Dora and Boots were walking home together when the forest suddenly felt much quieter than before. The chirping birds had gone still, and even the air seemed to hold its breath as they passed a crooked tree with branches like bony fingers. "Dora, this path feels super spooky tonight, and I keep thinking something is watching us from behind those trees," whispered Boots.
Dora tried to be brave, even though her heart was beating faster with every step. She looked around at the dim path, the drifting fog, and the moon beginning to rise like a silver lantern in the sky. "We can do it, Boots, we just have to stay together and keep going home," said Dora, though she held Boots's hand a little tighter.
Without warning, a ghost drifted out into the path with a long moan that echoed through the forest. Its sheet-like body fluttered in the wind, and its round eyes glowed as it floated closer and closer to Dora and Boots. "A ghost! Boots, run!" cried Dora.
Boots let out a yelp, and together they ran as fast as they could, their feet pounding the path while the ghost whooshed behind them. Branches shook overhead, and pebbles skipped under their shoes as they hurried out of the woods. "I do not want to be a monkey ghost snack tonight, Dora, so let us keep running until we find somebody who can help us," shouted Boots.
Geo Umizoomi was outside near his home, clever and calm, looking at a small set of costume pieces and craft supplies under the porch light. Dora and Boots rushed up to him, breathing hard and pointing back toward the dark trees. "Geo Umizoomi, a ghost chased us in the forest, and we got so scared that we ran all the way here because we did not know what else to do," said Dora.
Geo Umizoomi listened carefully, then smiled with a brave and thoughtful sparkle in his eyes. He remembered Halloween nights when characters like Mr. Owl and Bubble Puppy wore ghost costumes and playfully scared the Bubble Guppies, Franklin the turtle and friends, and others until everyone learned that spooky things could be silly too. "If that ghost wants to scare people, then maybe we can show him what it feels like to be surprised by a whole team of ghosts," said Geo Umizoomi.
Geo Umizoomi helped Dora and Boots make ghost costumes of their own, with fluttering white fabric and round eye holes cut just right. They laughed a little as they worked, and the fear in their faces slowly changed into determination. "These costumes make us look so spooky that even I would jump if I saw us coming out of the dark," said Boots, grinning.
Soon the three friends were dressed like a funny, spooky team, inspired by the Halloween costumes worn by Mr. Owl, Bubble Puppy, and other playful characters on festive nights. The white cloth shimmered in the lamplight, and when they practiced floating and moaning, the room filled with giggles instead of fear. "Now I am not as scared anymore, because we have a plan and we are going to send that ghost running back home," said Dora.
The ghost floated proudly through the clearing, expecting another easy scare, when three ghostly figures suddenly rose from behind the bushes. Dora, Boots, and Geo Umizoomi waved their arms, swayed through the mist, and let out long, spooky sounds that echoed through the trees. "Woooooo, spooky ghost, how do you like being surprised by ghosts tonight, because now the forest is full of us," called Geo Umizoomi.
The ghost froze in midair, its glowing eyes growing wide as it stared at the trio. It had never expected ghosts to appear and scare it back, and suddenly it trembled just like the Bubble Guppies, Franklin the turtle and friends, and others had on Halloween nights when playful ghost costumes popped out at them. "Look, Dora, the ghost is scared of ghosts, and now he is the one running away," shouted Boots as the frightened ghost turned and zoomed away into the night.
Dora pulled off her ghost costume and laughed with relief, her fear completely gone now that the ghost had run away. She threw her hands into the air and smiled from ear to ear. "Yay! We did it, and the ghost ran away just like we hoped," cheered Dora.
When Dora got home, she found Mom waiting by the door under the warm porch light. Dora excitedly told her all about the ghost in the forest, the frightened run, and how Geo Umizoomi helped them make ghost costumes to scare the ghost away back home. "I am proud of you for being brave, asking for help, and turning a scary night into a clever adventure," said Mom, and Dora smiled as the safe, cozy house glowed behind them.
