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