Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and his mother lived in a small cottage with their cow. When the cow stopped giving milk, his mother sent Jack to market so they could buy supplies with the money.

On the road, a stranger offered five magical beans for the cow. Jack accepted without asking his mother. When he returned, she was disappointed; beans could not buy their supper at the market.

The beans fell into the garden soil. Overnight, an enormous beanstalk grew past the window and into the clouds. In the morning, Jack stared up at its winding green staircase with amazement.

Jack climbed carefully and found a castle above the clouds. A giant woman offered him breakfast and warned him not to wander. When her husband arrived, Jack hid behind a broad kitchen curtain.

The giant counted coins, watched a hen lay a golden egg, and listened to a singing harp. Then he fell asleep. Jack looked at the treasures and forgot the woman's careful warning.

He picked up the harp, but it called loudly for its owner. The giant woke and followed Jack towards the beanstalk. Jack scrambled down, frightened by the trouble his choice had caused.

At the bottom, Jack stopped instead of cutting the stalk. He set the harp down and called an apology. The giant listened from above, then climbed slowly down to hear him properly.

Jack returned the harp and admitted taking it without permission. His mother stood beside him. The giant was cross, but relieved that nobody had been hurt and his favourite instrument was safe.

The giant woman arrived with a basket of useful seeds. She explained how to grow ordinary food, not clouds. Together they lowered the beanstalk into the empty field and planted a proper garden.

Soon beans, carrots and cabbages filled the cottage garden. Sometimes music drifted down from the clouds. Jack enjoyed the adventure's memory, but now he asked before trading things or carrying them away.