×

We use cookies to help make LingQ better. By visiting the site, you agree to our cookie policy.


image

Favorite Fairy Tales, JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK

JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK

IN the days of King Alfred there lived a poor woman whose cottage was in a remote country village many miles from London. She had been a widow some years, and had an only child named Jack, whom she indulged so much that he never paid the least attention to anything she said, but was indolent, careless, and extravagant. His follies were not owing to a bad disposition, but to his mother's foolish partiality. By degrees he spent all that she had—scarcely anything remained but a cow.

One day, for the first time in her life, she reproached him: “Cruel, cruel boy! you have at last brought me to beggary. I have not money enough to purchase even 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 loosely thrown together.

Jack seated himself pensively upon a block of stone and thought of his mother; he reflected with sorrow upon his disobedience in climbing the bean-stalk against her will, and concluded that he must die of hunger. However, he walked on, hoping to see a house where he might beg something to eat and drink. He did not find it; but he saw at a distance a beautiful lady, walking all alone. She was elegantly clad and carried a white wand, at the top of which sat a peacock of pure gold.

Jack, who was a gallant fellow, went straight up to her, when, with a bewitching smile, she asked him how he came there. He told her all about the bean-stalk. The lady answered him by a question, “Do you remember your father, young man?”

“No, madam; but I am sure there is some mystery about him, for when I name him to my mother she always begins to weep, and will tell me nothing.”

“She dare not,” replied the lady, “but I can and will. For know, young man, that I am a fairy and was your father's guardian. But fairies are bound by laws as well as mortals, and by an error of mine I lost my power for a term of years, so that I was unable to succour your father when he most needed it, and he died.” Here the fairy looked so sorrowful that Jack's heart warmed to her, and he begged her earnestly to tell him more. “I will; only you must promise to obey me in everything, or you will perish yourself.”

Jack was brave, and, besides, his fortunes were so bad they could not well be worse, so he promised.

The fairy continued: “Your father, Jack, was a most excellent, amiable, generous man. He had a good wife, faithful servants, plenty of money; but he had one misfortune—a false friend. This was a giant, whom he had succoured in misfortune, and who returned his kindness by murdering him, and seizing on all his property; also making your mother take a solemn oath that she would never tell you anything about your father, or he would murder both her and you. Then he turned her off with you in her arms, to wander about the wide world as she might. I could not help her, as my power only returned on the day you went to sell your cow.

“It was I,” added the fairy, “who impelled you to take the beans, who made the bean-stalk grow, and inspired you with the desire to climb up it to this strange country; for it is here the wicked giant lives who was your father's destroyer. It is you who must avenge him, and rid the world of a monster who never will do anything but evil. I will assist you. You may lawfully take possession of his house and all his riches, for everything he has belonged to your father, and is therefore yours. Now farewell! Do not let your mother know you are acquainted with your father's history. This is my command, and if you disobey me you will suffer for it. Now go.”

Jack asked where he was to go.

“Along the direct road till you see the house where the giant lives. You must then act according to your own just judgment, and I will guide you if any difficulty arises. Farewell!”

She bestowed on the youth a benignant smile, and vanished.

Jack pursued his journey. He walked on till after sunset, when to his great joy, he espied a large mansion. A plain-looking woman was at the door; he accosted her, begging she would give him a morsel of bread and a night's lodging. She expressed the greatest surprise, and said it was quite uncommon to see a human being near their house; for it was well known that her husband was a powerful giant, who would never eat anything but human flesh, if he could possibly get it; that he would walk fifty miles to procure it, usually being out the whole day for that purpose.

This account greatly terrified Jack, but still he hoped to elude the giant, and therefore he again entreated the woman to take him in for one night only, and hide him where she thought proper. She at last suffered herself to be persuaded, for she was of a compassionate and generous disposition, and took him into the house. First they entered a fine large hall magnificently furnished; they then passed through several spacious rooms in the same style of grandeur; but all appeared forsaken and desolate. A long gallery came next; it was very dark—just light enough to show that, instead of a wall on one side, there was a grating of iron which parted off a dismal dungeon, from whence issued the groans of those victims whom the cruel giant reserved in confinement for his own voracious appetite.

Poor Jack was half dead with fear, and would have given the world to have been with his mother again, for he now began to doubt if he should ever see her more; he even mistrusted the good woman, and thought she had let him into the house for no other purpose than to lock him up among the unfortunate people in the dungeon. However, she bade Jack sit down, and gave him plenty to eat and drink; and he, not seeing anything to make him uncomfortable, soon forgot his fear and was just beginning to enjoy himself, when he was startled by a loud knocking at the outer door, which made the whole house shake.

“Ah! that's the giant; and if he sees you he will kill you and me, too,” cried the poor woman, trembling all over. “What shall I do?”

