susanna!
My pleasure, Buffy! 🙂
TRICK-OR-SWEET
by: Lauren Neil
69 words
Reese’s bragged
Black licorice sagged.
And Nerds were rat-a-tat romping.
Sweet Tarts shivered
Snickers bickered
And Skittles were spit-spat stomping.
Hershey’s howled
Milk Duds growled
No one was in a good mood.
How could they be? It was Halloween.
And they were the cauldron of food.
Escape was needed.
Warnings unheeded.
The lesson was fast and grim.
Better to be one of many.
Than alone on the cauldron brim.
Love it 🙂
Clever story! I love that the candies were not happy about Halloween and all the attention they were getting. Made me think about their feelings as I unwrapped a Resses. 🙂
Really nice! Love all the candy characters!
Clever and fun, Lauren! And so true! Halloween is not a good night to be candy 🙂 Nicely written! Thanks for joining in the fun!
Now I need some candy, Lauren. This was lots of fun!
Spooky Spies II: The Spookening
In front of Jackson a witch carried a cauldron. Behind him a werewolf howled. Twelve months earlier Jackson had figured out that the jack-o-lanterns were spies for Santa; filing reports to the big man on the naughty and nice. Jackson just had to finish the school Halloween parade. Then he could finally put his plan into action.
Jackson ran home, checked his jack-o-lantern’s positioning and waited outside, shivering. Jackson’s neighbor Steven crested the hill and they locked eyes. Soon enough, Santa would hear reports of Steven bullying Jackson for dressing up as a ballerina.
I had never thought of jack-o’-lanterns being Santa’s spies but it makes sense. Steven is going to regret bullying Jackson for being who he wants to be. Nice story!
Very creative! Good luck!
Ooh! Clever Jackson! And that mean Steve will get his comeuppance at Christmas now that Santa knows he’s a bully! Good for Jackson standing up to be who he wants to be! Thanks for a great entry, Sam!
ENTRY POSTED FOR LINDA
Halloween Surprise
By Linda Boyden ©2018
On a dark and creepy night,
bats zoomed across the inky sky.
Black cats shivered on tiptoe prowls,
Pale ghosts sighed and goblins howled.
Vampires hissed down alleys and streets,
while witches stirred their cauldrons bleak.
But I lurked in the shadows, not frightened or addled
and turned the tables with my scariest cackle:
“BWA-HA-HA! AND BOOOO TO YOU!”
Hahaha! Turning the tables on the monsters of the night! Great twist. 🙂
Well done! Who’s scaring who?! Glad your MC doesn’t let the spooks get the better of him/her, Linda, but turns the tables! 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Loved all the Halloween sounds, Linda. Well done!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SUSAN
Last Halloween by Susan Valli
A Wolf sat down on the end of my bed,
And softly began to howl.
Mum! I shouted, ready to run,
As I noticed his dripping jowl.
The wolf meanwhile was examining me,
Choosing which limb to tear.
A noise was heard! Wolf under the bed
Mum mounted the stairs!
In she walked with cauldron and broom,
And witch’s pointed hat.
I shivered and wondered who would go first
Me or mum’s horrible cat.
I felt a soft nose nuzzle my hand
I knew I had a friend
Under the bed in wolf’s clothing
Who’d protect me to the end.
Surprise ending!
See? Wolves get a bad rap. They are truly wonderful friends to have around. Love this story!
Happy you joined in the Halloween fun Susan!! 🎃
We all need a protective friend, especially on Halloween! Nice job, Susan! Thanks for joining in the fun!
This is great, Susan…lots of suspense and a surprise ending!
ENTRY #2 POSTED FOR SUSAN
Eat up your carrots! by Susan Valli
Halloweeny, my friend Queeny,
Dressed up as a parrot.
Wanting to look scarier,
I dressed up as a carrot.
Scary you may ask yourself?
It may seem pretty tame.
If I really tell the truth,
I felt pretty much the same.
That was until party time
When everything went viral
Queenie weirdly sprouted wings,
I began to spiral.
All our friends began to howl.
I began to shiver.
Enter cauldron (held by witch)
Which turned into a river.
Down we floated, lit by ghosts,
Whatever would await me?
