Happy Fall, everyone!
Where we are located, the world is getting cooler each day, and tufts of vibrant autumn colors are visible among the trees. That being said, we are just feeling inspired to share something with you that might be able to help you get into the mood for fall whether the world outside your window is changing yet or not.
"There once was a man named Stingy Jack
Who thought he was quite a clever chap.
Pining for adventure one day,
Stingy Jack asked the devil to come play.
The devil agreed, and quick as a wink,
He whipped up two stools and a good, strong drink.
The devil had a plan that was better than gold--
For his drink, Jack would pay with his soul.
But Jack be nimble, and Jack be quick--
He soon thought up his own little trick.
When it came time for him to pay,
Stingy Jack did say,
'My fine fellow, does it not make sense
For us to do away with this pretense:
You know I be a poor young man,
And I always get by the best way I can.
I have no money to pay; forgive me this offence,
And as a favor, turn yourself into my sixpence.'
The devil thought, and quick as a wink,
All that was left was a coin and a drink.
Stingy Jack's face split into a wicked grin,
As he swallowed the final bit of his gin.
He took the coin and hurried away
To his home, where he put the coin away
With a cross, to keep the devil at bay.
All Hallows Eve comes but once a year,
And ten had passed when Stingy Jack died.
Up to heaven his soul did fly,
But he could not gain entrance, no matter how he tried.
He soon turned up at the gates of hell,
But the devil sent him off, wishing him well,
Giving him nothing but a glowing hot coal
To light whatever hole he would make his home.
So Stingy Jack's lonely soul still roams
Every All Hallows Eve."
The tale of Stingy Jack originated in Ireland, which, you may have guessed, is also where Jack O'lanterns come from. All Hallows Eve, now known as Halloween, was originally like a Celtic day of the dead. It was a time when people would mourn, fast, and pray over the souls of those who have passed on. The legend of Stingy Jack originated centuries ago in Ireland around the time of All Hallows Eve. Originally Scottish, Irish, and English people would carve turnips and potatoes and large beets, and place a light within. They would specifically carve frightening faces, or things like crosses into the vegetables, so as to scare off wandering spirits that did not make it into heaven, and keep them out of their homes--spirits like Stingy Jack's. It was a tradition which Irish emigrants brought with them to America, and has spread to other people over time. The pumpkin is a fruit that is native to America. Once the emigrants were established here, they discovered that the pumpkin worked much better for carving.
I don't know about you, but I kind of want to carve a pumpkin now...
Who thought he was quite a clever chap.
Pining for adventure one day,
Stingy Jack asked the devil to come play.
The devil agreed, and quick as a wink,
He whipped up two stools and a good, strong drink.
The devil had a plan that was better than gold--
For his drink, Jack would pay with his soul.
But Jack be nimble, and Jack be quick--
He soon thought up his own little trick.
When it came time for him to pay,
Stingy Jack did say,
'My fine fellow, does it not make sense
For us to do away with this pretense:
You know I be a poor young man,
And I always get by the best way I can.
I have no money to pay; forgive me this offence,
And as a favor, turn yourself into my sixpence.'
The devil thought, and quick as a wink,
All that was left was a coin and a drink.
Stingy Jack's face split into a wicked grin,
As he swallowed the final bit of his gin.
He took the coin and hurried away
To his home, where he put the coin away
With a cross, to keep the devil at bay.
All Hallows Eve comes but once a year,
And ten had passed when Stingy Jack died.
Up to heaven his soul did fly,
But he could not gain entrance, no matter how he tried.
He soon turned up at the gates of hell,
But the devil sent him off, wishing him well,
Giving him nothing but a glowing hot coal
To light whatever hole he would make his home.
So Stingy Jack's lonely soul still roams
Every All Hallows Eve."
The tale of Stingy Jack originated in Ireland, which, you may have guessed, is also where Jack O'lanterns come from. All Hallows Eve, now known as Halloween, was originally like a Celtic day of the dead. It was a time when people would mourn, fast, and pray over the souls of those who have passed on. The legend of Stingy Jack originated centuries ago in Ireland around the time of All Hallows Eve. Originally Scottish, Irish, and English people would carve turnips and potatoes and large beets, and place a light within. They would specifically carve frightening faces, or things like crosses into the vegetables, so as to scare off wandering spirits that did not make it into heaven, and keep them out of their homes--spirits like Stingy Jack's. It was a tradition which Irish emigrants brought with them to America, and has spread to other people over time. The pumpkin is a fruit that is native to America. Once the emigrants were established here, they discovered that the pumpkin worked much better for carving.
I don't know about you, but I kind of want to carve a pumpkin now...
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