The Day This Man's Father Met the Devil

A man's father meets a strange man who says he is an illusionist, but what he shows him is beyond belief.

In this true story, this man's father told his son about the day he met the devil. It took place in Juarez, Mexico in the year 1942 when his father was twenty years old. It was a disturbing story and haunting memory that he told his brothers and son only a few times.

It Started When the Circus Arrived

It was in the early evening on a summer's day. The circus had arrived in town and the man's father and his younger brother, the man's uncle, went to check it out. There are always pretty girls at these traveling fairs, but the man's father wanted to see the freak shows. His father was always fascinated with the elastic-man, the cow with two heads, the singing chicken, and all the other weird attractions these shows provided.

This time it was a disappointment. There were the usual presentations, but nothing new, and some of the acts were obviously fake. But this time, they met two girls and were getting ready to go hear some live music, when they ran into a short, stubby man wearing a dinner jacket.

Meeting the Stranger: The Greatest Illusionist in the World

This stranger introduced himself and started talking about the freak shows. Then, he raised his arm and exclaimed he was the greatest illusionist in the world. He said he had a trick that was both scary and amazing. The man's father asked this stranger if he was part of the circus. The stranger said he auditioned for a job, but the owner turned him down. The man's father asked him why, and the stranger said his act was so frightening that the owner accused him of being the devil.

Now the man's father and uncle were intrigued. They asked the stranger if they could see the trick, and the stranger said of course, with an exception: they would have to come to the trailer where he lives. There, he would show them, as the stranger reassured them that his trailer was not far away.

Following the Stranger to His Trailer

The man's father, his uncle, and the two girls followed the stranger until they arrived at the stranger's place. There were some steps leading up to the front door, and the stranger showed them in. The man's father and company went to go sit on a sofa and noticed that the trailer was a good size and well kept.

After turning up all the lights so the stranger's guests could see better, the stranger put on a cape, commenced with an introduction, bowed, held up his right hand, and then proceeded to put a white glove on his right hand. He extended his arm and started running his left hand over, under, and around his gloved right hand, all while closing and opening his right hand, and wiggling his fingers.

The stranger started chanting some strange words in another language. Then, with his left hand, he grabbed the tip of the white glove, turned and looked at the man's father, and asked him and the others if they were ready. They said yes, and with a quick motion, the stranger removed the glove.

A Shocking Surprise That Led to Screaming and Crying

The man's father was in shock and disbelief, and so was his uncle. The girls screamed, and staring them in the face was the skeleton of the hand, still wiggling its fingers. The stranger turned the hand around so they could see the back, and the man's father said it was real. Then, the man's uncle got up to get a closer look. That's when the stranger grabbed the top of the man's uncle's head with his bony hand ​and said that now, he was really going to show them something.

That was all it took. The girls ran out the door screaming and crying, followed by the man's father and uncle. The stranger came out the door yelling and laughing, as the man's father stopped and turned around. The stranger was standing there at the top of the steps with a grin on his face looking at the man's father.

The Devil Indeed

On the ground was a wooden plank with long nails pointing up. The stranger jumped off the steps and landed right on those nails. The nails went right through his shoes and blood started to flow. The man's father stood there transfixed as the stranger started to laugh, again, while pointing at the man's father with his bony finger. The man's uncle returned, grabbed the man's father by the arm, and both of them ran.

The man's father and uncle knew that was the devil, and they were grateful that they were able to escape. It's a day he will and can never forget.