"Beware of man eating turkey…beware of man eating turkey." What could it possibly mean? This is the question that has haunted my existence since late last night.
 
I was taking a late evening constitutional across Memorial Bridge when seemingly out of nowhere a dark figure appeared.
 
I am not a timid man. But my mother always taught me that it is unwise to address strange men in the lonely dark of night. I had nearly made up my mind to agree when the stranger reached out and pinched my ear.
 
My “I beg your pardon!” was cut off by the words “Beware of man eating turkey!” whispered in a guttural growl. And then, as quickly as he appeared, the stranger was gone.

I am not ashamed to say that I cut short my walk and quickly returned home. I am, however, a bit ashamed to tell you that once there I locked myself in the bathroom and cried like a terrified child. For Thanksgiving is coming and there are so many unknowns. Who is the stranger? Why did he choose me? What does it all mean? And, will I eat… or be eaten?

© 2007 Heidi Schulz. Original for CCF (Schulz grants CCF first electronic rights for one month; CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology).