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Jack and the Devil
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: October 2024
You know about O’Leary, O’Connor, O’Keefe .… but what do you know about that Irish fella, O’Lantern?
art by Norma Jean Zahner
Ireland is a country filled with spooky legends. Perhaps those stories were propelled by a jug or two of Irish Whisky. One dandy Irish folktale is that of Jack and the Devil.
Curmudgeon Jack was a stingy old soul. ‘Twas said he loved coin and drink more than kin. On an October evening he made his way to the tavern, one of the few places he spent money, and thus, his presence tolerated.
A stranger sat down at his table and introduced himself as the Devil. He said, “I’m here to take your soul to Hell for the sinful life you’ve led.”
Jack, expecting this visit someday, replied,” Then, let’s have one last drink.”
When the drink was downed, Jack said, “If you really are the Devil, prove it. Turn yourself into a coin to pay the tab.”
The Devil’s pride got the best of him. He turned himself into a silver coin. Jack snatched the silver and slipped it into his pocket where he carried a crucifix. The Devil was trapped.
Bargaining began. Jack said, “Give me another year before you drag me to Hell, and I’ll set you free.”
The Devil had no choice and agreed. A year later, the Devil returned claiming Jack’s soul. But Jack had another scheme. He said, “Devil, climb that tree and fetch me an apple for my final meal.”
The Devil obliged and climbed the tree. Jack quickly carved crucifixes around the tree-trunk so the Devil was trapped again. They bargained, this time it would be 10 years before the Devil’s return. The Devil hadn’t a choice.
But long before the decade was up, Jack died and went to Heaven. Alas, Jack’s wicked past slammed Heaven’s Gates. So he went to Hell where the Devil denied his entry, because of the tricks he’d played on him. Jack’s spirit was doomed to wander the earth for eternity with no place, good or bad, to rest.
Before Jack departed, the Devil felt a touch of sympathy and offered Jack a glowing ember from Hell to light his wandering. Jack picked up a turnip and hollowed it to hold the light.
In the 1800s, on Halloween, people hollowed out turnips (Ireland had bushels of turnips, but no pumpkins yet), and placed an ember in each to keep Jack’s evil spirit from their houses.
Nowadays, the Irish grow pumpkins. Jack traded his stinky turnip for some punkin pie and a flashlight. And Jack O’Lanterns light the world at Halloween.
That’s enough pulp fiction for one day.
Good pie, everyone!
