en a bit of bread; nothing now remains to sell
but my poor cow! I am sorry to part with her; it grieves me sadly, but
we cannot starve." For a few minutes Jack felt remorse, but it was
soon over; and he began asking his mother to let him sell the cow at
the next village, teasing her so much that she at last consented.

As he was going along he met a butcher, who inquired why he was
driving the cow from home? Jack replied he was going to sell it. The
butcher held some curious beans in his hat; they were of various
colors and attracted Jack's attention. This did not pass unnoticed by
the man, who, knowing Jack's easy temper, thought now was the time to
take an advantage of it, and, determined not to let slip so good an
opportunity, asked what was the price of the cow, offering at the same
time all the beans in his hat for her. The silly boy could not
conceal the pleasure he felt at what he supposed so great an offer;
the bargain was struck instantly, and the cow exchanged for a few
paltry beans. Jack made the best of his way home, calling aloud to his
mother before he reached the door, thinking to surprise her.

When she saw the beans and heard Jack's account, her patience quite
forsook her; she tossed the beans out of the window, where they fell
on the garden-bed below. Then she threw her apron over her head and
cried bitterly. Jack attempted to console her, but in vain, and, not
having anything to eat, they both went supperless to bed. Jack awoke
early in the morning, and, seeing something uncommon darkening the
window of his bedchamber, ran down-stairs into the garden, where he
found some of the beans had taken root and sprung up surprisingly; the
stalks were of an immense thickness, and had twined together until
they formed a ladder like a chain, and so high that the top appeared
to be lost in the clouds. Jack was an adventurous lad; he determined
to climb up to the top, and ran to tell his mother, not doubting but
that she would be as much pleased as he was. She declared he should
not go, said it would break her heart if he did--entreated and
threatened, but all in vain. Jack set out, and after climbing for some
hours reached the top of the bean-stalk quite exhausted. Looking
around, he found himself in a strange country; it appeared to be a
barren desert--not a tree, shrub, house, or living creature was to be
seen; here and there were scattered fragments of stone; and at unequal
distances small heaps of earth were