Disclaimer: The following words are my personal opinions and interpretations. These are meant to encourage the writer and his/her readers. Please, read carefully.

Theme: A gentleman provides candy to neighborhood kids on halloween. When threatened by someone wanting to steal from him, he evokes a bit of magic that defeats the bandit in a humorous way.

Enjoyment: This man is loved by all the kids every year. He gives of himself, which is what they all gravitate toward. The writer evidently knows what makes kids happy in real life as well.

Irony: The irony here is more of a surprise that kids can fantasize about and adults can laugh about. The timing for it is perfect. The teenager winds up bringing joy to the kids by paying the ultimate price.

Emotional Impact: The old man brings joy to the kids and to the readers. The way he handles the teenager's threatening intrusion is brilliant of the writer. He makes us all laugh and make light of a heavy situation.

Narration: A third person tells this story as if he knows what goes on inside the minds of his characters. I do not know if this particular form of third person narration has a name. But, it is simple and effective.

Character Development: The old man is the center of this poetic story. The writer creates his personality as he/she builds on the affection of these children and the failed ploy of the teenager.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyming is not perfect, but the writer does an excellent job with the rhyming words he chooses. They give each line meaning and rhythm.

Suggestions: None. I would not change a thing.

Overall: Everything and everyone in this story is wonderfully entertaining. I have to wonder if it is based on fact or if the writer has a knack for storytelling (within a poem) at its best.

Patrick