JACK-O'LANTERN



Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration. Pumpkins can be found everywhere in the country, from doorsteps to dinner tables during this period. People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack". According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. But he didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil under the condition that he would not bother him for one year, and when he should die, the Devil would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree so that the Devil could not come down until he promised Jack not to bother him for 10 more years. Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God didn't allowed his soul into Heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and due to the fact that he had to keep his word about claiming his soul, didn't allowed Jack into Hell. Instead, he sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way; and so, Jack has been roaming the Earth ever since.

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