The Legend of Stingy Jack

Описание: The legend of Stingy Jack, an old Irish folktale, explains the origin of the Jack-o'-lantern. Jack was a man known for his cunning, trickery, and selfishness, always looking out for himself. His reputation eventually caught the attention of the Devil.

One night, the Devil appeared to collect Jack's soul. Jack, thinking quickly, convinced the Devil to turn into a silver coin for a final drink. Jack then trapped the coin in his purse with a crucifix, rendering the Devil powerless. He only released the Devil after securing a promise that his soul would be left alone for another ten years.

Despite this close call, Jack didn't change his ways; he became even more deceitful. Ten years later, the Devil returned. Jack tricked him again, asking him to climb a tree for an apple. Once the Devil was in the branches, Jack carved a cross into the tree's bark, trapping him. This time, Jack demanded an eternal promise that the Devil would never claim his soul.

Jack believed he had secured his fate, but he overlooked heaven. When he died, he went to the pearly gates, but his life of selfishness and lies meant his soul was too stained for entry, and he was turned away. He then went to the gates of hell, where the Devil, remembering how he was tricked, upheld his promise not to claim Jack's soul but refused to let him in.

Cast out from both heaven and hell, Jack was condemned to wander an endless void. As a final mockery, the Devil gave him a burning ember from hell's fires, only enough light for him to see his lonely path. Jack, ever resourceful, hollowed out a turnip and placed the coal inside, creating a lantern. This tradition of carving lanterns, initially turnips, was brought to America by Irish immigrants, who found pumpkins better suited for the task.

Thus, Stingy Jack became "Jack of the Lantern," later shortened to "Jack-o'-lantern." The legend serves as a warning that a life solely focused on self-interest, even if clever enough to escape damnation, leaves the soul empty and without a true home, leading to eternal loneliness.