“Hide me in the oven,” cried Jack, now as bold as a lion at the thought of being face to face with his father's cruel murderer. So he crept into the oven—for there was no fire near it—and listened to the giant's loud voice and heavy step as he went up and down the kitchen scolding his wife. At last he seated himself at table, and Jack, peeping through a crevice in the oven, was amazed to see what a quantity of food he devoured. It seemed as if he never would have done eating and drinking; but he did at last, and, leaning back, called to his wife in a voice like thunder:

“Bring me my hen!”

She obeyed, and placed upon the table a very beautiful live hen.

“Lay!” roared the giant, and the hen laid immediately an egg of solid gold.

“Lay another!” and every time the giant said this the hen laid a larger egg than before.

He amused himself a long time with his hen, and then sent his wife to bed, while he fell asleep by the fireside and snored like the roaring of cannon.

As soon as he was asleep Jack crept out of the oven, seized the hen, and ran off with her. He got safely out of the house, and, finding his way along the road he came, reached the top of the bean-stalk, which he descended in safety.

His mother was overjoyed to see him. She thought he had come to some ill end.

“Not a bit of it, mother. Look here!” and he showed her the hen. “Now lay,” and the hen obeyed him as readily as the giant, and laid as many golden eggs as he desired.

These eggs being sold, Jack and his mother got plenty of money, and for some months lived very happily together, till Jack got another great longing to climb the bean-stalk and carry away some more of the giant's riches. He had told his mother of his adventure, but had been very careful not to say a word about his father. He thought of his journey again and again, but still he could not summon resolution enough to break it to his mother, being well assured that she would endeavor to prevent his going. However, one day he told her boldly that he must take another journey up the bean-stalk. She begged and prayed him not to think of it, and tried all in her power to dissuade him; she told him that the giant's wife would certainly know him again, and that the giant would desire nothing better than to get him into his power, that he might put him to a cruel death, in order to be revenged for the loss of his hen. Jack, finding that all his arguments were useless, ceased speaking, though resolved to go at all events. He had a dress prepared which would disguise him, and something to color his skin; he thought it impossible for any one to recollect him in this dress.

A few mornings after he rose very early, and, unperceived by any one, climbed the bean-stalk a second time. He was greatly fatigued when he reached the top, and very hungry. Having rested some time on one of the stones, he pursued his journey to the giant's mansion, which he reached late in the evening. The woman was at the door as before. Jack addressed her, at the same time telling her a pitiful tale, and requesting that she would give him some victuals and drink, and also a night's lodging. She told him (what he knew before very well) about her husband's being a powerful and cruel giant, and also that she had one night admitted a poor, hungry, friendless boy; that the little ungrateful fellow had stolen one of the giant's treasures, and ever since that her husband had been worse than before, using her very cruelly, and continually upbraiding her with being the cause of his misfortune. Jack felt sorry for her, but confessed nothing, and did his best to persuade her to admit him, but found it a very hard task. At last she consented, and as she led the way, Jack observed that everything was just as he had found it before. She took him into the kitchen, and after he had done eating and drinking, she hid him in an old lumber-closet. The giant returned at the usual time, and walked in so heavily that the house was shaken to its foundation. He seated himself by the fire, and soon after exclaimed, “Wife, I smell fresh meat!”

The wife replied it was the crows which had brought a piece of raw meat and left it at the top of the house. While supper was preparing, the giant was very ill-tempered and impatient, frequently lifting up his hand to strike his wife for not being quick enough. He was also continually upbraiding her with the loss of his wonderful hen.

At last, having ended his supper, he cried, “Give me something to amuse me—my harp or my money-bags.”

“Which will you have, my dear?” said the wife, humbly.

“My money-bags, because they are the heaviest to carry,” thundered he.

She brought them, staggering under the weight—two bags, one filled with new guineas and the other with new shillings. She emptied them out on the table, and the giant began counting them in great glee. “Now you may go to bed, you old fool.” So the wife crept away.

Jack from his hiding-place watched the counting of the money, which he knew was his poor father's, and wished it was his own; it would give him much less trouble than going about selling the golden eggs. The giant, little thinking he was so narrowly observed, reckoned it all up, and then replaced it in the two bags, which he tied up very carefully and put beside his chair, with his little dog to guard them.

At last he fell asleep as before, and snored so loud that Jack compared his noise to the roaring of the sea in a high wind, when the tide is coming in. At last Jack, concluding all secure, stole out, in order to carry off the two bags of money; but just as he laid his hand upon one of them, the little dog, which he had not perceived before, started from under the giant's chair and barked most furiously. Instead of endeavoring to escape, Jack stood still, though expecting his enemy to awake every instant.

