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Once upon a time there lived a widow and
her son, Jack. When her husband died, he left enough
money and land to last her the rest of her life. The woman
felt very lonely and she was very worried about their
future. She didn't know anything about money and was
afraid there would not be enough. She lived as frugal as
possible and complained to everyone about the lack of
money. People liked asking her how she was doing,
because one could count on an illiad of grievances:
Things are worse, she kept repeating. Jack wanted so
much to help her and sometimes he was daydreaming
about heaps of gold he would like to give her. He didn't
realize that his mother was in fact asking for attention and
that her worries were caused by self-doubt.
Life made sure his mother was proven right. We are
always proven right, if we only say something long
enough with much feeling. Because then we believe in it
and we will experience what we believe. Her fear of
poverty had turned into a belief, then into reality.
Suddenly investments became worthless; the moneydisappeared into thin air. They had less and less money
and finally she considered selling her last cow. She walked
through their house, wringing her hands. What are we to
do? she cried out, tears running down her cheeks.
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Without the cow we don't have milk, but I've already sold
all our land and now we have no grass for the cow. Oh
Jack, we have to sell the cow. Take her to the market and
make sure you get a good price.
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On his way to the market Jack met a strangely dressed
man who spoke to him and said Well, young man, where
are you going with your cow? To the market, Jack
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replied. The man hadn't asked, but Jack felt a need to tell
him more. My father is dead and now my mother has to
sell everything. I wonder how we will manage after we
have spent the money for the cow, he blurted out. The
man nodded sympathetically and said: I am Jesse. Those
problems cannot make you feel good. Jack was grateful
that he understood. You are fortunate to have met me,
Jesse said. Because I can really help you and your
mother.
How? Jack wanted to know. Well, I have some magic
beans here. I am willing to exchange them for your cow.
Jack had never heard of magic beans and he had heard of
thieves and swindlers. He gave a scornful laugh and said
Jesse, you must think I have lost my wits.
No, I don't, Jesse said. I think you are one of the
smartest people I have ever met. You have a special kind
of cleverness. You feel inside what is right, don't you?And this actually feels very good to you.
Jack nodded thoughtfully. He hadn't felt this good in a
long time. Still I can't exchange my cow for beans, he
said. It would make my mother very mad. There was
regret in his voice. Who knew what golden opportunity he
let go. But his mother counted on the money. Suddenly
Jack noticed that Jesse began to hover almost half a meter
above the ground.Do you now belief that the beans are magic? Jesse
asked.
I belief they are, but how can I convince my mother? She
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doesn't believe in magic.
That is not necessary, as long as you believe in it. They
are your beans and they will work for you.
Jack was overpowered by an urge inside of him. Okay,
you get our cow for the magic beans, he said and offered
Jesse the rein around the cows' neck. When his hand
closed around the beans he immediately felt joy in his
heart. He just knew he did the right thing, even though it
seemed very foolish from the standpoint of rational
thinking. He was absolutely sure that he could trust Jesse.Jesse then said to him: They will try to convince you that
magic doesn't exist, and that you shouldn't believe that
these beans are magic. They are, but if you don't believe in
them, they will not work for you. You have to believe
before you can see! So don't let anything sway you. Jack
went home elated.
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When he arrived home he told his mother he had met a
sorcerer, who had given him magic beans in exchange for
the cow.
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What? I am losing my mind! his mother cried.
She was very angry and tossed the beans out of the
window. Then she sends Jack to bed. Jack thought
tomorrow when it's light, I will collect the beans. My
mother hasn't seen what I saw and felt what I felt. In his
heart Jack felt that Jesse was a real sorcerer and that the
beans were magic. Therefore he remained calm, no matter
how his mother raged.
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The next morning Jack saw that a giant beanstalk had
grown where his mother had thrown the beans. Even
though he was certain that the beans were something
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special, this surpassed his expectation. Jack climbed in it;
he wanted to know what could be seen in the top.
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He was very surprised to find a castle there. A dangerous
looking giant lived here. Jack hid in a pot to find out what
kind of a giant he was. He heard him talk to his wife abouthis magic chicken that laid golden eggs. The giant enjoyed
the eggs for their beauty. Apparently gold was not
valuable in his world. I would know what to do with
those golden eggs, Jack thought.
He couldn't leave his hiding place until the giant had fallen
asleep. He then grabbed the magic chicken, tucked herunder his arm and ran out of the castle, as hard as he
could.
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Jack was very curious about the world the giant lived in
and the next day he went back to the castle. He hid again
in the pot. This time he heard the giant speak of his
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miracle harp. It fulfilled every desire. The giant wished for
food, drinks and every now and then he wished for a
beautiful household item for his wife.
When Jack heard this, he thought: You ask so little. I
would know what to do. I would ask for world peace and
prosperity for all and for everyone to be joyful and happy.
I would cure all diseases and no one would grow old and
die. And if there was the danger of too many people, I
would simply ask that the earth become larger, large
enough for all people. But I am certain the earth is largeenough for everyone.
After the giant had fallen asleep again, Jack grabbed the
harp and ran back to the beanstalk. But this time the giant
woke up. He chased Jack who quickly slid down the
beanstalk.
When he arrived at his house, jack took an axe and cut
down the beanstalk. The giant saw him doing this and
rapidly climbed back up. Now the connection between
their worlds had been severed.
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In the new world Jack wished for himself, golden eggs
were only for decoration and everyone who wanted them,
could also have them. Because of the harp, all the souls
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who wanted to experience sickness, suffering, lack and
poverty had to find a new place and together they created
another planet. Jack and his mother and everyone else who
remained on earth lived happily ever after - Jack made
sure of that.
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