WHO DID PATRICK'S PATRICK'S HOMEWORK? HOMEWORK?
Patrick never did homework !Too "orin#$! he %aid He &a(ed "a%e"a and "a%ket"a and )intendo in%tead Hi% teacher% tod him$ !Patrick* Do (o+r homework or (o+ won't earn a thin#! thin#! And it'% it'% tr+e$ %ometime% %ometime% he did ,ee ike a din#-a-in# .+t what co+d he do? He hated homework Then on St Patrick'% Da( hi% cat wa% &a(in# with with a itte do and he #ra""ed it awa( To hi% %+r&ri%e it wa%n't a do at a$ "+t a man o, the tinie%t %i/e He had a itte woo %hirt with od ,a%hioned "ritche% and and a hi#h ta hat hat m+ch ike a witch'% witch'% He (eed$ (eed$ !Save me* Don't #ive me "ack to that cat I' #rant (o+ a wi%h$ I &romi%e &romi%e (o+ that! Patrick co+dn't "eieve how +ck( he wa%* Here wa% the an%wer to a o, hi% &ro"em% So he %aid$ !On( i, (o+ do a m( homework 'ti the end o, the %eme%ter$ that'% 01 da(% I, (o+ do a #ood eno+#h 2o"$ I co+d even #et A'%! The itte man'% ,ace wrinked ike a di%hcoth thrown in the ham&er He kicked hi% e#% and do+"ed hi% ,i%t% and he #rimaced and %cowed and &+r%ed hi% i&%$ !Oh$ am I c+r%ed* .+t I' do it!
And tr+e to hi% hi% word$ that itte e, "e#an to do Patrick'% homework E3ce&t there wa% one #itch The e, didn't awa(% know what to do and he needed he& !He& me* He& me*! he'd %a( And Patrick wo+d have to he& -- in whatever wa( !I don't know thi% word$! the e, %4+eeked whie readin# Patrick'% Patrick'% homework homework !5et me a dictionar( )o$ what'% even "etter 6ook +& the word and %o+nd it o+t "( each etter! When it came to math$ math$ Patrick wa% o+t o, +ck !What are time% ta"e%?! the e, %hrieked !We eve% never need that And addition and %+"traction and divi%ion and ,raction%? Here$ %it down "e%ide me$ (o+ %im&( m+%t #+ide me! Eve% know nothin# o, h+man hi%tor($ to them it'% a m(%ter( So the itte e,$ aread( a %ho+ter$ 2+%t #ot o+der !5o to the i"rar($ I need "ook% More and more "ook% And (o+ can he& me read them too! A% a matter o, o, ,act ever( da( in ever( wa( that itte e, wa% a na#* Patrick wa% workin# harder than ever and wa% it a dra#* He wa% %ta(in# +& ni#ht%$ had never ,et %o wear($ wa% #oin# to %choo with hi% e(e% &+,,ed and "ear(
And tr+e to hi% hi% word$ that itte e, "e#an to do Patrick'% homework E3ce&t there wa% one #itch The e, didn't awa(% know what to do and he needed he& !He& me* He& me*! he'd %a( And Patrick wo+d have to he& -- in whatever wa( !I don't know thi% word$! the e, %4+eeked whie readin# Patrick'% Patrick'% homework homework !5et me a dictionar( )o$ what'% even "etter 6ook +& the word and %o+nd it o+t "( each etter! When it came to math$ math$ Patrick wa% o+t o, +ck !What are time% ta"e%?! the e, %hrieked !We eve% never need that And addition and %+"traction and divi%ion and ,raction%? Here$ %it down "e%ide me$ (o+ %im&( m+%t #+ide me! Eve% know nothin# o, h+man hi%tor($ to them it'% a m(%ter( So the itte e,$ aread( a %ho+ter$ 2+%t #ot o+der !5o to the i"rar($ I need "ook% More and more "ook% And (o+ can he& me read them too! A% a matter o, o, ,act ever( da( in ever( wa( that itte e, wa% a na#* Patrick wa% workin# harder than ever and wa% it a dra#* He wa% %ta(in# +& ni#ht%$ had never ,et %o wear($ wa% #oin# to %choo with hi% e(e% &+,,ed and "ear(
7ina( the a%t da( o, %choo arrived and the e, wa% ,ree to #o A% ,or homework$ there wa% no more$ %o he 4+iet( and %(( %i&&ed o+t the "ack door Patrick #ot hi% A'%8 hi% ca%%mate% were ama/ed8 hi% teacher% %mied and were ,+ o, &rai%e And hi% &arent%? The( wondered what had ha&&ened ha&&ened to Patrick He He wa% now the mode kid Ceaned hi% room$ did hi% chore%$ wa% cheer,+$ never r+de$ ike he had deveo&ed a whoe new attit+de 9o+ %ee$ in the end end Patrick %ti tho+#ht tho+#ht he'd made that tin( man do a hi% homework .+t I' %hare a %ecret$ 2+%t "etween (o+ and me It wa%n't the e,8 Patrick had done it him%e,*
TheFoxandt heCr ow Here is an online picture book for your little one to enjoy. This is a classic children's tale with a moral. It is also sometimes called "The Crow and the Fox" or "The Crow and the Cheese."
ne day! eelam the crow was flyin# o$er the trees. %he was hun#ry. %he was lookin# for somethin# to eat. %he found a piece of cheese under a tree. &How lucky I am( said eelam to herself.