Contrary, however, to his expectation, the giant continued in a sound sleep, and Jack, seeing a piece of meat, threw it to the dog, who at once ceased barking and began to devour it. So Jack carried off the bags, one on each shoulder, but they were so heavy that it took him two whole days to descend the bean-stalk and get back to his mother's door. When he came he found the cottage deserted. He ran from one room to another without being able to find any one; he then hastened into the village, hoping to see some of the neighbors, who could inform him where he could find his mother. An old woman at last directed him to a neighboring house, where she was ill of a fever. He was greatly shocked at finding her apparently dying, and blamed himself bitterly as the cause of it all. However, at sight of her dear son, the poor woman revived and slowly recovered her health. Jack gave her his two money-bags. They had the cottage rebuilt and well furnished, and lived happier than they had ever done before.

For three years Jack heard no more of the bean-stalk, but he could not forget it, though he feared making his mother unhappy. It was in vain endeavoring to amuse himself; he became thoughtful, and would arise at the first dawn of day, and sit looking at the bean-stalk for hours together. His mother saw that something preyed upon his mind, and endeavored to discover the cause; but Jack knew too well what the consequence would be should she succeed. He did his utmost, therefore, to conquer the great desire he had for another journey up the bean-stalk. Finding, however, that his inclination grew too powerful for him, he began to make secret preparations for his journey. He prepared a new disguise, better and more complete than the former, and when summer came, on the longest day he awoke as soon as it was light, and, without telling his mother, ascended the bean-stalk. He found the road, journey, etc., much as it was on the two former times. He arrived at the giant's mansion in the evening, and found the wife standing, as usual, at the door. Jack had disguised himself so completely that she did not appear to have the least recollection of him; however, when he pleaded hunger and poverty, in order to gain admittance, he found it very difficult indeed to persuade her. At last he prevailed, and was concealed in the copper. When the giant returned he said, furiously, “I smell fresh meat!” But Jack felt quite composed, since the giant had said this before and had been soon satisfied. However, the giant started up suddenly, and, notwithstanding all his wife could say, he searched all round the room. While this was going forward Jack was exceedingly terrified, wishing himself at home a thousand times; but when the giant approached the copper and put his hand upon the lid, Jack thought his death was certain.

But nothing happened; for the giant did not take the trouble to lift up the lid, but sat down shortly by the fireside and began to eat his enormous supper. When he had finished he commanded his wife to fetch down his harp. Jack peeped under the copper-lid and saw a most beautiful harp. The giant placed it on the table, said “Play!” and it played of its own accord, without anybody touching it, the most exquisite music imaginable. Jack, who was a very good musician, was delighted, and more anxious to get this than any other of his enemy's treasures. But the giant not being particularly fond of music, the harp had only the effect of lulling him to sleep earlier than usual. As for the wife, she had gone to bed as soon as ever she could.

As soon as he thought all was safe, Jack got out of the copper, and, seizing the harp, was eagerly running off with it. But the harp was enchanted by a fairy, and as soon as it found itself in strange hands it called out loudly, just as if it had been alive, “Master! Master!”

The giant awoke, started up, and saw Jack scampering away as fast as his legs could carry him.

“Oh, you villain! it is you who have robbed me of my hen and my money-bags, and now you are stealing my harp also. Wait till I catch you and I'll eat you up alive!” “Very well: try!” shouted Jack, who was not a bit afraid, for he saw the giant was so tipsy he could hardly stand, much less run; and he himself had young legs and a clear conscience, which carry a man a long way. So, after leading the giant a considerable race, he contrived to be first at the top of the bean-stalk, and then scrambled down it as fast as he could, the harp playing all the while the most melancholy music till he said “Stop,” and it stopped.

Arrived at the bottom, he found his mother sitting at her cottage door weeping silently.

“Here, mother, don't cry; just give me a hatchet—make haste.” For he knew there was not a moment to spare; he saw the giant beginning to descend the bean-stalk. But the monster was too late—his ill deeds had come to an end. Jack with his hatchet cut the bean-stalk close off at the root. The giant fell headlong into the garden, and was killed on the spot.

Instantly the fairy appeared and explained everything to Jack's mother, begging her to forgive Jack, who was his father's own son for bravery and generosity, and who would be sure to make her happy for the rest of her days. So all ended well, and nothing was ever more heard or seen of the wonderful bean-stalk.

JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK ДЖЕК І БОБОВЕ СТЕБЛО

IN the days of King Alfred there lived a poor woman whose cottage was in a remote country village many miles from London. За часів короля Альфреда жила бідна жінка, котедж якої знаходився у віддаленому селі за багато миль від Лондона. She had been a widow some years, and had an only child named Jack, whom she indulged so much that he never paid the least attention to anything she said, but was indolent, careless, and extravagant. Вона вже кілька років була вдовою і мала єдину дитину на ім'я Джек, якого вона так балувала, що він ніколи не звертав ані найменшої уваги на те, що вона говорила, але був ледачим, недбалим і екстравагантним. His follies were not owing to a bad disposition, but to his mother's foolish partiality. Його безумства були не через погану вдачу, а через нерозумну упередженість його матері. By degrees he spent all that she had—scarcely anything remained but a cow. Поступово він витратив усе, що в неї було, - майже нічого не залишилося, окрім корови.

