Once there was a tree....
and she loved a little boy.
And everyday the 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-go-seek.
And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.
But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone.
Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the 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
the boy.
"I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money?"
"I'm sorry," said the 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 the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time....
and the tree was sad.
And then one day the boy came back
and the 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 the 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 the tree.
"The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a
house. Then you will be happy."
And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.
"Come, Boy," she whispered,
"come and play."
"I am too old and sad to play,"
said the 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 the tree.
"Then you can sail away...
and be happy."
And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy
... but not really.
And after a long time
the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree," but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone,"
said the tree. " You
cannot swing on them - "
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone, " said the tree.
"You cannot climb - "
"I am too tired to climb" said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry...."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy.
"just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired."
"Well," said the 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.
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Comments
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Meh...
From guest voice of reason (contact)
This story bothers me. It's too depressing for children, and too simplistic for teens and adults. Silverstein must have been behind the times when he wrote it, because it seem really out of place in the rough world we live in now, and it was only marginally better in 1964 (when the story was written). Still, it can be used to teach how one-sided relationships can leave both parties worn out both physically and psychologically. -
My favorite story
From guest Mae (contact)
I was young when this book was read to me. It was my favorite storyy.. everyday during story time I begged my mother to read it to me. Now that I'm older I realize the truth behind this story. It makes me tear up every time I read it. -
truly inspiring
From guest jessica johnson (contact)
of all poets, sheldon is my all time favorite. he makes his readers think and that is what i especially admire about sheldon and his poems. -
From guest Phyl (contact)
this was always one of my favorite stories that summer camp counselors told. fantastic. -
Extremely sad
From guest Matt (contact)
This is one of the saddest stories I've read in a long time. Partially because it reminds me of someone who I know that had their heart broken and was extremely giving. -
Beautiful
From guest Mercedes (contact)
This is a beautiful poem. It's a great poem to read to your children and I will definitely read this poem to my cousin's baby (which she had July 20, 2009). -
Human Nature
From guest Meaghan (contact)
This moral tale is an accurate illustration of the selfish nature we all have as human beings. So many times, our relationships with each other fail because we are either takers or givers. I feel that many people can relate to the tree, the ones who give and give for the benefit of others and receive nothing in return. I think this is a wonderful story that reminds us all about how relationships should be equal in the giving and taking. No one should be resigned to just one category. -
Love
From guest Ryan (contact)
This poem is entirely about one word. Love. "She loved a little boy." The tree loved the boy, and Shel was showing that love isn't always happy, but it's beautiful. Some peopl think it's sad, but that is the nature of love. True love means that you're willing to give your all, and never expect anything in return. There's a lot to learn there. -
the giving tree
From guest dave (contact)
excellent story. Many people I know are like that except they don't live as long as the tree. Accepting a gift is as part of love as the giving of a gift... -
From guest samantha gort (contact)
i think that the boy was inconsiderate of all the tree was giving and providibg for him. -
sad
From guest stephanie (contact)
the boy got what he wanted the tree just got happiness but she wants to give and give but no more. -
Like many parables we can take different meanings from Silverstein's poem according to our own backgrounds.
I see the tree as religion and how we can keep returning to it with our new needs and experiences and always find that there is something else to be gained from it.
Whilst I am saddened by the apparent callousness of the "boy" I am also aware of the truth of the tale. That is what is truly appalling. Most of us continually take-take-take!
However there is comfort in the ending as it seems to say even at the end we will still be welcome no matter what we have done previously. -
Giving Tree?
I've reviewed all the comments here, and suggest that others do that and reread this poem.
I'm surprised that no one else is appalled at this poem. The tree gives everything it has, again and again, and the boy takes it and fails to achieve happiness. I find that depressing...
Charley Noble -
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Wow
From guest Tony (contact)
This is the first time i have ever seen this story. It is an amazing and touching story of unconditional love. I will read it to my baby. Wow. -
From guest Brian (contact)
this is the only book to make me cry and as i just read it to my kids, i found myself crying again. this is my favorite childhood story and im glad so many other people enjoy it as much as i do -
Extremely Moving.
From guest Avril (contact)
This tree gave entirely and lovingly of itself without a thought to its own comfort. It was there for the boy in his youth as well as his old age. All this tree desired was to be happy and make the boy happy also. It's so sad and yet so touching in inspiring. It's like a parent who gives all that they have for a child who is never satisfied. I loved this story. :f Avril -
i have always loved this poem. it's sad yet hopeful
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love
From guest rachael (contact)
every time i read this it brings tears to my eyes. this is just simply lovely. -
wonderful
From guest tony (contact)
This poem depicts how needy we as humans are and often dependant on the things around us to make us happy. Where the things of this world are fading away and cant give us true joy but fleeting comfort.This is why GOD points out our need for HIM as our eternal FATHER, that we can trust the creator of all things to bring us true joy and comfort. -
From guest Moses Ingram (contact)
I love this poem. It speaks to me of life. I would love to be able to go back to some of the trees of my youth. -
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be reminded
From guest Alex dela Paz (contact)
such a nice piece of poem which reminds me of how we people are never satisfied of what we have. until we came to the point that we have to go back from where we started and then realized that the past that we had is the most important thing that we have to cherish in our whole life. Like our parents, they give everything that we need that they can possibly afford to give even their whole being, but we simply ignore and dont give importance to these things.but yet at the end we will still long for the love and comfort they have given us. -
Aww.. one of my favorite books =]
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touching
From guest amber (contact)
this story makes me cry every time. i'm not sure how i missed it as a child, but we had to read it in a college ethics class (we were on ethics of caring). i loved it so much i had to own it. now i read it on a regular basis. -
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From guest Guest (contact)
I remember reading this poem many times as a child. Now that I am older, like the boy, I have re-read this poem and still am in love with it as I was as a little boy. -
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From guest Rachael (contact)
this poem is very touching. ive read the book many times before and i can never get enough of it. i dont think i ever will. -
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From guest mm (contact)
i love this poem ... i have the book at home.... ive checked it out when i was little and loved it -
circles of life....
wonderful!
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