Name of giant in jack and the beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk Origins – Fairy Tale Central

“Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the—”

Oh wait—wrong Jack.

Or is it?

“Jack and the Beanstalk” is considered one of many “Jack” tales: stories told about the same trickster-like archetype. According to The Center For Children’s Books, the character “is lucky, both a trickster and an unlikely hero, sometimes clever, often naïve, but always successful.” Considered a staple of Cornish and English folklore, other “Jack” tales include “Jack the Giant Killer,” “Little Jack Horner,” and even “Jack Frost.” (Are they the same person? Well that would make for some interesting retellings!)

While “Jack and the Beanstalk” has a long oral history, the first written version comes from a 1734 publication, Round About our Coal Fire, or “Christmas Entertainments,” where the story is titled “The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean.” Yes, Jack has a last name–at least in this version! And if you’re wondering, the giant’s name is “Gogmagog” (a figure who is, by the way, not relegated solely to Jack’s story; rather, he’s a legendary giant in Welsh folklore). Occasionally,  another legendary giant, “Blunderbore,” (who makes an appearance in “Jack the Giant Killer”) stands in as an antagonist in other versions of the tale.

Surprisingly, we don’t see many other written versions of “Jack and the Beanstalk” until 1807. However, the most popular version that most of us are familiar with was published in 1890 in Joseph Jacobs’s English Fairy Tales. Jacobs’s story is based on the oral versions of the story he heard as a child, and as such some scholars believe his version to be the most accurate of the versions published in the nineteenth century (as opposed to, say, the highly moralistic 1807 version from Benjamin Tabart).

But “Jack and the Beanstalk’s” history goes far, far beyond the written word–it has been told orally for hundreds of years! And its origins may reach back even farther than you’d likely expect. According to a recent article from the BBC, researchers at Durham University have classified “Jack and the Beanstalk” as a “Boy Who Stole Ogre’s Treasure” tale, a classification which has origins that could be “traced back to when Eastern and Western Indo-European languages split more than 5,000 years ago. ” Some of these researchers surmise that these tales not only predate languages such as Italian, German, and French, but also Classical mythology!

Evidently, we humans have always relished stories about unlikely heroes!

Sources & further reading:

The Folklore Tradition of the Jack Tales: https://web.archive.org/web/20140410004237/http://ccb.lis.illinois.edu/Projects/storytelling/jsthomps/tales.htm

E-copy of “Christmas Entertainments”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Round_about_our_Coal_Fire,_or,_Christmas_Entertainments,_4th_edn,_1734.pdf

BBC News Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35358487

SurlaLune’s history of “Jack and the Beanstalk:” http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/jackbeanstalk/history.html

It's Behind You - Jack and the Beanstalk

THE ORIGINS:

The Legend of 'Jack The Giant Killer'

British legend tells of Jack, a farmers son who  lived in Cornwall, close to Lands End. A Giant terrorised the area, stealing cattle and carrying them away. Jack devised a trap, whereby he dug a pit, covered it with sticks, and lured the Giant to his doom- he did this by blowing his horn to attract him. After defeating this Giant, he went on to do many heroic deeds throughout Cornwall, and on occasion in Wales.

The setting for Jack The Giant Killer is often in the era of the legendary King Arthur, and this story possibly derived from tales dating back to the Vikings and the Norsemen.

Kenneth More Theatre 2002 - Giant and Isobel Hurll as Giant's Henchperson!

The Giant is sometimes referred to as The Giant of Mount Cornwall, or as Cormoran. The legend continues Jacks adventures as he fights another Giant, and gains for himself a coat that made him invisible, and Seven League Boots that gave him incredible speed. He often has a magic sword.

The Beanstalk does not feature in this legend- the addition of the magic beans, the hen that lays golden eggs and the singing harp were yet to be created.

WISH Theatre - Crewe 2008/9 Production Photos

Click on above to access the gallery

The Early Creation of Jack and the Beanstalk

In their book The Classic Fairy Tales, Iona and Peter Opie describe the history of Jack and the Beanstalk as a Skit upon the telling of the tale, published in a facetious tract Round About Our Coal Fire: Or Christmas Entertainments published in London around 1730.

The tale tells of a dirty, lazy, tatter-de-mallon lad named Jack, who lives with his Grandmother in a hovel. The Grandmother possesses a magic bean which Jack purloins and plants. The Beanstalk grows at an incredible rate, the Grandmother turns into a Toad and chases Jack up the Beanstalk! En route to the top Jack comes across an enchanted tavern, populated by youths dressed in green satin, laced with silver and white feathers on their caps, each of them mounted upon an Hobby Horse finely becked with ribbons. .

Jack is granted the power to to possess all the pleasures he desires, called Invincible Champion, and destroys the Giant GogMagog, thus releasing a number of knights and several thousand virgins who were being prepared for the Giants breakfast table!

The names of Gog and Magog of course are the legendary Giants who protected London- their effigies can be found today carved into a church front on Fleet Street, and have the hills near Cambridge named after them. Obviously these names were combined in this version to make one Giant.

Seventy years later, in 1807 the story was printed in full in The History of Mother Twaddle and the Marvellous achievements of her Son Jack, appearing as a sixpenny booklet., and as The History of Jack and The Beanstalk printed from the original manuscript never before published also in 1807.

The Mother Twaddle version has the Dame finding a sixpence, and sending her son to market to buy a goose. He is swindled by a pedlar, receives a magic bean, plants it and by the next morning the top was not seen it was so tall.

This version begins to look like OUR Jack- if you substitute a Cow for a Goose.