One day, for the first time in her life, she reproached him: “Cruel, cruel boy! Одного разу, вперше в житті, вона дорікнула йому: "Жорстокий, жорстокий хлопчисько! you have at last brought me to beggary. ти нарешті довів мене до жебрацтва. I have not money enough to purchase even 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. Мені шкода розлучатися з нею, це дуже засмучує мене, але ми не можемо померти з голоду". Кілька хвилин Джек відчував докори сумління, але незабаром вони минули, і він почав просити матір дозволити йому продати корову в сусідньому селі, так дражнився з нею, що вона нарешті погодилася.

As he was going along he met a butcher, who inquired why he was driving the cow from home? Дорогою він зустрів м'ясника, який поцікавився, чому він виганяє корову з дому? 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. Джек намагався якнайшвидше дістатися додому, голосно покликавши матір, перш ніж дійти до дверей, думаючи зробити їй сюрприз.

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. Коли вона побачила боби і почула розповідь Джека, її терпіння остаточно увірвалося; вона викинула боби у вікно, де вони впали на грядку внизу. 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. Джек був авантюрним хлопцем; він вирішив піднятися на вершину і побіг розповісти про це матері, не сумніваючись, що вона зрадіє не менше, ніж він сам. 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. Джек вирушив у дорогу, і після кількагодинного підйому дістався до верхівки бобового стебла геть виснажений. 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 loosely thrown together. Озирнувшись, він побачив, що опинився в дивній країні: це була безплідна пустеля - ні дерева, ні куща, ні будинку, ні живої істоти; тут і там були розкидані уламки каменю, а на неоднакових відстанях були накидані невеликі купи землі.

Jack seated himself pensively upon a block of stone and thought of his mother; he reflected with sorrow upon his disobedience in climbing the bean-stalk against her will, and concluded that he must die of hunger. Джек задумливо сів на кам'яну брилу і подумав про свою матір; він з сумом згадав, як не послухався її, вилізши на бобове стебло проти її волі, і дійшов висновку, що повинен померти від голоду. However, he walked on, hoping to see a house where he might beg something to eat and drink. He did not find it; but he saw at a distance a beautiful lady, walking all alone. She was elegantly clad and carried a white wand, at the top of which sat a peacock of pure gold. Вона була елегантно вбрана і тримала білу паличку, на верхівці якої сидів павич з чистого золота.

Jack, who was a gallant fellow, went straight up to her, when, with a bewitching smile, she asked him how he came there. He told her all about the bean-stalk. The lady answered him by a question, “Do you remember your father, young man?”

“No, madam; but I am sure there is some mystery about him, for when I name him to my mother she always begins to weep, and will tell me nothing.”

“She dare not,” replied the lady, “but I can and will. "Вона не сміє, - відповіла жінка, - а я можу і буду". For know, young man, that I am a fairy and was your father's guardian. Знай, юначе, що я фея і була берегинею твого батька. But fairies are bound by laws as well as mortals, and by an error of mine I lost my power for a term of years, so that I was unable to succour your father when he most needed it, and he died.” Here the fairy looked so sorrowful that Jack's heart warmed to her, and he begged her earnestly to tell him more. Але феї так само, як і смертні, підкоряються законам, і через свою помилку я втратила свою силу на кілька років, тому не змогла допомогти твоєму батькові, коли він найбільше цього потребував, і він помер." Тут фея виглядала такою сумною, що серце Джека потеплішало до неї, і він щиро попросив її розповісти йому більше. “I will; only you must promise to obey me in everything, or you will perish yourself.” "Я зроблю це, але ти повинен пообіцяти, що будеш слухатися мене в усьому, інакше сам загинеш".

Jack was brave, and, besides, his fortunes were so bad they could not well be worse, so he promised. Джек був хоробрим, і, крім того, його доля була настільки поганою, що гірше вже бути не могло, тому він пообіцяв.

The fairy continued: “Your father, Jack, was a most excellent, amiable, generous man. He had a good wife, faithful servants, plenty of money; but he had one misfortune—a false friend. У нього була гарна дружина, вірні слуги, багато грошей, але було одне нещастя - фальшивий друг. This was a giant, whom he had succoured in misfortune, and who returned his kindness by murdering him, and seizing on all his property; also making your mother take a solemn oath that she would never tell you anything about your father, or he would murder both her and you. Це був велетень, якому він допоміг у нещасті, і який відплатив йому за доброту, вбивши його і заволодівши всім його майном, а також змусив твою матір дати урочисту клятву, що вона ніколи не розповість тобі нічого про твого батька, інакше він уб'є і її, і тебе. Then he turned her off with you in her arms, to wander about the wide world as she might. Потім він вимкнув її з тобою на руках, щоб вона могла блукати широким світом, як їй заманеться. I could not help her, as my power only returned on the day you went to sell your cow. Я не зміг їй допомогти, бо моя сила повернулася лише в той день, коли ти пішла продавати корову.

