Jack and the Beanstalk
Beginner · ≈ 4 min story · 2 min read
Jack trades the family cow for five magic beans, and his mother is so angry she throws them out of the window. By morning the beans have grown into a beanstalk that climbs all the way into the clouds, where Jack finds a giant's house holding a bag of gold, a hen that lays golden eggs, and a magical harp that suddenly sings a warning. A thundering chase, one swing of the axe, and a mysterious voice drifting in from the sea bring this classic fairy tale to a cosy close.
Once upon a time, there lived a poor boy named Jack with his mother. They did not have much money. Their only valuable possession was their cow. One day, Jack took the cow to the market to sell it. On the way, he met a strange man. “I will give you five magic beans for your cow!” Jack looked at the tiny beans.
“Magic beans? Really?” The man nodded. Jack happily agreed and took the beans home. But when Jack’s mother saw what he had done, she became very angry. “You sold our cow for five little beans? What were you thinking, Jack?” She threw the beans out of the window. Jack went to bed feeling sad. “I’m sorry, Mother.” But the next morning... Jack looked out of the window and could hardly believe his eyes!
The tiny beans had grown into a gigantic beanstalk. It reached higher and higher... all the way up into the clouds! “What could be up there?” Jack could not resist finding out. He climbed and climbed until, at last, he reached a huge house among the clouds. It was the house of a giant.
Jack looked around carefully. “The giant isn't home...” Inside the house, Jack saw a bag filled with gold coins. Then he saw a hen that laid golden eggs. And finally, he saw something very strange... A beautiful magical harp. Jack picked up the harp. But suddenly... the magical harp began to sing.
“Jack... run!” Jack froze. “Run? Why?” Before the harp could say anything more... “FEE-FI-FO-FUM!” The giant was coming home! Jack quickly grabbed the bag of gold coins, the hen, and the magical harp. “I have to get out of here!” The giant saw him. “Stop! Come back!” The giant began chasing Jack. Jack ran as fast as he could. He reached the beanstalk and quickly climbed down. The giant followed him.
Jack finally reached the ground. “Mother! Quickly! Give me the axe!” Jack took the axe and chopped the giant beanstalk. Chop! Chop! CHOP! The beanstalk came crashing down. The giant fell from the clouds and was never seen again. Jack and his mother now had the gold, the golden hen, and the magical harp. Jack and his mother now had enough gold to live happily. They also kept the magical harp.
But one night, something strange happened. Jack heard the harp playing a beautiful melody all by itself. He walked closer. And then... Jack heard something even more mysterious. A beautiful voice was singing along with the harp. Jack looked around. “Who is singing?” The voice seemed to be coming from far away... From the sea. Jack listened carefully. The beautiful voice sang one last note... and suddenly disappeared. Jack had no idea who the mysterious singer was.
But somewhere beneath the waves... a little mermaid was about to begin her story.
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