Queenie who was once my friend,
Squawked and then she ate me.
No doubt things run amok on Halloween! But who’d’a’thunk Queenie would eat her friend?! That’ll teach kids to dress up as vegetables! 🙂 Great rhyme and original story, Susan! Thanks for another fun entry!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KAREN
The Creepy Cupcake CATastrophe
By Karen M. Greenwald
“You did WHAT?” Mummy started unraveling.
“I…uh…said we’d make 300 cupcakes for tomorrow’s Howl-o-ween party…?”
Outside a cold wind whipped, shivered, and whined.
Inside, it suddenly felt hotter than a witch’s cauldron.
“Molly, why didn’t you tell me before Midnight?!”
Mummy looked quite mad.
Ebony the cat hid.
Molly and Mummy baked, iced, and yawned until all 300 cupcakes lined the table.
“I’m sorry, Mummy. Next year I’ll only bring napkins!”
“Then I forgive you.”
Mummy hugged Molly and then the two tired “zombies” climbed into bed.
If only Ebony had gone to sleep…
(Based on a true story!)
oh no!! Great story. Good luck!
This is a true nightmare! 300 cupcakes to make in a night! Wow, no rest for weary. I wonder what Ebony did since she didn’t sleep….
Sounds like something I would have volunteered my mom for too! Good luck!
Great story, Karen! I have totally been there! Obviously our children think we are magic and can whip up 300 cupcakes in the middle of the night no problem! 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Oh my gosh…300 cupcakes, Karen! That would make anyone a zombie!!! Great job…on the story and on the cupcakes!
No Chocolate for Dogs- By Shae Pepper
Shiver me timbers, Biscuit. You’re a great pirate!
Hoooowwwwllll….
Poor Biscuit.
Dressing up every year he went door to door.
But no chocolate for dogs.
Awww… it’s ok… We’re going for a walk.
His boy gave him a bucket.
“Hrumph” grumbled Biscuit.
No chocolate for dogs.
He walked outside with his boy.
Little witches with cauldrons, robots with bags.
Everyone was looking at him, he was ready for pats, nothing more.
I know, I know, thought Biscuit.
No chocolate for dogs.
Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.
Bacon treats for Biscuit!
When bacon’s around,
No pup cares that there’s no chocolate for dogs.
Poor little biscuit, at least he got his treat in the end.
So true! Bacon makes everything better, supposedly, even chocolate. Glad Biscuit got something yummy too. 🙂 Cute story.
I am glad Biscuit got a treat in the end.
Super Cute 🐶
Bacon – the better treat for Biscuit! Good luck!
Aw! I’m glad someone thought ahead to have special treats for dogs! Biscuit deserved it! Thanks for an original, fun entry, Shae, and for joining in the contest fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR DEBORAH
Double, Trouble, Bubble…
By Deborah L. Allmand
Double, double toil and trouble;
Watching the cauldron bubble.
Boiling eyes of newts, with howlet’s wing,
And Skittles to give the brew zing.
Three tiny witches add lizard’s leg and toe of frog,
Plus adding jelly beans and tongue of dog.
Time for cauldron to boil and bake,
When done sprinkle with scales of snake.
Cool it with baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is done and good.
This makes the candy giver, shiver and
Pour more candy in your quiver.
That’s one way to get more treats! Clever little witches. 🙂 Creepy, but good poem.
Ew! Delightfully creepy and disgusting, Deborah! I don’t think I want to taste THAT brew! 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
I thought I was hungry…but now, not so much. At least, not for that brew! Great poem and lots of fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR VIRGINIA
Tricky Halloweensie Velvet
by Virginia Rinkel
The chestnut kids were ready for Trick or Treat.
They had their costumes, masks and
Moms gave velvet bags with special love,
To keep kids honest till they got home.
The moon was out and everyone shivered,
and bags brimmed with munchie goodies.
“We’ll just have one piece.
No one will know,” one said.
“EEEOOOWWWEEE”!!!
My bag’s a cauldron! he howled.
“Mommy’s boy didn’t wait did he, “ her words he remembered.
All Mom’s helped now.
For candy to last all year.
Beware of velvet turned inside out.
