October 31 marks Halloween, the day when fear is celebrated in many parts of
the world. On this day, many people wear strange costumes, make-up, or masks
that are supposed to cause dread in others. But one doesn't need to buy
exotic paraphernalia, for words--arranged properly--are simply enough to
inspire fright. Consider The Monkey's Paw, a short story from English writer
W.W. Jacobs http://www.advsys.co.uk/homepages/chris/shortstr/paw.html. This
little tale also serves as a good reminder of the old adage, just in time for
Christmas: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. -Anu

I read The Monkey's Paw WAY back in school--the memory still gives me the shivers. Goes to show how times have changed, I guess--my daughter was completely unfazed by it, nor did the original movie 'Psycho' scare her in the least.
Kids are exposed to so much more today than in the past.

I had to play the part of the clerk in our school play at our Annual Day, and getting on stage was much scarier than anything in the story itself...

Kids are exposed to so much more today than in the past

see new thread:
http://wordsmith.org/board/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=miscellany&Number=7374&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5