Harper and João loved being neighbors! They lived in houses next to each other in San Francisco. João's house had a huge yard, all grassy! Lots of cows and chickens used to live there! Now, João lived with his mother and just one cow named Branca. Sometimes, their only food for the day was Branca's milk! But Harper always brought snacks to share with João! They played together in the yard, and João’s mother was always thankful. João loved playing tag, and Harper was excited to talk about Unicorns!
One day, João’s mother told João that they needed more than just milk. “We need to sell Branca,” she said. João was sad. He called Harper. “We need to go to the market to sell Branca,” he said. “Come with me!” They laughed and walked to the market. But when they passed a corner, they saw a kind old man! He smiled at João and Harper and spoke quickly.
“I’ll give you magic beans in exchange for your cow!” the old man said. João and Harper thought for a second. “Beans can provide more food than milk!” said Harper. They agreed to sell Branca for the beans.
"Okay, old man," João said, "we'll do it!"
When they got back to João’s house, his mother started crying! “You were tricked!” she cried. “Those beans are no good!" João was sad. He didn’t know what they would eat the next day. João's mother told Harper to go home and João to go to bed.
That night, João was very sad! He didn't know what to do. He didn’t want to go to sleep! He was angry! He threw the beans out the window and went to bed.
The next day, João woke up and ran to the window! He couldn’t believe his eyes! A huge beanstalk grew in his yard! It was so tall, it reached up to the clouds! João’s mother was surprised, but she didn’t worry. She told João to go play with Harper!
João and Harper were excited. They climbed the beanstalk together! Harper climbed carefully because she was only 6. The climb seemed never-ending. Finally, they passed the clouds! In front of them was a giant castle! A giant woman, very tall indeed, welcomed João and Harper. She was kind, but she told them to leave.
“My husband is a giant,” she said. “He eats children!”
The ground started to shake! João and Harper hid quickly. They found some gold coins on the ground! João put them in his pocket. When the giant was far away, they ran! They climbed down the beanstalk as fast as they could!
“My secret hideout, Magic Cloud, is much better than hiding here,” said Harper.
"You are right!" agreed João. “We should live simply. But when the coins run out, we'll climb the beanstalk again!”
For a long time, João and his mother lived happily. They had enough to eat with the gold coins. João’s mother was so happy that she always gave Harper pieces of cake to take home!
“Thank you,” said Harper. “My family will be happy with the cake!”
Finally, the gold coins ran out. João and Harper decided to climb the beanstalk again. They were scared of the giant, but they knew they needed more food. This time, they went inside the castle and hid in the kitchen. The giant was taking care of a fat hen. João and Harper couldn’t believe their eyes! The hen laid golden eggs! They waited for the giant to fall asleep. They took the hen. She was quiet! They climbed down the beanstalk quickly! It was hard, but they did it!
"We have to be careful, João!" Harper reminded him, smiling.
João’s mother was so happy! They would always have something to eat! But João saw a golden harp in the castle. He wanted to go back and get it!
The next day, João didn’t play with Harper. He climbed the beanstalk again. He wanted to be quick. He knew where the harp was. But the giant was waiting at the door! He chased João! João ran! Finally, he escaped!
João went to Harper’s house. He was very scared. He told Harper what happened.
“We should cut down the beanstalk,” said Harper. “That way, the giant can’t come down! João’s mother is happy with the hen that lays golden eggs.”
João agreed! They climbed the beanstalk again. It was hard to cut it down! Harper was only 6 years old, but they worked together. Finally, the beanstalk fell to the ground! The giant would never come down!
“We don’t need more than the essentials,” said Harper. “The essentials are what we need. And danger isn’t worth it!”
João’s mother was relieved that the beanstalk was gone! She invited João and Harper for a delicious snack.
And that afternoon, the table at João’s house was full: of bread, cake, love, and laughter! The essentials!