“It was I,” added the fairy, “who impelled you to take the beans, who made the bean-stalk grow, and inspired you with the desire to climb up it to this strange country; for it is here the wicked giant lives who was your father's destroyer. "Це я, - додала фея, - спонукала тебе взяти боби, це я змусила бобове стебло вирости і вселила в тебе бажання піднятися по ньому в цю дивну країну, бо саме тут живе злий велетень, який знищив твого батька". It is you who must avenge him, and rid the world of a monster who never will do anything but evil. I will assist you. You may lawfully take possession of his house and all his riches, for everything he has belonged to your father, and is therefore yours. Now farewell! Do not let your mother know you are acquainted with your father's history. This is my command, and if you disobey me you will suffer for it. Це мій наказ, і якщо ти не послухаєшся мене, то постраждаєш за це. Now go.”

Jack asked where he was to go.

“Along the direct road till you see the house where the giant lives. "По прямій дорозі, поки не побачите будинок, де живе велетень. You must then act according to your own just judgment, and I will guide you if any difficulty arises. Потім ви повинні діяти згідно з власним справедливим судженням, а я буду направляти вас, якщо виникнуть труднощі. Farewell!”

She bestowed on the youth a benignant smile, and vanished. Вона обдарувала молодих людей доброзичливою посмішкою і зникла.

Jack pursued his journey. Джек продовжував свою подорож. He walked on till after sunset, when to his great joy, he espied a large mansion. Він ішов до заходу сонця, коли, на свою велику радість, побачив великий особняк. A plain-looking woman was at the door; he accosted her, begging she would give him a morsel of bread and a night's lodging. She expressed the greatest surprise, and said it was quite uncommon to see a human being near their house; for it was well known that her husband was a powerful giant, who would never eat anything but human flesh, if he could possibly get it; that he would walk fifty miles to procure it, usually being out the whole day for that purpose. Вона висловила велике здивування і сказала, що це велика рідкість - бачити людину біля їхнього будинку; адже добре відомо, що її чоловік був могутнім велетнем, який ніколи не їв нічого, крім людського м'яса, якщо тільки міг його дістати; що він міг пройти п'ятдесят миль, щоб роздобути його, як правило, цілий день, щоб зробити це.

This account greatly terrified Jack, but still he hoped to elude the giant, and therefore he again entreated the woman to take him in for one night only, and hide him where she thought proper. She at last suffered herself to be persuaded, for she was of a compassionate and generous disposition, and took him into the house. First they entered a fine large hall magnificently furnished; they then passed through several spacious rooms in the same style of grandeur; but all appeared forsaken and desolate. Спочатку вони увійшли до прекрасної великої зали, розкішно обставленої, потім пройшли через кілька просторих кімнат у тому ж величному стилі, але всі вони здавалися занедбаними і спустошеними. A long gallery came next; it was very dark—just light enough to show that, instead of a wall on one side, there was a grating of iron which parted off a dismal dungeon, from whence issued the groans of those victims whom the cruel giant reserved in confinement for his own voracious appetite. Далі йшла довга галерея; тут було дуже темно - достатньо світло, щоб побачити, що замість стіни з одного боку - залізна решітка, яка відгороджувала похмуре підземелля, звідки долинали стогони жертв, яких жорстокий велетень тримав в ув'язненні для задоволення власного ненажерливого апетиту.

Poor Jack was half dead with fear, and would have given the world to have been with his mother again, for he now began to doubt if he should ever see her more; he even mistrusted the good woman, and thought she had let him into the house for no other purpose than to lock him up among the unfortunate people in the dungeon. Бідолашний Джек був напівмертвий від страху і віддав би все на світі, щоб знову опинитися з матір'ю, бо тепер він почав сумніватися, чи побачить її коли-небудь; він навіть не довіряв добрій жінці і думав, що вона впустила його в дім з єдиною метою - замкнути його серед нещасних людей у підземеллі. However, she bade Jack sit down, and gave him plenty to eat and drink; and he, not seeing anything to make him uncomfortable, soon forgot his fear and was just beginning to enjoy himself, when he was startled by a loud knocking at the outer door, which made the whole house shake. Однак вона дозволила Джеку сісти і дала йому багато їжі та пиття, і він, не бачачи нічого, що могло б його збентежити, незабаром забув про свій страх і тільки-но почав насолоджуватися життям, як його злякав гучний стукіт у зовнішні двері, від якого здригнувся весь дім.