%he picked up the piece of cheese with her beak and flew to the top of the tree. &I shall eat this piece of cheese slowly!( said eelam to herself. &I ha$e not eaten cheese for a lon# time. I lo$e cheese.(
Foxy the fox was walkin# near the tree. He too was hun#ry. &I ha$e not eaten anythin# all day. I am so hun#ry. I hope I find somethin# to eat!( thou#ht Foxy.
Foxy saw eelam sittin# on the tree and he also saw the cheese.
&I must #et that piece of cheese from eelam. )ut eelam is $ery cle$er. I ha$e to make eelam drop the cheese.(
Foxy thou#ht of a plan. He went to the tree where eelam was sittin# and said! &h! what a beautiful bird you are I am sure you ha$e a beautiful $oice too. *hy don+t you sin# for me,(
eelam was $ery happy when she heard these words. %he for#ot the cheese was in her mouth. %he opened her mouth to crow and the cheese fell out.
Foxy ate the cheese. He lau#hed at eelam and said! &-ou ha$e an u#ly $oice. I only wanted the cheese. -ou are a fool(
The Wedding of the Mouse
The hermits were disciples of a Guru Yadnyavalkya, who was always absorbed in meditation, and followed rigorous self-discipline. One day, while he was bathing in the river, a hawk flew over with a mouse in its claws. Suddenly, the mouse fell from the hawks grip right into the hands of the Guru. !hen the Guru noticed that the hawk was flying above, he knew he cannot leave the mouse alone, or he is to be caught again. "e put the mouse on a leaf of a nearby #anyan tree, and took a second bath to purify himself.
"e used his powers to transform the female mouse into a little girl, and took her to the hermitage. "e said to his wife, $%y dear, please accept her as our blessing, as we do not have a child of our own.$ Thus, the girl started growing in the hermitage, under the care and supervision of the Guru himself. She learnt many sciences, and ways of life.
#oth the Guru and his wife were very proud of their special child. One day, the Gurus wife brought into his notice that their girl had reached marriageable age. They decided to give it a serious thought, as she was a special child and deserved a special husband. The ne&t morning, using his powers, the Guru summoned the Sun God to him, and said, $'lease accept my daughters hand. ( wish you to marry her, if she chooses so.$
#ut the daughter said, $)ather, the Sun God lights up the entire world, but he is unbearably hot and fiery-tempered. ( do not wish to marry him. 'lease seek a better husband for me.$ The Guru wondered, $!ho might be better than even the Sun God*$ The Sun God advised, $Guru+i, you can seek the al liance of the ing of louds. "e is superior to me, for he can cover me and my light.$
So the Guru, using his powers, summoned the ing of louds, and said, $'lease accept my daughters hand. ( wish you to marry her, if she chooses so.$ #ut the daughter said, $)ather, the ing of louds is dark, wet and too cold. ( do not wish to marry him. 'lease seek a better husband for me.$ The Guru wondered, $!ho might be better than even the ing of louds*$
The ing of louds advised, $Guru+i, you can seek the alliance of the ord of !inds. "e is superior to me, for he can blow me away.$ So the Guru, using his powers, summoned the ord of !inds, and said, $'lease accept my daughters hand. ( wish you to marry her, if she chooses so.$ #ut the daughter said, $)ather, the ord of !inds is too fast and restless. "e keeps changing his direction. ( do not wish to marry him. 'lease seek a better husband for me.$ The Guru wondered, $!ho might be better than even the ord of !inds*$
The ord of !inds advised, $Guru+i, you can seek the alliance of the ord of %ountains. "e is superior to me, for he can stop me from blowing.$ So the Guru, using his powers, summoned the ord of %ountains, and said, $'lease accept my daughters hand. ( wish you to marry her, if she chooses so.$ #ut the daughter said, $)ather, the ord of %ountains is too hard and rigid. "e is immovable. ( do not wish to marry him. 'lease seek a better husband for me.$
The Guru wondered, $!ho might be better than even the ord of %ountains*$ The ing of %ountains advised, $Guru+i, you can seek the alliance of the ing of %ice. "e is superior to me, for he can make holes all over me.$ So the Guru, using his powers, summoned the ing of %ice, and said, $'lease accept my daughters hand. ( wish you to marry her, if she chooses so.$ !hen the daughter met the ing of %ice, she was delighted and shyly agreed to the marriage.
