THE GIVING TREE

[Think About It...]

This story was given to me many years ago by a very good friend, these are actually the lyrics to the song version, but the story is the same -  it can be read and considered in many different ways - sometimes, I feel like the boy, more often I feel like the tree - but, sometimes the love for one another is the most important thing... not which one you are...

THE GIVING TREE

Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summers hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came and said,
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy something Ive found?"
"I have no money," said the tree, "Just apples, twigs and leaves."
"But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree,
"Im now a man and I must have a house thats all my home."
"I cant give you a house" he said, "The forest is my house."
"But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did.
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes.
"My life has turned so cold," he says, "and I need sunny days."
"Ive nothing but my trunk," he says, "But you can cut it down
And build yourself a boat and sail away."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And after years the boy came back, both of them were old.
"I really cannot help you if you ask for another gift."
"Im nothing but an old stump now. Im sorry but Ive nothing more to give"
"I do not need very much now, just a quiet place to rest,"
The boy, he whispered, with a weary smile.
"Well", said the tree, "An old stump is still good for that."
"Come, boy", he said, "Sit down, sit down and rest a while."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

[elphaba]

This story was given to me many years ago by a very good friend, these are actually the lyrics to the song version, but the story is the same -  it can be read and considered in many different ways - sometimes, I feel like the boy, more often I feel like the tree - but, sometimes the love for one another is the most important thing... not which one you are...

THE GIVING TREE

Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summers hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came and said,
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy something Ive found?"
"I have no money," said the tree, "Just apples, twigs and leaves."
"But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree,
"Im now a man and I must have a house thats all my home."
"I cant give you a house" he said, "The forest is my house."
"But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did.
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes.
"My life has turned so cold," he says, "and I need sunny days."
"Ive nothing but my trunk," he says, "But you can cut it down
And build yourself a boat and sail away."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And after years the boy came back, both of them were old.
"I really cannot help you if you ask for another gift."
"Im nothing but an old stump now. Im sorry but Ive nothing more to give"
"I do not need very much now, just a quiet place to rest,"
The boy, he whispered, with a weary smile.
"Well", said the tree, "An old stump is still good for that."
"Come, boy", he said, "Sit down, sit down and rest a while."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

[John Galt]

That was real beautiful,

Marc

[elphaba]

Pick up the book, read it to your youngest...  it is a sweet story and a quick read for the little ones.

Stay safe, live, love, laugh!

- Elphie

[wojah]

WOW...what a profound story! I had to re-read it a few times to just ponder the meanings.  Well, I think the tree is an example of strength and unconditional love.  For a tree to live that long and be fruitful for others, the tree must be securely rooted.  Just my interpretation of that story.  Thanks for sharing.

[amybeth79]

I gave that book to my, now 11 years old, nephew on his first birthday.  It still brings tears to my eyes.

AmyBeth