Once upon a time, in a lush green land, stood a magnificent apple tree. Its branches stretched wide, offering shade and its boughs heavy with ripe, juicy apples. Every day, a joyful little boy would come to the tree, eager to play amidst its branches. He climbed up to the top, picking apples, laughing, and sometimes even dozing off under the comforting shelter of the tree’s canopy. The boy cherished these moments, and the tree, in turn, delighted in his company.
As the years passed, the boy began to grow older, and his visits to the tree became less frequent. One day, when the boy returned, a shadow of sadness loomed over him. The tree, sensing his melancholy, urged him to play like old times. However, the boy’s response was different this time. He explained that he had outgrown such childish pursuits and now desired toys, for which he needed money.
Feeling a pang of regret, the tree confessed that it had no money to give. Yet, it offered something far more valuable—the apples hanging from its branches. The boy’s eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of earning money by selling the apples. Without hesitation, he gathered them all and hurried away, leaving the tree behind.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but the boy never returned. The tree stood silently, its branches bare without the laughter and joy of its old friend. It had given away its treasures willingly, only to be left alone once the boy’s needs were met. The tree felt very sad and lonely.
One day, the boy, who had now grown into a man, came back to the tree. The tree was thrilled to see him again. The tree asked the man if he wanted to play like old times. But the man replied sadly, “I don’t have time to play. I need to work to take care of my family. We need a house to live in. Can you help me, please?”
The tree felt upset and said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a house to give you. However, you can chop off my branches and use them to build your house.” So, the man quickly cut off all the branches and took them away.
On a scorching summer day, the tree was overjoyed to see the man return.
The tree was happy to help him, but once again, the man didn’t come back to visit. The tree felt lonely and sad once more.
“Let’s play together!” the tree exclaimed happily.
But the man’s response was solemn. “I’m getting older now. I wish I could sail and enjoy some quiet time alone. Do you have a boat I can use?”
“You can use my trunk to build a boat and sail wherever you want. That will make you happy,” the tree offered.
Following his usual pattern, the man chopped down the tree’s trunk and crafted a boat from it. He set sail, disappearing for a long time, leaving the tree waiting once again.
After many years, the man, now much older, returned to the familiar tree. The tree, though weathered and worn, still stood tall, its branches sparse, its once vibrant leaves now scarce.
“Welcome back, my friend,” the tree greeted with a hint of nostalgia.
The man approached with a weary smile. “I’ve missed you, old friend.”
The tree observed the lines etched on the man’s face, evidence of the passage of time. “I’m sorry, my dear boy, but there are no more apples left for you,” it confessed, a touch of sadness in its voice.
The man’s smile widened. “That’s alright. I don’t have any teeth left to bite them anyway,” he chuckled softly, his laughter tinged with fond memories of youthful days spent in the tree’s embrace.
“And there’s no trunk left for you to climb,” the tree lamented, its branches now mere remnants of their former glory.
The man’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “I’m too old for climbing now,” he admitted, a sense of nostalgia washing over him.
With a heavy heart, the tree acknowledged its own dwindling vitality. “I’m afraid I have nothing left to offer you, except my dying roots,” it confessed, its voice quivering with emotion.
The man’s expression softened, understanding the tree’s plight. “I don’t need much anymore. Just a place to rest. I’m weary after all these years,” he sighed, his voice filled with a mixture of longing and resignation.
“Then it’s settled! My old roots may not be much, but they can still provide a comfortable resting spot. Come, sit down with me and relax,” the tree offered, a gentle smile gracing its weathered features as tears of joy welled up in its eyes.
Takeaway from the Story
“The Giving Tree” teaches us about the love of parents. When we’re young, we enjoy spending time with them. But as we grow up, we often forget about them. We only remember them when we need something or when we’re in trouble.
Parents, like the tree in the story, always give us everything they can. They support us and care for us, even when we don’t appreciate it.
Just like the boy in the story, we sometimes take our parents for granted. We don’t realize how much they do for us until it’s too late.
Let’s learn from this story and appreciate our parents while we still can. Let’s thank them for their love and support, and let’s show them that we care. After all, our parents’ love is the most precious gift we have.
