Lantern Jack and the Stage Magician

Lantern Jack and the Stage Magician' is Dementlieuse folktale concerning an earnest but unwise stage magician who animates a pumpkin on a dare.

Excerpt

And the pumpkin said, “But I do not wish to spoil and die. I am new to this world and its wonders.” The magician replied, “Death is the spice of life. All who are born are born to die.” The pumpkin thought about this for a long moment before replying brightly, “You created me, you created life, you are a god, give me everlasting life.” The magician chuckled bitterly, “Oh, were it so Jack. My beloved Sylvie would not die. But know that I am only a humble stage magician. She too shall one day die.” After the magician had returned to his tinkering the pumpkin whispered, “Indeed she will. And then we will have your measure.”

Authorship

Lantern Jack and the Stage Magician was created by cure as part of a contribution to John W. Mangrum's Teeny Tiny Tales of Terror project (posted on the Fraternity of Shadows message board).