Jack lived with his poor mother and their only possession was a cow. One day, Jack's mother sent him to the market to sell the cow. On the way, Jack traded the cow for magic beans with a stranger. When Jack's mother discovered this, she threw the beans out the window. Overnight, a giant beanstalk grew and Jack climbed it, finding a castle in the sky. Inside, Jack encountered a giant and stole a magic hen and harp. Jack escaped down the beanstalk but was pursued. Jack's mother chopped down the beanstalk, killing the giant. With the magic items, Jack and his mother lived happily ever after.