Jack and the Beanstalk

A Cow and Five Beans

Once upon a time, a boy named Jack lived with his mother. They were very poor. All they had left was one old cow.

"Jack," said his mother sadly, "we have no money for food. You must take the cow to market and sell her."

So Jack led the cow down the road. On the way, he met a funny little man.

"What a fine cow!" said the man. "I will give you five magic beans for her."

Magic beans! Jack thought that sounded wonderful. He swapped the cow for the five beans and ran home.

But his mother was cross. "Beans?! We cannot eat beans for dinner forever!" She threw the beans out of the window. Then they both went to bed with empty tummies.

Up, Up, Up!

In the morning, Jack looked out of his window. His mouth fell open.

Where the beans had landed, a giant beanstalk had grown in the night! It was thick and green and tall — so tall it went all the way up, up, up into the clouds.

Jack was a brave boy. "I am going to climb it!" he said.

Up he went. Higher and higher, past the birds, past the clouds, until he reached the very top. And there he found a huge castle.

The Giant's Castle

Jack knocked on the great big door. A kind woman opened it.

"Please," said Jack, "I am hungry. May I have some food?"

"Quick, come in," she whispered. "But hide! My husband is a giant, and he loves to eat little boys!"

Thump. THUMP. THUMP. The whole castle shook. The giant was coming!

"FEE, FI, FO, FUM!" he roared. "I smell a boy! Where is he?"

Jack hid behind a big pot. He held his breath. Phew! The giant sat down to eat his enormous dinner.

After dinner, the giant took out a hen. "Lay!" he said. And the hen laid an egg of pure gold! Then the giant began to snore. Z-z-z-z-z.

A Golden Hen

Jack thought of his hungry mother. "That golden hen could feed us forever," he whispered.

So he crept out very quietly. He scooped up the hen and tiptoed to the door. But the hen gave a loud CLUCK!

The giant woke up. "FEE, FI, FO, FUM!" he roared. "Come back, you little thief!"

Jack ran for his life! He ran out of the castle and grabbed the beanstalk. Down, down, down he climbed as fast as he could. The giant climbed after him, shaking the whole beanstalk!

Chop, Chop, Chop!

"Mother!" Jack shouted. "Bring the axe! Quick!"

His mother ran out with the axe. As soon as Jack jumped off the bottom, he began to chop. Chop! Chop! CHOP!

The great beanstalk wobbled. It swayed. Then — CRASH! — it fell to the ground. And the giant could never, ever climb down to bother them again.

Happy Ever After

Jack hugged his mother tight. They put the golden hen in a cosy basket. Every day she laid a shiny golden egg.

Now Jack and his mother had plenty of food and a warm home. They were never poor or hungry again. And Jack? He had been brave and clever — and that had saved the day.

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The moral: Being brave and clever can solve big problems. And always take good care of the people you love.

Want more read-along tales? Try The Friendly Dragon or The Lion and the Mouse next.