Mr. Moundshroud, who are YOU?
And Mr. Moundshroud, way up there on the roof, sent his thoughts back: I think you know, boy, I think you know.
Will we meet again, Mr. Moundshroud?
Many years from now, yes, I’ll come for you.
And a last thought from Tom: O Mr. Moundshroud, will we EVER stop being afraid of nights and death?
And the thought returned: When you reach the stars, boy, yes, and live there forever, all the fears will go, and Death himself will die.
Tom listened, heard, and waved quietly.
Mr. Moundshroud, far off, lifted his hand.
Click. Tom’s front door went shut.
His pumpkin-like-a-skull, on the vast Tree, sneezed and went dark.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, 1972
[Illustration: 'Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshround' by Joseph 'Joe' Mugnaini (1912-1992)]
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