Jack and the Beanstalk The Story

Once upon a time, there lived a woman and her son. The mother, who had lost her husband several years before, did her best to provide for their little family. But the village they lived in was poor as well, and they barely made enough to survive on.

It didn't help that her son, Jack, was a terrible dreamer. His thoughts would lead him far, far away to distant lands, full of treasures to find and places to explore. When this happened -- and this was quite often -- his chores wouldn't get done. But no matter how his mother scolded, Jack couldn't drop his dreamy ways.

Then one day, the mother called Jack. Despite her efforts, she explained, they had no more money for food. She told him to take their cow to the village market and sell her.

Jack was very reluctant to do this. The cow, Lucky, had been in the family for years. He hated to sell a friend; however, he had no choice. Sadly, Jack set out for the market, with Lucky in tow.

On the way, he and Lucky encountered a stranger. The man offered Jack a trade; in exchange for the cow, he would give the boy some magic beans. Believing the man's guarantees, Jack gave up Lucky and returned home, proud of his find.

His mother, who was expecting something quite different, was very angry. Upbraiding Jack for his foolishness, she took his "magic" beans and tossed them out the window. Then the two went to bed without any supper.

The next morning, Jack got up to face the world. He said hello to his hat...hello to his house...and hello to the giant beanstalk in the garden! The amazed boy, yelling for his mother, ran outside to get a closer look.

The beans had been magic, after all! A beanstalk, which must have sprouted overnight, now towered over the village. Jack decided to climb the beanstalk and seek his fortune; his fearful mother reluctantly let him go.

The adventurous boy climbed and climbed, until he came to the very top of the beanstalk. There, he found an enormous castle. Curious about who lived inside, Jack went up to the door and knocked.

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