It just might be you have a “Halloweensie Bur Bag INSIDE.”
Chalk one up for Mommies! Cute story Virginia!
I must say, I don’t blame them for wanting just one! Thanks for an original entry, Virginia, and for joining in the contest fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR JENNIFER
The Sleepy Pirate
By Jennifer Hope Chmelka
On All Hallows’ Eve,
The Cauldron sailed
across the tumultuous sea.
BOOM! CRACK!
Thunderclaps and lightning
stirred Pirate Pete from his slumber
in the crow’s nest.
“Shiver me timbers!”
He wobbled across the yard.
“Batten down the hatches!” ordered Captain Crest.
BOOM! CRACK!
Into the billowing sail,
Pirate Pete fell…
asleep.
“Stow the sails!” ordered Captain Crest,
rousing the drowsy mate.
Downward,
he tumbled.
The Cauldron swayed.
Rats scurried.
Swords and skeletons
slid and slammed,
starboard to port.
So did Pirate Pete.
“Owww!” he howled.
BOOM! CRACK!
“All hands on deck!” ordered Captain Crest.
Where’s Pirate Pete?”
BOOM! CRACK!
“Zzzzz…”
Haha! I know how Pirate Pete feels…I sleep great through thunderstorms too! Love this story. 🙂
Love that the Cauldron is the name of the ship and that Pete can apparently sleep through ANYthing! 🙂 I’ve got one of those 🙂 Thanks for fun-to-read-aloud entry, Jennifer – very creative!
Hahaha…hope Pirate Pete doesn’t miss out on all the Halloween candy!
ENTRY POSTED FOR DEBBIE
Debbie Vidovich
Making Room for Rhyme Critique Group
94 words
Three Little Witches
In a pitch black forest, over white hot flames,
three little witches stir a cauldron, chanting names.
Mesmerized, bewitched by bubbling, burping goo,
with gurgles, pops and splatters, it’s a dangerous brew!
Add a newt, and fly, a salamander eye,
Shiver!!! Plus a moldy liver with a stye.
Listen as they drop, slip-slap-slop in the pot.
Witchy noses crinkle, gulping down the rot.
Glowing neon yellow, feeling very strange…
Poof! Three little witches watch each other change.
Now three little werewolves, running as they howl
for Halloweensie candy, grumble, fight and growl!
Well done. Lovely! The words roll off my tongue as I read this out loud.
How fun. Witchy werewolves :). Good luck!
Yay, Debbie! Cute story. Good luck!
Oooo, who knew witches wanted to be something different for Halloween too?! This was really fun to read Debbie!
This is fun! Good luck, Debbie!
Well done Debbie! This was fun.
Great rhyme, Debbie, fun to read aloud. Love that the little witches turned themselves in to werewolves for Halloween! Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Very clever, Debbie…and a great rhyme. I guess they figured they’d get more candy as werewolves. 😉
Courageous Cauldron Queens
by Katrina Swenson
100 Words
We’re heading to the forest now!
Tonight on Halloween
Lucille, me, plus Maggie make three
courageous cauldron queens.
We’re almost to the forest now!
Breezes blast our ears.
Lucille shivers, Maggie quivers
and I say, “Onward, dears!”
We’re finally in the forest now,
prepared to boil our brew.
We’ll wildly dance to magic chants
and stir our spooky stew.
But first we’ll howl at the moon
Before our witchy snack–
Barmy bat! Do you hear that?
The forest’s howling back!
We’re fleeing from the forest now!
We scatter! Zigzag! Zoom!
Lucille, me, then Maggie, all three
safely in my room!
This is cute. So many talented authors here. Good luck!
Well written and very kid friendly. Good luck!
Very cute and fun! Happy Halloween!
Love the unexpected forest howling back! Spot on rhyme with a touch of humor. Well done Katrina!
Oh my, this is cute. And the ending was legit a surprise to me. Good work!
Great job setting the spooky scene, Katrina! Love how the courageous queens go bravely forth into the forest only to be frightened into scurrying home! There’s nothing like that safe feeling when you’ve escaped the forest howling back and made it to you warm, cozy house! Thanks for joining in the contest fun!
