Once, there was a tree…
And she loved a little boy.
And every day 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 thing and have fun. I want some money.
Can you give me 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 city. Then you will have money and you’ll 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 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 busy to climb trees,” said the boy. “I want a house to keep me warm”, he said. “I and 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”, said the tree. “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 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…
The end.
47 Responses to “The giving tree”
Leave a Reply
October 31st, 2010 at 13:33
My mother used to read me this story when I was younger, and I absolutely loved it. This was, and still is my favorite book.
January 29th, 2011 at 09:18
This makes me cry everytime i read it
February 2nd, 2011 at 20:34
I love this story
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:00
I really enjoyed not only reading the story but hearing it. It is not seen as something for older students but I actually think this can be a very simple or complex lesson depending on the maturity of the children. Nice!
May 13th, 2011 at 15:35
i love thees book :d
May 13th, 2011 at 15:36
the story make me cry every time i read it ohhh soo fantastiic
June 29th, 2011 at 07:32
I might a lil’ bit late discover this beautiful story but still it’s touch my heart so much..we suppose not only asking for something instead of we must learn how to give back..
June 30th, 2011 at 10:06
i love this story. i’m grade 6 in philippines.. this is my assignment…
July 16th, 2011 at 07:06
This story was just aweful. what the hell was the moral of this, to grow up to be a selfish asshole when you get older?
July 28th, 2011 at 10:46
ive read this story about 100 times iitt was my my favorite as a little girl and still is and always will be i used to cry when i read this and sometimes i still do i love this story
August 13th, 2011 at 02:49
After raising 4 kids this story has full meaning for me.
I am the old stump! Actually, I’m just one of the many happy old stumps.
Although if I were to do it all over again, I would preserve a bit of myself in order to be self- sufficient, and I would emphasize to my children the value of LOVE and RESPECT… AND my parenting philosophy would be based on God’s Word.
August 24th, 2011 at 13:00
what can you say about the boy?
September 9th, 2011 at 01:27
ooohhhhh i love this story, is the best!!!!!!!!!!
September 15th, 2011 at 03:58
My mom would read this story to me when I was younger and I would cry ever single time. And I still do. The love between them is so strong.
October 8th, 2011 at 04:52
this is awesome! Just show’s how love can make all the difference in the world. that is real love…Love is Never wasted and the world could use a lot more of Love right now…
October 12th, 2011 at 02:56
This IS A GREAT story My teacher read this to me in 5th grade and from then it’s been my favorite book! But she criend when she read it to me..and it’s very emothinal Because I cried!!
November 16th, 2011 at 05:49
I love this story so much..
November 20th, 2011 at 20:44
Isn’t the lesson here that while we may love someone so much, whether a child, a spouse, a friend, etc… That we must not give so much so as to be left with nothing for ourselves.
The boy in this story simply asks, and accepts the sacrifice of the tree, over and over again. How many of us have people in our lives that do that very thing.
We all have to keep something for ourselves, because if we simply give all of ourselves away, what’s left? For anyone…
My 2 pennies…
December 15th, 2011 at 19:12
Though I may be only 16, this is the best book I have ever read. It is also the only book I can read over and over again. This book taught me to lovae anything and anyone. I learned that giving makes you so much happyer then getting. when I think my little brother is ready I’m going to pull the book down from the shelf. He will love, this I know
I just wish I learned the lesson sooner then I did, Because I would not have done all the wrong in my life. Some books are important to children so that they learn how to love, and give… this being one of them
December 24th, 2011 at 17:41
hello
goodmorning
I love this story very much
and
next day I will say this story for my classmate
January 10th, 2012 at 17:08
Well back to that comment from Sirina. I am using this story for my Term paper in highschool. I dont think its a story that is ment for children, everybody can still learn from it. The only thing i need right now from this story is the reall Author. Could some one tell me please
January 13th, 2012 at 19:10
@Patrick Noyes
The author is Shel Silverstein, which you can find in the “About” section of this website.
March 7th, 2012 at 10:46
My 4year-old kid was really touched and cried when i first read the story to her.She said,The Giving Tree book would be her most favorite ever.Thank you and GOD bless us all!
March 30th, 2012 at 14:15
this happended in my life
April 3rd, 2012 at 00:12
Im 32 years old and thank God someone introduced me this book in my life.
Actually it’s my real marriage life; after my firts therapy with my psychology and after he hear my marriage life. He only ask me one thing CAN you please read The giving tree
When I did I start crying and I realize that not matter who YOU love you can’t just give to someone everything that you have because if you give and give and at the end will be enty and unhappy person.
We always need to have a moral and respect for our self because if we woundn’t not one else it will
April 12th, 2012 at 17:34
this is indeed a great story . i first heard it when i was little . at a church retreat. the prist who read it to us was the nicest person . he passed away soon after . but that story remaind in my heart and always think of him when i hear it .
June 10th, 2012 at 02:06
;_____;
August 24th, 2012 at 22:49
I first heard of this book years ago from my minister’s daughter. She mentioned this book to me because at that time in my life she knew something that i need to know. Her opinion was exactly as the book says.No matter how much you love someone you must first love yourself and know yourself. We all must live with our own personal boundaries which comes with the knowing and the loving of self…If not even the ones that you love, be it they love you or not will take advantage of you uninhibited giving. whether they mean to or not and yo will be left with nothing.
