Soundtrack: "Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven' " read by Christopher Walken

Pastor's wife or not, Jenny Fuller had always loved Halloween. When they'd married, she'd quickly persuaded Jacob that pagan holiday or not, there was no reason Halloween had to be sacrilegious at all, and she'd passed that love on to her children. It was partly due to Jenny Fuller's partisanship that the Bethel library ran a special story time during the week leading up to the event. Given how often the Fuller children used the library in their home-schooling, it wasn't a surprise that they were there every day. Storytime was an especial favorite, aided by a children's librarian who was a slightly frustrated actor, and channelled it into Halloween storytimes especially.

"Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore," Mr Olivier quavered, as if frightened. "Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"

His voice became stronger as the narrator's thoughts, as he added, "Quoth the raven-"

"Eat my shorts!"

Katie looked over at Kyle Winthorp, who was smiling as he added, "I know this one! It says 'eat my shorts'!"

"No it doesn't," Scott answered. "Only Bart Simpson says that."

Mr Olivier was looking at Kyle like he really wanted to kick him out of storytime, but knew that would be wrong. As Scott told their parents afterwards, you couldn't blame him – he'd been doing a great job of giving all them the shivers, until stupid Kyle had to go and open his big mouth.

"If you'd paid attention," Katie used her best withering tone, studied from her grandmother, "You would know that Lisa is reading Bart and Maggie this poem in that episode. And interrupting the librarian is very rude!"

She and Scott turned back to Mr Olivier, who sort of looked like Kyle had let the air out of his tyres, and did their best to look encouraging.

"C'mon, Mr Oliver, say it!" Scott urged.

Mr Olivier gave them a small smile. He then put on his spookiest tones, and continued, "Quoth the raven..."

He looked at Katie and Scott. They nodded.

"Nevermore!"

He made it sound so very spooky, that every kid in storytime shuddered at once!

NOTE: 'The Raven', by Edgar Allen Poe, featured on the very first Simpsons Treehouse of Horror. You can find the full text of the poem easily on the net via pretty much any search engine. Sir Christopher Lee's recorded version is available on YouTube - and it's freaking spooky! As is Christopher Walken's version (which was next in the playlist). Though Vincent Price and James Earl Jones are no slouches either! Do you prefer Saruman or Darth Vader?

Mr Olivier is named for famed thespian Sir Laurence Olivier