“Ah! that's the giant; and if he sees you he will kill you and me, too,” cried the poor woman, trembling all over. “What shall I do?”

“Hide me in the oven,” cried Jack, now as bold as a lion at the thought of being face to face with his father's cruel murderer. So he crept into the oven—for there was no fire near it—and listened to the giant's loud voice and heavy step as he went up and down the kitchen scolding his wife. At last he seated himself at table, and Jack, peeping through a crevice in the oven, was amazed to see what a quantity of food he devoured. It seemed as if he never would have done eating and drinking; but he did at last, and, leaning back, called to his wife in a voice like thunder:

“Bring me my hen!” "Принесіть мені мою курку!"

She obeyed, and placed upon the table a very beautiful live hen.

“Lay!” roared the giant, and the hen laid immediately an egg of solid gold. "Неси!" - проревів велетень, і курка одразу ж знесла яйце із чистого золота.

“Lay another!” and every time the giant said this the hen laid a larger egg than before.

He amused himself a long time with his hen, and then sent his wife to bed, while he fell asleep by the fireside and snored like the roaring of cannon.

As soon as he was asleep Jack crept out of the oven, seized the hen, and ran off with her. He got safely out of the house, and, finding his way along the road he came, reached the top of the bean-stalk, which he descended in safety. Він благополучно вийшов з дому і, знайшовши дорогу, якою прийшов, дістався до верхівки бобового стебла, з якого безпечно спустився вниз.

His mother was overjoyed to see him. She thought he had come to some ill end. Вона думала, що він прийшов до якогось поганого кінця.

“Not a bit of it, mother. "Ні, мамо, ні краплини. Look here!” and he showed her the hen. “Now lay,” and the hen obeyed him as readily as the giant, and laid as many golden eggs as he desired.

These eggs being sold, Jack and his mother got plenty of money, and for some months lived very happily together, till Jack got another great longing to climb the bean-stalk and carry away some more of the giant's riches. He had told his mother of his adventure, but had been very careful not to say a word about his father. Він розповів матері про свою пригоду, але був дуже обережний, щоб не сказати ні слова про батька. He thought of his journey again and again, but still he could not summon resolution enough to break it to his mother, being well assured that she would endeavor to prevent his going. However, one day he told her boldly that he must take another journey up the bean-stalk. She begged and prayed him not to think of it, and tried all in her power to dissuade him; she told him that the giant's wife would certainly know him again, and that the giant would desire nothing better than to get him into his power, that he might put him to a cruel death, in order to be revenged for the loss of his hen. Jack, finding that all his arguments were useless, ceased speaking, though resolved to go at all events. He had a dress prepared which would disguise him, and something to color his skin; he thought it impossible for any one to recollect him in this dress. Він приготував сукню, яка мала його замаскувати, і щось для фарбування шкіри; він думав, що ніхто не зможе згадати його в цій сукні.

A few mornings after he rose very early, and, unperceived by any one, climbed the bean-stalk a second time. He was greatly fatigued when he reached the top, and very hungry. Having rested some time on one of the stones, he pursued his journey to the giant's mansion, which he reached late in the evening. The woman was at the door as before. Jack addressed her, at the same time telling her a pitiful tale, and requesting that she would give him some victuals and drink, and also a night's lodging. Джек звернувся до неї, одночасно розповідаючи їй жалісну історію і просячи дати йому їжу і питво, а також нічліг. She told him (what he knew before very well) about her husband's being a powerful and cruel giant, and also that she had one night admitted a poor, hungry, friendless boy; that the little ungrateful fellow had stolen one of the giant's treasures, and ever since that her husband had been worse than before, using her very cruelly, and continually upbraiding her with being the cause of his misfortune. Вона розповіла йому (те, що він і раніше добре знав) про те, що її чоловік - могутній і жорстокий велетень, а також про те, що одного разу вночі вона прийняла до себе бідного, голодного, позбавленого друзів хлопчика; що маленький невдячний хлопчина вкрав один зі скарбів велетня, і з тих пір її чоловік став ще гіршим, ніж раніше, дуже жорстоко поводився з нею і постійно докоряв їй за те, що вона є причиною його нещасть. Jack felt sorry for her, but confessed nothing, and did his best to persuade her to admit him, but found it a very hard task. Джек пожалів її, але ні в чому не зізнався, і зробив все можливе, щоб переконати її визнати його, але це виявилося дуже важким завданням. At last she consented, and as she led the way, Jack observed that everything was just as he had found it before. Нарешті вона погодилася, і, коли вона вела за собою, Джек помітив, що все було так само, як він бачив раніше. She took him into the kitchen, and after he had done eating and drinking, she hid him in an old lumber-closet. Вона відвела його на кухню, а після того, як він поїв і попив, сховала в старій шафі з пиломатеріалами. The giant returned at the usual time, and walked in so heavily that the house was shaken to its foundation. Велетень повернувся у звичний час і увійшов до будинку з такою силою, що будинок затрясся до самого фундаменту. He seated himself by the fire, and soon after exclaimed, “Wife, I smell fresh meat!” Він сів біля вогнища і незабаром вигукнув: "Дружино, я відчуваю запах свіжого м'яса!"

