The Giving Tree - part 2

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 as 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. “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.

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 gpne,” said the tree. “you can not swing on them---

“I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.

“My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You can not 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,” sid the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, 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 Giving Tree was written by Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree - part one

Once there was a tree…
and she loved a little boy.
And every day the boy would com
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 the branches and eat apples.
They would play hide-and-go-seek,
and when he was tired he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree…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. 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 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.

Inch by Foot

Learning to live

at the edge where things happen,

a growing commitment...

an expansive arrangement,

where life is unfolding.

A place where edge is the center,

a growing edge space,

not too far,

or too little.



Like a new garden

emerging

that starts at a door...

a flourishing garden,

nourishing

growing…

edges expanding

by inches and feet as attention is paid,

a way toward fulfillment,

toward beauty and more.



Footsteps attending

seeds, timeless and patient,

good, generous soil, and

footprints on edges,

best fertilizer

of all.

Weeds - Tolerate This

But, but…what about President Obama and the creeping evils of socialism, you say…Do you mean like National Parks, Social Security? Civil Rights? Medicare?... Such sinful government intrusions should never have been accepted…The richest, most powerful country in history can only tolerate so much. Now some are saying a single-payer socialist approach to health care is desirable. How much socialism do they think we can take? Although they are not usually known for tolerance, Conservatives have been demonstrating a remarkable commitment to tolerate 40-50 million vulnerable citizens, unprotected by health insurance. Now that’s tolerance! As for balancing the President’s unacceptable budget, increasing taxes for the wealthiest seems like a good idea…one less camel for them to try to get through the eye of that Proverbial needle. When you have more than you ever imagined, way beyond what you’ve ever needed, and are still not satisfied, what will it take? How much is Enough…?