The custom of carving jack-o'-lanterns is centuries old. It wasn’t always linked specifically to Halloween, nor was the raw material always a pumpkin. In the British Isles of the 17th century, jack-o’-lanterns were made out of turnips.
," a children's story published in 1892, both begin with a description of Jack as a churlish, hard-hearted man who uncharacteristically takes pity on a stranger in need and offers him a bed for the night. The stranger turns out to be an angel who grants Jack three wishes in gratitude, though unbeknownst to our protagonist there is a catch."Weigh well what thou asketh!" the angel warns in"Jack o' the Lantern." Jack ponders.
"I should like," said Jack, after some reflection,"that whoever shall sit in my especial chair shall never be able to lift the chair from its place nor get out of it until I allow him. I would have the hand that touches anything in my tool-box on the wall unable to move the box or take the hand out until I give him permission. Lastly, I would have woever pulls a branch from the sycamore before my door unable to let go his hold until I say so.
After looking at Jack"with sorrowful eyes and grieved expression," the angel grants his wishes and disappears, clearly disappointed with Jack's answers."From that moment Jack was excluded from heaven, for he had eternal blessedness for the asking, but he asked it not." In other words, Jack will have his three selfish wishes, but he has forever forfeited his chance to go to heaven.
Fast-forward through the rest of Stingy Jack's prosperous life to his waning days on Earth, when there is an unexpected knock on his door. It's a minion of the devil, sent to drag poor Jack to hell. What does Jack do? He offers the devil's minion a seat. In his own chair. In Jack's own seat, the servant sits,And, as he scored, the flunkey roared,Jack 1, Devil 0. The devil sends another minion.
We fast-forward again to witness Stingy Jack at the moment of his death and transformation, the birth of Jack o' Lantern, and the end of our story: His ghost is forced to walk the earth,And, from its flame, he's got the nameUNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 09: Engraving by T W Cook after a drawing by Pether taken on the spot in Lincolnshire, 1811 showing two men watching a bright light which is hovering above a river in the darkness. Published by R N Rose 1 May 1820.
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