Who is Stingy Jack?
Q: Who is Stingy Jack?
A: Stingy Jack is a character in Irish folklore. He was a poor, dirty man who was often drunk and known for outsmarting the devil at least three times.
Q: How did Jack outsmart the devil?
A: On one occasion, he invited the devil to have a drink with him but persuaded him to change himself into a coin so that he wouldn't have to pay for it. On another occasion, he persuaded the devil to climb an apple tree and quickly carved crosses into the trunk of the tree making it impossible for him to come down. On the third occasion, when Jack died before his ten-year time limit, God did not want him in Heaven so he sent him back into the world and gave him a glowing coal which Jack put into a hollowed-out turnip as his lantern.
Q: What happened after Jack died?
A: After Jack died before his ten-year time limit, God did not want him in Heaven so he sent him back into the world and gave him a glowing coal which Jack put into a hollowed-out turnip as his lantern. The story of how this happened became known as "Jack of the Lantern" or "Jack-o'-lantern". In America, this lantern changed from being made from a turnip to being made from pumpkins since they were more common and easier to carve.
Q: Why is this story little known today?
A: This story is little known today perhaps because Stingy Jack was an unsuitable role model for entertaining children.
Q: What holiday does this story relate to?
A: This story relates to All Saints Day on November 1st when people believe they can see Stingy Jack still walking around with his pumpkin lantern.
