Jack is living in great poverty with his mother. He goes to the town market to sell their last pig for a good price. There he meets a mysterious little man and an even more mysterious trade is made: he trades the pig for a pouch which allegedly contains all the world's riches. His mother is deeply disappointed because she discovers nothing more than ordinary beans in the bag.

From there, the wonder begins. These are not ordinary beans: as soon as they are planted, beanstalks as thick as trees start to grow. Jack cannot be restrained. He nimbly climbs up the beanstalk until his mother can no longer see him.

Up in the sky, he discovers a giant's castle, where the giant's daughter is playing the harp. A joyful meeting takes place, for she has never seen a man like Jack before. A roaring sound announces the return of the man-eating giant, carrying a special present for his daughter: a magic hen that lays golden eggs. Before Jack is able to grab the hen, he has to fight the giant for his life.

In a wild chase, he manages to get away. Back on earth, he cuts the beanstalk with an axe and the giant plunges to his death. Now Jack proudly faces his mother.

Christel Strobel