The Halloween Gift

A gift is waiting for me. The size of a shoe box; wrapped in gaudy Halloween paper and topped with a blood red bow. A card is attached with the message, “Trick or Treat” I look around. No one is in sight. I pick it up carefully. It’s light. I shake it. I feel something move. Not rolling, more a scuttling. I put it to my ear. A faint clicking can be heard. I sense a faint whiff of something pungent. I carefully place it on the table. The bow pulls apart easily and the paper falls away. My hands are sweating. I slowly lift the lid. A monster is inside. Eight long, thick and hairy legs supporting a dark black body the size of a small plate. Eight beady eyes are focused intently upon me. I give a loud yell. Dad has finally bought me a tarantula.