An Irish man called Jack O’ Lantern gave the name to the lantern we associate with Halloween now a days. The pumpkin is more popular to use in stead of a turnip these days it is still made in the same way, by scooping the insides out and carving the shell with a sharp knife in to a face, then placing a lighted candle inside of it.

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Jack O’ Lantern was described as a lazy man and a drunkard, that wasted his life caring for no one but himself, and were his next drink was coming from, he never did an honest days work in his life, often stealing what he could get his hands on.

Jack O’ Lantern found himself walking on a road going home from the pub in front of him he could see a man standing in his way, that seemed to appear from no were. Jack eyed the man as he made his way toward him. On speaking distance the man asked Jack how he was doing, Jack had never seen this man before so how could he have known his name, he knew everyone in the village Jack asked the man who he was, and the reply chilled Jack to the bone. The man told Jack he was the devil, even though Jack was scared he started to laugh, this made the devil mad, he shouted you don’t believe me, Jack said two words to the devil. Prove it. With this the devil started to laugh, and how would you like me to do that he said to Jack. Jack thought about this and said I don’t know turn you’re self into something small Jack did not have a clue why he said this but in a split second the devil was a small gold coin laying in the road. Jack was now more scared, but his greed was pulling him to pick up the gold coin as he bent down the devil transformed back in to himself. Jack was frozen with fear, the devil asked if Jack was convinced that he was the devil. Jack asked the devil what he wanted, and the devil replied, I have come to take you’re soul when you die. Jack might have been branded the village fool but he was quite smart when he put his mind to it. Jack dared to say to the devil that he wanted more proof, the devil’s eyes blazed in anger but smiled and asked what else could he do to prove it. Jack glanced up at an apple tree then back at the devil. I want you to climb that apple tree and pick me an apple from the top branch and turn the apple into a emerald. The devil could see the greed much more clearly in Jacks eyes and thought it was going to be easy to get his soul. How wrong he was to think this. The devil was on the top branch quick as a flash Jack run under the tree and carved crosses all round the bottom of the tree. The devil was stuck, Jack felt smug. The devil worked out what Jack had done, the devil was burning with anger that this wast of space had tricked him. Jack took this opportunity to strike a deal with the devil. A promise was made for the devil not to take Jacks soul when he died, after the deal was struck Jack removed all the crosses from the bottom of the tree and let the devil down. Jack never seen him again for number of years after that night. Jack died an ended up standing at the pearly gates of Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he had been to mean and cruel to enter the gates of Heaven. Jack turned and when to the gates of hell the devil told Jack he always kept his promise to him and would not take his soul when he died, and would not let him enter the gates of hell. Jack had no were to go only to wander between the gates of Heaven and hell in darkness for ever. Jack asked the devil how he could leave with no light to guide him. The devil with a smile tossed Jack an ember from the flames of hell to light his way. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed out turnip, as he always had one turnips were his favourite food he always carried on with him after he had stolen one, this marked his fate to wander around the earth with no resting place lighting his way as he went with his.

Jack O Lantern….