Adapted and illustrated by William Wallace Denslow
The story starts always the same as we are used to. We have a poor widow, reckless Jack, and a cow. But this cow is fat. The reason for selling is a storm which supposedly destroyed the garden so the widow and Jack would have nothing to eat. Not exactly a logical decision and absolutely without symbolism (in the 'original' story, the cow is out of milk which symbolically forces Jack to grow up).
Jack makes a stupid deal like we expect. He trades a cow (a fat cow!) for some beans.
Pardon, the colorful beans. He was not even told they were magical.
His mother is disappointed and throws the beans all over the place. Denslow for some reason emphasized that. Yet only one stalk comes out. Another logical fault. Jack starts climbing.
He meets a fairy at the top. She explains to him that a giant lives in the neighborhood and that he stole money from Jack's father long ago. In essence, this giant is not a bad person and he only threatens to eat people.
The presence of a fairy is another problem. A good story never needs explanations. Never.
The presence of a fairy is another problem. A good story never needs explanations. Never.
Jack promises he will get his money back. He says nothing about avenging his father. We are not even informed why he died, and if the giant played any role in it.
The giant is scary, but Jack is not impressed. The fairy had already told him he was a bluffer. We will soon learn that he is also good-hearted.
Jack tells the giant about the stolen money from his father. He wants it back.
The giant surprisingly admits that he is a bad boy and says he would like to be better. He just doesn't have any money.
According to Denslow, this is what every robber dreams about - to stop robbing and become a good and useful hard-working individual without any cannibalistic aspirations.
According to Denslow, this is what every robber dreams about - to stop robbing and become a good and useful hard-working individual without any cannibalistic aspirations.
The giant has to pack his toolbox (apparently all giants are handymen) and follow Jack down the beanstalk.
His first action is to cut the beanstalk. Jack already knows that the giant will never come back. Yes, he has a plan.
His first action is to cut the beanstalk. Jack already knows that the giant will never come back. Yes, he has a plan.
Jack and the giant build a tent and start selling tickets for the show. People give them a lot of money to see the giant. This poor village is actually loaded with cash.
Then the giant stays at Jack's house and helps around. He is strong for sixteen people yet we don't know if he needs any food. Denslow didn't bother with such unimportant details.
Remember? The food (lack of it, actually) was the reason to start this tale! On the other hand, if you start dealing with hunger by selling the fat cow, everything else can go too.
Remember? The food (lack of it, actually) was the reason to start this tale! On the other hand, if you start dealing with hunger by selling the fat cow, everything else can go too.
This story is very poorly written (adapted). On a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 is the best score, it would earn a solid 1, but exclusively thanks to superb illustrations. Without them, the score should be way below zero!
To learn about this fairy tale and its rich symbolism, which offers invaluable lessons for every child (but not in such adaptation), I cordially invite you to visit Jack and the Beanstalk story. It may give you a few ideas.
To learn about this fairy tale and its rich symbolism, which offers invaluable lessons for every child (but not in such adaptation), I cordially invite you to visit Jack and the Beanstalk story. It may give you a few ideas.
That's all!