The Guru transformed her daughter to a beautiful female mouse, for her to perform all household duties of her clan. Thus, the Gurus daughter was married.
The wise indeed say/ What is in-born, can never change.
Mora Short Storie% With Pict+re%: Cever Ra""it ; 7ooi%h 6ion pdated on /uly 01! 0234
Moral Stories for Kids with Pictures
*ho doesn't lo$e a #ood tale, 5ids lo$e short stories! especially with a moral to discuss. Children in nursery school! pre6school! or at the kinder#arten le$el 7pre6k#! lk#! and uk#8 enjoy listenin# to stories as part of their day. f course! the morals should be too ob$ious. The best stories lea$e the moral unspoken explicitly. 5ids should #et it by themsel$es! rather than bein# told a moral. 9mon# the best of #ifts you can #i$e a child is a lo$e of readin# and! of course! a stock of #ood books. The best way to do this is to tell them stories from an early a#e or read aloud to them. There is a $ast treasure of stories for children: 9esop's fables!
;anchtantra! /ataka tales! 9rabian ni#hts! folk tales! and fairy tales. <$en the lon#er of these stories can be told as short $ersions to nursery! kinder#arten! or preschool kids. Here is an interestin# one from the ;anchatantra! about a cle$er rabbit and how it outwitted the powerful! but foolish lion. The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion
The cle$er rabbit: =oral stories for kids
Terro >ion was a $ery proud lion. He was a real terror in the jun#le. He often just roared and killed animals! e$en when he was not $ery hun#ry. The terrified animals of the jun#le one day called for a meetin#. &*e must put and end to this menace!( Forro fox cried. &)ut how!( wondered the other animals. &Terro is so bi# and stron#! none of can e$en touch him. I #uess we will ha$e to just li$e with this! more likely die with this( )ut )uns ?abbit was not the kind to #i$e up. He thou#ht of a plan.
The next day =erry =onkey went to the lion and said! &=y majestic lord -ou are so mi#hty! you are lord of us all. )ut you know what, )uns ?abbit says he has seen someone e$en more powerful than you.( pon hearin# this Terro >ion roared. He asked =erry to #o and send )uns ?abbit to him.
The cle$er )uns came up to Terro. &Hey )uns! you puny fellow!" roared Terro. "*hat+s all this nonsense about a more powerful lion than me in the jun#le," )uns said! &=y lord! you are indeed mi#hty. For#i$e me! I am just tellin# what I saw. I saw a hu#e lion yesterday.( Terro roared aloud! &*here is he, I will ha$e him for breakfast today There is no one more mi#hty than me. Take me to him.(
The cle$er )uns took Terro to a lake. He then pointed to the water in the lake and said! &=y lord! I saw the hu#e lion coolin# off in this lake.( Terro peeped into the water. He saw his own face in the water. He roared loudly. He saw his ima#e in the water roarin# back at him. He was so an#ry! that he for#ot e$erythin#! e$en that he didn+t know how to swim. &How dare you roar back at mi#hty me. I will finish you.( He cried and jumped ri#ht into the lake. Terro drowned.
)uns ?abbit happily took the news of Terro+s end to the other animals. There was joy in the jun#le. -ou can tell many such to kids. They enjoy them and slowly understand the morals.
The Tale of Two Fishes and a Frog 0Story found in/
)ranklin 1dgertons reconstruction
2urgasimhas annada translation
'urnabhadras recension
"itopadesha by 4 3arayana
@o to %tory
Two large fishes, Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi lived in a big pond, and were close friends with a frog called 1kabuddhi. They spent a lot of time together on the bank of the pond.
One evening, as they were assembled on the bank of the pond, they saw a few fishermen approaching. They had nets and big baskets with them, which were full of fishes that they had caught. !hile passing by the pond, they noticed that the pond was full of fishes. One of them said to the others, $et us come here tomorrow morning. This pond is not very deep, and is full of fishes. !e have never caught fishes in this pond.$
They agreed to return the very ne&t morning, and continued their +ourney homewards. The frog was depressed on hearing the fishermen and said, $O )riends, we should
decide what to do, whether to run or hide. These fishermen will return tomorrow morning5$ The fishes however did not care much. The first fish said, $O )riend, (t is +ust mere talks of few passing fishermen. 2ont worry, for they will not come. 6nd, even if they do, ( know innumerable tricky water movements. ( shall save myself and my family with ease.$
The second fish +oined, $( am as talented in tricky water movements as you5 ( will be able to save myself and my family too. ( support your stand, for ( will not abandon the home of our ancestors for the sake of some mere talk of few passing fishermen.$ #ut the frog was not convinced, he said, $%y friends, my only talent is that ( can foresee danger. You may stay, but ( will leave with my family to some other pond before morning.$ The very ne&t morning, the fishermen came and cast their nets all over the pond. They had a big haul, and caught many fishes, frogs, tortoises and crabs.
Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi tried hard to escape, but none of their tricks worked. They were caught, and when the fishermen dragged their net on the bank of the pond they were already dead. #eing the largest of the fishes the fishermen caught, they proudly displayed
Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi, and carried them separately as they started homewards. %eanwhile, the frog, 1kabuddhi, had already found a well for shelter. #eing worried and an&ious, he came to the surface. #ut as he saw the fishermen departing with his friends, he became sad. "e told his wife, $They were very talented, but lacked the only talent that was most important. 6s for me, ( may have only one talent, but ( swim happily with my family5$
SLEEPING BEAUTY I l l ust r at edbyAswi nAmar nat h
Onc euponat i me,i nt heda y swhent her ewer ef ai r i es ,ak i ng andqueenr ei gnedi nac ount r yf arawa y .Nowt hi sk i ngand queenhadpl ent yofmoney , pl ent yoffi nec l ot hest owear ,pl ent y ofgoodt hi ngst oeatanddr i nkandac oac ht or i deouti nev er y da y .Howev er ,al t hought he yhadbeenmar r i edman yy ear s ,t he y hadnoc hi l dr en.Thi ss addenedt hem v er ymuc h,ast he ydear l y want edac hi l d. Oneda y ,ast hequeenwaswal k i ngbyt hes i deoft her i v er att hebot t om oft hegar den,s hes awapoorl i t t l efi sht hathad t hr owni t s el foutoft hewat erandl aygas pi ngandnear l ydead ont hebank .Thequeent ookpi t yont hel i t t l efi shandt hr ewi t bac kagai ni nt ot her i v er .Bef or ei ts wam away ,i tr ai s edi t shead outoft hewat erands ai d“ Ik nowwhaty ourwi s hi sandi ts hal l c omet r ue,i nr et ur nf ory ourk i ndnes st ome— y ouwi l l s oon ha v eadaught er . ”
Whatt hel i t t l efi s hhads ai ds oonhappenedandt hequeen hadal i t t l egi r l ,s ov er ybeaut i f ul ,t hatt hek i ngc oul dnots t op l ook i ngatherhewass ohappy .Hes ai dhewoul dt hr owagr eat par t yands howt hec hi l dt oal l t hel and,s oheas kedhi s k i ns men,nobl es ,f r i ends ,andnei ghbour s .Butt hequeens ai d“ I wi l l hav et hef ai r i esal s o,t hatt heymi ghtbek i ndandgoodt oour l i t t l edaught er . ” Nowt her ewer et hi r t eenf ai r i esi nt hek i ngdom,butast he k i ngandqueenhadonl yt wel v egol dendi s hesf ort hem t oeat outof ,t heywer ef or c edt ol eav eoneoft hef ai r i eswi t hout as k i ngher .Sot wel v ef ai r i esc ame,eac hwi t hahi ghr edc apon herhead,r eds hoeswi t hhi ghheel sonherf eetandal ongwhi t e
wandi nherhand.Af t ert hef eas twasov ert heygat her edr ound i nar i ngandgav eal l t hei rbes tgi f t st ot hel i t t l epr i nc es s .One gav ehergoodnes s ,anot herbeaut y ,anot herr i c hes ,ands oon t i l l s hehadal l t hatwasgoodi nt hewor l d. J us tasel ev enoft hem haddonebl es s i ngher ,agr eatnoi s e washear di nt hec our t y ar dandwor dwasbr oughtt hatt he t hi r t eent hf ai r yhadc ome,wi t habl ac kc aponherhead,bl ac k s hoesonherf eetandabr ooms t i c ki nherhand.Shequi c k l y c ameupi nt ot hedi ni nghal l .Now,ass hehadnotbeenas k edt o t hef eas ts hewasv er yangr y ,s c ol dedt hek i ngandqueenv er y muc hands ett owor kt ot ak eherr e v enge.Sos hec r i edout “ Thek i ng’ sdaught ers hal l ,i nherfi f t eent hy ear ,bewoundedby as pi ndl e,andf al l downdead. ”
Thent het wel f t hoft hef r i endl yf ai r i es ,whohadnoty etgi v en hergi f t ,c amef or war d,ands ai dt hatt heev i l wi s hmus tbe f ul fi l l ed,butt hats hec oul ds of t eni t smi s c hi ef ;s ohergi f twas , t hatt hek i ng’ sdaught er ,whent hes pi ndl ewoundedher ,s houl d notr eal l ydi e,buts houl donl yf al l as l eepf orahundr edy ear s . Howev er ,t hek i nghopeds t i l l t os av ehi sdearc hi l d al t oget herf r om t het hr eat enedev i l ,s oheor der edt hatal l t he s pi ndl esi nt hek i ngdom s houl dbeboughtupandbur nt .Butal l t hegi f t soft hefi r s tel ev enf ai r i esc amet r uei nt hemeant i me,f or t hepr i nc es swassobeaut i f ul ,wel l behav ed,goodandwi s e, t hate v er y o newhok ne w herl o v edher .
