The story of Jack O'Lantern for children

In Guiainfantil.com we tell you the legend of Jack O'Lantern, that is Jack the one with the flashlight. A scary short story that explains why pumpkins are used as lanterns on Halloween night. Once upon a time, many years ago, on a distant Halloween night, an Irish rogue with a reputation as a quarre

In Guiainfantil.com we tell you the legend of Jack O'Lantern, that is Jack the one with the flashlight. A scary short story that explains why pumpkins are used as lanterns on Halloween night.

Once upon a time, many years ago, on a distant Halloween night, an Irish rogue with a reputation as a quarrelsome, named Jack, had the misfortune to meet the devil in a tavern. Jack, to prevent the devil from taking him, cheated him by offering his soul in exchange for one last drink.

Legend of Jack the lantern for Halloween

It was then that the devil was transformed into a coin so that Jack could pay the waiter. But Jack, who was also somewhat stingy, quickly took it and put it in a purse that had a cross engraved, and so it was that the devil could not return to its original form. Jack would not let him escape until he promised not to ask for his soul in ten years. The devil had no choice but to grant his claim.

After the ten year period, Jack met the devil in the field. The devil was ready to take his soul but Jack thought very fast and said:

- I will go willingly, but before doing so, would you bring me the apple that is in that tree please?

The devil thought he had nothing to lose, and he jumped to the top of the tree. But before he knew it, Jack quickly carved a cross on the trunk. Then the devil could not come down and he forced him to promise that he would never ask for his soul again.

The devil had no choice but to accept.

Jack died a few years later, but he could not enter heaven, because during his life he had been a swindler and quarrelsome. But when he tried to enter hell, the devil had to send him back, because he could not take his soul because he had promised.

- Where will I go now? Asked Jack,

And the devil answered him

- Come back where you came from.

The way back was dark and the terrible wind did not let him see anything. The devil threw Jack a burning coal straight from hell, to guide him in the dark, and Jack put it in a pumpkin that he carried with him para, so it would not go out with the wind. And so it was that Jack O'Lantern was condemned to wander between heaven and hell carrying a pumpkin as a lantern. And this is the legend of Jack the lantern.FIN