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Punkin
Center page
2by Mike
Cox The
old Irish folktale of Jack-O’-Lantern | |
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1 ... And that brings us back to that old Irish folktale, without which
Texas’ pumpkin industry would have remained a mere pumpkin in metaphor, not a
pretty economic carriage.
Back in the 18th century, an Irishman named
Jack had an unfortunate propensity for strong beverage. But he did not let his
drinking get in the way of his antipathy toward the Devil, who he tricked into
climbing an apple tree.
Once Jack had the Devil treed, he carved a cross
on the trunk, an action he knew would prevent the Devil from climbing down. The
Devil pleaded for his freedom, and Jack finally struck a deal: If Jack let him
down, the Devil would never come after Jack’s soul.
That seemed like a
good trade, so Jack covered the cross and the Devil was free to return to his
normal level of devilment.
Unfortunately for Jack, the deal with the Devil
did not include immortality. When Jack died, his hard drinking, penuriousness
and other issues sent his spirit down instead of up.
The Devil proved
true to his word and refused to allow Jack into the nether regions. But Jack did
not qualify for Heaven either, and realized this. Unfortunately, his spirit was
doomed to wander forever.
It being dark out, the Devil graciously threw
a glowing coal at Jack so he could find his way around. Jack placed the red hot
coal in a hollowed turnip to make himself a lantern.
Somehow over the centuries,
the turnip gave way to the pumpkin, hence the enduring symbol of Halloween, the
Jack-O’-Lantern. All of which makes about as much sense as naming four different
communities Punkin Center.-
© Mike Cox
More
"Texas
Tales" October 26, 2004 Column |
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