I thappenedt hat ,ont hev er ydays hewasfi f t eeny ear sol d, t hek i ngandqueenwer eno tathomeands hewasl ef tal onei n t hepal ac e.Sos her ov edaboutbyher s el f ,andl ook edatal l t he r oomsandc hamber s ,unt i l atl as ts hec amet oanol dt ower ,t o whi c ht her ewasanar r ows t ai r c as eendi ngwi t hal i t t l edoor .I n t hedoort her ewasagol denk e y , andwhens het ur nedi tt he doors pr angopen,andt her es atanol dl adys pi nni ngawa yv er y bus i l y . “ Wh yhownow,goodmot her , ”s ai dt hepr i nc es s ,“ whatar e y oudoi ngt her e?”
“ Spi nni ng, ”s ai dt heol dl ady , noddi ngherheadand hu mmi ngat un e,whi l et h ewhee lbu z z ed. “ Howpr et t i l yt hatl i t t l et hi ngt ur nsr ound! ”s ai dt hepr i nc es s , whot ookt hes pi ndl eandbegant ot r yands pi n.Buts c ar c el y hads het ouc hedi tbef or et hef ai r y ’ spr ophec ywasf ul fi l l ed.The s pi ndl ewoundedherands hef el l downl i f el es sont hegr ound.
Howe v er ,s hewasnotdead,buthadonl yf al l eni nt oadeep s l e ep .Th ek i n ga ndt h eq ue en ,wh oh adj u s tc o meh ome ,a nd al l t hei rc our t ,f el l as l eept oo.Thehor s ess l epti nt hes t abl es , t hedogsi nt hec our t ,t hepi geonsont hehous et opandt hev er y fl i ess l eptupont hewal l s .Ev ent hefi r eont hehear t hl ef toff bl az i ngandwentt os l eepandt hes pi tt hatwast ur ni ngabout
wi t hagoos euponi tf ort hek i ng’ sdi nners t oods t i l l .Thec ook , whowasatt hatmomentpul l i ngt hek i t c henboybyt hehai rt o gi v ehi m abo xont heearf ors omet hi nghehaddoneami s s ,l et hi m go,andbot hf el l as l eep.Thebut l er ,whowassl y l yt as t i ng t heal e,f el l as l eepwi t ht hej ugathi sl i ps .Andt husev er y t hi ng s t oods t i l l ,ands l epts oundl y . Al ar gehedgeoft hor nss oongr e wr oundt hepal ac eand ev er yy eari tbec amehi gherandt hi c ker .Atl as t ,t heol dpal ac e wass ur r oundedandhi dden,s ot hatnotev ent her oofort he c hi mney scoul dbes een.Butt her ewentar epor tt hr oughal l t he l andoft hebeaut i f ul s l eepi ngpr i nc es s,s ot hat ,f r om t i met o t i me,s ev er al k i ngs ’ s onscameandt r i edt obr eakt hr ought he t hi c k eti nt ot hepal ac e.Thi s ,howev er ,noneoft hem c oul dev er do,f ort het hor nsandbus hesl ai dhol doft hem,asi twer ewi t h handsandt her et he ygots t uc kandc oul dnotes c ape. Af t ermany ,manyy ear st her ec ameak i ng’ ss oni nt ot hat l andandanol dmant ol dhi mt hes t or yoft het hi c ketoft hor ns , howabeaut i f ul pal ac es t oodbehi ndi tandhowawonder f ul pr i nc es sl ayi ni tas l eep,wi t hal l herc our t .Het ol d,t oo,howhe hadhear df r om hi sgr andf at hert hatman y ,man ypr i nc eshad c omeandhadt r i edt obr eakt hr ought het hi c k et ,butt hatt hey hadal l s t uc kf as ti ni t .Thent hey oungpr i nc es ai d,“ Al l t hi ss hal l
notf r i ght enme;Iwi l l goands eet hi ssl eepi ngpr i nc es s . ”The ol dmant r i edt ohi nderhi m,buthi smi ndwasmadeupt ogo. No wt h atv e r yd a yt h eh un dr e dy e ar swe r een de da nda s t hepr i nc ec amet ot het hi c k ethes awnot hi ngbutbeaut i f ul fl ower i ngshr ubs .Hegott hr ought hem wi t heas eandt he ys hut i naf t erhi m ast hi c kasev er .Thenhec ameatl as tt ot hepal ac e andt her ei nt hec our tl a yt hedogsas l eep.Thehor s eswer e s t andi ngi nt hes t abl esandont her oofs att hepi geonsf as t as l eep,wi t ht hei rheadsundert hei rwi ngs .Andwhenhec ame i nt ot hepal ac e,t hefl i eswer es l eepi ngont hewal l s ,t hes pi twas s t andi ngs t i l l ,t hebut l erhadt hej ugofal eathi sl i ps ,t hemai d s atwi t hac hi c k eni nherl apr eadyt obepl uc k edandt hec ooki n t hek i t c henwasst i l l hol di ngupherhand,asi fs hewasgoi ngt o beatt heboy .
