Jack and the bean stalk is one interesting fairy tale. For some reason it has been on my mind lately. I think it has survived as an ancient “fairy tale” for good reason. It describes in story form the meta-truths associated with climbing hierarchies, courageously taking risks, the realities of contending with ensconced power structures, and the inherent motivation to acquire systems that produce joy and value long term.
Jack was poor. His father was dead. His mother told him to sell their cow, which was their main engine of their current meager sustenance (yet it was reliable sustenance) in order to procure some money to buy food. Yikes! I can relate. We can see the trajectory of that decision. Sell long term sustenance for short term survival. Hmm. Tough times. Not good.
Instead, Jack trades the cow for some seeds, which represent potential, vitality, and life. He takes a big risk. And, he and suffers ridicule and castigation for his choice by his mother, who is risk averse. What a fool he is!
However, a tremendous bean stock (read opportunity) emerges up, up into the sky! OK, now what? Jack has courage and takes the risk to climb the bean stalk. He has no crampons, no ropes, no map, only his curiosity and sense of adventure, his courage, and desperation. Necessity promotes courage. He free climbs up into the next level, into the unknown.
The route is perilous and unknown up, up, up. Next thing you know he arrives on a new plane of existence. Pretty cool right? But there is danger. To be continued . . .
Ben Wagner (67)
Member The 365 Commitment
