The Scarecrow (novel)

The Scarecrow is a short story by horror writer R. L. Stine, part of the Goosebumps book series and included in the collection of stories "Still More Tales to Give You Goosebumps".

Plot summary

Three preteens, Darleen Norris, Melanie Lin, and Scott Grant who, in the run up to Halloween, come across a scarecrow on the way to school. They dare each other to steal parts of its clothing, so Melanie takes its scarf, Scott takes the hat, but Darleen refuses to take its gloves. Then Scott is stricken with migraines, and Melanie loses her voice. Darleen is terrified of what might happen to her if she takes the gloves, but her friends reveal they are not sick and just made it up because she would not stop complaining about how boring Halloween was. They do not notice that now the scarecrow is mysteriously smiling.