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.
João and his mom lived simply for a long time, but they were comfortable with the coins João had taken. João’s mom even gave James pieces of cake to take home. She was repaying him for being kind.
“My family will be so happy with the cake,” James said.
But eventually, the coins ran out. João and James decided to climb the beanstalk again. They knew the giant was dangerous, but they were brave. This time, they entered the castle and hid in the kitchen. They saw the giant taking care of a fat hen.
When they least expected it, the hen laid golden eggs! They waited for the giant to fall asleep. James was shy, so João helped him catch the hen. The hen didn’t make any noise. They climbed down the beanstalk with her. It was hard, but they did it!
João’s mom was happy. They would always have something to eat! But João had seen a golden harp in the castle. He wanted it, so he decided to climb the beanstalk again, all by himself.
The next day, João didn’t play with James. He climbed the beanstalk. He was going to be quick because he knew where the harp was. But the giant was waiting for him at the door! The giant chased João, but he managed to escape!
João was very upset. He ran to James’s house and told him everything.
“Let’s cut down the beanstalk!” James said. “That way, the giant can never come down. And João’s mom is happy with the hen.”
They worked hard to cut down the beanstalk. James was only four years old, but he helped. They did it! The giant would never come down again!
“We only need the essentials,” James said. “Danger isn’t worth it!”
João’s mom was happy the beanstalk was gone. She invited João and James to have a delicious snack.
And that afternoon, the table at João’s house was full: of bread, cake, love, and laughter! The essentials!
