by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2025
(Jun. 6, 2025) — [See Part 1 here.]
The two men stood dumbstruck beside the massive fallen beanstalk. They watched the boy and his mother traversing the path home, pulling a cart full of treasure. One man leaned toward the other. “What just happened?”
The second man shook his head. “How could this be happening to us? How could one kid be so lucky? Who knew there would be giants up there? And who would’ve thought they’d be friendly to children?”
“Yeah. That kid! We could have had a sack of gold coins, a hen that lays golden eggs and a magical singing harp, if it hadn’t have been for him. Every time we’d try to sneak off with something, he’d see us and alert the giant, then that guy would start with the ‘Fee-fi-fo-fums’. Now, in gratitude, the ogre gave the boy all the stuff we were trying to get, making the kid promise to chop down the beanstalk so no more ‘thieves’ could invade his land again. Oh, I really hate that kid! Look at him, gonna become rich and famous with all his good deeds and rewards.”
A wicked twinkle came into the other man’s eyes. “Not necessarily, my dear brother. We could easily get our revenge if we tell our version of the story first.”
The other smiled. “Ah, yes! I say, Jake, I am lucky to have you for a big bother.”
Jake patted the younger on the back. “Stick with me, Will, and I’ll make sure we’ll go far!”
Thus a folktale was begun. It started with a seed of jealousy, and grew until it reached tall enough for the entire countryside to see. In time, it caused the fear of giants to spread, and the poor boy, Jack, to be seen as a thief and even a giant killer. But Jack paid no heed to what others said of him. What mattered to him the most was being honest, faithful, truthful, forgiving and kind.