A Halloween Tale - Jack O'Lantern

(Image by Jill Wellington - Pixabay)

Today, ‘jack o’lantern’ is what people call the carved pumpkins of Halloween.

But in the 17th century, ‘jack-o’-lantern’ was the term given to night watchmen who walked the dark, night-time streets with their lanterns to light the way.

‘Night watchman’ by Thomas Dekker from ‘The Belman of London’ (1608) (Wikipedia)

In time, people started to use the term to refer to the mysterious ghost-lights sometimes seen at night hovering over bogs and swamps.

Although we now know this phenomenon is created by the oxidation of decomposing plants, back then stories were told to explain the ghostly lights.

Known by many names, including will-o’-the-wisp, jack-o’-lantern and hobby lanterns, the lights were said to mislead travellers as they resembled flickering lanterns.

‘Will-o’-the-Wisp’ by Arnold Bocklin (Wikipedia)

Inevitably, a legend grew from the stories involving a man named Jack. As with all such stories, there are different versions and here is one…

Once, in a village in Ireland, there lived a blacksmith named Jack, but everyone called him Stingy Jack because of his ungenerous nature.

He wasn’t well-liked for he was a drunkard with a reputation for tricking folk.

Hearing of this odious man, the Devil decided the time had come to claim his soul.

When he saw the Devil had come for him, despite being falling-down drunk, Jack had enough of his wits about him to attempt to delay the inevitable.

First, he succeeded in getting the Devil to allow him to finish his ale.

Then, when it came time to pay up and leave, he asked the Devil if he would oblige by turning into a coin so he could pay.

Once the Devil had done so, Jack grabbed the coin and held it tight in his hand, the palm of which bore a cross-shaped scar. The power of the cross kept the Devil imprisoned there, and he, in a fit of rage, ordered Jack to release him.

“I will,” says Jack, “but only if you grant me another ten years of life.”

The Devil agreed, and left Jack in peace.

The months passed…

One year became ten and, as expected, the Devil appeared and demanded that Jack accompany him.

As he followed the Devil to Hell, Jack asked if he could get something to eat.

The Devil agreed and climbed an apple tree.

While the Devil was busy picking an apple, Jack, as quick as can be, placed crucifixes around the tree, once again trapping the Devil.

Furious, the Devil demanded Jack remove the crucifixes and release him.

This time, Jack’s price was for the Devil to never claim his soul.

After much raging, the Devil was left with no choice but to reluctantly agree.

As it turned out, Jack wasn’t long for this world anyway as he loved the drink too much.

After death, he was delighted to find himself in front of the gates of Heaven. But he wasn’t permitted to enter because of the sinful life he’d led.

Realising he had nowhere else to go, Jack dragged himself to Hell.

But the Devil would not let him enter either, not only because of the deal Jack had forced him to make but he had had his fill of dealing with Jack.

The Devil told Jack he had no choice but to wander the darkness of Earth alone.

At this Jack cried, “But where can I go? I cannot see in the dark!”

Is it possible the Devil felt a twinge of pity for the man? Picking up a piece of coal, he tossed it to Jack so he’d have something to light his way.

Having nothing to carry it in, Jack put it into a hollowed-out turnip and had no choice but to wander far and wide with his makeshift lantern until the end of days.

(Image by ‘brenkee’ - Pixabay)