Van Hunks and the Devil – South Africa (Original Version)

In the vibrant city of Cape Town, nestled beneath the imposing presence of Table Mountain, there lived an old sea captain by the name of Jan Van Hunks. Van Hunks was a retired pirate, known far and wide for his love of smoking his pipe and for the tall tales he spun about his adventures at sea. With a longing for solitude and the best views in town, Van Hunks often made his way up the slopes of Table Mountain to enjoy his tobacco in peace.

One particular spot, a rocky outcrop with a panoramic view of the city and the sparkling sea, was Van Hunks’ favorite haunt. Here, away from the bustling city below, he would settle into a comfortable position and puff away, lost in his thoughts and the beauty of the mountain.

One day, as Van Hunks was preparing to enjoy his pipe, he noticed a stranger approaching. The man was tall and cloaked in a dark, flowing garment. His hat was pulled low over his face, casting a shadow that obscured his features. Despite his mysterious appearance, the stranger greeted Van Hunks with a friendly nod and asked if he could join him.

Van Hunks, though wary, welcomed the company. As they talked, it became clear that the stranger shared Van Hunks’ passion for smoking. The conversation soon turned into a challenge—a smoking contest to see who could produce the most smoke.

Van Hunks, confident in his abilities, accepted the challenge with gusto. The two men lit their pipes and began to smoke, each determined to outdo the other. As they puffed away, the smoke rose in great billows, swirling around them and drifting over the mountain.

The contest continued for hours, the smoke thickening to form a dense cloud that enveloped the mountain’s flat summit. Van Hunks, a seasoned smoker, held his own, matching the stranger puff for puff. As the day wore on, the smoke rolled down the mountain’s sides, creating a “tablecloth” of clouds that covered its peak.

Finally, as the sun began to set, the stranger let out a sigh and set down his pipe. Van Hunks, triumphant, chuckled at his victory. It was then that he noticed something peculiar—the stranger’s feet were cloven, like those of a goat.

Realization dawned on Van Hunks: he had been smoking against none other than the Devil himself. The Devil, having been bested in the contest, vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Van Hunks alone on the mountain with a story to tell.

To this day, the legend of Van Hunks and the Devil is retold in Cape Town, a whimsical explanation for the cloud cover that often adorns Table Mountain. The tale serves as a testament to Van Hunks’ indomitable spirit and his legendary smoking prowess.

The End.