Jack and the beanstalk - Beanstalk Baker
Jack lived on a tiny farm with his mama. Their crops weren't growing well, and they barely had enough food. One day, Jack's mama sent him to the market to sell their only cow for some money to buy food. Jack was sad, but he walked to the market with the cow. On the way, he met a strange old man with a twinkle in his eye. The man offered Jack a handful of beautiful, sparkling beans in exchange for the cow. Jack wasn't sure what to do. The beans looked amazing, but they didn't seem like they'd help them eat. Still, his stomach was rumbling, and he didn't know what else to do. So, he traded the cow for the beans. Jack hurried home, worried about what his mama would say. But when she saw the beans, her eyes lit up! "These might be magic beans, Jack!" she said excitedly. That night, they planted the beans next to their cottage and watered them carefully. Jack couldn't sleep all night, wondering what would happen. The next morning, he peeked out the window and gasped. A giant beanstalk, the colors of all his favorite candies, stretched as high as the clouds! It looked so fun to climb, Jack couldn't resist. He grabbed a rope and started climbing. Up, up, and up he went, past fluffy clouds and fields of flowers. Finally, he reached a platform made of gingerbread that led to a giant castle made of white chocolate! It smelled like the most delicious cake Jack had ever imagined. Taking a deep breath, Jack entered the castle. A booming voice echoed, "Someone's here! What a tasty surprise!" A giant with skin like bread dough and a booming laugh came out. He wore a chef's hat and an apron covered in colorful sprinkles. "Don't worry, little sprout!" the giant boomed. "I'm Bartholomew, but everyone calls me Bart. You must be the one climbing my beanstalk!" Jack was a bit scared, but he explained his situation – the bad crops, the hungry bellies, and the hope the magic beans brought. Bart listened and didn't seem angry at all. In fact, he looked kind of sad. He sat Jack down and gave him a giant piece of chocolate cake. "I bake the most amazing treats," Bart said, "but nobody shares them with me!" Jack felt sorry for Bart. So, they spent the whole day baking together in Bart's incredible kitchen. They made gingerbread houses, candy animals, and a giant cake with swirly frosting. When the sun started to set, Jack knew it was time to go home. Bart, happy to have had a friend for the day, filled Jack's pockets with delicious treats and a single, special bean. "Plant this if you ever want to visit again," Bart boomed. Jack climbed down the beanstalk, excited to share everything with his mama. When he got home, his mama smiled so wide! They had enough food to last a while, and the treats from Bart smelled incredible. News of Jack's adventure spread quickly. People came from all around to taste Bart's amazing treats. Jack and his mama started a small bakery, selling Bart's creations and telling everyone about the kind giant who loved to bake. And Jack never forgot his promise. He planted the special bean, and soon, another beanstalk reached towards the sky. This time, he brought baskets of fresh bread and cheese to share with Bart. Their friendship grew stronger with every visit, proving that even the smallest bean could lead to the sweetest adventures.