Instead of following Jack up the beanstalk, this story introduces a new character for us to follow. Kate and her mother live alone and are on the verge of starvation. Kate trades their cow for magic beans, just like Jack. Her mother throws them out the window and scolds Kate for not getting money for their cow. Overnight, the magic beans grow a large beanstalk. Out of curiosity, Kate climbs up the beanstalk where she is met by an old woman. The old woman tells of a knight and his family who used to live in the palace at the top of the beanstalk. But giant stole from them and took their home. The old woman tells Kate that to help them, she must steal back those possessions that belonged to the knight. Kate is happy to help and does as she is told.
This story was a wonderful one to read. It tells us a different story than Jack's but one that is just as engaging and interesting. I thought this would be a good one to have in the classroom. There are so many ways to put a spin on fairy tales, and changing the main character is one of them. I would love to do a unit on fractured fairy tales in my classroom to show my students all the different, creative ways you can write.
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