Trick Or Treat?
Part I

             I am guessing you all must know that original Halloween saying, “Trick or Treat?”  And craving pumpkins is another tradition, yes? Well let me tell you the story behind all the lovely Halloween traditions, you may be in for a little surprise.
             300 years ago, in merry old England, it was Halloween. And London was getting prepared for their annual Harvest Moon Festival. But as the busy townspeople readied, the town Fool was stirring up a few tricks to play on them. The Fool was Jack Lantren, and his soul purpose was to screw up everyone’s life, one way or another. His house sat on a fairly steep hill, which people were glad that it was. It wasn’t really a house, but a ruined and scruffy farmhouse that was abandoned for unknown circumstances. He lived with only this dog, Benji, and his joking toys. Across the hill was the old corn field, infested with insects and black crows. Jack never wanted to clean up the field, he was just too lazy, yet he was never to lazy to scam the community.
              Jack began his daily ritual of throwing rocks into the people’s windows, kicking down fruit stands, replacing cow milk with goat milk, cutting lawns to the dirt, and smashing people into doors. He soon found his way to a saloon and barged right in. He made sure he walked stupidly, knocking down people and chairs as he came up to the bar.
              “Ello bartender, what do ye have today?” asked Jack, with a sly grin on his face.
              “N-n-nothing-g” he stuttered, almost dropping a glass, “Nothing that would interest ye, Jack, because I know what you’re thinking in that twisted mind of yours. I’m not letting ye wreck me wine shelf again like ye did last week....asking for one right after another, making me lose control of the wine rack and making me spill the darn thing on the floor. No, ye are not welcome here anymore, Jack Osmin Lantren. So get out of me sight!” Then, the bartender, his face red with anger, pointed to the door and shot a tedious look at Jack. Jack’s grin soon faded into a slow depressing frown and he walked out the door, heading back outside into the main street.
Back out in the sun, Jack had to think of another scam to play. He tried to make up things, but it usually turned out good for some odd reason. He was going nuts! Jack ran back to his house, flailing his arms in disbelief about his scams. Slamming the door open, he raced to his swindle area and began to plot his biggest joke yet, burn down the Harvest Moon Festival’s pumpkin carved with a hideous face and destroy the festival. He jotted down plans, laughing manically as if he brought something to life. This shall be my best work yet!  He declared; No one shall refer to me as Jack Osmin Lantren, but the King of Pranks!
Meanwhile in the town’s courtyard, people were talking about Jack and his behavior. They were all fed up with the jokes and scams; they really wanted him dead and gone. Some people suggested hanging him; others wanted Jack to burn at the steak. The mayor even wanted Jack to die! Soon, a town meeting was held in the City Hall. It was decided to use Jack’s jokes against him. The mayor told the town’s people to bring all their gruesome items and place them in this box. The mayor would then send the box to the Queen and have it signed “From: Jack Osmin Lantren” and make Jack pay the price.