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Jack and the Beanstalk

Grade 2, Westdale School - Northlake, Illinois

Retold by Scudder Smith
Summarized by Mrs. Helwink’s 2nd Grade Class

Once upon a time there was a boy named Jack and his mother. They had to sell their cow to get money, but Jack got magic beans instead.

Jack’s mom said, "Sell our cow for a good fortune and a good deal." Jack saw an old woman on the side of the road.

"I will exchange your cow for magic beans, boy." Jack ran back home. His mom said he was a fool. But he planted the magic beans. Jack waited patiently for the beans to grow.

Jack climbed all the way to the top of the beanstalk that grew overnight. When he got to the top, he met a giant woman. The giant’s wife was mean and then she was kind to Jack. The giant’s wife helped Jack.

When the giant returned home, the giant yelled, "Fe Fi Fo Fum. I smell the blood of a young one."

The woman said to Jack, "Hide inside my stove."

The giant put out some gold coins on the table. Then giant caught some zzzz’s.

Jack stole the giant’s big coins. Jack ran quickly down the beanstalk with a pot of gold. Jack brought the gold home, and showed his mother. Jack and his mother had lots of joy because of the gold they had. Then they were down to their last coin.


Jack returned to the giant’s house. The giant thought he smelled a young one.

"Nonsense!" said his wife. "Come have your dinner."

The giant had a chicken that laid golden eggs. When he was sleeping, Jack quickly got the golden egg and went down. The chicken laid a golden egg. Jack’s mother was so happy and eXcited. The giant got very mad when Jack stole the golden egg that the chick laid.

The golden eggs made Jack and his mother happy for a while, but then Jack’s mom became sick. The mom got weaker and weaker. Jack went back up the beanstalk to see what he could find to make his mom feel better. Jack saw that the giant had a harp. The giant’s magic harp played wonderful music. Jack ran down the beanstalk with the harp, but the giant followed him.

Jack’s mom said to Jack, "Bring me the ax to cut the bean stalk."

Then all they saw was the giant’s big red boot.

No one knew what happened to the giant and his wife, but the magic harp helped Jack’s mom get better, and the magic beans did bring them great fortune and happiness ever after.


 

 

 

This tale is part of the Fairy Tale/ Folk Tale CyberDictionary
Originally a project of Oak Park Elementary School District #97 until June 2010

Visit the site or contact retired teacher/sponsor: Janet Barnstable jbarnstabl@gmail.com for more information