Jack and the Beanstalk - A Summary

Introduction

• A tale by TheFableCottage.com
• Features a young man named Jack who lives with his mother on a small farm.
• They are very poor, relying on selling milk from their cow, Bess.

The Dilemma

• Jack's mother wakes him up crying, needing money to fix their house.
• She instructs Jack to sell Bess at the market for at least five gold coins.

The Encounter

• On his way to the market, Jack meets an old man.
• The man offers to trade five magic beans for Bess, claiming they are worth more than gold.
• Jack, thinking of his mother's happiness, accepts the deal.

Mother's Reaction

• Jack returns home excited but his mother is furious after learning he traded Bess for beans.
• She throws the beans out of the window and cries, leading Jack to feel regretful.

The Beanstalk

• The next morning, Jack finds a giant green beanstalk where the beans were thrown.
• He decides to climb it in search of riches to make his mother happy.

The Giant's Castle

• At the top, Jack sees a castle and approaches it, finding a kind giantess who offers him food.
• Jack hides when the giant husband returns, who dislikes humans.

Theft of Treasures

• The giant counts five gold coins, which Jack steals.
• Jack sees a golden hen that lays golden eggs and steals it as well.
• He also takes a magic harp that plays on command but is caught when the harp screams for help.

Escape

• The giant chases Jack, who manages to escape down the beanstalk faster.
• Jack chops down the beanstalk before the giant can follow, causing him to fall.

Aftermath

• Jack becomes wealthy and marries, but feels guilty about the giant's plight.
• He hears the giant's calls and feels sadness every time it rains.

Conclusion

• In his old age, Jack decides to find the giant and apologize.
• He plans to use his last magic bean to grow a new beanstalk.
• The story ends with uncertainty about whether Jack finds the giant, with a hint that they may dance in the clouds during thunderstorms.