The next morning as Puss, Jr., went journeying along he came in sight of a modest little cottage, in the garden of which was growing an immense bean-stalk, reaching up and up until its top was hidden in the clouds. On approaching the front gate, a motherly-looking woman appeared in the doorway and looked curiously at Puss.
"Good morning, ma'am," said he, lifting his cap politely.
"Good morning," she replied, at the same time wiping a tear from her eyes. "Have you seen anything of my son Jack?"
"No, ma'am," answered Puss. "Has he not yet climbed down the bean-stalk?"
"What!" exclaimed the good woman. "Do you mean to tell me he has climbed up this giant bean-stalk?"
"Indeed he has," answered Puss, "and if you will permit me I will climb up also. Maybe I shall find him near the top, or possibly entangled in the vines."
The good woman gladly gave her consent and Puss sprang nimbly up the vine-like ladder. Up and up he climbed until he was lost to sight amid the white clouds in the sky. At last he reached the top, and, looking about him curiously, wondered which way to turn. Suddenly he heard a gentle cackling near at hand, and a small hen crawled out of a thicket that lay to the right of the path.
"I'm tired to death laying golden eggs for that greedy giant, "To lay every day is all work and no play," she continued, unconsciously making a little rhyme.
"But where is Jack?" asked Puss, after he had consoled her by saying that there was much harder work in the world than laying golden eggs.
"Oh, he's up at the giant's house, hiding somewhere," she replied.
"Won't you show me the way?" said Puss, "for I have a message from his mother to deliver to him."
"Come along; follow me," she cackled, and Puss walked by her side, politely helping her over the rough places, as the path became steeper and steeper. Near the top of the hill was the giant's house. But Puss was not afraid and boldly followed the little hen through the great doorway and presently found himself in the presence of the giant."
"Come, chick," cried the giant, not noticing Puss. "Come, chick, and lay me a gold egg!"
"I'm so tired to-day," she replied, "won't you let me off just for once?"
"No, siree!" roared the giant. "Lay! lay!"
"How dare you be so cruel, Sir Giant!" roared Puss as loud as he could, stepping forward and brandishing his staff.
"Heighty tighty!" laughed the giant, "on one condition will I let off the little hen, and that is that you spend the night in my house and tell me some of your adventures."
Puss, Jr., bowed low and graciously.
He was able now to reward the little hen for showing him the way, and as the guest of the giant, it would be much easier to find Jack. Puss made up his mind toward midnight to hunt over the entire house for him.
