"It Grows Sideways"

 

"Let me tell you a little something, kid," the merchant said, with a glance to one side and a step to the other. "These bean seeds are special. But you can see that already, right? Of course you can. You're smart. You see how this stalk is growing straight out to the side?"

Over and just past the lip of the clay pot he carried reached a tiny young sprout, which pointed toward the next stall as if it were a finger.

"Not only will these beanstalks grow sideways," said the merchant, "they'll grow as far as the eye can see--no, farther. This little guy you see here?" He tipped his head toward the pot. "Why, I just planted those seeds this morning!

"Ever hear stories about the great oceans of the world? Ever dream of crossing them?" With his free hand, the merchant dug in a pouch that hung from his belt and came up with a handful of beans. "What better way to cross them than on your own magic beanstalk bridge? No need to spend your gold on a ship or crew. What'll you say, kid?" He grinned. "Feel like having an adventure?"

Jack looked away from the merchant and drew in air through the spaces between his teeth. "Yeah, see," Jack said, "there's actually another guy who's got something similar going near the entrance to the fair." Like the merchant's plant, he pointed, though not to the adjoining stall but instead across the throng of villagers, to a man in clothes as dark as dirt.

The merchant slumped.

"To tell the truth," Jack continued, "his pitch is a little better than yours, too. I mean, maybe if I had more than one cow to trade, sure, but for now...." Jack backed away with a shrug and said nothing more, leaving the merchant to set down his potted plant and roll up his dusty sleeves, ready to storm across the market square and have an adventure of his own.