Article October 26, 2009 Issue

LOOK BEHIND THE MASK

BY STEPHANIE JOHNSON

Several years ago our teenage son, always living life a little differently, decided to trick-or-treat the day before Halloween. He disguised himself, and went only to neighbors he knew. Many were really good sports about it. They got out their candy and engaged him in conversation, trying to figure out who he was. But some were afraid of him, perhaps because they thought his mask was a disguise and that he might rob or harm them.

Only one household figured out the mystery without help. The mom at this house answered the door, turned to her eight-year-old son and whispered, "Who is it?"

The son looked the hooded figure over and said, "It's Daniel. Those are his shoes." Smart boy. Instead of looking at the costume, he looked at the one thing that was genuine about the figure in front of him.