September 15th, 2012 at 22:28
My grandma hates this book and she hates the boy
September 20th, 2012 at 01:08
Even though I recognize now that this story is probably borderline enviro-propaganda. And that the boy represents Man who seeks only to selfishly take. And that the tree represents nature, his benefactor and willing victim. I still just love the simple beauty of the story and am moved by it every time I read it. A timeless classic and a beautiful story however you interpret the message.
October 9th, 2012 at 19:53
Story of my life.
Love this book.
November 16th, 2012 at 10:36
this story is the best… sometimes when someone gives you something the person expects a repay, he/she shouldn’t be like that when you give ask not for reward… but sometimes giving someone something and sharing it with your friends that would be a true gift… (sorry if you don’t understand… Oh Yeah! BTW it means by the way this is my assignment I’m A GRADE 6 student I’m graduating!!! yehey!!!
December 17th, 2012 at 14:01
It’s fun to see how other perceive things. This story has always managed to bring tears to my eyes. To me, this story is about unconditional love. Especially when the book was dedicated to the author’s mom. Moms are the perfect example. Mothers sacrifice a lot for their child. And even though many people don’t have that mother in their life, they still have someone else who loves them just as much. Whether it be a sibling, father, friend, cousin, husband, uncle, aunt, grandma, grandpa, ect.
That’s why I think the author used a tree for the character. Because the tree could be a metaphor for that special person in YOUR life.
I think the moral of the story is that unconditional love lasts forever. It’s a lovely reminder that you shouldn’t take that for granted.
January 20th, 2013 at 07:15
I read this when I was 13th, now I am 18 and i’m going to college! I know 5 years aren’t much but actually you change a lot, but this story reminds me that no matter what we are going to be old sometime and we need someone to love us not for what we have but for who we are <3
best story ever
March 21st, 2013 at 13:31
I am in college to get my Associates Degree in Applied Science for Drug and Alcohol Counseling. Reading this story is part of my assignment, and this story did not make me cry but I see why they had us read it. The tree wants to remember him as the “boy” he was, despite being a man. The man greed was his drug and this tree was his supplier. Co-dependency is not a good thing on anyone’s part.
July 16th, 2013 at 06:30
@Heather…That is the most ridiculous interpretation of this story. Talk about stripping life and art of all its beauty. Are you attending the Ayn Rand School for Drug and Alcohol Counseling or something?
August 14th, 2013 at 05:29
I really enjoy reading this sweet story
October 5th, 2013 at 03:23
You know, when you do you’ll eventually figure out this boy is taking and not caring. He uses the tree to get what he desires.
March 15th, 2014 at 09:36
The first time I read this story was after my mother had passed away in 2007. I was 38 years old. I thought the boy was the most awful human being that there had ever been a story written about. I was repelled by his greed and insensitivity. Why could he not see that the tree loved him? Well, maybe I am that boy. I have since learned of the many selfless acts that my mother performed to allow me to have the life that I have today. As her “boy”. I hope she is happy and proud of the man I have become.
April 8th, 2014 at 00:47
I absolutely abhor this book. I think it sends the message to take, take, take & the “giver” should just be happy being taken advantage of. Ridiculous book, ridiculous message.
May 16th, 2014 at 14:08
i just simply love the story…
August 23rd, 2014 at 14:26
bakwas and stupid story
February 27th, 2015 at 17:50
How is the message so wrong to have the tree give, give, and give, and even after there is nothing left to give it still gives the last little bit that it has of itself and is content. It’s content because love is not black and white, I wish that it was, there are so many crazy things one does for someone they love, sometimes to the point where you accept the fact that you are being used but love that other person way too much to give them up, even when you know all they will do is leave you empty and won’t be around for very long. Just like the tree we give away more than just money, love, time, hope, everything. That’s the truest kind of love there is, and it’s the realest way to end this story. Unfortunately there isn’t always a happy ending and that’s Life. This story happens every single day, and it usually ends the way it did. You know when you are being used, but sometimes you love that user so goddamn much that you end up giving all of yourself to that person. Regardless if that person loves you back. I’ve been the boy and I’ve been the tree, I have loved and have been used, at the end u just do what makes you happy and if it’s real or a lie you will know in your heart, the truth.
January 19th, 2016 at 01:54
I read this story at 40, and again now at 53. As I look at my life right now, I feel like if I am not careful I will become a stump. My branches have been pruned severely, but I think the leaves can grow back and there still can be some apples. As a youth,and throughout my adulthood,I have studied and clung to Psalm 1:1-3. Read it to understand. I so desire to become like that tree there, planted by the rivers of water,brings forth fruit, leaf does not wither,and whatever she does will prosper. And I want to shelter and shade a nurture many- not just the takers.This has not happened in my life. But I have lived to my best, verses 1and 2. The rest is up to God.Its His promise to deliver.I want to attract people who want to water, enjoy, appreciate, and love. Use, kill and destroy. And then say, my belly is still not full.I guess in the end of our lives, when we are old and helpless, we all become stumps anyway.I hope the scriptures are engraved on mine, so the love and direction I have found will at least still nurture others. Let it be so..Amen.
June 25th, 2016 at 23:31
it makes me cry its so fantastic i read it 21 times im in 3 grade and i still love the story
October 27th, 2016 at 03:36
I like this book.This is a good book.Whenever you read this book you can imangen
The pictures
December 5th, 2016 at 21:05
i love this story