Jack-o’-Lantern

It all took place on the outskirts of a small village near the Irish city of Dublin. There, once upon a time, lived a man named Jack. His neighbours didn’t really like him. Jack was a weirdo who would have sold his Granny for a fiver, and besides that he was known for not being completely truthful. And for pocketing anything that wasn’t nailed down. In short, he was a typical sinner through and through.

And since he made no secret of it and made no effort to change his ways, one evening he received a truly interesting visit. The devil himself knocked on his door.

“Who the devil can that be now?” Jack growled as he opened the door.

“Well guessed, the devil it is,” the visitor replied, sticking his tongue out at Jack. “I’ve come to see you, doomed one. There’s a special place in hell for you, and we can’t wait to have you there. Come with me.”

“We don’t need to go right away though, do we, Mr Devil?” Jack simpered innocently. “I’d like to meet my friends at the tavern once more. After that, you can drag me straight off to hell. Come along with me, so you don’t have to wait here.”

The determined devil agreed.

So the devil and the sinner sat together all evening enjoying a drink and friendly conversation. When it was time to pay, Jack chuckled and leaned conspiratorially towards his new friend.

“I say,” he whispered. “What if you were to turn into a coin? I’d pay with you and then you would turn back into the devil and run away! And the barman would get nothing!”

The devil thought this was a good prank, so he did exactly as Jack …