Jack and the Beanstalk

10 pages · 4 min · ages 5+

Based on: English Folk Tale

Jack lived in a small cottage. He lived with his kind mother. They were very poor now. Their cow gave no more milk. "Go sell our cow," Mother said. Jack felt a little bit sad. He led the cow away slowly. He walked down the dusty road.

Jack met a very funny man. The man had five special beans. They were colorful and very shiny. "These beans are magic," he said. Jack wanted the magic beans. He traded his cow for them. He ran home with a smile. He was very fast and happy.

Mother looked at the tiny beans. She felt very cross and sad. "We need food, not beans!" she cried. She threw them out the window. Jack went to bed very hungry. During the night, the beans grew. A giant green vine sprouted high. It reached up to the clouds.

Jack saw the beanstalk next morning. He wanted to climb the vine. The green leaves were like stairs. He started to ascend the beanstalk. His heart went thump, thump, thump. He did not look down once. He was a very brave boy. Soon he was high in sky.

Jack stepped onto a fluffy cloud. He saw a very large castle. The front door was truly enormous. Jack took a very deep breath. He knocked on the big door. It opened with a loud creak. Everything inside was giant and tall. Jack felt very small and quiet.

A giant sat at a table. He looked very sad and gloomy. The giant had no real friends. "Hello there," Jack said very softly. The giant looked down at Jack. He wiped away a big tear. "Are you here to play?" he asked. Jack nodded his head with courage.

The giant showed Jack a harp. The harp was made of gold. It played a very sweet melody. The music made Jack feel happy. The giant smiled for the first time. "I am very lonely," he said. Jack listened to the lovely music. They sat together for a long time.

Next, the giant showed a hen. The hen laid a glittering egg. The egg was made of gold. The giant gave it to Jack. "Take this to your mother," he said. "I have too many golden eggs." Jack thanked his new giant friend. He was glad he stayed there.

Jack had a very good idea. "Come home with me," Jack said. The giant did not tremble anymore. He felt happy to be invited. They climbed down the big beanstalk. Jack led the way for him. The giant moved very, very slowly. Mother watched from the little garden.

The village loved the magnificent giant. He helped them build new houses. Mother was very proud of Jack. Jack was a brave, kind boy. The beanstalk stayed in the garden. It was a bridge for friends. Everyone was very happy and safe. They lived a very good life.