The story follows a tree who loves a little boy and provides for him throughout his life. As the boy grows older, he returns to the tree asking for money, materials for shelter, and transportation, which the tree gives by allowing her leaves, branches, and trunk to be used. Though the tree is always willing to give to the boy, she becomes sadder each time as she has less left to offer, showing the selfless and enduring love of the tree for the boy.
2. Once there was a tree and she loved a
little boy. Everyday, the boy would come and
gather her leaves, make them into crowns
and play the king of the forest.
3. He would climb up
her trunk, swing
from her branches
and eat apples. They
even play hide-and-
go-seek. When the
boy was tired, he
would sleep in her
shade. And the boy
loved the tree very
much. And the tree
was happy.
4. But time went by.
The boy grew
older and the tree
was often left
alone.
5. Then one day, the boy came back and the tree
said, “Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk, swing
from my branches, eat my apples and play in my shade
and be happy.”
6. “I am too big to climb and play. I want to buy
things and have fun. I want some money. Can you
give me some money?” said the boy.
7. “I’m sorry, but I have no money. I only have leaves and apples.
Take my apples, boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will
have money and you will be happy”, said the tree.
8. And so the boy
climbed up the
three 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.
9. One day, the boy came back and the tree
was shook with joy and she said, “Come, Boy,
climb up my trunk and swing from my branches
and be happy.”
10. “I am too busy to climb trees. I want a house
to keep me warm. I want a wife and I want
children and so I need a house. Can you give me
a house?” said the boy.
11. “I have no house. The forest is my house, but you
can cut off my branches and build a house then you
will be happy”, said the tree. And so the boy cut
off her branches and carried them away to build
his house.
12. And the tree was happy. But the boy
stayed away for a long time.
13. When he came back, the tree was so happy and she
could hardly speak, “Come, Boy. Come and play.” She
whispered. “I am too old and sad to play,” said the boy.
He asked for a boat that will take him far away from
there.
14. The tree let him cut down her trunk and make
a boat out of it. The boy cut down her trunk
and sailed away. And the tree was happy… but
not really.
15. After a long time, the boy came back again.
The tree felt sorry for him, because she has
nothing to give for him anymore. But the boy said
that what he needs right now is a quiet place to
sit and rest.
16. “An old stump is good for sitting and
resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and
rest”, said the tree. And the boy did. And
the tree was happy.
