Jack

“The time has come,” the Walrus said. “For what?” asked the Carpenter. “For a re-write of JACK and the BEANSTALK,” came the reply. “Why’s that?” inquired the Timber Technician. “The traditional story is moral misdirection about what it means to be British,” intoned the wise one talking through his teeth without lying. “Consider the formula of the traditional plot,” continued the amphibious one without fibbing or pausing for breath. “Our Hero is tricked into swapping cow for beans. Beans provide stalk as means to explore strange and exotic lands. Hero finds treasure in said lands. Hero steals said treasure and sets off home with the spoils. rightful owner of treasure wants it back and gives chase. Hero’s mother chops down stalk and rightful owner is killed. All live happily ever after.” “I see what you mean about moral misdirection,” said the would-be wood worker. “The Hero is a thief and his mother is a murderer. But, in a sense, isn’t that what the British Empire did in the 19th century when the fairy tale first became popular?” inquired the plain-speaking man of the plane. “Yes,” replied the tusked one, but there’s another tale to be told about the 19th Century in which Britain gives treasures of immense value to the whole world.” “Does this new plot also have a formula?” asked the crafty craftsman. “Indeed it does,” said the flipper flipper without being flippant. “It’s for adults young and old who heard the traditional version as children and who now realise that many of the greatest treasures are not made of jewels or precious metals.” “Can you give me an outline of the plot?” “Yes, of course, here’s the synopsis.” Synopsis The year is 1837 and the location is the Thames-side Hamlet of Bray just up-river from the historic town of Windsor in England. Two…