Jack reaches a Giants castle, is helped by the Giants servant, a pretty girl, and it is she who administers a Knock-out potion to the Giant, after which Jack chops his head off, sends for his Mother and marries the maiden.

The Opies point out in Classic Fairy Tales that legends of ascending to the sky by means of a ladder, or an enchanted tree are as old as Jacobs ladder, or the Tower of Babel. In ancient legends an Ash Tree stretches to heaven, and a branch of the Bo-tree of Buddha reaches for the sky.

The Brothers Grimm had a tale of a peasant with a turnip seed, and, when the seed is dropped it grows into a tree that reaches into the sky, has adventures and marries the Kings daughter.

Click on Axe for Fairy Tale Version of Jack and the Beanstalk

CHARACTER NAMES:

JACK:

Our hero Jack has a name that will not change- after all, his is the title role! His surname is nearly always Trott, but on some occasions he can be a Durden, when his mother is Dame Durden. Mostly he is Jack Trott. In other cultures and versions of folklore he has been called Hans, Juan and Jean. Among those who have made Jack their own are performers like Dorothy Ward, Marie Burke, Cilla Black, Helen Shapiro, and Su Pollard .

THE DAME:

Almost always known as Dame Trott, or Dame Trot, although sometimes she can be found as Dame Durden. A Trot was an old nickname for an old hag! Dan Leno played in Jack and The Beanstalk as Dame Durden in 1886 and as Dame Trott in  1899. Notable Dame Trotts have included Shaun Glenville in the 1930s-40s. A few pantomimes have strayed from tradition- Dame Dimple for example Mother Hubbard, (Used by Prince Littler in his versions) Dame Horner (Palace Theatre 1942) Stanley Baxter was Dame Lizzie Trotter.

THE COMIC:

The comic role is usually Jacks brother- often Simon- an abbreviation of Simple Simon- a name that probably dates back to the Nursery Rhyme- Simple Simon met a pie-man In the past he has also been called Tommy Tucker, Muggles, Miffins, Simple Sammy, and he has been Silly Billy on occasion. Frankie Howerd played Simple Simon in many productions, including the Palladium.

THE COW:

The most popular and traditional name for the cow is Daisy Other names have been used- Daffodil, Buttercup, Connie The Cow, Mabel The Cow, Constance, Irene, Matilda, Jessie, Ethel. . Notable Skin performers who have played the Cow include June and Paul Kidd., the Griffith Brothers,  and the Shanks Brothers.

THE PRINCIPAL GIRL:

When she is the daughter of the Squire, the Principal Girl can often be found as Jill. This of course is a throw-back to the Nursery Rhyme Jack and Jill. As Princess she has no traditional name- she has been Princess Apricot-crumble, Princess Radiant, Marigold, Crystal, Twinkle, Annabelle, Pearl, Bettina, Sprightly, Gloria and countless other names!

THE SQUIRE: When this character is not a King, he has been a Squire, or a Baron. In some versions there are both- the Baron being the Kings chancellor. Names include Squire Doodle and the Squire of wherever the Village is set- Widdicombe, Much Piddling on the marsh,  or much Dawdling!

THE KING: There is no traditional name. Over the years he has been King Kindly, King Hunky Dorum, Bumble, Hal, King Solum, King Stoneybrokeish and, King Crumble.

THE FAIRY:

Often today the Fairy is called the Vegetable Fairy. (Originating I think from John Crocker the panto author) and often has a name connected with the garden but there is no set traditional name for this character. She has been in the past Fairy Starlight, Golden Ray, Gleam, Fairy Fortuna, Thistledown, The Fairy Queen Ant (Drury Lane 1899) The Floral Fairy, Fairy Flora, Fairy Courgette, Fairy Luna. Famous vegetable Fairies have included Barbara Windsor, Vikki Michelle  and Britt Ekland.

THE GIANT:

The traditional name for the Giant who lives atop of Beanstalk Land is Blunderbore.

In the tale of Jack and the Giant Killer, sometimes presented as a play in the early 19^th Century, there is a Giant called Cormoran, killed by Jack. Jack is then captured by the Giant Blunderbore, who he strangles to death! He has been Blunderbuss, Blunderboer, Stoneheart,

THE GIANTS HENCHMAN:

When the henchman is male, he is traditionally called Fleshcreep today. This part however could be played as a witch type character by male or female, so in modern terms this is the Giants Henchperson! Earlier versions have a double act as Henchmen, with names similar to Brokers Men. He has often been a Demon- Demon Grimm, Demon Discord, The Henchman has been called Grumpy, Blackspider.

THE INFLUENCES:

The story of Jack and the Beanstalk has influenced  several  theatrical and cinematic presentations. Disney produced Mickey and the Beanstalk in cartoon form, while Abbott and Costello appeared in their Hollywood version of the story. Stephen Sondheims musical Into The Woods centres around  the tale, intertwined with other fairy stories, featuring Jack, his mother and Milky White the cow. Jack sings There are giants in the sky in this musical version, and has been featured as a television panto in recent times.

THE MORAL:

Reading the original Fairy Tale, it is noticeable that the moral is all important to the story. The Fairy is at great pains to explain that everything Jack does- stealing, plundering, executing- is all  in the name of fairness and justice. She is not the kindest fairy in the wood however. Threatening to destroy both Jack and his poor mother if  Jack does not follow her instructions to the letter proves that! It is a strong moral tale about retribution and revenge.

