High-Five to the Hero: 15 favourite fairytales retold with boy power by Vita Murrow

Author:Vita Murrow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

An idea struck Jack. With just one gold egg he could rise instantly to the top. That thing would trade brilliantly, he thought to himself. Everyone would want it. Then, as if Jack had willed it to happen, a golden egg rolled away from the stall toward him. He caught the egg with a hug. But at just that moment a few giants drew close.

“Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum,” they sang.

Jack scrambled down the beanstalk, golden egg in arms. He raced into the cottage, where his folks were beginning their day.

“You won’t believe it. Those magic beans sprouted a beanstalk that is my shortcut to success!” Jack called out, gesturing up the beanstalk. “You can both retire! I can provide us with everything we need and then some. Aren’t you pleased?”

“Jack, what are you thinking? There are no short cuts to success,” his mama said. “If you want to work your way up the trader’s track you’ve got to start at the bottom.”

“But atop the beanstalk is an abundance of amazing things,” Jack persisted, presenting the egg.

“You can’t take things that don’t belong to you!” his mom asserted, and cast the egg aside.

Jack didn’t understand. He thought he’d be the provider all his neighbors were.

“I ought to chop that beanstalk down right now.” Jack’s mom reached for an axe.

“No, no!” Jack cried and scrambled up the beanstalk to deter her.

On his return up the beanstalk Jack considered his parents’ words. Maybe he hadn’t illustrated his point well enough. He decided this time he’d bring down something of higher value. What said success better than a singing harp? But this would be a riskier prospect, he’d have to really watch out for the giants.

Jack made his way to the trading table and surveyed the scene. He wrapped his arms around the harp and slowly slid it toward the beanstalk.

“I smell trouble!” boomed a voice. (Even though they are so far away from things, giants have an excellent sense of smell).

“Nah, that just Fugue’s farts. Excuse yourself, Fugue!” another voice replied.

“I thought I smelled the human world…” the voice trailed off.

Jack hastened down the beanstalk like he was on a slide. The harp was awakened and it sang out.

“La la la la laaaaaaaaaa.”

It was time for the morning commute. Jack’s neighbors noticed the glittering harp and heard the bright voice and took a detour to his garden.

“Wow, Jack, what market are you playing at?” someone asked.

“Looks like your folks will be set for life,” another one commented, glancing up at the beanstalk with raised eyebrows.

Jack stared up at the beanstalk too. With one more acquisition his neighbor would be right, Jack and his family could be set for life. He could provide everything their hearts desired. So that afternoon, while the neighborhood was at work, Jack ventured once more up the beanstalk.

This time Jack popped up right in the middle of the giant’s marketplace. Terrified, he ducked beneath a table and closed his eyes tight to shut out the horror he anticipated. He imagined rolling heads and drooling monsters.

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