The History Of Jack And The Beanstalk

In the days of King Alfred there lived a poor woman whose cottage was
situated in a remote country village, a great many miles from London.

She had been a widow some years, and had an only child named Jack, whom
she indulged to a fault. The consequence of her blind partiality was,
that Jack did not pay the least attention to anything she said, but was
indolent, careless, and extravagant. His follies were not owing to a
bad disposition, but that his mother had never checked him. By degrees
she disposed of all she possessed—scarcely anything remained but a cow.

The poor woman one day met Jack with tears in her eyes. Her distress
was great, and, for the first time in her life, she could not help
reproaching him, saying—

“O you wicked child! by your ungrateful course of life you have at
last brought me to beggary and ruin. Cruel, cruel boy! I have not
money enough to purchase even a bit of bread for another day. Nothing
now remains to sell but my poor cow. I am sorry to part with her. It
grieves me sadly, but we must not starve.”

For a few minutes Jack felt a degree of remorse, but it was soon over,
and he began teasing his mother to let him sell the cow at the next
village so much, that she at last consented.

As he was going along he met a butcher, who inquired why he was
driving the cow from home. Jack replied he was going to sell it.
The butcher held some curious beans in his hat that were of various
colours and attracted Jack’s notice. This did not pass unnoticed by
the butcher, who, knowing Jack’s easy temper, thought now was the time
to take advantage of it, and, determined not to let slip so good an
opportunity, asked what was the price of the cow, offering at the same
time all the beans in his hat for her. The silly boy could not conceal
the pleasure he felt at what he supposed so great an offer. The bargain
was struck instantly, and the cow exchanged for a few paltry beans.
Jack made the best of his way home, calling aloud to his mother before
he reached the house, thinking to surprise her.

When she saw the beans and heard Jack’s account, her patience quite
forsook her. She kicked the beans away in a passion—they flew in all
directions—some were scattered in the garden. Not having anything to
eat, they both went supperless to bed.

Jack awoke very early in the morning, and seeing something uncommon
from the window of his bed–chamber, ran downstairs into the garden,
where he soon discovered that some of the beans had taken root and
sprung up surprisingly. The stalks were of an immense thickness, and
had so entwined that they formed a ladder nearly like a chain in
appearance.

Looking upwards, he could not discern the top. It appeared to be lost
in the clouds. He tried the stalk, found it firm, and not to be shaken.
He quickly formed the resolution of endeavouring to climb up to the top
in order to seek his fortune, and ran to communicate his intention to
his mother, not doubting but she would be equally pleased with himself.
She declared he should not go; said it would break her heart if he did;
entreated and threatened, but all in vain.

Jack set out, and, after climbing for some hours, reached the top of
the beanstalk, fatigued and quite exhausted. Looking around, he found
himself in a strange country. It appeared to be a desert, quite barren,
not a tree, shrub, house, or living creature to be seen. Here and there
were scattered fragments of stone, and at unequal distances small heaps
of earth were loosely thrown together.

Jack seated himself, pensively, upon a block of stone, and thought of
his mother. He reflected with sorrow on his disobedience in climbing
the beanstalk against her will, and concluded that he must die of
hunger.

However, he walked on, hoping to see a house where he might beg
something to eat and drink. Presently a handsome young woman appeared
at a distance. As she approached Jack could not help admiring how
beautiful and lively she looked. She was dressed in the most elegant
manner, and had a small white wand in her hand, on the top of which was
a peacock of pure gold.

While Jack was looking, with the greatest surprise, at this charming
female, she came up to him, and, with a smile of the most bewitching
sweetness, inquired how he came there. Jack related the circumstance of
the beanstalk. She asked him if he recollected his father. He replied
he did not, and added there must be some mystery relating to him,
because if he asked his mother who his father was she always burst
into tears and appeared to be violently agitated, nor did she recover
herself for some days after. One thing, however, he could not avoid
observing on these occasions, which was, that she always carefully
avoided answering him, and even seemed afraid of speaking, as if there
were some secret connected with his father’s history which she must not
disclose.

The young woman replied—

“I will reveal the whole story. Your mother must not do so. But before
I begin I require a solemn promise on your part to do what I command. I
am a fairy, and, if you do not perform exactly what I desire, you will
be destroyed.”