The pantomime version today, due to the restraints of time, and possibly the chopping down of not the beanstalk, but the plot- is very thin on morality. The plot about Jacks wronged father is never told, and the main reason Jack climbs the beanstalk today is mostly a test, in which, if successful he will gain the hand of the Squire, or Kings daughter. The treasure is plundered, and this is seen to be justified because of the Giants penchant for eating the local population!

THE PANTOMIME TODAY:

The Prologue:

There are many variations, but usually Jack would open with a prologue. Often it would be the Henchmans lair, or the Fairys realm, or somewhere in limbo. This scene would set up the two sides of good and evil, and outline the Fairys plans for young Jack Trott. It is highly likely that Fairy and Villain would trade insults. Fairy Flora, you are such a treasure. What a pity youre not buried.. The Villain would boast that his master, the Giant Blunderbore will ravage the land, until his appetite was sated.

The Village or Courtyard:

In this scene, after an opening song and dance-possibly fronted by Jack or the Princess- the characters would be introduced.

We would learn that Blunderbore has made demands repeatedly for food, cattle and money. Possibly hes been snatching unwary villagers. The King and his subjects have given him all their money, and are now very poor.

Jack will be introduced, and shortly afterwards will declare his love for the Princess (or Squires daughter). However, he is a poor lad with no prospects. One plot shortcut would be for the King to declare that the person who rid his land of Blunderbore would marry his daughter. The audience already knows that Jack and his daughter are very much in love, and will back this up with a love ballad-duet.

We meet Jacks brother- Simple Simon, the comic- and Jacks mother- Dame Trott. At this point the Dame and her son might introduce Daisy the cow. In the hands of skilled skin artistes, this character will become a much loved character. The Dame reveals she has no more money for food or rent. Fleshcreep- the Henchman increases his demands- Oooh that Frenchman has been around for more money.. Eh? Oh you mean Henchman?.

The Giant- usually in the form of a voice at this stage (too early to give away such a  spectacular costume!) will threaten the villagers, and Jack will declare he will take up the Kings  offer, and fight the Giant to win the Princess.

Fairyland-Limboland:

A frontcloth would follow the main village scene, to allow for resetting- this could entail a love duet between Jack and the Princess or, more likely another scene between the Fairy and the Evil Henchman. More threats would be levelled at Jack, but the Fairy would hint that she had some powerful magic ready to help Jack on his quest.

Dame Trotts Cottage::

This scene might well contain one of the most traditional comic scenes- The Milking Scene. Generally this would take place outside- or on occasion, inside Dame Trotts cottage. Simon is told very quietly that they are going to have to M-I-L-K the cow. Once Daisy  overhears this, the scene is set for great comic business. This will involve overturned Milking buckets, stools that are kicked off-stage, a misunderstanding of which end is which, and general well rehearsed comic mayhem!

After the Milking scene it might be the time plot-wise for Dame Trott to realise she has to sell Daisy, and Jack is instructed to take her to market and get the best price for her.

Another highlight of Jack as a pantomime is The Pathos Scene. It is very important that we believe that Daisy really IS their best friend, and, handled well, this can be a moment of true magic, as the Dame bids farewell to her friend- often with a gentle song, watching tearfully as Daisy is led away by Jack. We love you Daisy.. and one day.. soon..when we have the money, well buy you back

On The Way To Market: Or The Market Square

In this scene Jack and Daisy encounter the Villain in a very bad disguise that fools no-one. Except Jack. The Villain offers to buy Daisy, and offers Jack a bag of gold. In some versions Jack is offered beans, and is told they are magic beans..in others, not to make the Principal Boy seem too stupid, he believes he is getting gold, and only discovers he has been duped when he takes them home.

Daisy- very unwillingly is dragged away by Fleshcreep, and  presumably is to end up on the Giants dinner table.

On The Way Home:

A short front cloth possibly, wherin the Fairy reveals that all is not lost, and that, through her magic those beans are now Magic beans.

The Kidnap Plot:

In most versions of Jack today, the Princess will be kidnapped by Fleshcreep. He intends to take her and Daisy up to the Giants Castle. She cannot be kidnapped too early, otherwise she will not be seen until well into act two. This dirty deed inspires Jack even more to fight the giant.

Dame Trotts Cottage- Or Garden:

It is night-time. Allowing in some productions a comic scene with the Dame, preparing for bed. Jack returns, and proudly hands over his prize. The Dame opens it and is beside herself with anger. You sold our very best friend.. our Daisy.. For a miserable bag of BEANS?

If Jack knows they are magic beans he will be shouted down. . if he is unaware, it will not matter. The Dame throws the beans through the window, or into the garden, and exits in tears. Jack retires to bed, and the scene is set for a transformation.

The Transformation- The Beanstalk:

The stage is set for lighting changes, and the entrance of the Fairy. The chorus will be dressed as Fairies or spirits of the Beanstalk. The beanstalk will grow slowly, and, by various effects will be revealed- hopefully a sturdy towering Beanstalk ready for Jack to climb.

During this scene it would be traditional to have a ballet, and often black Light or U.V will be used. Beanstalks vary, depending on scene construction, and the facilities at the theatre. In some Theatres a beanstalk will grow out of the pit, in another it will emerge from an onstage trap. Another venue might have one of the new inflatable Beanstalks that rise whilst shooting out roots across the stage (very inconvenient during a ballet!) and in non flying venues (those without a fly tower) the Beanstalk will be revealed on a truck, complete with a hidden ladder.

The Final part of the Transformation is when the Dame and Simon discover the Beanstalk the next morning, summon the King, the Princes and any villagers who are not frantically changing out of Fairy ballet costumes! Jack is often revealed magically transformed into a glittering costume- especially if the part is played by a girl, and is often given a magic sword by the fairy.

