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Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 25 (Supplement)

Richard and Ted never understood how it happened! When Jack went in“My'” 1® exdoimea, “they were wtgie tern, after all.” •'• ' — ——

For a few minutes Jack stood and gazed at the bean-stalk, and then he com- ; fenced to climb it. Ted and Richard came from behind the hedge and looked at . the climbing figure as it gradually disappeared in the leaves. ■ “That’s done it,” said'Richard. “If we are going to see any more of the adventure, we’ve got to climb as well.” . “It looks like it,” answered Ted. “I wish you had chosen some other fairy taler” . . ' /' ' '

Ted and Richard gazed at the figure of Jack until it disappeared altogether, and then they decided that they had better follow without delay. Richard went first, climbing steadily upward, and Ted followed as quickly as he could. But it seemed a long way to the top! . “Hi!” shouted Ted. “How much farther is it? “We’re not half-way up yet,” answered Richard. “My!” said Ted. “It must be miles high.”

. ■ —— J The two chums stuck valiantly to their task, and at last they reached the top of the magic beanstalk. “Can you see anything?” whispered Ted. s “Yes/ replied Richard. “There’s Jack! He’s looking at something. ' Now Jack himself had only just reached the top of the beanstalk, and he was gazing at a wonderful castle he could see m the distance. “Now,” he thought, “I wonder to whom that belongs? »■ ■.

Jack was still wondering to whom the castle belonged when a strange old lady suddenly appeared. “Hullo! Hullo!” she cried, “and who are you?” Tack told her who he was. “Yes! I know all that,” she said, “I only asked you to see if you were a truthful lad. Do you see that castle?” “Yes! Isn’t it lovely?” Jack replied. “It is,” agreed the old lady, “And it is really yours! The giant who lives tn it stole it from your father. Now’s your chance to get it back.” And then she disappeared. “My!” exclaimed Richard, "did you hear that, Ted?”

When Jack heard that the castle was inhabited by a giant, be did not like the idea of going near it. Then he pulled himself together. “Courage,” he thought, “I’m sure my fortune lies in that castle. At any rate J’ll go and see if I can get in.” He went stealthily up to the back door and gave a loud knock. “We shall have to dart in with him when the door opens,” whispered Richard. “Can’t we wait outside?” asked Ted. “I don’t care for giants very much.” “How are we going to see what happens if we do?” enquired Richard. “I do wish you’d chosen some other fairy tale,” Ted said again, sighing sadly.