Once Upon a Time There Lived a Widow and Her Son

8/2/2019 Once Upon a Time There Lived a Widow and Her Son

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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.

Once Upon a Time There Lived a Widow and Her Son

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