Jack and the Beanstalk with James

James and João loved being neighbors! James lived in a small house across the street from João. João lived in a house with a big yard. The yard was full of grass! There used to be lots of cows and chickens there, but now, João lived with his mom and one cow. The cow’s name was Branca. Sometimes, Branca’s milk was all they had to eat for the whole day! But whenever he could, James brought snacks to João’s house. That way, they could play in the grass for a long time! João’s mom was always happy to see them. João loved to play tag, and James loved to sleep. That day, they were playing a game about sleeping.

One day, João’s mom asked him to sell Branca. They needed more than just milk to eat. João called James and they laughed as they walked to the market together. When they walked past a corner, they saw a kind old man. The old man quickly came to talk to João and James.

“I’ll give you magic beans for your cow!” the old man said.

João and James thought about this. Beans could give them lots of food! Milk was only one thing.

“Yes! We’ll trade!” James said.

João and James went back to João’s house with the beans. João’s mom cried when she heard the news. “The old man tricked you!” she said.

João’s mom told James to go home. Then she told João to go to bed. That night, João cried in his bed because he didn’t know what they would eat the next day. He was angry, so he threw the beans out the window and went to sleep.

The next day, João woke up and saw something amazing! There was a big beanstalk in the yard! It was so tall, it reached the clouds! João’s mom didn’t know what to do. Should she sell the beans? She didn’t worry, and she let João meet James to go play.

João and James were curious, so they decided to climb the beanstalk. It was a very long climb! James climbed slowly, because he was shy. But João encouraged him to keep going. Finally, they passed the clouds and saw a big castle! A giant woman, very tall indeed, welcomed them.

“Come in, little ones!” she said. But then she said, “You must leave quickly. My husband is a giant who eats children!”

The ground started to shake. João and James were scared! They quickly hid. In their hiding spot, they found some gold coins. João put them in his pocket. When they thought they could run away, they ran. They climbed down the beanstalk fast.

“Our hiding place, the Library, is much better than this!” James said.

“You’re right,” João said. They decided they would live simply. They would use the coins, but when they were all gone, they would climb the beanstalk again.