2. Once upon a time, three small trees grew on top
of a mountain. They often dreamed of what
they would become when they grew up.
3. The first small tree gazed up at the
stars sparkling like diamonds in the
sky and said, “When I grow up,
I want to be a treasure chest.”
4. “I will hold gold and
precious gems! And I will be
the most beautiful treasure
chest in the whole world!”
5. The second small tree gazed at the
stream below winding down to the
ocean.
6. “I want to be a strong sailing ship,"
the third little tree dreamed.
“I want to sail to many far places, and I will carry
powerful kings and queens to all corners of the world!.
I will be the mightiest ship in all the world!”
7. Finally, the third little tree looked below at the
busy little town full of people rushing to and fro.
“As for me, I don’t want to leave the top of this mountain,”
he declared.
8. “All I want is to grow so tall that
when people look up at me,
they will turn their gaze to heaven
and think of God,” the third tree said wistfully.
“I will be the tallest tree in the world and
people will always remember me!”
9. Several years passed.
The little trees
grew tall and strong.
One day,
three woodcutters
came to the top of
the mountain.
10. The first woodcutter
looked at the first tree
and said,
“This tree is perfect
for me.
I’m sure I can sell
the wood
to a carpenter!"
11. He cut down the first
tall tree with his big
shining axe.
12. The first tree
was so happy.
He thought, “Now I
will be made into a
beautiful treasure
chest!”
14. The second woodcutter
took one look at the
second tree and
and said,
“This tree is
strong and tall.
It will do
very well for me.
I will be able
to sell it to the
shipyard!”
15. With one swoop of
the woodcutter’s
mighty axe,
the second tree
fell.
16. The second tree
was so happy
because he thought,
“Surely now I shall sail
the seven seas
and bring
mighty kings
to the far corners
of the earth!
I shall be the mightiest
ship in all the world!”
17. The third tree
was frightened and
sad when the third
woodcutter
looked at him.
It hoped the
woodcutter would
see how tall he was
and look to
heaven.
18. But the woodcutter
never even looked
at the sky.
“Any tree will do for me,"
the woodcutter said.
19. And so the dreams
of the third tree
died with one
swoop of the
woodcutter’s
shining axe.
20. Imbis na kahon na
Oh how happy the first tree
ang siyang hawak ay
was when he was brought
ginto at mamahaling bato,
to the carpenter’s shop!
ang dating carpenter
But the
magandanga different plan!
had puno ay
naging lalagyan
ng damo para sa
pagkain ng mga hayop.
21. Instead of a
treasure chest,
the once tall and
proud tree
was made
into a
feed box for
animals.
Instead of gold and
precious gems, the
tree was covered
with sawdust and
filled with hay for
hungry animals.
22. The second tree was
overjoyed when it was
brought into a shipyard.
All its hopes and dreams
were coming true!
23. But no mighty
sailing ships
were made in the
shipyard that
day.
The once tall and mighty
tree was cut and
made into a small
fishing boat.
24. His dream of being a
strong sailing ship
lay dead on the
shipyard floor.
26. “What happened?" he asked sad and confused.
“All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountaintop
and point to God."
27. The years passed and the three trees forgot
their ambitious dreams and plans.
28. But one dark night,
when a bright star
shone through the
window, a man and
a woman came into
the barn.
29. “If only I could make a crib,"
the father said mournfully
after the baby was born.
30. The beautiful
mother smiled and
comforted him,
“This manger will
do beautifully!
Look at how sturdy
and smooth the
wood is!”
31. At that wonderful
and magical moment,
the first tree realized
with amazement
that he was holding
the greatest treasure
of all time!
32. Years later, some men climbed into the
small boat made from the second tree.
One man was tired and fell asleep.
33. While they were
out on the water a
storm arose.
The tree shuddered
and knew he was too small
and weak to carry
the fisherman
safely through
the storm.
37. It was carried
through the streets
as the people
mocked the man
carrying him.
The third tree
cringed as soldiers
nailed a man’s
hands and feet on it.
39. When Sunday came, the
sun rose and the third tree
realized that everything
changed. It was a beautiful
morning! Every time people
would see him, they would
think of God!
40. We may dream, make
plans and try to make
them come true. If
things don’t go as you
planned, trust in the
Lord!
42. Know that His plans and
His ways are always
better than your own! His
ways are always best!
43. Creative Commons Copyright
Noncommercial. You may copy, distribute, display, and perform
this work — and derivative works based upon it (for instance, translations)—
but for noncommercial purposes only
Attribution. You may let others copy, distribute, display, and perform
this work — and derivative works based upon it —
but please leave this last slide unchanged.
Please consider donating to the
He Cares Foundation Streetchildren Caring Center
11 Acuña Drive, Philvirra Homes, Project 8, QC Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 928-8910 Cel. No. 632927+9755399
http://www.hecaresfoundation.com/