The Scarecrow, and Other Stories

"The Scarecrow, and Other Stories" by G. Ranger Wormser, is a set of short stories from the early 1900s that look at what it means to be human, focusing on fear and strange happenings. The first story, called "The Scarecrow," is about a kid named Benny and his mom, who live on a peaceful farm. Their lives are turned upside down by a scarecrow that seems harmless at first, but then becomes scary. Benny gets more and more afraid of the scarecrow as he stands in the cornfield because it's wearing his grandfather's old army clothes. He thinks it’s calling to him. Even though his mom tries to calm him down she also, gets scared. The story gets creepier as the scarecrow seems to come alive at night, hinting that Benny has a weird connection to it. This spooky start sets the stage for the rest of the book, showing how normal life can hide some pretty big fears and wants.