The scene concludes with either a big chorus number, or with a solo number from Jack as he approaches and starts to climb the stalk. The curtain falls, and rises again (a bounce) to reveal the final tableaux.

Poster Pastiche! 1940's Howard & Wyndham's Poster adapted for Sue Pollard's appearance at the Theatre Royal Nottingham in 1982

ACT TWO:

Cloudland:

Often Act Two will open with a scene half way up the Beanstalk, with many glittering costumes on display as Jack meets the Fairy and the inhabitants of Cloudland. In other versions the scene might begin outside the Giants Lair.

The Castle Gates:

Jack travelled alone in the original story, but in recent years it has not been practical to leave the rest of the cast behind- earth-bound. Often Jack will discover his Mother, Simon and the King have struggled up the Beanstalk as well. This allows a comedy scene outside the Gates of Castle Blunderbore, or, inside the Giants Kitchen later.

There may well be some form of Ghost Gag here, involving Fleshcreep, or a comedy three hander between the King and the two principal comics. Once inside the castle, the scene is set for what is often the first appearance of the Giant.

The Giants Kitchen:

This scene would usually involve Fleshcreep setting up the entrance of the Giant. Then, with much Fi, Fi, Fo, Fum! he appears. In some productions the Giant will be a very sturdy costume, often strengthened with an aluminium harness. The actor (who has the most difficult role in the panto) will most likely be very tall, strapped into stilt like boots- the stilts are not unlike those worn by plasterers to reach high ceilings.

He will have a huge head on top of the costume, and will be peering through a gauze, usually located in the chest of the Giant. The hands will not be his own, and inside he will have a number of pulleys to work the eyes and the mouth of the giant. More often than not his voice will be pre-recorded, otherwise you would just hear loud gasping as the actor struggles to move and manipulate the costume!

In older productions- during the 19^th and early 20^th Century, often the Giant would be an artiste on tall stilts, with a Carnival style papier mache head. There were circus troupes and families who specialised in performing the Giant, his wife and all their children in this scene. Today it is possible to hire animatronic Giants, that are worked electronically- although they still need an actor to be inside, and Qdos for example have a truly gigantic hydraulic giant that literally fills the stage- he is worked by several people turning handles and adjusting levers, like a steam train in human form!

In this scene the Giant will be pandered to by Fleshcreep, and amuse himself by taunting the imprisoned Princess. At some point he will lumber off stage, and Jack will enter. Jack will greet the Princess, and hide himself away for the return of the giant.

Huge props and trucks are often required for this scene- a Giant table and chair perhaps, a huge Dresser, oven and cooking pots. In addition to this the props departments will probably have had to create a singing harp, and a Hen- often a puppet- that produces golden eggs!

Jack will attempt to steal the treasures, and  at some point his family and the King will be brought into the scene.Daisy the Cow will be discovered safe and sound. Fleshcreep has to be defeated, or at least sent packing, and  the Princess released from her cage. An enraged Giant will discover Jack with his treasure, and they flee the scene.

The Village Square: Or foot of the Beanstalk:

For the sake of scenery, often the Beanstalk has miraculously been transplanted to the village square. Sometimes it remains in Dame Trotts garden. Either way, nobody really seems to notice. The audience is too busy watching Jack climb down the beanstalk, and rush to find his trusty axe!

This scene is one of the most problematic in Pantoland. How to show, on stage the Giant descending the Beanstalk (impossible, as the actor has difficulty walking in the costume- climbing is not possible) and falling to the ground. Indeed- the Beanstalk itself should collapse as Jack strikes at its base.

In some productions this is performed in the style of Greek Theatre- we have to use our imaginations and follow the sound effects. In other productions a Giant hand or foot will descend from the flys. Another will discover the Giant already dead when a cloth lifts to reveal him. It certainly gives  directors and technicians a lot to think about!

The plot is wrapped up. The Giant is dead, Jack, Simon and Dame Trott are rich, and the King very graciously allows his daughter to marry our hero. Daisy has been returned to the family, and Fleshcreep- more often than not, is struck by the Fairys magic spell, and made Good!

The Songsheet:

Most often Simple Simon, and Dame Trott will take on the task of that mass sing-a-long that is the songsheet, or, if Jack is the star name- it might be Jack with or without his family. Meanwhile the company are changing rapidly into their walk-down or finale costumes.

The Walk-Down:

The Wedding scene and finale can take place in any scenic place the designer wishes- there is no specific place or palace to set this scene. Most likely it will be sumptuous, with lavish costumes and a plethora of ostrich feathers so that the last thing the audience sees as the curtain falls is the thing that theyll most remember. Lavish, spectacular and a wonderful story!

A tale about a poor widow's son, Jack, who traded his family's only breadwinner, a cow, for magic beans. With the help of them and their ingenuity, Jack and his mother got rich.

Once upon a time there lived a poor widow. She had an only son named Jack and a cow named Belyanka. The cow gave milk every morning, and the mother and son sold it in the bazaar - this is how they lived. But suddenly Belyanka stopped milking, and they simply did not know what to do. nine0003

— How can we be? What to do? the mother repeated in despair.

— Cheer up, mother! Jack said. - I'll get someone to work with.

— Yes, you already tried to get hired, but no one hires you, — answered the mother. “No, apparently, we will have to sell our Belyanka and open a shop with this money.

“Well, okay, Mom,” Jack agreed. - Today is just a market day, and I will quickly sell Belyanka. And then we'll decide what to do.

