By Thomas F O'Neill
I always enjoyed celebrating Halloween, even when I lived in
China. But I did miss the pint-sized spooks visiting me on this particular
occasion because the President of China, Xi Jinping, outlawed this ancient
tradition commonly celebrated worldwide.
I always bought various bags of candies for
trick-or-treaters, and I would put up a glow-in-the-dark skeleton on my front
door. It was not a real skeleton like the one in the Bio-lab at the school
where I taught. It was just a store-bought one, but scary nonetheless. I think
that attracted all the pint-sized visitors on howling nights.
The kids didnβt say βtrick or treatβ like American kids.
They would say - βGΔi tΓ‘ng jiΓΉ dΗodΓ β, which means η»η³ε°±ζ£θ if you didn't know that
already.
One little witch yelled,βHello Mr. Tom!!!β when I opened my
door. She was holding a large chopstick for her magic wand. I opened the little
witchβs bag to see what goodies she possessed. I then proceeded to take a few
of her candy bars and a bag of M and Mβs.
βHey,β she said in a little perturbed voice, βMr. Tom, you
are supposed to give me Candy.β
βOh,β I replied, βIs that how it works, so do you know any
tricks?β
She then started singing, βIf youβre happy and you know it
clap your hands β¦..β
βOh, stop,β I said, βyou are scaring me.β
I handed her a couple of candy bars, and she yelled, βthank
you.β
βGood, now go away,β I replied.
βWhat are you doing?β she asked me while staring at my
laptop computer on my desk, βOh, homework, I hate homework,β she said as she
turned and headed out my door.
Others also came on that hallows-eve, reminding me of the
fun I had as a child going door to door. It was followed by mischief night. The
only real mischief here was the fireworks kids set off in front of my apartment
building and sticking a half-eaten apple in my glow-in-the-dark skeletonβs
mouth.
Boy, I could teach those little buggers about the mischief I
did as a child.
I'm afraid I had to disagree with Xi Jinping's ban on the
ancient tradition of Halloween in China because I no longer had a way of
getting free candy.
Don't let the ghouls, zombies, and ghosts get to you on this
frightful occasion !!!!
But for all you young spooks out there, I would like to wish
you a fun and Happy Halloween π» π
Always with love
Thomas F O'Neill
Email: introspective7@hotmail.com
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