The giving tree – Story
Posted by: colega on: November 18, 2007
This is a story by Shell Silverstein, and it’s called
The giving tree
Once there was a tree……
And she loved little boy.
And every day the boywould 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 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 climb 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 a house. And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time……and the tree was sad. 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 apple,”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…and rest.”
And the tree was happy..
The end.
I’ve moved my blog to dilayllah.info
36 Responses to "The giving tree – Story"
December 19, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I think that tree was just so nice and that is what people should be like and how parents should treat their own kids. That tree was that boys life and the boy should be so thankful for the things the tree gave to him. Also I think the boy should thank the tree for giving his life happiness and the apples for money. That is what I think of that great and wonderful giving tree.
January 18, 2008 at 6:21 pm
This was the most beautiful story. I read it to my grand daughter all the time. I read it to our whole family at Christmas and everyone was listening so intently. This is one of my favorite books. Thank you Mr. Silverstein.
February 13, 2008 at 4:10 pm
A friend told me of this story recently. Upon reading it I was humbled. Once again GOD has shown me, one does not need ‘things’ to make them happy. We merely need each other. In there youth the tree and boy are happy just to be in each other’s company and as time goes on the story comes full circle. At least that’s what I have come away with….although I’m not a critic . GOD Bless.
October 11, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Yup, SHELL SILVERSTEIN does a wonderful job relating the magnanimity of self-less and unconditional love.
March 20, 2008 at 6:20 pm
This book is just one more feather in Mr Silverstein’s hat.I believe all of his writings to be must reads.
April 14, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Five yoers ago i was an au-pair in London, and every night i have read this story to Joshua (7years old boy). When i was leaving them after one and a half year he wanted to give me the book but i said to him to keep it. Today i was just surfing on net and suddenly i got an idea to have a look on that book here (after five years) Thank You!!!!!thanks for putting it here and sharing the story with others!!!!
May 9, 2008 at 12:02 am
i love this story and i had to write a respond to literatue for my english class. it was fun because it was such a great story. love aubrey
May 14, 2008 at 2:37 am
I love art, and on day in red bubble I found this painting of “The Giving Tree” story. I was curious to read the story and I started to googled. I want to thank Mr. Silverstein for such a beautiful story. This story reminds me a little bit of my life, I have been told by family members that I give all that I have.. and that people take advantage of me. But in away I just feel so well to help those that need me. The good thing about the boy was that he came back, but only he need it something. I kind of feel that he was taking advantage of the most kind and unself tree. If everything would of been perfect in the boy’s he would never came back, he married and had children he could of kept the tradition. I don’t know.. that way the tree would of always had someone in her life. Beautiful story, I had to translated the story to spanish to my friends. I just wanted to share with them. Thank you for sharing this amazing story with the public. Love Sugey
May 14, 2008 at 2:49 am
Beautiful story, thank you so much for sharing this story online. Also, thanks a million to the wonderful Mr. Silverstein for this marvelous story. I ready every day, I feel that I am the tree, but, doesn’t feel that boy took advantaged of the tree. If everything would of been perfect he would of never come back. I translated to Spanish to my friends. I just love reading. I feel that there are people that just givers and takers, which is better? I often time feel used by others, take just come and take what they need. Often time, they don’t come around at all, or don’t even call, can you give to those people? thanks for sharing the story… love sugeyvida
May 16, 2008 at 3:58 am
I think that this story is so sad! The tree gives the boy what he wants and he keeps wanting. Then he leaves and the tree is sad. 
June 16, 2008 at 11:05 am
i used to read this at least once a week in primary school it was my favourite book .
i’m 14 now and the other day i was thinking about this book .
i still love it it’s a beautiful story .
July 27, 2008 at 5:03 am
What a beautiful story! I love it! Thank you for putting this on the internet to share this wonderful story by Mr. Silverstein!