And Jack took the cow to the market. But he did not have time to go far when he met a funny, funny old man, and he said to him:0003

- Good morning, Jack!

— Good morning to you too! - Jack answered, and was surprised to himself: how does the old man know his name.

— Well, Jack, where are you going? asked the old man.

- To the market, to sell a cow.

— Yes, yes! Who should trade cows if not you! the old man laughed. “Tell me, how many beans do I have?”

- Exactly two in each hand and one in your mouth! - answered Jack, apparently, not a small mistake.

- That's right! said the old man. “Look, here are those beans!” And the old man showed Jack some strange beans. “Since you’re so smart,” the old man continued, “I’m not averse to trading with you—I’m giving these beans for your cow!” nine0003

— Go on your way! Jack got angry. “That would be better!”

"Uh, you don't know what beans are," said the old man. “Plant them in the evening, and by morning they will grow to the sky.

— Yes, well? Truth? Jack was surprised.

- The real truth! And if not, take your cow back.

- Coming! - Jack agreed, gave the old man Belyanka, and put the beans in his pocket.

Jack turned back home, and since he did not have time to go far from home, it was not dark yet, and he was already at his door. nine0003

- Are you back yet, Jack? mother was surprised. - I see Belyanka is not with you, so you sold her? How much did they give you for it?

— You'll never guess, Mom! Jack answered.

— Yes, well? Oh my good! Five pounds? Ten? Fifteen? Well, twenty something will not give!

- I said - you can't guess! What can you say about these beans? They are magical. Plant them in the evening and...

— What?! cried Jack's mother. “Are you really such a simpleton that you gave my Belyanka, the most milking cow in the whole area, for a handful of some nasty beans?” It is for you! It is for you! It is for you! And your precious beans will fly out the window. So that! Now live to sleep! And don’t ask for food, you won’t get it anyway - not a piece, not a sip! nine0003

And then Jack went up to his attic, to his little room, sad, very sad: he angered his mother, and he himself was left without supper. Finally, he did fall asleep.

And when he woke up, the room seemed very strange to him. The sun illuminated only one corner, and everything around remained dark, dark. Jack jumped out of bed, dressed and went to the window. And what did he see? What a strange tree! And these are his beans, which his mother threw out of the window into the garden the day before, sprouted and turned into a huge bean tree. It stretched all the way up, up and up to the sky. It turns out that the old man was telling the truth! nine0003

The beanstalk grew just outside Jack's window and went up like a real staircase. So Jack had only to open the window and jump onto the tree. And so he did. Jack climbed the beanstalk and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed until he finally reached the sky. There he saw a long and wide road, as straight as an arrow. I went along this road and kept walking and walking and walking until I came to a huge, huge tall house. And at the threshold of this house stood a huge, enormous, tall woman. nine0003

— Good morning, ma'am! Jack said very politely. “Be so kind as to give me breakfast, please!”

After all, the day before Jack had been left without supper, you know, and now he was as hungry as a wolf.

— Would you like to have breakfast? - said a huge, enormous, tall woman. “You yourself will get another for breakfast if you don’t get out of here!” My husband is a giant and a cannibal, and he loves nothing more than boys fried in breadcrumbs.

— Oh, madame, I beg you, give me something to eat! Jack didn't hesitate. “I haven’t had a crumb in my mouth since yesterday morning. And it doesn't matter if they fry me or I'll die of hunger. nine0003

Well, the ogre's wife was not a bad woman after all. So she took Jack to the kitchen and gave him a piece of bread and cheese and a jug of fresh milk. But before Jack had time to finish with half of all this, when suddenly - top! Top! Top! - the whole house even shook from someone's steps.

- Oh my God! Yes, that's my old man! gasped the giantess. - What to do? Hurry, hurry, jump over here!

And just as she pushed Jack into the oven, the ogre himself entered the house.

Well, he was really great! Three calves dangled from his belt. He untied them, threw them on the table and said:

— Come on, wife, fry me a couple for breakfast! Wow! What does it smell like?

Fi-fi-fo-foot,
I smell the spirit of the British here.
Whether he is dead or alive,
Will go to my breakfast.

— What are you, hubby! his wife told him. - You've got it. Or maybe it smells like that lamb that you liked so much yesterday at dinner. Come on, wash your face and change, and in the meantime I will prepare breakfast. nine0003

The ogre came out and Jack was about to get out of the oven and run away, but the woman wouldn't let him.

“Wait until he falls asleep,” she said. He always likes to take a nap after breakfast.

And so the giant had breakfast, then went to a huge chest, took out two sacks of gold from it and sat down to count the coins. He counted and counted, finally began to nod off and began to snore so that the whole house began to shake again.

Then Jack slowly got out of the oven, tiptoed past the sleeping ogre, grabbed one bag of gold and God bless! — straight to the beanstalk. He dropped the bag down into his garden, and he began to descend the stem, lower and lower, until at last he found himself at home. nine0003

Jack told his mother about everything, showed her a bag of gold and said:

— Well, Mom, did I tell the truth about these beans? You see, they are really magical!

“I don’t know what these beans are,” answered the mother, “but as for the cannibal, I think it’s the one who killed your father and ruined us!”

And I must tell you that when Jack was only three months old, a terrible ogre appeared in their area. He grabbed anyone, but especially did not spare the kind and generous people. And Jack's father, although he was not rich himself, always helped the poor and the losers. nine0003

“Oh, Jack,” the mother finished, “to think that the cannibal could eat you too!” Don't you dare climb that stem ever again!

Jack promised, and they lived with their mother in full contentment with the money that was in the bag.

