Jacqueline and the Beanstalk

Once upon a time, there lived a girl named Jacqueline. She lived with her stepfather in a little cottage. He was quite cruel and had little patience for Jacqueline.

Jacqueline was kind-hearted and good. But she was always getting herself into trouble.

One day, Jacqueline’s stepfather ordered her to sell their cow, Moo.

“But I love Moo,” Jacqueline cried.

“We need money,” her stepfather said. “Moo is just another mouth to feed.”

Jacqueline had no choice.

At the market, Jacqueline saw a poor mother with two children. She felt sad for them. Instead of selling the cow, Jacqueline gave Moo to the family. The mother was so grateful she gave Jacqueline two beans.

“It’s all we have,” said the mother. “Please take them.” Jacqueline accepted the gift and returned home.

“Beans!” Jacqueline’s stepfather yelled. He was very angry. “You sold our cow for two miserable beans!”

He tossed the beans out the window. “Fool,” Stepfather grumbled. “Go to your room!”

Jacqueline ran to her room with tears streaming down her face.

The next morning when Jacqueline awoke, her bedroom was dark. Jacqueline peeked outside, looking for the sun. Instead, she saw an enormous beanstalk! It had sprung up from where her stepfather had flung the beans. Her stepfather burst into the room.

“What have you done now?” he yelled. “Get rid of that giant beanstalk immediately!”

In the garden, Jacqueline gazed up at the enormous plant that stretched into the sky.

“Get to work!” her stepfather yelled.

“I don’t know what’s up there,” Jacqueline thought, “but it has to be better than what’s down here.” Jacqueline began to climb the beanstalk.