The above video is just one of the many ways Jack and the Beanstalk is told and retold from one generation after another. From one nation to another, from one version to another. Yes, every story is an adaptation from another, in many cases. Jack and the Beanstalk is just one of the many, where the setting, time and place may differ, but will have one similar scope and ending. In this case, the giant dying, and Jack running away with the giant's riches.. What kind of morals and values do these teach our young???
We all know, as how the story is often told, that Jack, is a happy go lucky son of a poor widow, who is not able to help his mother find the means to survive.. That is how he is always described. So, it is therefore NOT unusual that he be able to acquire riches not his own, for he do not know anything and he does not like to do difficult tasks just to be able to find enough means for him and his mom to be able to eat a square meal daily. And when I say, riches not his own, it means, therefore that he stole the riches he took home to his mother. Perhaps then, his mother did not teach him proper values and manners??? After all, mothers are our first teachers..
Anyway, why am I blogging about Jack and The Beanstalk? Well, it so happened that finally, I have seen the latest twist in this fairy tale, "Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story". I find the twist rather logical, and if we base it on psychology, it is indeed, a far cry from the original. It is in fact, better to use the said movie to teach about morals, honesty, integrity and friendship, and even about self worth. Although, as a teacher, I find that the said lessons are not all there is in the movie, as there are more to discuss.
With this version, you can actually compare with older versions and ask your students, from grade school to college, all the challenging points in the story. Yes, what if the fairy tale was a lie? What if the giant is not at all that bad, as how Jack has described him to his mother. True enough, a lot of kids, in order to get away from trouble, would create a story or two to make their wrong right.. And if you believe without question, then the said lie becomes the truth.. After all, it is only one person who knows about the truth.. Take for example a student who says that he failed Math because his teacher does not know how to teach.. And the truth is that, he is often caught cheating on tests in Math, not listening, or worse, cutting classes. Anyone would agree that a student with that attitude and actions, will eventually fail. But as always, parents who can not accept the truth about the said failure will continue to tell people that the teacher flunked the son because she or he does not see the child's brilliance.. Worst, the teacher will be charged with favoritism.. Familiar???
Here's a bigger point.. We can not be certain that Marcos did all the crimes pointed at him, as much as Erap's, or Gloria's. We can not also say that Fidel Ramos was or P. Noy now, is a better president as there are no charges against him, so with all the other politicians who are able to come out clean from a controversy.. Before we jump into conclusions, or believe what is written on the papers, we must first find out the truth, right? Most times, it will take years. Look at what happened in the Vizcondi Massacre and all others... Tsk tsk tsk.. Sad but true.. It takes years to find out the truth..
Jack Robinson corrected his ancestor's faults after 390 years.. In our case as people, if we want a lighter load in our next life, we must therefore make all wrongs that we have done, right.. Question now is, are you ready to face the truth and the consequences of your past actions and decisions?
It takes time to even accept the truth.. But with acceptance comes inner joy and inner peace. And with the two, comes the right decisions and actions.. It takes time, but it will be worth it.. Imagine yourself with no baggage.. No hang ups.. Can you? I can..
By the way, HERE is the best part of this new version.. When the 15th generation Jack, returned what his ancestors have stolen from the giant, he not only restored a world's riches. He also earned for himself a new meaning at life.. I hope you get a chance to watch this movie on DVD as I am sure it is no longer available in theaters... Watch it, you will understand what I mean...
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