But in the end the bag was empty, and Jack, forgetting his promise, decided to try his luck at the top of the beanstalk one more time. One fine morning he got up early and climbed the beanstalk. He climbed, and climbed, and climbed, and climbed, and climbed, and climbed, and climbed, until he finally found himself on a familiar road and reached along it to a huge, enormous tall house. Like last time, a huge, enormous, tall woman was standing at the threshold. nine0003

“Good morning, ma'am,” Jack told her as if nothing had happened. “Be so kind as to give me something to eat, please!”

- Get out of here, little boy! the giantess replied. “Or my husband will eat you at breakfast.” Uh, no, wait a minute, aren't you the youngster who came here recently? You know, on that very day my husband missed one sack of gold.

— These are miracles, ma'am! Jack says. “It’s true, I could tell you something about it, but I’m so hungry that until I eat at least a piece, I won’t be able to utter a word. nine0003

The giantess was so curious that she let Jack into the house and gave him something to eat. And Jack deliberately began to chew slowly, slowly. But suddenly - top! Top! Top! they heard the steps of the giant, and the kind woman again hid Jack in the oven.

Everything happened just like last time. The ogre came in and said, “Fi-fi-fo-foot…” and so on, breakfasted on three fried bulls, and then ordered his wife:

“Wife, bring me a hen—the one that lays the golden eggs!”

The giantess brought it, and he said to the hen: “Come on!” And the hen laid a golden egg. Then the cannibal began to nod and began to snore so that the whole house shook. nine0003

Then Jack slowly got out of the oven, grabbed the golden hen and was out the door in no time. But then the hen cackled and woke up the ogre. And just as Jack was running out of the house, he heard the giant's voice behind him:

— Wife, leave the golden hen alone! And the wife answered:

- Why are you, my dear!

That's all Jack could hear. He rushed with all his might to the beanstalk and almost flew down it.

Jack returned home, showed his mother the miracle chicken and shouted: "Go!" And the hen laid a golden egg. nine0003

Since then, every time Jack told her, "Rush!" The hen laid a golden egg.

Mother scolded Jack for disobeying her and going to the cannibal again, but she still liked the chicken.

And Jack, a restless guy, after a while decided to try his luck again at the top of the beanstalk. One fine morning he got up early and climbed the beanstalk.

He climbed and climbed and climbed and climbed until he reached the very top. True, this time he acted more carefully and did not go straight to the cannibal's house, but crept up slowly and hid in the bushes. I waited until the giantess came out with a bucket for water, and darted into the house! I climbed into the copper cauldron and waited. He didn’t wait long, suddenly he hears the familiar “top! Top! Top!", and now the ogre and his wife enter the room. nine0003

- Fi-fi-fo-foot, I smell the spirit of the British here! shouted the cannibal. “I can smell it, wife!”

— Can you really hear it, hubby? says the giantess. “Well, then, this is the tomboy who stole your gold and the goose with golden eggs. He's probably in the oven.

And both rushed to the stove. Good thing Jack wasn't hiding there!

- Always you with your fi-fi-fo-foot! grumbled the ogre's wife, and began preparing breakfast for her husband.

The ogre sat down at the table, but still could not calm down and kept mumbling:

— Still, I can swear that… — He jumped up from the table, rummaged through the pantry, and chests, and sideboards…

He searched all the corners, only he didn’t guess to look into the copper cauldron. Finally finished breakfast and shouted:

- Hey, wife, bring me a golden harp! The wife brought the harp and put it on the table.

- Sing! the giant ordered the harp.

And the golden harp sang so well that you will hear it! And she sang and sang until the ogre fell asleep and snored like thunder. nine0003

It was then that Jack lightly lifted the lid of the cauldron. He got out of it quietly, quietly, like a mouse, and crawled on all fours to the very table. He climbed onto the table, grabbed the harp, and rushed to the door.

But the harp called loudly:

— Master! Master!

The ogre woke up and immediately saw Jack running away with his harp.

Jack ran headlong, and the giant followed him. It cost him nothing to catch Jack, but Jack was the first to run, and therefore he managed to dodge the giant. And besides, he knew the road well. When he reached the bean tree, the ogre was only twenty paces away. And suddenly Jack was gone. Cannibal here, there - no Jack! Finally, he thought to look at the beanstalk and sees: Jack is trying with his last strength, crawling down. The giant was afraid to go down the shaky stalk, but then the harp called again:0003

- Master! Master!

And the giant just hung on the beanstalk, and the beanstalk trembled all under its weight.

Jack descends lower and lower, and the giant follows him. But now Jack is right above the house. Then he screams:

- Mom! Mother! Bring the ax! Bring the ax!

Mother ran out with an ax in her hands, rushed to the beanstalk and froze in horror: huge legs of a giant stuck out of the clouds.

But then Jack jumped down to the ground, grabbed an ax and hacked at the beanstalk so hard that he almost cut it in half. nine0003

The ogre felt the stalk swaying and shaking and stopped to see what had happened. Here Jack strikes with an ax again and completely cuts the beanstalk. The stalk swayed and collapsed, and the ogre fell to the ground and twisted his neck.

Jack gave his mother a golden harp, and they began to live without grieve. And they did not remember about the giant.

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Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk Legends of Old England Edwin Heartland

Long ago, in a village far, far away from London, a poor widow lived for many years.

