You know Quebec?

This one is the most famous amongst many regarding the Devil. The legend goes as follow:

During the last night of December, family, friends and loved ones gathered, celebrating, dancing and drinking to the new year. Unfortunately, not everyone was as joyful, as a group of lumberjack far in the Gatineau River were mulling to their hard work. It wouldn't be another 4 months until they see their lovers.

One of the new jack told them that it was possible to enjoy the festivities as he did the previous year with his old group by doing la chasse-galerie. The catch : make a pact with the Devil. The men vehemently discard the idea but the fellow assured them it was safe. All they needed was to not swear, speak God's name or touch the cross of any churches steeple as they traveled in the flying canoe and be back before sunrise.

It seemed easy enough, and so the men grabbed their canoe, swore to the Chasse-Galerie and flew away into the night. It was a sight to behold as the glowing lights of the villages mirrored the stars in the sky. They traveled so fast that they arrived in Québec city just in time before midnight in the warm embrace of their loved one.

They drank, they danced and all had good fun, but it was time to go back. The men wobbling to their canoe, raised up to the sky. The travel back wasn't easy as they were loud and visibly drunk, almost hitting the tip of a church and burping a swear. They took longer and the sun was approaching. Almost there, they thought. But it was too late. The canoe free falls towards the trees, impaling men to the branches or shattering their skull to the rocks hidden by the fresh thin layer of snow.

The Devil claiming their due.

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There are many interpretations of this legend and a few ends up well for the travelers. For me, a modern retelling of this story would be a cautionary tale about drunk driving as it is one of the most unfortunate tragedies that happens during the holidays.