Thenhewentons t i l l f ar t her ,andal l wass os t i l l t hathec oul d hearev er ybr eat hhedr ew.Atl as thec amet ot heol dt owerand openedt hedooroft hel i t t l er oom i nwhi c ht hepr i nc es swasand t her es hel a y ,f as tas l eeponac ouc hbyt hewi ndow.Shel ook ed s obeaut i f ul t hathec oul dnott ak ehi sey esoffher ,s ohe s t o op edd owna ndg av ehe rak i s s .
Bu tt h emo me nth ek i s s e dh er ,s h eo pe ne dh ere y e sa nd a wok e ,s mi l eduponhi m andt he ywentoutt oget her .Soont he k i nga ndqu ee nal s oa wok eandal l t h ec o ur ta ndg az e donea c h ot herwi t hgr eatwonder .Andt hehor s ess hookt hems el v es ,t he dogsj umpedupandbar k e d,t hepi geonst ookt hei rheadsf r om undert hei rwi ngsandl ook edaboutandfl ewi nt ot hefi el ds ,t he fl i esont hewal l sbuz zedagai n,t hefi r ei nt hek i t c henbl az edup, r oundwentt hes pi t ,wi t ht hegoos ef ort hek i ng’ sdi nneruponi t ; t hebut l erfi ni s hedhi sdr i nkofal e,t hemai dwentonpl uc ki ng t hef owl andt hec ookga v et hebo yt hebo xonhi sear .
Thepr i nc eandt hepr i nc es swer emar r i ed,t her ewasa t r emendousweddi ngf eas tandt heyl i v edhappi l yt oget herf or t her es toft hei rl i v es .
JACK
AND THE BEANSTALK
T ex ts i z e:A-AA+
Onc euponat i met her ewasapoorwi dowwhol i v edi nal i t t l e c ot t agewi t hheronl ys onJ ac k. J ac kwasagi ddy ,t hought l es sboy ,butv er yki ndhear t ed andaffec t i onat e.Ther ehadbeenahar dwi nt er ,andaf t eri tt he poorwomanhads uff er edf r om f e v er .J ac kdi dnowor kasy e t , andt he ygr ewdr eadf ul l ypoor .Thewi dows awt hatt her ewasno meansofk eepi ngJ ac kandher s el ff r om s t ar v at i onbutby s el l i ngherc ow;s oonemor ni ngs hes ai dt ohers on,“ Iam t oo weakt ogomy s el f ,J ac k ,s oy oumus tt ak et hec owt omar k e tf or me,ands el l her . ” J ac kl i k edgoi ngt omar k ett os el l t hec owv er ymuc h;butas h ewa sont h ewa y ,h eme tab ut c h erwh oh ads o meb ea ut i f u l beansi nhi shand.J ac ks t oppedt ol ookatt hem,andt he but c hert ol dt heboyt hatt heywer eofgr eatv al ue,and per s uadedhi mt os el l t hec owf ort hem.AndJ ac kwass os i l l y ast oagr eet ot hi sf ool i s hbar gai n.
Wh enheb r oug htt h em ho met oh i smo t heri ns t ea do ft h e mo ne ys hee x pec t edf orherni c ec ow,s h ewasv e r ya ngr yand s hedmanyt ear s ,s col di ngJ ac kf orhi sf ol l y .Hewasv er ysor r y ; but ,hes ai d,hemi ghtaswel l mak et hebes tofi t ,s oheputt he
s eedbeansi nt ot hegr oundc l os ebyt hes i deoft hes t eephi l l unders hel t erofwhi c ht hei rc ot t agewasbui l t ,andwentt obed. Thene x tmor ni n gwh enheg otu p,h ef ou ndt hatt h eb ea ns hadgr own,t i l l t hebeans t al k sr eac hedr i ghtov ert het opoft he hi l l ,andwer el os tt ohi ss i ght .Gr eat l ys ur pr i s ed,hec al l edhi s mot her ,andt heybot hgaz edi ns i l entwonderatt hebeans t al k , whi c hwasnotonl yofgr eathei ght ,butwast hi c kenought obear J ac k’ swei ght .