The widow had only one child named Jack, and she indulged his every whim. This led to the fact that Jack almost did not pay attention to her exhortations and grew up carefree and wasteful. He did stupid things not because of his bad temper, but because his mother never reproached him. Since the widow was not rich, and her son did not work, she had to slowly sell everything they had. Finally, they had only one cow left. nine0003

At this point, the widow could not resist reproach and with tears in her eyes said to Jack: “Oh, you nasty boy. Because of your extravagance, we are completely ruined. You are crazy, you are crazy. I don't even have money for a piece of bread. We have nothing left but the poor cow, and we will have to sell it so as not to die of hunger.

Jack felt sorry for his mother, but soon became the same again, and when he was very hungry, he began to persuade the poor thing to let him sell the cow. And the mother reluctantly relented in the end. nine0003

On the way to the market, Jack met a butcher who asked him why he was taking the cow out of the house. Jack replied that he wanted to sell it. The butcher had some beautiful colorful beans with him, which attracted Jack's attention. The butcher noticed this, and, knowing the guy well, decided to take advantage of his frivolity: he offered all the beans for the cow. The stupid guy found the offer very profitable. The deal was immediately closed, the cow was exchanged for a few miserable beans. Jack hurried home, told his mother about the deal, and showed her the beans. She threw the beans away in anger, and they scattered across the garden in all directions. nine0003

Jack woke up early in the morning and saw something very strange outside the window. He hurried into the garden and saw that the beans had taken root and produced wonderful sprouts of immense thickness. The stems are so tightly intertwined that they form something like a ladder.

Looking up, Jack couldn't see the summit as it was lost in the clouds. Jack tried to shake the stem, but it didn't even move, it was so powerful. The guy had a new idea: climb the beanstalk and see where it takes him. Jack liked this idea so much that he even forgot about the hunger and hurried to tell his mother about his intention. nine0003

Then he climbed up the stem and climbed for several hours. He reached the top tired, almost exhausted. Looking around, Jack was surprised to realize that he was in an unfamiliar country, similar to a completely barren desert: nowhere was a tree, a bush, a house, or a living being to be seen.

Jack was sitting on a stone thinking about his mother. Hunger overwhelmed him, and the young man regretted his disobedience, that he had climbed the beanstalk against her will. And now he was waiting for starvation. nine0003

Still, he set off, hoping to find a house and ask for some food. Suddenly he noticed in some distance a beautiful young woman. She was dressed very beautifully and held in her hand a white stick with a solid gold cockerel at the end. The beauty approached Jack and said: “I will tell the story that your mother did not dare to tell you. But first, solemnly promise to do whatever I command. I am a fairy, and if you do not follow my orders exactly, you will deprive me of my magical power, and I will not be able to help you. And you will most likely die." Jack was greatly frightened by this warning, but promised to follow the orders of the fairy. nine0003

“Your father was rich and very generous. He never refused to help his neighbors, on the contrary, he was looking for helpless and desperate people. Not far from your father's house lived a huge giant who, with his cruelty, instilled fear in the whole country. This monster was also very envious and did not like it when others were praised for their kindness and decency, and therefore the giant swore to take revenge on your father so that he would no longer hear about his good deeds. Your father was so noble that he did not expect evil from others, so soon the cruel giant found an opportunity to realize his evil plans. Hearing that in a few days your parents would be passing near his palace, he set it up so that your father was ambushed and killed, and your mother was captured on the way to the house. nine0003

You were only a few months old when all this happened. Your poor mother almost died of fear when the cruel giant's henchmen threw her into a dungeon in a dungeon under his house. She spent a lot of time with the child in custody. Alarmed by the absence of your parents, the servants went searching, but found no trace of the missing. In the meantime, the giant made it so that a false will was found, and all the property of your father passed to him as your guardian. nine0003

After that, your mother spent a few more months in an underground dungeon, and then the giant offered her freedom if she solemnly swears never to tell anyone about her trials. And so that she - if she suddenly breaks the oath - could not harm him, he ordered to put her on a ship and take her to a distant country. There she was left without a livelihood, and she lived only on the proceeds from the sale of jewelry, which she managed to hide in her dress.

When your father was born, I was appointed as his protector, but fairies have laws that they must obey, just like mere mortals. Shortly before the giant killed your father, I broke the law and was deprived of my magical power for a while. Because of this, unfortunately, I could not help your father in any way, although I wanted it more than anything in the world. The day you were going to sell the cow and you met the butcher, I got my magic power back. I was the one who secretly told you to take the beans in exchange for the cow. It is because of my power that the beanstalk grew so high and formed a staircase. The giant lives in this country, and it is you who are destined to punish him for all his atrocities. Dangers and difficulties await you, but you must persevere and avenge your father's death, or you will never succeed in anything. nine0003

As for the giant's riches, they all belong to you by right, although you have been deprived of them until now. So you can take as much as you can carry. However, be careful, for the giant loves gold so much that, as soon as he notices the loss, he becomes angry and will guard it even better in the future. But you must still pursue him, for only by cunning will you be able to overcome him and seize your wealth and justly punish the giant for the barbaric murder. I only ask of you one thing: do not tell your mother that you know everything about your father until you meet me again. nine0003

Go straight, don't turn anywhere, and soon you will see the palace where your sworn enemy lives. As long as you do everything as I say, I will protect and keep you. But remember, if you disobey my orders, a terrible punishment awaits you.

With that, the fairy disappeared and Jack set off again. He walked until sunset, and suddenly, to his great joy, he saw a large palace. Cheered up, he quickened his pace and soon approached the palace. An attractive woman was standing at the door. Jack spoke to her kindly and asked if she would give him a piece of bread and give him shelter for the night. The woman was very surprised at the appearance of Jack and said how strange it was to see a stranger here, for everyone knows that her husband is a very cruel and powerful giant, and besides, he eats people when he manages to catch them. nine0003

Jack was very frightened, but, remembering his fairy protector, he hoped to elude the giant and begged the woman to let him in for one night only and hide him where she considered safe. The kind woman finally agreed, for she was very compassionate, and let Jack into the house.

