Hello there! Today, we’re going to talk about a special story called “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. It’s a tale about a tree and a little boy who share a very special friendship.
Once upon a time, there was a tree who loved a little boy very much. Every day, the boy would visit the tree. He would gather her leaves and make them into crowns to pretend he was the king of the forest. He loved to climb her trunk, swing from her branches, and eat her delicious apples. They played hide-and-seek, and when he got tired, he would rest in her cool shade. The boy loved the tree, and the tree was very happy.
As time went by, the boy grew older and didn’t visit the tree as often. One day, he came back, and the tree was so happy to see him. She invited him to climb, swing, and eat apples again. But the boy said he was too big for that now. He wanted money to buy things and have fun. The tree didn’t have money, but she offered her apples for him to sell in the city. The boy took the apples, and the tree was happy, even though she missed him when he was gone.
After a long time, the boy returned. The tree was thrilled and asked him to play. But the boy was too busy. He wanted a house to keep warm and have a family. The tree didn’t have a house to give, but she offered her branches so he could build one. The boy cut off her branches and built his house. The tree was happy, but she missed him when he left again.
Years later, the boy came back. The tree was so happy she could hardly speak. She asked him to play, but the boy was too old and sad. He wanted a boat to sail far away. The tree offered her trunk to make a boat. The boy cut down her trunk and sailed away. The tree was happy… but also a little sad.
After a long time, the boy returned once more. The tree was now just a stump. She felt she had nothing left to give. But the boy, now an old man, said he just needed a quiet place to sit and rest. The tree, even as a stump, was happy to offer that. The boy sat down, and the tree was happy once again.
This story is about love and giving. It teaches us about the joy of sharing and caring for others. Books like “The Giving Tree” help us learn and think about important things. Reading is a magical way to explore new ideas and adventures. So keep reading and discovering new stories. The world is full of amazing books and writers waiting to light up your imagination!
Thank you for joining us for storytime. Be sure to check out more stories and keep reading!
Tree and Me: Go outside and find a tree that you like. Spend some time observing it. What do you notice about the tree? Does it have leaves, branches, or fruit? Draw a picture of your tree and write a short story about how you and the tree could be friends, just like the boy and the tree in “The Giving Tree.”
Acts of Giving: Think about ways you can give to others, just like the tree gave to the boy. Can you share a toy with a friend, help a family member, or make a card for someone? Try to do one kind act today and share your experience with the class. How did it make you feel?
Storytime Role Play: With a friend or family member, act out different parts of “The Giving Tree.” One person can be the tree, and the other can be the boy. How does the tree feel when the boy visits? How does the boy feel when he receives something from the tree? Talk about the feelings of both characters and how they change throughout the story.
Welcome to Storyline Online, brought to you by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. I’m Keith Carradine, and today I’m going to be reading “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein.
Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy. Every day, the boy would come, gather her leaves, make them into crowns, and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk, swing from her branches, and eat apples. They would play hide-and-go-seek, and when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. The boy loved the tree very much, and the tree was happy.
But time went by, and the boy grew older. The tree was often alone. Then one day, the boy came to the tree, and the tree said, “Come, Boy, climb up my trunk, swing from my branches, eat apples, play in my shade, and be happy.”
“I’m 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.”
So the boy climbed up the tree, gathered her apples, and carried them away. The tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time, and the tree was sad.
Then one day, the boy came back, and the tree shook with joy. She said, “Come, Boy, climb up my trunk, 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. I want a wife and 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.”
So the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. The tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time. When he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak.
“Come, Boy,” she whispered, “come and play.”
“I’m too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “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.”
So the boy cut down her trunk, made a boat, and sailed away. 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 gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing on them.”
“I’m too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.
“My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You cannot climb.”
“I’m 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’m 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’m very tired.”
“Well,” said 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 End.
I first read “The Giving Tree” back in the late ’60s, and it has stayed with me ever since. Maybe it’s because it made me think. It’s a beautiful story about love and giving, the joy of giving, and the care that should come with being loved and given to.
The beauty of books is how much we can learn and discover from them. Any book that can share a story that gives us things to think about is worth a look. So keep reading, learning, and discovering. The world is full of wonderful writers and their stories, and reading is one of the most magical ways we have to light up our imaginations.
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