The House's Secret

Halloween had finally arrived, and the streets were filled with children in all kinds of costumes. Vampires, witches and zombies ran from door to door shouting "Trick or treat!" In one small town, there was one house everyone avoided. It belonged to an old man everyone called Mr. Green. He shouted at anyone who cut across his lawn, and on Halloween his porch light stayed dark. But rumor had it that he had a stash full of the best caramels in town.

Leo, dressed as a bloodthirsty vampire with a red cape and sharp fangs, and Emma, dressed as a mysterious witch with a pointed hat and a sparkling wand, decided to find out if the rumors were true. "What if we just sneak in and see if he's got anything?" Leo suggested with a crooked grin.

👧

"Are you crazy?" Emma replied. "What if he catches us?"

🧛

"He's old. What's he going to do? Besides, think of all the candy we could get!" said Leo, already sneaking toward the house.

Emma followed, nervous but curious. They slipped through a gap in a fence and crept toward the back door. It stood ajar, and a faint smell of old wooden floors and peppermint filled the air.

They stepped into a dark kitchen. The cupboards were old and worn, but there was no sign of candy. Suddenly, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps.

👴

"Who's there?" a gruff voice roared.

Leo and Emma froze.

Trapped in the cellar

They dashed toward the nearest room to hide, but the door slammed shut behind them with a loud click. They were trapped in a cellar full of old boxes and cobwebs.

👧

"This was a bad idea," Emma whispered, gripping her wand tightly.

🧛

"We can find a way out. Look for a back door or a window," said Leo, and started searching.

The cellar was dark, but they could make out old shelves filled with glass jars. Emma stepped closer and noticed something strange. The jars were filled with odd things -- small figures, glass beads, and something that looked like candy. But it was all covered in a thin layer of dust.

👧

"Do you think this is candy?" she asked.

🧛

"Maybe, but it looks old. I don't think we should touch it," Leo answered.

Before they could discuss it further, they heard a low growl. Out of the darkness came a big, dark dog with glowing eyes. It moved slowly toward them, teeth bared.

👧

"What do we do?" Emma asked, terrified.

🧛

"Stay behind me," said Leo, picking up an old broom lying on the floor. "Maybe we can scare it off."

They waved the broom, but the dog didn't stop. Instead, it barked loudly, as if alerting someone. From the top of the stairs, they could hear Mr. Green's heavy footsteps drawing near.

A clever plan

The cellar door swung open, and in the lantern light the dog flopped down and thumped its tail against the floor.

🧛

"We're Halloween ghosts!" Leo shouted in a theatrical voice. "Let us out, or we'll haunt you!"

Mr. Green slowly backed away. "Fine, fine! Just get out of here!" he shouted.

They took their chance and ran past him, up the stairs and out the back door. Once out on the street, they caught their breath and burst out laughing.

🧛

"It worked!" said Leo.

👧

"But never again," Emma replied, tucking her wand under her arm.

They continued their trick-or-treating, as the sound of children's laughter filled the streets.

"Next time you see a mysterious house, remember: some doors are better left alone."

An original story inspired by Norwegian storytelling traditions.