Thursday, November 17, 2011

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 summer’s 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 I’ve 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,
"I’m now a man and I must have a house that’s all my home."
"I can’t 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."
"I’ve 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."
"I’m nothing but an old stump now. I’m sorry but I’ve 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 trees was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
Written by Shel Silverstein

This morning my sweet Miss Em wanted to read me this book before she went off to school. To say that it touched me is an understatement...sigh. To me this tree represents life. It gives freely...its leaves fall like our tears. And when you think it has given its all...it provides rest for a weary soul.
Thank you God for the giving trees...

~Blessings

6 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

This is beautiful. I don't believe I have ever read this before.

Crown of Beauty said...

This is beautiful, I really was misty eyed reading it.

It is beautiful, but sad in many ways...

We all have giving trees in our lives - people who give generously without asking anything in return.

Thank you for sharing this touching story.

Oh, I scrolled down a bit, and want to tell you I do love the picture of Sgt. Thomas Andrews taken in Thailand many years ago. I also saw another one in FB...

so glad I dropped by here this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving, dear Trish.

Love
Lidia

Anonymous said...

I remember the first time I read this to my third-grade class....years and years ago. We were all in tears by the time I was done. One of my favorite books...thanks for posting! Your post reminded me to get myself another copy...I keep giving mine away!

Amrita said...

I read this story as a child an d love it so much

Felisol said...

I've never heard this story before, beautiful with stuff for reflection.
It's greater to give than to receive, Jesus said, and so it feels to me as well.
Nevertheless at this time of the year, my thoughts goes to all the small and great gifts I have received through my life and this last year.
Tomorrow we're headed to my birth home, and I shall feel blessed just being there on a stump.

Sandy said...

This has always been one of my
favorite stories. Thanks for reminding me of it again.
Love,
Sandy