Description
This is an ancient fairy tale with Indo-European roots about a poor boy who trades his family cow for magic beans, climbs a massive stalk into the clouds and outwits a man-eating giant to get his stash of gold and escape poverty. This took risk-taking, psychological growth and overcoming oppressive forces. The tale suggests there is reward for taking a calculated risk and trusting ones’ intuition as Jack did when he traded the cow for the beans. How recognizing hidden potential can transform a desperate situation (poverty). The giant represents the overwhelming fears that a person must face to reclaim power as Jack did when retrieving the golden harp and hens that laid gold eggs.
In my interpretation, a twisted tree represents the stalk to the sky. It sprouts green leaves and gnarled roots tangled with bean sprouts. Jack, at the bottom is a muzzled bear getting ready to unmuzzle his fear and climb. Since I am in Hawaii the giant is a towering carved Tiki with the sunflower and passion fruit blossom in the background representing light as in Jack overcoming evil to achieve good—and gold to redeem his family.
