Jack and the Beanstalk
Jack and the Beanstalk, illustrated by Charles Robinson The story about a boy who challenges a giant is among the best-known tales in the world. Less known is the fact that writers tried to improve the plot for centuries. What is the obvious problem? Jack enters the giant's castle and starts stealing stuff. While our sympathies are obviously with the boy and not with the man-eating giant, his actions are still questionable from a moral point of view. What gives him the right to take the giant's possession? Are we sending the wrong message to our children? Will they grow up believing that stealing is okay? So several writers and editors tried to improve the fairy tale by adding a so-called pre-story. Jack wasn't a poor boy or at least he shouldn't be. His father was rich and good-hearted. But the evil giant who was jealous of his good heart and possessions took everything from the family including the life of Jack's father. Yes. Such an explanation looked all right t