July 27, 2008 at 5:09 am
This is a story that will be kept in millions of people’s hearts…
July 27, 2008 at 5:11 am
This is a story that will be kept in millions of people’s hearts forever…
September 17, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Hey i have to do an essay on this beautiful heart touching story , but theres a twist on it. i have to find a theory that goes with this poem for instince feminism . what do you think is the real meaning behind this story besides a parental relationship with their children ? if you can give your ideas it would be greatly appreciated 
thank you and god bless
November 24, 2008 at 12:08 am
I have not read this story since Kindergarten when my teacher read this aloud to my class. 28 years later, I am researching stories to incorporate into my teaching lesson plans. This story made my eyes tear because it affected me now just as it did when I was a child, it is a timeless, beautiful and sad story all at once. This is why I admire Shel Silverstein’s work because he was able to incorporate the honesty of life that is both beautiful and sad all at once.
December 23, 2008 at 2:09 am
My Mom read this story to me and I feel happy myself, until someone comes and takes my apples, branches and trunk. And then they come and sit on me. Anyway, I enjoyed listening to the story and I would like to hear it again someday.
January 5, 2009 at 2:35 am
Being the tree as a mother and the little boy as the mother’s child, I think this story talks about how much love a mother could give for her child. We all know that a mother’s love for her children is genuine, selfless and very unconditional. She’s willing to give everything for her children just to make them happy even if she got nothing left for herself. Because their happiness are hers too. And that’s what make moms the best woman in the world!! Thanks to Mr. Silverstein..
March 25, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I loved this book as a child and it brings back memories from my dad reading it to me all the time. Im expecting my first in july and i hope he/she will love the book just as much as i did.
May 31, 2009 at 5:22 am
Wow! My opinion won’t be a very popular one, I can tell.
I see a story of greed and enabling. I see a lesson that love means giving yourself away, piece by piece, until there’s nothing left….and by reading it to a child, I could be fostering the belief that this is okay – that this is what it means to love.
I was kind of hoping that in the end, the boy would grow up, become a father and realizes the sacrifices Tree made along the way and return to her side,having found a way to give back to her.
Instead, he returns to her and takes the only thing she’s got left – her dignity. He presents his butt to her…and sits.
At some point, a healthy child learns that relationships are a two way street. He offers nothing of himself except for his needs. In addition, when she asks him to keep her company, climb up her trunk and swing from her branches – he’s always got some excuse…but ‘hey – you got some cash?’
The boy appears to love the tree – not for what it is…but for what it could give him. It’s stories like these, in my opinion, that reinforce the sense of entitlement that seems to have become prevalent in today’s children.
August 7, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I think that the boy is a tree murderer. I’m glad he is old I hope he dies. I just wish that dumbass tree still had branches so it could strangle the selfish old bastard
September 27, 2009 at 6:30 pm
i agree with MJ. where is the part where the boy grows up? where is the learning from the trees example and he gives of himself unconditionally?
i think the trees lessons are wonderful and beautiful, but enabling. we need as parents to teach our children to use resources and replenish them as well. teach a kid how to sell apples and he lives for the season. teach him how to grow an orchard and he and his family will live proudly and happy.
that is what the story misses! “life lessons”and the boys happiness, he is not happy because he cant function in the real world. what mother allows her son to take advantage and never teachs him to give, or to learn to earn his own way.
October 2, 2009 at 11:31 pm
My 7-year-old daughter read this story at school. She told me the story when she got home. She looked a little sad when she was telling it. I asked her how the story made her feel. She said it makes her happy because she likes the story, and it makes her sad because the tree misses the boy so much. She makes me feel the same way.
October 9, 2009 at 12:25 am
The tree is generous she never stops giving off a part of herself … every time the boy comes… she keeps on giving yet lacks nothing…
the boy every time he comes he is always coming with a need….a taker…
Giver always win… when we give we are liken into a water pipe line it always gives off water but never runs out of water….
But takers is always found in want…
October 17, 2009 at 2:05 am
me and my son like this story so much. it was very inspiring. this is our favorite book.
December 15, 2007 at 11:01 am
it’s a beautiful story i enjoyed it very much, and i intend to read it in several classes i teach in