As I returned from a business trip on Halloween afternoon, I was eager to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. But my enthusiasm quickly turned to shock when I saw my house stripped of its decorations.
My neighbor, Sandra, had taken them all – the graveyard scene, life-sized skeletons, and lights – and decorated her own house with them. I was furious, but I knew I had to handle the situation calmly.
I waited until midnight, when the streets were quiet, and then made my move. I snuck into the convenience store and bought vivid red and glossy black paint. Back at Sandra’s house, I spray-painted a bold message on her white fence.
“I STEAL MY NEIGHBOR’S DECORATIONS TO WIN A PRIZE FOR THE BEST DECORATED HOUSE!” The words dripped with sarcasm, and I felt a surge of satisfaction.
The next morning, the neighborhood council judges arrived to evaluate the Halloween decorations.
Sandra’s face turned pale as they read the message on her fence. One judge even snorted in laughter.
When the judges arrived at my house, they praised my dedication to Halloween and awarded me the title of Best Decorated House. Sandra stormed out of her house, furious, but the judges had already made their decision.
“You’ve learned a lesson about asking permission,” one judge said firmly. Sandra glared at me, livid, but I just shrugged and said, “Happy Halloween, Sandra.”
It was a sweet victory, and I savored every moment. My Halloween spirit had been restored, and I knew that next year, my decorations would be safe from prying hands.