Well done, Katrina! Love the rhythm of the piece and your rhyming is really good…plus it was a great tory. 😉
One Sweet Halloween
By Darcee A. Freier
97 Words
Sylvie wiggled into her cupcake costume. BLING! Pink and purple sprinkles lit up. Perfect.
Sylvie didn’t like scary. Or dark.
She was the opposite of Mack and Mariel. They loved haunted houses and witch’s cauldrons, goose bumps and shivers crawling up their spines.
Wanting to be brave, Sylvie had agreed to trick-or-treat with them.
She trudged next door with her sprinkles flashing.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
A big, white puff answered.
“Trick-or … What are you?” Sylvie asked.
“A marshmallow,” said Mack.
“And I’m the hot chocolate,” said Mariel.
Sylvie howled with laughter. Halloween was going to be sweet.
Cute. What a fun pair’s costume that would make. Good luck!
True friends understand. Love that Mack and Mariel find the joy in not being scary on Halloween, just for their friend. Heartwarming story and great costume ideas!
This is very sweet! Love it! 🎃
Very sweet! Good luck!
A cupcake and hot chocolate with marshmallows make for a sweet Halloween indeed! I adore Sylvie for trying to be brave – very smart of her to include flashing lights on her costume! Thanks for a fun story, Darcee!
Susanna, I love all of your stories! They put us writers in the spirit of writing, encouraging us to give it a shot. Thank you for your continued encouragement and fantastic blog posts! You rock. 🙂
You’re so sweet, Traci! Thank YOU! 🙂
Thank you, Susanna and all the amazing people working with you on this faculousncontest! I can’t believe all the different stories that could be woven with those 3 little words! Totally AMAZING!
I wrote a short quatrain in honor of all of the writers who entered and for all those totally exhausted after Halloween. Enjoy this tidbit!
The Aftermath
Whooo needs a drink after Halloween Eves?
Whooo needs some wine with the magic it weaves?
Sneak in my door with your little brown jug,
We’ll write witches curses and sip some sweet glug.
Ha. That’s great. And ditto. Thank you, Susanna for so much fun each year.
Ha ha…very good! Totally agree on the sentiments above! Thank you Susanna!
It is my pleasure, Diana, Johnell, and Julie, and that of those who help me! I love the creativity and community that emerge with this contest! I’m just sorry it’s taking me so long to judge this time – too much other stuff going on! But thank you for “The Aftermath”! That is PERFECT! 🙂
I agree too with the sentiments above. Thanks, Susanna. It’s amazing that you are are giving feedback on all the entries. I think we all understand that it’s taking longer. So many wonderful entries to read and judge takes time. Thanks for another wonderful Halloweensie 🙂
Hahaha:-) By the time Halloween is over, adults can definitely be looking for some way to unwind – I enjoyed your poem, DianaLynn.
AND a great big, howling Halloween “Thank you!” to Susanna for organizing this contest and also for taking the time to write a thoughtful comment for every entry. The contest was fabulous fun!
This was great, Susanna. Fun to enter and even more fun to read all the creative stories. A BIG THANK YOU!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SUSAN – LATE AND NOT IN THE COMPETITION, BUT JUST SO EVERYONE CAN READ AND ENJOY! 🙂
The Trick by Susan Halko
We scurried to the last house. An old woman sat on the porch.
“Trick or treat,” we sang.
“No more treats,” she snapped.
But then she smiled. “How about a trick?”
I shivered. Miles smirked. “Sure!”
I shot my brother a look. He didn’t catch it. His eyes were on the bony fingers motioning him to a large cauldron.
“In here,” the woman said.
Miles looked inside. “It’s empty!”
The woman howled, “In here!”
Miles and I climbed into the pot. Then we heard a girl laugh. We looked up. “Thank you!” she said. And Happy Halloween!”
It’s like the princess having to kiss a frog to turn him back into a prince! Fun story, Susan, and glad you were inspired to write!
Creepy cool story Susan! The kids should have heeded stranger danger. The old woman needed their youth for her to be young again. R.L. Stine would approve!
Such a cute story, Mia, with such a wonderful use of language! Nicely done – and I love the ending :). Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie madness!
Love the howl and seek, Mia! And a lovely awww ending! Well done.