First they got into a huge, beautifully furnished hall, then they passed several spacious and equally majestic rooms, which seemed, however, completely abandoned. Then they found themselves in a long, very dark gallery, where instead of walls there were iron bars. Beyond the bars stretched a gloomy dungeon, from which came the groans of the unfortunate victims, reserved by the giant in case he had an appetite. Poor Jack was horrified, thinking that he would never see his mother again and end his life in the stomach of a giant. However, he still remembered the fairy and kept a faint hope in his heart. nine0003

A kind woman took Jack to a spacious kitchen, where a fire was burning under a huge cauldron, sat him down and gave him a good meal and drink. Satisfied, Jack enjoyed the rest, but suddenly they began to knock on the gate, so loudly that the whole house trembled. Jack hid in the oven, and the giant's wife hurried to let her husband into the house.

Jack heard the giant's thunderous voice:

- Wife! Wife! I smell fresh human flesh!

“Oh, dear,” answered the wife. “It is the smell of those people who are in prison. nine0003

The giant seemed to believe and sat down by the fire, while his wife began to prepare dinner for him.

Jack slowly grew bolder and looked at the monster through a small crack. His amazement knew no bounds when he saw how much food and drink the giant absorbs. It seemed like he would never get enough. But in the end, the dinner was over, and a very funny chicken appeared on the table in front of the giant. And then a miracle happened. The hen stood calmly in front of the giant, and every time he said: “Rush!” The hen laid an egg of pure gold. The giant's wife had long since gone to bed, and he played with his chicken for a long time. At last he too fell asleep and snored as if a cannon had been fired. At dawn, while the giant was still asleep, Jack got out of his hiding place, grabbed the chicken and rushed away with her as fast as he could. nine0003

Jack easily found his way to the beanstalk, and the descent was easier and faster than he expected. The mother was very happy to see her son. “You see, mother,” said Jack, “I brought home something that will make you rich.” The hen laid as many golden eggs as they wanted, and they sold the eggs and soon became rich.

Jack and his mother lived very happily for several months, but Jack was eager to visit the giant again. Early one morning, he climbed the beanstalk again and reached the giant's palace late in the evening. The woman, as before, stood at the door. Jack told her a pitiful story and asked for a place to sleep. The woman said that she somehow sheltered a poor hungry boy, and an ungrateful scumbag stole one of the giant's treasures, and now he treats her very badly. Nevertheless, the woman led Jack into the kitchen, fed him dinner and hid it in the closet where the firewood was stored. Soon the giant returned home, had supper and ordered his wife to bring sacks of gold and silver. Jack peeped from his hiding place and saw how the giant counted his treasures, and then put them back into the bags. At last the giant fell asleep and began to snore, as before. Jack quietly got out of his hiding place and approached the giant, but suddenly a small dog barked furiously under the chair. However, the giant did not wake up, and the dog calmed down. Jack grabbed the bags, made it safely to the door, and was soon standing at the foot of the beanstalk. When he entered his mother's house, he did not find anyone there. Surprised, he ran to the village, and one old woman showed him the house where his mother lay dying. Hearing that our hero returned safe and sound, his mother regained her zest for life and soon recovered. Then Jack gave her two bags of gold and silver. nine0003

Everything would be fine, but Jack's mother felt that something was eating him and tried to find out the reason, but Jack remembered very well what would happen if he told about the reason for his sadness. He struggled to overcome the urge to take another trip up the beanstalk.

On the longest day of the year, Jack woke up at dawn, climbed the beanstalk and effortlessly made it to the top. He found his way, and towards evening reached the giant's palace, and, as before, saw his wife at the door. Jack changed his appearance so much that the woman did not recognize him. However, when he began to ask for a lodging for the night, he convinced her with great difficulty. In the end, the woman allowed him to enter and hid him in a copper cauldron. nine0003

Returning home, the giant growled as usual: “Wife! Wife! I smell fresh human flesh!” Jack had heard it before, so he wasn't afraid. However, the giant suddenly jumped up and, ignoring his wife's exhortations, began to search the kitchen. As he approached, Jack became more and more afraid, cursing himself for having come here, and was ready to die of fear. The giant reached the cauldron and grabbed the lid. Jack decided that his death had come, but, fortunately, at this the giant stopped his search and, without lifting the lid, calmly sat down by the fire. nine0003

After finishing his supper, the giant ordered his wife to bring his harp. Jack peered from under the lid of the cauldron and soon saw the most beautiful sight imaginable. The giant put the harp on the table and said, "Play," and the harp immediately began to play on its own. The music was amazingly beautiful. Jack was delighted and wanted to own the harp even more than the previous treasures.

The giant's soul did not strive for beauty, the music lulled him to sleep, and soon he fell asleep soundly. Moreover, he seemed to be sleeping even more soundly than before, and it was time to take the harp away. Jack made up his mind, got out of the cauldron and grabbed the harp. However, the harp turned out to be enchanted and shouted loudly: “Master, master!” nine0003

The giant woke up, jumped up and tried to grab Jack, but he was so drunk that he could not stand up. Jack ran away as fast as he could. Soon the giant came to his senses and hobbled, or rather, wandered, staggering, after Jack. If he had been sober, he would have immediately caught up with Jack, but because he was drunk, Jack managed to get to the top of the beanstalk first.

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