Jack was frightened at her menaces, and promised to fulfil her
injunctions exactly, and the fairy thus addressed him—

“Your father was a rich man. His disposition was very benevolent. He
was very good to the poor, and constantly relieved them. He made it a
rule never to let a day pass without doing good to some person. On one
particular day in the week he kept open house, and invited only those
who were reduced and had lived well. He always presided himself, and
did all in his power to render his guests comfortable. The rich and
the great were next invited. The servants were all happy and greatly
attached to their master and mistress. Your father, though only a
private gentleman, was as rich as a prince, and he deserved all he
possessed, for he only lived to do good. Such a man was soon known
and talked of. A giant lived a great many miles off. This man was
altogether as wicked as your father was good. He was, in his heart,
envious, covetous, and cruel, but he had the art of concealing those
vices. He was poor, and wished to enrich himself at any rate.

“Hearing your father spoken of, he formed the design of becoming
acquainted with him, hoping to ingratiate himself into your father’s
favour. He removed quickly into your neighbourhood, and caused it to be
reported that he was a gentleman who had just lost all he possessed by
an earthquake and had found it difficult to escape with his life. His
wife was with him. Your father gave credit to his story and pitied him.
He gave him handsome apartments in his own house, and caused him and
his wife to be treated like visitors of consequence, little imagining
that the giant was undertaking a horrid return for all his favours.

“Things went on this way for some time, the giant becoming daily
more impatient to put his plan in execution. At last a favourable
opportunity presented itself. Your father’s house was at some
distance from the sea–shore, but with a glass the coast could be seen
distinctly. The giant was one day using the telescope; the wind was
very high, and he saw a fleet of ships in distress off the rocks.
He hastened to your father, mentioned the circumstance, and eagerly
requested he would send all the servants he could spare to relieve the
sufferers.

“Every one was instantly despatched, except the porter and your nurse.
The giant then joined your father in the study, and appeared to be
delighted. He really was so. Your father recommended a favourite book,
and was handing it down, when the giant, taking the opportunity,
stabbed him, and he instantly fell down dead. The giant left the
body, found the porter and nurse, and presently despatched them, being
determined to have no living witnesses of his crimes.

“You were then only three months old. Your mother had you in her arms
in a remote part of the house, and was ignorant of what was going
on. She went into the study, but how was she shocked on discovering
your father dead. She was stupefied with horror and grief, and was
motionless. The giant, who was seeking her, found her in that state,
and hastened to serve her and you as he had done your father, but she
fell at his feet, and, in a pathetic manner, besought him to spare her
life and yours.

“Remorse, for a moment, seemed to touch the barbarian’s heart. He
granted your lives, but first he made her take a most solemn oath
never to inform you who your father was, or to answer any questions
concerning him, assuring her that if she did he would certainly
discover her and put both of you to death in the most cruel manner.
Your mother took you in her arms and fled as quickly as possible.
She was scarcely gone when the giant repented he had suffered her to
escape. He would have pursued her instantly, but he had to provide
for his own safety, as it was necessary he should be gone before the
servants returned. Having gained your father’s confidence he knew where
to find all his treasure. He soon loaded himself and his wife, set the
house on fire in several places, and, when the servants returned, the
house was burnt quite down to the ground.

“Your poor mother, forlorn, abandoned, and forsaken, wandered with you
a great many miles from this scene of desolation. Fear added to her
haste. She settled in the cottage where you were brought up, and it was
entirely owing to her fear of the giant that she never mentioned your
father to you.

“I became your father’s guardian at his birth, but fairies have laws
to which they are subject as well as mortals. A short time before
the giant went to your father’s I transgressed. My punishment was a
suspension of power for a limited time—an unfortunate circumstance—for
it totally prevented my succouring your father.

“The day on which you met the butcher, as you went to sell your
mother’s cow, my power was restored. It was I who secretly prompted you
to take the beans in exchange for the cow.

“By my power the beanstalk grew to so great a height and formed a
ladder. I need not add I inspired you with a strong desire to ascend
the ladder.

“The giant lives in this country, and you are the person appointed
to punish him for all his wickedness. You will have dangers and
difficulties to encounter, but you must persevere in avenging the death
of your father, or you will not prosper in any of your undertakings,
but be always miserable.

“As to the giant’s possessions, you may seize on all you can, for
everything he has is yours though now you are unjustly deprived of it.
One thing I desire. Do not let your mother know you are acquainted with
your father’s history till you see me again.

“Go along the direct road, and you will soon see the house where your
cruel enemy lives. While you do as I order you I will protect and guard
you, but, remember, if you dare disobey my commands, a most dreadful
punishment awaits you.”

When the fairy had concluded, she disappeared leaving Jack to pursue
his journey. He walked on till after sunset when, to his great joy,
he espied a large mansion. This agreeable sight revived his drooping
spirits, and he redoubled his speed, and soon reached the house. A
plain–looking woman was at the door, and Jack accosted her, begging she
would give him a morsel of bread and a night’s lodging.

