age; cruel boy! I have not money to buy even a bit of
bread, and we must now sell the cow. I am grieved to part with her, but
I cannot see you starve."

Jack felt some remorse, but having less affection for the cow than his
mother had, he drove her to the nearest market town, where he met a
butcher, who made a very curious offer for her. "Your cow," said he,
"you young prodigal dog! is worth nothing; you have starved her until
she would disgrace the shambles; and, as to milk, no wonder that you and
your mother have been starving while you were depending upon that
supply. One _ill_ turn deserves another, and receives it just as surely
as one _good_ turn deserves another. But you shall not take back the cow
to perish with hunger. I have got some beans in my pocket; they are the
oddest I ever saw, not one of them being, either in colour or shape,
like another; if you will take them in exchange for the cow, you may
have them."

The silly boy could not conceal the pleasure he felt at the offer. The
bargain was struck, and the cow exchanged for a few paltry beans. Jack
made the best of his way home, calling to his mother before he reached
the house, thinking to surprise her. When she saw the beans and heard
Jack's story, her patience quite forsook her; she kicked the beans away
in a passion; they flew in all directions--some were scattered in the
garden. Not having anything to eat, they both went supperless to bed.

Jack awoke early in the morning, and, seeing something uncommon in the
garden, soon discovered that some of the beans had taken root and sprung
up surprisingly; the stalks were of great thickness, and had so entwined
that they formed a ladder, nearly like a chain in appearance.

Looking upwards, he could not discern the top; it appeared to be lost in
the clouds. He tried the beanstalks, found them firm and not to be
shaken. He quickly formed the resolution of climbing to the top to seek
his fortune, and ran to communicate his intention to his mother, not
doubting but she would be equally pleased with himself. 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 fatigued. Looking around, he found himself in a strange
country. It appeared to be a desert, quite barren--not a tree, shrub,
house, or living creature to be seen.

Jack seated himself upon a stone, a