The wife replied it was the crows which had brought a piece of raw meat and left it at the top of the house. While supper was preparing, the giant was very ill-tempered and impatient, frequently lifting up his hand to strike his wife for not being quick enough. He was also continually upbraiding her with the loss of his wonderful hen.

At last, having ended his supper, he cried, “Give me something to amuse me—my harp or my money-bags.” Нарешті, закінчивши вечерю, він вигукнув: "Дайте мені що-небудь, щоб розважити мене - мою арфу або мої мішки з грошима".

“Which will you have, my dear?” said the wife, humbly.

“My money-bags, because they are the heaviest to carry,” thundered he. "Мої сумки з грошима, бо їх найважче нести", - прогримів він.

She brought them, staggering under the weight—two bags, one filled with new guineas and the other with new shillings. Вона принесла їх, похитуючись під вагою - дві сумки, одна з яких була наповнена новими гінеями, а інша - новими шилінгами. She emptied them out on the table, and the giant began counting them in great glee. “Now you may go to bed, you old fool.” So the wife crept away. "А тепер можеш іти спати, стара дурепо." І дружина вислизнула.

Jack from his hiding-place watched the counting of the money, which he knew was his poor father's, and wished it was his own; it would give him much less trouble than going about selling the golden eggs. The giant, little thinking he was so narrowly observed, reckoned it all up, and then replaced it in the two bags, which he tied up very carefully and put beside his chair, with his little dog to guard them. Велетень, не думаючи, що за ним так пильно спостерігають, перерахував усе це, а потім склав у два мішки, які ретельно зав'язав і поклав поруч зі своїм кріслом, приставивши до них маленького песика, щоб охороняв їх.

At last he fell asleep as before, and snored so loud that Jack compared his noise to the roaring of the sea in a high wind, when the tide is coming in. Нарешті він заснув, як і раніше, і хропів так голосно, що Джек порівнював його шум з ревінням моря під час сильного вітру, коли настає приплив. At last Jack, concluding all secure, stole out, in order to carry off the two bags of money; but just as he laid his hand upon one of them, the little dog, which he had not perceived before, started from under the giant's chair and barked most furiously. Instead of endeavoring to escape, Jack stood still, though expecting his enemy to awake every instant. Замість того, щоб намагатися втекти, Джек стояв на місці, хоча щомиті очікував, що його ворог прокинеться.

Contrary, however, to his expectation, the giant continued in a sound sleep, and Jack, seeing a piece of meat, threw it to the dog, who at once ceased barking and began to devour it. Однак, всупереч його очікуванням, велетень продовжував міцно спати, і Джек, побачивши шматок м'яса, кинув його собаці, яка відразу ж перестала гавкати і почала його пожирати. So Jack carried off the bags, one on each shoulder, but they were so heavy that it took him two whole days to descend the bean-stalk and get back to his mother's door. When he came he found the cottage deserted. He ran from one room to another without being able to find any one; he then hastened into the village, hoping to see some of the neighbors, who could inform him where he could find his mother. An old woman at last directed him to a neighboring house, where she was ill of a fever. He was greatly shocked at finding her apparently dying, and blamed himself bitterly as the cause of it all. However, at sight of her dear son, the poor woman revived and slowly recovered her health. Jack gave her his two money-bags. They had the cottage rebuilt and well furnished, and lived happier than they had ever done before.