She expressed the greatest surprise at seeing him, and said it was
quite uncommon to see a human being near their house, for it was well
known her husband was a large and very powerful giant, and that he
would never eat anything but human flesh, if he could possibly get it;
that he did not think anything of walking fifty miles to procure it,
usually being out the whole day for that purpose.

This account greatly terrified Jack, but still he hoped to elude
the giant, and therefore he again entreated the woman to take him in
for one night only, and hide him where she thought proper. The good
woman at last suffered herself to be persuaded, for she was of a
compassionate and generous disposition, and took him into the house.

First they entered a fine large hall, magnificently furnished. They
then passed through several spacious rooms, all in the same style of
grandeur, but they appeared to be quite forsaken and desolate.

A long gallery was next. It was very dark, with just light enough to
show that, instead of a wall, on one side there was a grating of iron
which parted off a dismal dungeon, from whence issued the groans of
those poor victims whom the cruel giant reserved in confinement for his
own voracious appetite.

Poor Jack was half dead with fear, and would have given the world
to have been with his mother again, for he now began to fear that
he should never see her more, and gave himself up for lost. He even
mistrusted the good woman, and thought she had let him into the house
for no other purpose than to lock him up among the unfortunate people
in the dungeon.

At the further end of the gallery there was a spacious kitchen, and
a very excellent fire was burning in the grate. The good woman bade
Jack sit down, and gave him plenty to eat and drink. Jack, not seeing
anything here to make him uncomfortable, soon forgot his fear, and was
just beginning to enjoy himself when he was aroused by a loud knocking
at the street–door, which made the whole house shake. The giant’s wife
ran to secure Jack in the oven and then went to let her husband in.

Jack heard him accost her in a voice like thunder, saying—

“Wife, I smell fresh meat.”

“Oh, my dear,” replied she, “it is nothing but the people in the
dungeon.”

The giant appeared to believe her, and walked into the very kitchen
where poor Jack was concealed, who shook, trembled, and was more
terrified than he had yet been.

At last the monster seated himself quietly by the fireside, whilst his
wife prepared supper. By degrees Jack recovered himself sufficiently to
look at the giant through a small crevice. He was quite astonished to
see what an amazing quantity he devoured, and thought he would never
have done eating and drinking. When supper was ended the giant desired
his wife to bring him his hen. A very beautiful hen was brought and
placed on the table before him. Jack’s curiosity was very great to see
what would happen. He observed that every time the giant said “Lay,”
the hen laid an egg of solid gold.

The giant amused himself a long while with his hen, and meanwhile his
wife went to bed. At length the giant fell asleep by the fireside and
snored like the roaring of a cannon. At daybreak Jack, finding the
giant still asleep, and not likely to awaken soon, crept softly out of
his hiding–place, seized the hen, and ran off with her.

He met with some difficulty in finding his way out of the house, but,
at last, he reached the road in safety. He easily found his way to the
beanstalk and descended it better and quicker than he had expected.
His mother was overjoyed to see him. He found her crying bitterly, and
lamenting his hard fate, for she concluded he had come to some shocking
end through his rashness.

Jack was impatient to show his hen, and inform his mother how valuable
it was.

“And now, mother,” said Jack, “I have brought home that which will
make us rich, and I hope to make some amends for the affliction I have
caused you through my idleness, extravagance, and folly.”

The hen produced as many golden eggs as they desired, which Jack and
his mother sold, and so in a little time became possessed of as much
riches as they wanted.

For some months Jack and his mother lived very happily together,
but he, being very desirous of travelling, recollecting the fairy’s
commands, and fearing that if he delayed she would put her threats into
execution, longed to climb the beanstalk and pay the giant another
visit, in order to carry away some more of his treasure, for, during
the time that Jack was in the giant’s mansion, while he lay concealed
in the oven, he learned, from the conversation that took place between
the giant and his wife, that he possessed some wonderful curiosities.
Jack thought of his journey again and again, but still he could not
summon resolution enough to break it to his mother, being well assured
she would endeavour to prevent his going. However, one day he told
her boldly that he must take a journey up the beanstalk. His mother
begged and prayed him not to think of it, and tried all in her power to
dissuade him. She told him that the giant’s wife would certainly know
him again, and the giant would desire nothing better than to get him
into his power, that he might put him to a cruel death in order to be
revenged for the loss of his hen.

Jack, finding that all his arguments were useless, pretended to give up
the point, though he was resolved to go at all events. He had a dress
prepared which would disguise him, and something to colour his skin,
and he thought it impossible for any one to recollect him in this dress.

