“Stingy Jack” had always been known as frugal. Everyone had given up asking for favors or money: there was just no point. Before the words had even left the mouths of those asking, he was making up some excuse as to why he couldn’t, and then sloping off. This meant that he was generally disliked by the local people, but they couldn’t get rid of him, as he never broke any laws. One evening, Jack was at the local pub enjoying a beer. However, he didn’t feel like paying the tuppence for the brew, and so came up with a plan in order to save the money. He called out for the devil, asking if he would like a drink. The devil soon appeared and agreed to Jack’s proposal, thinking he might be able to trick Jack into giving him his soul. They drank long into the evening, and once it came time to pay, Jack decided to ask the devil to pay. The devil had no money, as he had no use for it, and so naturally declined. Jack then said that the devil could turn into coin, and then trick the bartender. The devil liked this idea, as it would cause havoc and discontent, and so agreed and then turned into a shiny silver coin. However, instead of paying, Jack had a better idea. He payed using his own money, and then pocketed the transfigured devil next to his wooden cross, meaning he was unable to transform back. Jack then bartered with the devil, agreeing to release him on the condition the devil wouldn’t bother him for a whole year. The devil, with no other option, reluctantly agreed.
The next year was bliss for Jack. He had nothing to worry about, and no fear of any evil attacking him. But, the year was soon up, and the devil would soon let loose his hoards of evil upon Jack. Knowing this would happen, Jack decide to try and trick the devil again. As he was walking in the countryside, Jack decided to summon the devil, and once he appeared, he challenged him to climb a tree. If the devil could do it, then he would gain Jack’s soul, but if he failed, Jack would be free from the devil for another 30 years. The Devil of course agreed, unable to pass on such a seemingly easy offer, and began to climb the closest (and smallest) tree. However, once he reached the top, Jack quickly carved a cross into the tree, meaning that the devil was once again stuck. But instead of demanding one year alone, Jack now demanded 30, and also now added that the devil would never be able to claim his soul. The devil was furious, but once more, had to oblige. Jack then scraped away the cross, walking off very pleased with himself.
10 years passed, and Jack lived in peace and quiet, unafraid of anything. However, the time came for Jack to die, and because of his frugality and isolationism, his funeral went unnoticed. And being dead, Jack’s soul soon found itself at the pearly gates of heaven, faced with the judgement of God. Jack was confident about being let in, as he had outwitted the devil twice. But God saw this not as smart, but unsavoury, and so refused to let him in, casting him down into hell. But when Jack arrived in the underworld, he was met by a cackling devil. Jack asked what was so funny, and the Devil responded that he was unable to claim Jacks soul, and so couldn’t allow him into hell. At first Jack was confused: not going to hell seemed fine. Then he realised that if he couldn’t go to heaven or hell, where would he go? The Devil (still snickering) gave him rags to wear, and sent him off into the world, with only a hollowed out turnip with a single coal in to light the way. It is said that on all hallows eve, when the barrier between the spirit and mortal realms is weakest, stingy Jack (now renamed Jack of the Lantern, or Jack o Lantern), can be seen wandering the country, looking for mortals to take out his anger on.
In order to scare away Jack, people in Scotland and Ireland began to carve faces into their pumpkins and display them on halloween, which we now call the Jack-o-lantern. These can now be seen all across the world on every 31st of October, scaring away ghosts and ghould very efficiently.