The age old tradition of carving a monstorous face into a Pumpkin for Halloween. But how did it come about? Who is Jack?
Well, there are many myths or stories that go with this tradition but one stands out the most and has a clever little twist! It involves a man named Jack, The Devil, some Villagers and a very clever plan.
Once upon a time there was a man named Jack. Now Jack was a thief and one day while being chased by some irate Villagers Jack meets the Devil who tells him it's his time to die and he is there to take Jack's soul. Now cunning as Jack is he tells the Devil that if the Devil, who can take on any form, turns himself into a Gold coin, Jack will pay for the stolen goods and the Villagers will fight over the coin therefore the Devil can take their souls instead. So the Devil, a bit unwittingly, agrees and no sooner as he takes form of a gold coin Jack puts the coin in his wallet and attaches a Cross to it - therefore trapping the Devil and removing his powers.
Now the Devil is in a predicament and Jack says "Ok, if you don't take my soul, I shall release you." The Devil in no state to disagree promises not to take Jack's soul.
All is well and as every living thing has to die, Jack, one day succumbs to death. Now, Jack has been bad all his life so he can't get into heaven and obviously he has an agreement with the Devil. Now stuck in nothingness with no light, the Devil mockingly gives Jack a flame from hell that will never burn out so Jack carved out a Turnip [how he got hold of a turnip I don't know] and put the ember inside and with his lantern he eternally wanders the earth looking for a resting place and so he became know as Jack of the Lantern aka Jack-o'-Lantern.
So, there you have it, you now have a story to tell to others while wolfing down some Pumpkin Pie and Trick-or-Treat chocolate!