“ Iwonderwher ei tgoes ?”s ai dJ ac kt ohi smot her ;“ It hi nkI wi l l c l i mbupands ee. ”
Hi smot herwi s hedhi m nott ogoupt hi ss t r angel adder ,but J ac kcoax edhert oagr eet ot heat t empt ,f orhewass ur et her e mus tbes omet hi ngwonder f ul i nt hebeans t al k . J ac ki ns t ant l ybegant oc l i mb,andwentupandupont he l adder l i k ebeant i l l ev er yt hi nghehadl ef tbehi ndhi m,t he c ot t age,t hev i l l age,andev ent het al l c hur c ht ower ,l ook edqui t e l i t t l e,ands t i l l hedi dnots eet het opoft hebeans t al k .
J ac kf el tal i t t l et i r ed,andt houghtf oramomentt hathe woul dgobac kagai n;buthewasav e r yper s e v er i ngbo y ,and hek newt hatt hewayt os uc c eedi nany t hi ngi snott ogi v eup. Soaf t err es t i ngf oramomenthewenton,andatl as tr eac hed t het opoft hebean,andf oundhi ms el fi nabeaut i f ul c ount r y ,
fi nel ywooded;andnotf arf r om t hepl ac ewher ehehadgo toff t hebeans t al kst oodafi neands t r ongc as t l e. J a c kwond er e dv e r ymuc ht ha th eh adne v e rh ea r do for s eent hi sc as t l ebef or e;butwhenher efl ec t edont hes ubj ec t ,he s awt hati twasasmuc hs epar at edf r om t hev i l l agebyt he per pendi c ul arr oc konwhi c hi ts t oodasi fi twer ei nanot her l and. Whi l eJ ac kwass t andi ngl ook i ngatt hec as t l e,av er y s t r a ng el o ok i n gwo ma nc a meou to ft h ewo odan da dv a n c ed t o war d sh i m. J ac kt ookoffhi shatt ot heol dl ady ,ands hes ai d,poi nt i ng t ot hec as t l e,“ Boy ,t hatc as t l ebel ongst oy ou.Awi c k edgi ant k i l l edy ourf at her ,andt ooki tf r om y ourmot her ;t r yandwi ni t ba c kf r om t h emon s t erwh on owh asi t . ”Ass h ec e as e d s peak i ngs hes uddenl yd i s appear ed,andofc our s eJ ac kk n ew s hewasaf ai r y .
Hewa smu c hs u r p r i s e d;ho we v er ,hewa l k e dupt ot he c as t l edoorandk noc k e d,andanol dgi ant es sc ameout .She di dnotwai tt i l l hes pok e,butpul l edhi mi natonc e,f ors he t ho ug hth ewo ul dmak eani c es uppe rf o rh erwhenherhu s band wasas l eep.J us tatt hatmoment ,howev er ,s hehear dt hegi ant ’ s
s t epappr oac hi ng,s os heputJ ac ki nt oapr es s,andt ol dhi mt o hi det her e,ort hegi antwoul deathi m.Ass oonast heOgr e c amei n,hec r i edi nat er r i bl ev oi c e “ Fee,f a,fi e,f o,f um, Is mel l t hebr eat hofanEngl i s hman. ” “ Oh! ”s ai dhi swi f e,“ t her ei snobodyher e.Youonl ysmel l a c r owt hati sfly i ngov ert hec hi mney . ”Thent hegi ants atdownt o di nner ,whi c hwasqui t er eady ,andwhenhehadeat enawhol e s heep,hes ai d,“ Br i ngmemyhen. ” Thegi ant es sbr oughtahen,andputi tont het abl ebef or e h i m,a ndt h ens hewe nta wa y .
“ Lay , ”s ai dt hegi antt ot hehen,ands hel ai dagol denegg. J ac kc oul ds eequi t epl ai nl yt hr oughal i t t l ehol ewhi c hhehad bor edi nt hedoor .Thr eet i mest hegi ants ai d“ Lay , ”andeac h t i met hehenl ai das ol i dgol degg.Thent heOgr e,bei ngdr ows y , s huthi sey es ,ands oons nor edv er yl oudl y .
