Once upon a time, there was a boy named Jack who lived with his mother on a small, quiet farm. They didn’t have much, and when times got tough, Jack’s mother told him to sell their cow for some money. Off Jack went to the market, but instead of selling the cow for money, he traded it for a handful of magic beans.

“These beans are special!” said the merchant with a wink, handing them over. Jack, excited about his new treasure, rushed home to show his mother. But his mom didn’t see the magic—she was upset. “Magic beans?” she cried, throwing them out the window in frustration.

The next morning, Jack woke up to a big surprise. Outside, a massive beanstalk had grown overnight, stretching high into the sky and disappearing into the clouds! Curious and full of adventure, Jack began to climb the tall beanstalk. Up and up he went, until he reached the top and found a gigantic castle.

Inside the castle, Jack discovered sparkling treasures—gold, jewels, and a golden harp. But before he could take more than a few things, he heard the booming footsteps of a giant. Terrified, Jack grabbed some gold coins and raced down the beanstalk as fast as he could, escaping just in time.

Back home, Jack showed his mother the gold, but deep down, he realized something important: even though it was easy to take the treasure, working hard for what you earn is the real reward. Quick fixes might seem tempting, but they don’t always bring true happiness.

Moral:

Quick fixes may seem tempting, but hard work is the true treasure.

Parenting Tip: Discuss with your child the importance of effort and earning rewards. Use Jack’s choices to show that shortcuts may seem exciting but can come with risks or lessons. This is a great way to encourage problem-solving and thinking ahead.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids:

• What would you have done if someone offered you magic beans?
• How do you think the beanstalk grew so tall?
• Would you have climbed the beanstalk like Jack? Why or why not?
• What would you do if you found a giant’s castle?
• Why do you think Jack decided to take the giant’s treasures?
• If you could grow anything magical, what would it be?
• How can you work hard to achieve your own treasures or goals?

Did You Know? Fun Plant Facts!

1. Some plants grow very fast, like bamboo, which can grow up to three feet in one day!
2. Beans are an important source of protein and come in many varieties, like kidney beans, black beans, and soybeans.
3. Beanstalks don’t grow as tall as Jack’s, but pole beans can climb several feet with the help of a trellis!

Creative Activity:

Grow Your Own Magic Beanstalk!

1. Soak bean seeds overnight, then plant them in a small pot of soil.
2. Water your seeds and place the pot in sunlight.
3. Watch them sprout and grow—soon you’ll have your very own “beanstalk”!
4. Make up a story about where your beanstalk might lead.

Draw Your Dream Castle:
Imagine what Jack might have found at the top of the beanstalk. Was it full of glittering treasures? Did it have magical animals or enchanted plants? Use your imagination and draw your version of the giant’s castle!

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!