In a few mornings after this, he rose very early, changed his
complexion, and, unperceived by any one, climbed the beanstalk a second
time. He was greatly fatigued when he reached the top, and very hungry.

Having rested some time on one of the stones, he pursued his journey
to the giant’s mansion. He reached it late in the evening, and found
the woman at the door as before. Jack addressed her, at the same time
telling her a pitiful tale, and requesting she would give him some
victuals and drink, and also a night’s lodging.

She told him (what he knew very well before) about her husband’s being
a powerful and cruel giant and also how she one night admitted a poor,
hungry, friendless boy, who was half dead with travelling, and that
the ungrateful fellow had stolen one of the giant’s treasures, ever
since which her husband had been worse than before, had used her very
cruelly, and continually upbraided her with being the cause of his loss.

Jack was at no loss to discover that he was attending to the account
of a story in which he was the principal actor. He did his best to
persuade the old woman to admit him, but found it a very hard task.

At last she consented, and as she led the way Jack observed that
everything was just as he had found it before. She took him into the
kitchen, and after he had done eating and drinking, she hid him in an
old lumber closet. The giant returned at the usual time, and walked
in so heavily that the house was shaken to the foundation. He seated
himself by the fire, and, soon after, exclaimed—

“Wife, I smell fresh meat.”

The wife replied it was the crows, which had brought a piece of raw
meat and left it on the top of the house.

Whilst supper was preparing, the giant was very ill–tempered and
impatient, frequently lifting up his hand to strike his wife for not
being quick enough, but she was always so fortunate as to elude the
blow. The giant was also continually upbraiding her with the loss of
his wonderful hen.

The giant’s wife, having set supper on the table, went to another
apartment and brought from it a huge pie which she also placed before
him.

When he had ended his plentiful supper and eaten till he was quite
satisfied, he said to his wife—

“I must have something to amuse me, either my bags of money or my harp.”

After a good deal of ill–humour, and after having teased his wife for
some time, he commanded her to bring down his bags of gold and silver.
Jack, as before, peeped out of his hiding place, and presently the wife
brought two bags into the room. They were of a very large size. One
was filled with new guineas, and the other with new shillings. They
were placed before the giant, who began reprimanding his poor wife
most severely for staying so long. She replied, trembling with fear,
that they were so heavy she could scarcely lift them, and concluded by
saying she would never again bring them downstairs, adding that she
had nearly fainted owing to their weight.

This so exasperated the giant that he raised his hand to strike her,
but she escaped and went to bed, leaving him to count over his treasure
by way of amusement.

The giant took his bags, and after turning them over and over to see
they were in the same state he had left them, began to count their
contents. First the bag which contained the silver was emptied, and the
contents placed upon the table. Jack viewed the glittering heaps with
delight, and most heartily wished them in his own possession. The giant
(little thinking he was so narrowly watched) reckoned the silver over
several times, and then, having satisfied himself that all was safe,
put it into the bags again, which he made very secure.

The other bag was opened next, and the guineas placed upon the table.
If Jack was pleased at the sight of the silver, how much more delighted
must he have felt when he saw such a heap of glittering gold? He
even had the boldness to think of gaining both bags, but, suddenly
recollecting himself, he began to fear that the giant would sham sleep,
the better to entrap any one who might be concealed.

When the giant had counted over the gold till he was tired, he put it
up, if possible more secure than he had put up the silver before, and
he then fell back on his chair by the fireside and fell asleep. He
snored so loud that Jack compared his noise to the roaring of the sea
in a high wind, when the tide is coming in. At last Jack concluded him
to be asleep and therefore secure. He stole out of his hiding–place and
approached the giant, in order to carry off the two bags of money. Just
as he laid his hand upon one of the bags a little dog, which he had not
observed before, started from under the giant’s chair and barked at
Jack most furiously, who now gave himself up for lost. Fear rivetted
him to the spot, and instead of endeavouring to escape he stood still,
though expecting his enemy to awake every instant. Contrary, however,
to his expectation the giant continued in a sound sleep, and the dog
grew weary of barking. Jack now began to recollect himself, and, on
looking around, saw a large piece of meat. This he threw to the dog,
who instantly seized it, and took it into the lumber–closet which Jack
had just left.

Finding himself delivered from a noisy and troublesome enemy, and
seeing the giant did not awake, Jack boldly seized the bags, and,
throwing them over his shoulders, ran out of the kitchen. He reached
the street–door in safety, and found it quite daylight. On his way to
the top of the beanstalk he found himself greatly incommoded with the
weight of the money bags, and, really, they were so heavy he could
scarcely carry them.