Di r ec t l yJac kf oundt hatt hegi antwasas l eep,hes t ol eout oft hepr es s ,c aughtupt hehen,r anoutoft her oom,openedt he dooroft hec as t l e,whi c ht hegi anthadl ef ts l i ght l yopen,and c l i mbeddownt hebeans t al kasf as tashec oul dgo. Hi smo t herwasgl adt os eehi m ag ai n,andmuc hs ur pr i s ed ats eei ngt hehen,whi c hl ai dt hem t hr eegol deggsev er yday . J ac k ’ smot hert ookt hem t ot hene x tt ownands ol dt hem,and s oongr e w qui t er i c h.Somet i meaf t er war dsJ ac kmadeano t her j our neyupt hebeans t al kt ot hegi ant ’ sc as t l e;butfi r s thedy ed hi shai randdi s gui s edhi ms el f . Th eo l dwo ma nd i dno tk n owh i ma ga i n ,a nddr a gg edh i mi n ass h ehaddonebef or et oeathi mb y andb y ;butonc emor e s hehear dherhus bandc omi ngandhi dhi mi nt hepr es s ,no t t hi nk i ngt hati twast hes amebo ywhohads t ol ent hehen.She puthi mi nt ot hes amepr es s ,andt ol dhi ms t ayqui t es t i l l t her e, ort hegi antwoul deathi m. Thent hegi antc amei n,s ay i ng: “ Fee,f a,fi e,f o,f um, Is mel l t hebr eat hofanEngl i s hman. ” “ Oh! ”s ai dhi swi f e,“ i ti sonl yt hec owher d,whohasj us t beenher e.Wec annots par ehi mf ory ourdi nner . ”
The nt h eg i a nts a tdo wn,an dwhe nh eha dea t enh al fano x , het ol dhi swi f et obr i nghi smoney bagst ohi m.Shei ns t ant l y wentandf et c hedt wol ar gebagsf ul l ofgol d;andt henl ef thi mt o goaboutherus ual hous ewor k . TheOgr ec ount edoutt hegol dt wi c eov er ,andt henputi t i nt ot hebagsandt i edt hem up.I naf ewmi nut esJ ac khear dhi m s nor e.Hedi r ec t l ycr eptoutoft hepr es s,gr abbedt hebags ,and hur r y i ngoutoft hec as t l e,c ar r i edt hem homequi t es af el y .
J ac k ’ smo t herwasgl adt os eehi ms af eathomeagai n,and f oral ongt i mes hewoul dnotl ethi m goupt hebeans t al k ;but J a c kk ne wh eh adno ty e tob ey e dt hef ai r y ’ sc omma ndt owi n bac kt hec as t l e,s oaf t erat i mehes etoffonc emor eont hi s adv ent ur e,andt appedagai natt hec as t l edoor .
Thegi ant es s ,whowasv er ys t upi d,di dnotr ec ogni s ehi m agai n,buts hes t oppedami nut ebef or es het ookhi mi n.She f ear edanot herr obber y ;butJ ac k’ sf r es hc heek sl ook eds o t empt i ngt hats hec oul dnotr es i s thi m,ands os het ol dhi m comei n. Butatt hatmoments hehear dherhus band’ ss t ep appr oac hi ng. Af r ai dofl os i nghers upper ,t heOgr es satonc es hutJ ac ki n t hepr es s ;andshehadhar dl yh i ddenhi m whent hegi antc ame i n,s ay i ngasus ual , “ Fee,f a,fi e,f o,f um, “ Is mel l t hebl oodofanEngl i s hman. ” “ Ohno! ”s ai dhi swi f e,“ i ti sonl yt hes hepher d,whohas beenupwi t has heepf ory ourdi nner . ” Thegi antsatdown,andwhenhehadeat enawhol esheep hes ai d,“ Is houl dl i k es omemus i c ;br i ngmemyhar p. ” TheOgr es swentandbr oughtagol denhar pt ohi m,s eti t ont het abl e,andwentaway .Thent heOgr es ai d,“ Pl ay , ”t ot he har p,andi tpl ay eds odel i ght f ul l yt hatJ ac kwaschar med.
By andby ,howev er ,t hegi ants nor eds ol oudt hathec oul d notheart hemus i c ;andJ ac kqui c kl yst ol eout ,ands ei z i ngt he har p,r anawaywi t hi t .Butt hehar pwasaf ai r ybel ongi ngt ot he gi ant ,andasJ ac kr an,i tc r i edout ,“ Mas t er !Mas t er ! ”Thegi ant wok eups l owl yandr us hedaf t erJ ac k ,butt hebo ywasv er y ni mb l ean do ut r anh i m.Youma yi mag i neho wf as tJ a c kwe nt downt hebeans t al kt hi st i me,hear i ngal l t hewhi l et het r ampof t hegi ant ’ sf eetbehi ndhi m.
J us tasher eac hedt hebo t t om hes a wt heOgr el ook i ng downonhi m. Thene x tmomenthi sgr eatf eetwer eont hebeans t al k . “ Mot her ,mot her !br i ngmet heax e, ”c r i edJ ac k.
Hi smot herhur r i edwi t hi t ,andj us tast hegi antwashal fway downt hebeans t al k ,J ac ks uc ceededi nc hoppi ngi ti nhal v es ; t hel owerhal ff el l ;t heupperhal fs wungaway ,andt hegi ant , l os i nghi shol d,f el l heav i l yt ot hegr oundonhi sheadandbr ok e hi snec k .
