Down at the bottom of Grandma’s stairs lived this man, you know.
I knew that he was down there, so it was a place I didn’t go.

One day the man who brought coal had opened the bin.
I’m pretty sure that is how he got in!

He was really big, with scary eyes; he even had a crooked nose.
Once when I was really brave, I thought I saw his toes!

He never chased me.
And if I had not run away, I may not be!

Then came the day so dreaded, but I knew it would be.
"Honey, go down the cellar stairs and fetch some apples for me."

Now here I was, this kid of five…
I really did not want to go down there because I wanted to stay alive!

I couldn’t tell Grandma that I was afraid to go down the cellar stairs.
I guess I would have to go and be brave like the bears.

So I went to my room to get some things to protect me.
First I got my high boots that went clear to my knee.

I needed gloves in case he decided to bit.
You never know, he just might!

Then I grabbed my flashlight from my room.
I found something to fight him off with…a broom!

I could use my trusty pen knife…
After all I might need to save my life!

So dressed for war,
I went to the cellar door.

I opened it just a crack.
Oh my! I wanted to turn back!

But I wanted to see if HE was there,
So I stepped onto the first stair.

I couldn’t see him around anywhere,
So I quickly took the next six stairs.

Then I heard a creaking sound!
I was so scared I couldn’t turn around!

This voice inside my head said..."You really should go down."
The voice is wrong, I thought with a frown.

I heard Grandma call,
"Please get those apples and don’t fall.

I took a deep breath.
And I made it to the seventh step before my death.

Only two more steps to go and there he’d be.
The mean old man was just waiting to grab me!

I listened close, I heard no sound.
I shone my flashlight all around.

By now I was so scared…I just knew what he would do!
He’d probably chop me up for stew!

But then I stopped to think…"I’ll show this guy,
I’ll look him right in the eye!

Then I stood quietly and began to blink.

I saw him standing there at the bottom stair.
What I saw wasn’t very fair.

There wasn’t anything HE could do,
Because HE was Grandpa’s old coat and shoe.

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