one of my all time favorite books is
~The Giving Tree~
a reminder
of how selfish we as humans can be
we want and take everything we can
and soon there is nothing much left
and then
it is in that moment we are aware of our actions
that our own selfish acts
did not truly fill our hearts with joy
or benefit the world around us
Is that really how we should live?
The Giving Tree is a tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in a forest.
The tree always provides the boy with what he wants:
branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, branches with which to build a home. As the boy grows older he requires more and more of the tree.
The tree loves the boy very much and gives him anything he asks for. In the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut her down so the boy can build a boat in which he can sail.
The boy leaves the tree, now a stump.
Many years later, the boy, now an old man, returns and the tree says, "I have nothing left to give you."
The boy replies, " I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest."
The tree then says, "Good! A tree stump is a great place to do just that! Come boy, sit down and be happy."
The boy obliged and the tree was happy.
12 comments:
Earth Day Blessings.
The first time I read this book to the very old soul GK, she cried. She must have been three. I had read the book before and was puzzled as to why she was upset by it. I mean I got it but I didn't "get" it. She was so pained for the tree. Later on that summer we went camping with her and she was off on the edge of the clearing talking to a stand of Aspen and telling them she was so sorry and she was tying leaves over a slash in the bark of one, where a "gimme human" had carved on the tree. Her feelings and this book have forever changed lots of hearts and minds.
Small ripples in a pond touch every side of the shoreline.........
Thanks for the reminder.
A book with many layers of meaning -- Earth Day blessings to you!
love that this class uses this book as a teaching/talking tool:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/education/edlife/18philosophy-t.html?pagewanted=1&ref=general&src=me
Wonderful story. Wonderful post as usual. A blessed Earth Day to you.
Mary
Truly inspiring! On this day of days called Earth Day, I hereby pledge to be more treely.
(Thank you, faerwillow! Your blog post was the breath of fresh air I was looking for!)
Very inspiring post.....I will have to peruse the library and see if they have that book for my Littleman.
such an amazing story, endless giving.
thank you for the lovely gift and reminder of giving.
I am going to have to get this one for my little ones...haven't read it in a while, but thanks for the reminder of what a great book it is and how important it is to give, not just receive.
Smiles
And how AWESOME is Shell Silverstein? Over the top, I'd say. Happy Earth Day!
One of my favorites too! So perfect for today. It's been a while since I've read it to my girls as well. I will read it with them tomorrow.
Thanks for the inspiration and the wonderful sentiment you gave me today!
lisa
I was in mid-20s (still *very* young) when I was introduced to this book. And I was charmed.
This has been a favorite book for all three of my children. I and they have read it many times. It is so simple yet powerful. One of my favorite books.
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~your thoughts i do adore...thank you so for taking time to leave your words of wisdom~