Not so long ago, in a kingdom where the pay for soldiers was mostly just a pat on the back and a "good job," three soldiers named Jack, Tom, and Ben decided they’d had enough. They were tired of marching, tired of lumpy porridge, and very tired of not having any coins in their pockets.

"I'm off!" declared Jack one sunny afternoon. "Anyone coming?"
Tom and Ben, who were just as fed up, quickly agreed. They tiptoed away from their camp and found a perfect hiding spot in a huge, golden cornfield.

As they sat there, wondering what to do next, a shadow fell over them. A rather dapper fellow in a smart, dark suit, with a twinkle in his eye, stood before them. "Running away, are we?" he asked, his voice smooth as silk. "I might have a deal for you."

This was no ordinary fellow; it was the Devil himself!
"I'll make you rich," he said, "if you serve me for seven years. But there are rules. For seven whole years, you must not wash, not comb your hair, not cut your nails, not even blow your nose! And you must carry this knapsack for me. It’s always full, but you must never look inside."
If they broke any rule, or couldn't last the seven years, their souls would be his. If they succeeded, they'd be free and wealthy.

Jack, being the bravest, said, "Sounds like a smelly challenge, but I'm in!" Tom and Ben, a bit scared but tempted by the riches, mumbled their agreement.
The Devil grinned, handed them a special leather book, and told them to sign their names. He then gave them a whip. "Whenever you crack this whip," he explained, "gold coins will fly out!"

And so, their seven years began. They traveled the world, cracking the whip whenever they needed money, buying fine food and staying in fancy inns. But oh, how they looked! Their hair grew into tangled nests, their nails curled like eagle talons, and they smelled like a forgotten cheese left out in the sun. People would run away just from the sight (and smell) of them!

After four years, Tom and Ben couldn't stand it anymore. They missed being clean. The Devil appeared, looking quite pleased, and took them away. But Jack kept going. He was determined.

Finally, the seven years were almost over. Jack was incredibly dirty but also incredibly rich from all the whip-cracking. The Devil appeared, looking a bit grumpy that Jack had lasted so long.
"Alright, Jack," he said. "You've nearly done it. But there's one last test. If you can tell me what I will have for my supper tonight, you are free. If not, you're mine!"
Jack felt a shiver of fear. How could he possibly know that?

Feeling worried, Jack wandered into a deep, dark forest. He came across a little old cottage. An old woman with kind eyes sat by the fire. This was the Devil's grandmother!
Jack, despite his fearsome appearance, spoke politely. "Good evening, Grandmother. I'm in a bit of a pickle." He told her his story.
The grandmother felt sorry for him. "Hmm," she said, "my grandson can be a tricky one. Hide under the stairs, be as quiet as a mouse, and listen carefully when he comes for his supper."

Soon, the Devil stomped in. "Grandma! I'm starving! What's for supper?"
"Oh, just a little something," she said, trying to sound casual. "What did you have in mind, dear?"
The Devil chuckled. "Tonight, Grandma, I fancy a roasted old donkey from the king's stables, with a rusty old horseshoe for a spoon, and I'll drink from a cracked horse's skull I found in the churchyard!"

Jack, hidden under the stairs, heard every word. His eyes went wide. What a strange meal!
Once the Devil was busy eating, Jack quietly thanked the grandmother and tiptoed out.

He hurried back to the meeting spot. The Devil was waiting, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Well, Jack?" he sneered. "What's for my supper?"
Jack took a deep breath and said, "Tonight, sir, you will dine on a roasted old donkey from the king's stables. You will eat it with a rusty old horseshoe for a spoon, and you will drink from a cracked horse's skull found in the churchyard!"

The Devil's jaw dropped. "How... how did you know?!" he roared, smoke puffing from his ears. He was furious, but a deal was a deal. He had to let Jack go, along with all the gold he had gathered.

The very first thing Jack did was find the biggest bathtub in the land and scrub himself clean for hours. Then, dressed in fine new clothes, he lived a happy and comfortable life, always remembering the kind grandmother who had helped him outsmart the Devil. And he never, ever forgot to wash behind his ears again.

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