For three years Jack heard no more of the bean-stalk, but he could not forget it, though he feared making his mother unhappy. Протягом трьох років Джек більше не чув про бобове стебло, але не міг його забути, хоча й боявся засмутити матір. It was in vain endeavoring to amuse himself; he became thoughtful, and would arise at the first dawn of day, and sit looking at the bean-stalk for hours together. Марно було намагатися розважити його; він став замисленим, прокидався на світанку і годинами сидів, дивлячись на бобове стебло. His mother saw that something preyed upon his mind, and endeavored to discover the cause; but Jack knew too well what the consequence would be should she succeed. Мати бачила, що його розум не дає спокою, і намагалася з'ясувати причину, але Джек добре знав, до яких наслідків це призведе, якщо їй це вдасться. He did his utmost, therefore, to conquer the great desire he had for another journey up the bean-stalk. Тому він зробив усе можливе, щоб побороти величезне бажання ще однієї подорожі вгору по бобовому стеблу. Finding, however, that his inclination grew too powerful for him, he began to make secret preparations for his journey. He prepared a new disguise, better and more complete than the former, and when summer came, on the longest day he awoke as soon as it was light, and, without telling his mother, ascended the bean-stalk. He found the road, journey, etc., much as it was on the two former times. Він знайшов дорогу, подорож і т.д., так само, як це було і в попередні два рази. He arrived at the giant's mansion in the evening, and found the wife standing, as usual, at the door. Увечері він прибув до особняка велетня і побачив дружину, яка, як завжди, стояла біля дверей. Jack had disguised himself so completely that she did not appear to have the least recollection of him; however, when he pleaded hunger and poverty, in order to gain admittance, he found it very difficult indeed to persuade her. Джек настільки замаскувався, що вона, здавалося, не мала про нього жодних спогадів; однак, коли він почав благати про голод і злидні, щоб отримати допуск, йому було дуже важко переконати її. At last he prevailed, and was concealed in the copper. When the giant returned he said, furiously, “I smell fresh meat!” But Jack felt quite composed, since the giant had said this before and had been soon satisfied. However, the giant started up suddenly, and, notwithstanding all his wife could say, he searched all round the room. While this was going forward Jack was exceedingly terrified, wishing himself at home a thousand times; but when the giant approached the copper and put his hand upon the lid, Jack thought his death was certain. Поки все це відбувалося, Джек був надзвичайно наляканий і тисячу разів відчував себе вдома; але коли велетень підійшов до мідяка і поклав руку на кришку, Джек подумав, що його смерть неминуча.

But nothing happened; for the giant did not take the trouble to lift up the lid, but sat down shortly by the fireside and began to eat his enormous supper. Але нічого не сталося, бо велетень не потрудився підняти кришку, а сів біля вогнища і почав їсти свою величезну вечерю. When he had finished he commanded his wife to fetch down his harp. Jack peeped under the copper-lid and saw a most beautiful harp. Джек зазирнув під мідну кришку і побачив прекрасну арфу. The giant placed it on the table, said “Play!” and it played of its own accord, without anybody touching it, the most exquisite music imaginable. Jack, who was a very good musician, was delighted, and more anxious to get this than any other of his enemy's treasures. Джек, який був дуже хорошим музикантом, був у захваті і хотів отримати це більше, ніж будь-який інший скарб свого ворога. But the giant not being particularly fond of music, the harp had only the effect of lulling him to sleep earlier than usual. Але велетень не дуже любив музику, і арфа лише заколисувала його раніше, ніж зазвичай. As for the wife, she had gone to bed as soon as ever she could.

As soon as he thought all was safe, Jack got out of the copper, and, seizing the harp, was eagerly running off with it. But the harp was enchanted by a fairy, and as soon as it found itself in strange hands it called out loudly, just as if it had been alive, “Master! Але арфу зачарувала фея, і щойно вона опинилася в чужих руках, як голосно, наче жива, закричала: "Хазяїне! Master!”

The giant awoke, started up, and saw Jack scampering away as fast as his legs could carry him.

“Oh, you villain! "Ах ти, негідник! it is you who have robbed me of my hen and my money-bags, and now you are stealing my harp also. Wait till I catch you and I'll eat you up alive!” Зачекай, я зловлю тебе і з'їм живцем!" “Very well: try!” shouted Jack, who was not a bit afraid, for he saw the giant was so tipsy he could hardly stand, much less run; and he himself had young legs and a clear conscience, which carry a man a long way. "Добре, спробуй!" - вигукнув Джек, який анітрохи не боявся, бо бачив, що велетень був настільки п'яний, що ледве стояв на ногах, не кажучи вже про те, щоб бігти; а сам він мав молоді ноги і чисте сумління, які несуть людину в далекий шлях. So, after leading the giant a considerable race, he contrived to be first at the top of the bean-stalk, and then scrambled down it as fast as he could, the harp playing all the while the most melancholy music till he said “Stop,” and it stopped.

Arrived at the bottom, he found his mother sitting at her cottage door weeping silently.

“Here, mother, don't cry; just give me a hatchet—make haste.” For he knew there was not a moment to spare; he saw the giant beginning to descend the bean-stalk. "Ось, мамо, не плач, дай мені сокиру, поквапся!" Бо він знав, що не можна зволікати; він бачив, як велетень починає спускатися по бобовому стеблу. But the monster was too late—his ill deeds had come to an end. Jack with his hatchet cut the bean-stalk close off at the root. The giant fell headlong into the garden, and was killed on the spot. Велетень впав вниз головою в сад і загинув на місці.

Instantly the fairy appeared and explained everything to Jack's mother, begging her to forgive Jack, who was his father's own son for bravery and generosity, and who would be sure to make her happy for the rest of her days. So all ended well, and nothing was ever more heard or seen of the wonderful bean-stalk. Все закінчилося добре, і більше ніхто не чув і не бачив цього чудового бобового стебла.