/ · 1894 Brewer’s · J · Jack and the Bean Stalk
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A nursery tale of German invention. The giant is All-Father, whose three treasures are (1) a harp—i.e. the wind; (2) bags full of treasures—i.e. the rain; and (3) the red hen which laid golden eggs—that is, the genial sun. Man avails himself of these treasures and becomes rich.
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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.