Sunday, October 4, 2015

The Legend of Jack of the Lantern: The Story of Pumpkins and Turnips

Once there was a man named Stingy Jack,

Who liked to play jokes and started flack.

He lied to family, friends, and his mom,

To the Devil himself he’d twist a Psalm.

He drank too much and talked too loud—

Did things for which he shouldn’t be proud.

One day he asked the Devil to climb a tree.

Then he placed crosses around it with glee.

Since the Devil couldn’t touch a cross,

He was stuck in the tree—what a loss!

Jack asked the Devil not to take his soul.

When he died, Jack wanted all control.

The Devil said: “I promise with all my might.

When you die, I won’t put up a fight.”

Then Jack took the crosses away, 

And the Devil said: “I live to betray!”

When Jack died and went to the pearly gate,

St. Peter told him that he was filled with hate.

“You are cruel and mean have no love.

Why on Earth would you enter Heaven above?

No! I will not allow you to enter Heaven.

Go talk to the Devil at the hour eleven.”

So Jack went down to the Gates of Hell.

It looked more like a prison cell. 

“Why Jack, what brings you here today?

I smell the scent of ghoulish play.

Didn’t St. Peter let you into heaven?

You’ve been a beast since age seven,

And I promised to never let you enter Hell.

A promise is a promise. What a spell!”

With that, Jack had nowhere to go.

His spirit wandered to-and-fro.

Back and forth between Heaven and Hell.

He couldn’t find a place to dwell.

Jack said: “How can I leave without a light?

I can’t see a thing in the dark midnight.”

The Devil tossed him a burning ember—

On the last night before November.

He hollowed a turnip with his hand—

From Heaven and Hell, he was banned.

Turnips were his favorite food.

The root helped him think and brood.

Jack put the ember inside a turnip.

He felt like he was about to burn up!

From that day on, Jack roamed the Earth.

He dreaded the day of his own birth.

He haunted the good and evil alike.

No one knew when he would strike.

He lit his way with his lantern flame,

Not knowing it would bring him fame.

The Irish knew his legend well,

And they made sure to go-and-tell.

Turnips, rutabagas, potatoes, and beets

Were used for more than tasty treats!

When evil spirits came on Halloween, 

Demons were never heard or seen. 

Roots held candles that kept them at bay.

All Hallows’ Eve turned into All Saints Day.

Jack O’Lanterns are now made from pumpkins.

Easier to carve and more like bumpkins!

If Stingy Jack comes round your door,

Buy a pumpkin at a candy store!

Carve the pumpkin into a scary face!

Put it on your porch full o’grace.

Light it with candles ‘till the break of dawn

And evil spirits will soon be gone.

The Devil will never trick you cold.

Treat yourself now that the story is told.

Shine a light to keep an angel near.

Stingy Jack will only have fear. 

His ghost will haunt the world alone. 

He will wander like a brittle bone.

Happy Halloween without a scare.

Ghosts and goblins and witches beware!

 

Copyright 2015 Jennifer Waters

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