Every day at lunchtime I tell a story. Children love a ‘Jennie Story’. I thought you would enjoy this post from years ago, as ‘The Halloween Story” is always a favorite. Of course I tell the story with excitement and fear. Read on!
Storytelling is, and has always been, the foundation for language and learning. I write about children, yet storytelling applies to all people. Words and ideas are how we start to learn, and how we continue to learn.
Everybody loves a good, gripping story. I am the storyteller at school, and all my stories are true- things that happened to me in my childhood. A pretend story starts with Once Upon a Time. A true story starts with It Happened Like This.
Whenever I say the words, “It happened like this”, children are captivated. They know it is a ‘Jennie Story’ and a true story. Best of all, they are getting far more words and language into their brains because storytelling has no pictures.
This is “The Halloween Story”. I remember it like it was yesterday. Children beg for this story even in the summer. I told it today to a captive audience. You could have heard a pin drop.
“It Happened Like This”… When I was eight years old I went trick-or-treating with my little sister, Sarah. Back then children went trick-or-treating alone. There were no Moms or Dads. And, we never went out until it was really dark. All the way dark. I dressed up as Raggedy Ann and Sarah dressed up as a scarecrow (although she looked more like a hobo than a scarecrow). We each had a pillow case to collect all the candy which we called our ‘loot’. We were so excited!
Then my mother said, “Jennie, don’t forget to go trick-or-treating at Mrs. Crotty’s house.” Mrs. Crotty! Oh, no! She was really old. She always looked mean and she never smiled. Her house was dark brick with big bushes and trees everywhere. Everything was always dark. Her house was as old as she was.
I said nothing to my mother.
Sarah and I headed out trick-or-treating. We had the best time! We got tons of candy, too. When we got back home we dumped our pillowcases out on the rug in the den and sorted through all the candy. I gave Sarah all my Tootsie Roll Pops and she gave me all her Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Yum!
Then my mother said, “Did you go trick-or-treating at Mrs. Crotty’s?” I had forgotten, of course. When I heard her words I felt like a lightening bolt had hit me while I was falling off a roller coaster. Again she said, “Well, did you go to Mrs. Crotty’s house?” All I could do was look down and shake my head. My mother was not happy! She said, “Jennie, I told you to go. So take your sister’s hand and go right now”.
I took Sarah’s hand and we went back outside together. Now it was really dark and trick-or-treat was over. Over! There were no lights on at anyone’s house. We slowly walked to Mrs. Crotty’s house. As we turned the sidewalk and walked up her walkway I squeezed Sarah’s hand and she squeezed mine. I was so scared. We got to Mrs. Crotty’s porch which was pitch black and surrounded by weird branches. As we approached the front door I said to my sister, “You knock.” “Oh, no” she said, “Mother told you to do it.” So, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
A moment later I heard the door slowly creak open. Just as I was ready to run away, the lights came on and there stood Mrs. Crotty, smiling. I’d never seen her smile before. She said, “Hi Jennie. Hi Sarah. Come in.” We stepped inside the door. “Wait right there!” We didn’t move. She ran to the back of the house and returned with two gigantic popcorn balls, covered in melted butter and caramel. They were still warm. Yum!
And I was so afraid. Silly me.
Jennie
P.S. This is a popular ‘Jennie story’ in my classroom. Happy Halloween!
A Teacher's Reflections 
A lovely Jennie story!
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Enjoyed this story, Jennie.
I’m so glad. Thanks!
oh, Jennie, I love this story! what a great lesson and experience
Thanks so much, Beth.
Fantastic, Jennie! I can well understand why the children love your stories.
Thank you, GP. They certainly do!
I enjoyed this year too! It’s a great Halloween story.
Thank you, Deborah!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
Perfect. You are a wonderful storyteller … and the moral of the story is important. đ
Thanks so much, Frank. Yes, the moral is important.
That’s a great story, Jennie. I think every neighborhood had a house like that. I remember being dared to go knock on certain doors.
I almost wish that still happened today, but kids now trick-or-treat with their parents (who dress up as well.) What story did I tell when you were here?
The story about the guy who brought peanuts to your classroom.
Oh yes….The Peanut Man!
âIt happened like thisâ
YES! I’ve started to ask the children if they want a real or a pretend story. Most of the time it’s a real “It happened like this” story, but sometimes it’s a pretend “Once upon a time” story. I made up a “Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs” story with Papa T-Rex, Mama Pterodactyl, and Baby Brachiosaurus.
Very popular.
Ha ha – that sounds great!
It is. The more stories and language, the better.
A perfect Halloween story. Even better because it is true.
The best ones are the true ones! Thank you, Darlene. đ
I love it.
I’m so glad!
Ahhhhh what a lovely story I’m sure Mrs Crotty was just a lonely old lady and was happy to give you girls a lovely Halloween treat đ
When I started telling this story, I asked my mother if Mrs Crotty was really grumpy and mean. She said yes! I guess my sister and I were lucky to have one of her good moments. There must have been some goodness in her soul to make us those popcorn balls. I’m glad you enjoyed this story, Carol. đ
I did, Jennie its sad as sometimes we don’t know what makes someone grumpy and mean and to do something lovely for two children she had a heart in there somewhere x
Yes, she did, deep down I guess. I’m sure that’s why my mother was firm about me and my little sister going there. It is sad when we don’t understand grumpy and mean. Best to you, Carol.
