Jack and his mother were poor, so Jack took their cow to market to sell it. On the way, Jack met an old man who offered magic beans in exchange for the cow. Jack's mother threw the beans out the window, but overnight a beanstalk grew into the clouds. Jack climbed it and discovered a castle belonging to a giant. He stole a hen that laid golden eggs and escaped down the beanstalk. Jack returned and stole a harp that could play by itself. As the giant chased Jack, his mother cut down the beanstalk, causing the giant to fall to his death. Jack and his mother then lived happily and wealthy.