Jack was overjoyed when he found himself near the beanstalk. He soon
reached the bottom and ran to meet his mother. To his great surprise
the cottage was deserted. He ran from one room to another without being
able to find any one. He then hastened into the village, hoping to see
some of his neighbours, who could inform him where he could find her.

An old woman at last directed him to a neighbouring house, where his
mother was ill of a fever. He was greatly shocked on finding her
apparently dying, and could scarcely bear his own reflections on
knowing himself to be the cause of it.

On being informed of our hero’s safe return, his mother, by degrees,
revived, and gradually recovered. Jack presented her his two valuable
bags, and they lived happy and comfortably. The cottage was rebuilt and
well furnished.

For three years Jack heard no more of the beanstalk, but he could not
forget it, though he feared making his mother unhappy. She would not
mention the hated beanstalk, lest her doing so should remind him of
taking another journey.

Notwithstanding the comforts Jack enjoyed at home, his mind continually
dwelt upon the beanstalk, for the fairy’s menaces in case of his
disobedience were ever present to his mind and prevented him from being
happy. He could think of nothing else. It was in vain he endeavoured to
amuse himself. He became thoughtful, would arise at the first dawn of
day, and would view the beanstalk for hours together.

His mother discovered that something preyed heavily upon his mind, and
endeavoured to discover the cause, but Jack knew too well what the
consequence would be should he discover the cause of his melancholy
to her. He did his utmost, therefore, to conquer the great desire
he had for another journey up the beanstalk. Finding, however, that
his inclination grew too powerful for him, he began to make secret
preparations for his journey, and, on the longest day, arose as soon
as it was light, ascended the beanstalk, and reached the top with
some little trouble. He found the road, journey, etc., much as it was
on the two former times. He arrived at the giant’s mansion in the
evening, and found his wife standing, as usual, at the door. Jack had
disguised himself so completely that she did not appear to have the
least recollection of him. However, when he pleaded hunger and poverty
in order to gain admittance, he found it very difficult, indeed, to
persuade her. At last he prevailed, and was concealed in the copper.

When the giant returned, he said—

“I smell fresh meat,” but Jack felt composed, for the giant had said
so before, and had been soon satisfied; however, the giant started
up suddenly and searched all round the room. Whilst this was going
forward Jack was exceedingly terrified, and ready to die with fear,
wishing himself at home a thousand times, but when the giant approached
the copper, and put his hand upon the lid, Jack thought his death was
certain. The giant ended his search there without moving the lid, and
seated himself quietly by the fireside.

The giant at last ate a hearty supper, and when he had finished, he
commanded his wife to fetch down his harp. Jack peeped under the copper
lid and soon saw the most beautiful harp that could be imagined. It was
placed by the giant on the table, who said—

“Play,” and it instantly played of its own accord, without being
touched. The music was uncommonly fine. Jack was delighted, and felt
more anxious to get the harp into his possession than either of the
former treasures.

The giant’s soul was not attuned to harmony, and the music soon lulled
him into a sound sleep. Now, therefore, was the time to carry off the
harp. As the giant appeared to be in a more profound sleep than usual,
Jack, soon determined, got out of the copper and seized the harp. The
harp, however, was enchanted by a fairy, and it called out loudly—

“Master, master!”

The giant awoke, stood up, and tried to pursue Jack, but he had drunk
so much that he could hardly stand. Poor Jack ran as fast as he could,
and, in a little time, the giant recovered sufficiently to walk
slowly, or rather, to reel after him. Had he been sober he must have
overtaken Jack instantly, but as he then was, Jack contrived to be
first at the top of the beanstalk. The giant called after him in a
voice like thunder, and sometimes was very near him.

The moment Jack got down the beanstalk he called out for a hatchet,
and one was brought him directly. Just at that instant the giant was
beginning to descend, but Jack with his hatchet cut the beanstalk close
off at the root, which made the giant fall headlong into the garden.
The fall killed him, thereby releasing the world from a barbarous enemy.

Jack’s mother was delighted when she saw the beanstalk destroyed. At
this instant the fairy appeared. She first addressed Jack’s mother, and
explained every circumstance relating to the journeys up the beanstalk.
The fairy then charged Jack to be dutiful to his mother, and to follow
his father’s good example, which was the only way to be happy. She
then disappeared. Jack heartily begged his mother’s pardon for all the
sorrow and affliction he had caused her, promising most faithfully to
be very dutiful and obedient to her for the future.