Giving Tree

Annoooland brings the world a little closer

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein

Once there was a Tree … and she loved a little Boy.

And every day Boy would come, and he would gather her leaves and make
them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her
trunk, and swing from her branches, and eat apples. And they would
play hide-and-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade.
And Boy loved Tree..very much.
And Tree was happy!

But time went by. And Boy grew older. And Tree was often alone.

Then one day Boy came to Tree and Tree said, "Come Boy! Come and climb
up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play
in my shade and be happy."

"I am too big to climb and play," said Boy, "I want to buy things and have
fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?"

"I’m sorry," said Tree, "but I have no money. I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money
and you will be happy." And so Boy climbed up Tree and gathered
her apples and carried them away.
And Tree was happy!

But Boy stayed away for a long time … and Tree was sad.

And then one day Boy came back and Tree shook with joy and she said,
"Come Boy! Climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy."

"I am too busy to climb trees," said Boy. "I want a house to keep me warm,"
he said. "I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a
house. Can you give me a house?"

"I have no house," said Tree. "The forest is my house, but you may cut off
my branches and build a house. Then you will be happy." And so Boy cut
off her branches and carried them away to build his house.
And Tree was happy!

But the Boy stayed away for a long time.

And when he came back, Tree was so happy she could hardly speak.
"Come Boy!" she whispered, "Come and play!"

"I am too old and sad to play," said Boy. "I want a boat that will take me
far away from here. Can you give me a boat?"

"Cut down my trunk and make a boat," said Tree. "Then you can sail away,
and be happy." And so Boy cut down her trunk, and made a boat, and sailed away.
And Tree was happy … but... not really.

And after a long time Boy came back again.

"I am sorry, Boy," said Tree, "but I have nothing left to give
you --- My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak for apples," said Boy.

"My branches are gone" said Tree. "You cannot swing on them."
"I am too old to swing on branches," said Boy.

"My trunk is gone," said Tree. "You cannot climb..."
"I am too tired to climb," said Boy.

"I am sorry," sighed Tree. "I wish that I could give you something, but
I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry..."

Old Stump

"I don’t need very much now," said Boy, "just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired."

"Well," said Tree, straightening herself up as much as she could,
"Well, an old stump IS good for sitting and resting.
Come Boy! Sit down. Sit down and rest."

And the boy did...

And the tree was happy.....

Words

In His Creed for Optimists, He tells you how you can be somebody.
Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
Make all your friends feel there is something special in them.
Look at the sunny side of everything.

Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.
Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements
of the future. Give everyone a smile!

Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time
left to criticize others.

Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.