The man below us

Warning: This story is supposed to be a light-hearted story. A funny little memory I'd love to share with you. No children were harmed in this story.

My great-grandma used to tell me to watch how loud I was being and minimize stomping around.

She would tell me that a man who lived below us was sick.

His medicine was eating bad children and children who don’t listen.

Is this disturbing and maybe a little cruel? Probably. But did it work? For the most part. For more context, I was 4. In the moment it felt like empty threats; as an adult, it's funny.

The time I spent with her was great. I mean, from a 4-year-old's point of view. Now that I am an adult, I miss those moments.

Back to the story: anytime I would get rowdy or loud, she would remind me, 'Careful, the man downstairs eats children who are too loud!'

I remember rolling my eyes and not believing her because nothing ever happened. Than it did; after a while, he would bang on the ceiling with a broom handle. Which, of course, scared the crap out of me. What 4-year-old wouldn't be scared of that? - This is where you giggle a little bit.

For a while, that's all that came of it; the man below would bang on the ceiling. Until there was a knock on the door. My grandma said, 'Uho! Now you've done it. He's come for you.'

Scared, I jumped up on the rocking chair to hide- not that it would actually hide me. But my 4-year-old brain thought it would.

My grandma closed the door. She saw me peeking from behind the chair, 'Don't worry. I made a deal with him. He promised to spare you if you promise to be a good girl from now on.'

I honestly don't remember if I was or not, but given the fact that you are reading this means I probably was good. Years later, I brought this story up with my parents. Of course, they laughed.

Turns out the man was never sick and doesn't eat bad children. Who knew? This happens to be the same story my grandma had told my mother as well to keep her out of trouble.

I do wish that I could have spent more time with my grandmother before she passed away. Especially as an adult. Otherwise, I am okay with the memories i do have.