Yes it is I’m sure your mother knew and thought it best you didn’t ..Best to you, Jennie xx
So nice, Jennie. So wonderful that you made Mrs Crotty smile
Thank you, Don. She was a grump, so smiling was big!
I loved this story, Jennie. Have I read it before? I fully understand why the children love your stories. I can hear them over and over again too. Happy Halloween, Jennie.
Thank you, Marlene! You have probably read it before. I wish you could be a fly on the wall, listening to my stories. Happy Halloween! đ
That is excellent!
Thank you, Jacqui!
The story about Mrs Crotty is a lesson to us all. It’s great to know that you continue to educate the kids about the Mrs Crottys of this world.
Bets wishes, Pete.
That’s an interesting point, Pete. She was not a kind or friendly woman when you saw her, but her true kindness was there that Halloween. See, Gloria might come across the same way when people see her. It’s all about being open to understanding. Best to you, Pete.
A great Halloween story Jennie!
Thank you!
So glad you liked it, Wayne! Best to you.
A great story, Jennie. I can just see the big eyes in the classroom as you told it.
Oh yes! And children know I need to hold a hand when I tell the scary part about walking up to Mrs. Crotty’s door. I have eager volunteer hand-holders. Thank you, John.
Great. đ
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What a lovely story! I think you learned that lesson well.
Thank you, Pam. I think I did.
Jennie! You stole my heart today. I love the distinction for the kids – between “Once upon a time” and “It happened like this”. Brilliant! And Mrs. Crotty? Oh…my sister Lisa and I lived near an older woman when we were newbie trick-or-treaters and she gave out “penny candy” on Halloween and the children didn’t want to visit her. Our dad explained it was what she had to offer and we needed to trick or treat at her house because it would be polite. With our pillowcase loot bags – just like you and Sarah. Thank you for sharing a delightful story. xo! đĽ°
Awww… thank you, Victoria. When children pick a story at lunchtime, it’s a big deal to decide on “Once Upon a Time” or “It Happened Like this.” I love your childhood story, you and Lisa had much the same Mrs. Crotty experience. I think it was a good life lesson for us. đ
Agree! Thank you for prompting the sweet memory! đĽ°â¤ď¸đĽ°
My pleasure! đ
Oh, I remember this Jennie story well!
I’m so glad! Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
You had me hanging onto your every word Jennie… I bet you knocked on Mrs Crotty’s door the following year.. LOL đ
Wonderful Story Jenny…. Happy Halloween xx â¤
Thanks so much, Sue. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Honestly, I don’t remember if I knocked on her door the following year. Happy Halloween! đ
Well, the thing is, you remembered her treat â¤ď¸đâ¤ď¸
Yes, I did, and that was most important.â¤ď¸
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The PERFECT amount of spookiness, Jennie, and a beautiful ending. I’ll be the kids loved it. đ
They did! Thanks so much, Diana.
Jennie, I was just as captivated reading this as your Aqua Roomers were for the telling. What a wonderful story. Happy Halloween hugs. đ
That’s so nice, Teagan. Many thanks, and Happy Halloween. đ
I remember this Jennie story from before. It has the perfect amount of suspense without being too scary for kids. No wonder they love it.
We had a neighbor (nice guy) with a sense of humor who used to like to mess with us on Halloween by serving things designed to produce a reaction for the trick-or-treaters. I remember one year he passed out baked potatoes. I faithfully went to his house each year just to see what outlandish thing he would pass out. Those memories stay with us.
I’m glad you remember! Yes, it has just enough scary to be exciting for the children. What a cool story about your neighbor. Baked potatoes! Great memories. đ
I think there was always one house that scared us. But, what a wonderful ending. I bet the kids were listening attentively, sitting cross legged on the floor with their chin in hands, waiting for the scary moment.
Yes, they were! I even stand up to tell this story. Lights out, of course. There’s always the one scary house when we were kids. I’m glad you liked it (and the ending), Steve.
Hi Jennie, I’ve read this story before and it still made a big impression on me. I think about elderly women living alone and how lonely they are. I know from my own aging relatives that people do become eccentric and withdrawn when they live alone. However, they really need some company and love. This story makes my heart ache from Mrs Crotty.
Well said, Robbie, and spot on. Another note on the elderly – decades ago when teachers were encouraged to introduce diversity into their classrooms, I was in a dilemma, as our town had no diversity. The only people that children might find different or shy away from were the elderly. So, Gloria became my introduction to diversity and the elderly. Remember Milly the Quilter? She was elderly, and the children loved her. Like you, my heart aches for Mrs. Crotty.
Yes, I do remember Milly very well and, of course, I know Gloria. Very innovative ideas.
Thank you, Robbie. I think we both care about the elderly.
This takes me back. I remember when people would hand out fresh popcorn balls or cookies. I also remember being scared to go to some doors knowing someone really old lived there. And my mother telling me to go there anyhow. So I did.
So, you understand! You’ve been there. I’m glad this brought back memories for you, Ally. Thanks!
I love it. I’m sure the children were enthralled and loved your story. I can only imagine the discussions that came out of it, Jennie.
Thanks, Carla. Yes, they love the story!