The Story
Once upon a time, a poor widow lived with her son Jack and their cow, Bessie. One day the cow stopped giving milk, and the mother told Jack to take Bessie to market and sell her.
On the way, Jack met an old man who offered five magic beans for the cow. Jack agreed, but when he returned home without any money, his mother was furious and threw the beans out the window.
The next morning, a giant beanstalk had grown overnight — all the way up into the clouds! Jack climbed and climbed until he reached a magnificent castle in the sky.
Inside, a kind giantess gave Jack some food. But soon, the great giant came home, sniffing the air: "FE FI FO FUM, I smell the blood of an Englishman!" He sat down to eat, then fell asleep.
Jack quietly took a bag of gold coins and climbed back down the beanstalk. His mother was overjoyed. But when the gold ran out, Jack climbed again. This time he found a magical golden harp that played music on its own. As he carried it away, the harp called out: "Master! Master!" The giant woke and chased Jack down the beanstalk.
Jack leaped to the ground and grabbed an axe. He chopped at the beanstalk with all his might. Down came the beanstalk — and down came the giant with a tremendous crash.
Jack and his mother used the gold and the magical harp to live comfortably ever after, and Jack grew up to be brave, honest, and wise.