The Giving Tree

A dog and a wolf were wandering through a forest. They hadn’t found anything to eat for seven days, so they were close to death. “I’m starving! I’m going to die!” wailed the wolf. “I can help you,” said a voice. The dog and the wolf looked around. “Who said that?” asked the dog. “I did,” was the response. “I am the Giving Tree, and I have fruit that you can eat.” And then a couple of branches in a nearby tree started shaking, and two pieces of fruit fell to the ground. The dog took one and said, “Oh thank you Miss Giving Tree. You are so good to us.” “You’re welcome,” said the tree, enjoying the praise.

Meanwhile, the wolf was greedily wolfing down his fruit. When he finished eating, he said, “Give me another.” “Oh,” said the Giving Tree. “I don’t have that many fruits to give, and it’s very difficult to make them.” “But I’m so hungry,” wailed the wolf. So another branch shook, and another piece of fruit dropped to the ground. “Would you like another one too, Mister Dog?” the tree asked. “Oh that’s so kind,” said the dog, “but I’ve had enough to get me through the night.” But the Giving Tree dropped another fruit for the dog anyway. And the dog expressed his gratitude, making the tree feel warm in her heart.

The Giving Tree stayed awake all night long, creating another piece of fruit, and then she worked all day long to produce yet another fruit. And in the evening, the dog and the wolf returned. The Giving Tree happily gave them each a fresh fruit to eat. Again, the dog praised the tree, while the wolf ate his fruit. And again, the wolf cried out for more, and the dog said he didn’t need any more. And again, the Giving Tree gave them each another piece of fruit.

The Giving Tree realized that she was going to run out of fruit if this continued. And at some point, she would need to sleep. So, that night, she spent several hours teaching a nearby tree how to make fruit, and both trees worked hard all day to create one piece of fruit each. In the evening, the events of the previous two evenings were repeated, with the Giving Tree giving two pieces of fruit to each hungry animal.

That night, the Giving Tree got some well-earned sleep, while the second tree taught a third tree how to make fruit. And the next day, all three trees worked long and hard, each producing a piece of fruit. And as the days went on, more and more trees learned how to make fruit, and the Giving Tree was relieved, because they could keep up with the demand of the dog and the wolf.

When the wolf discovered that all of the trees had fruit, he got more demanding, eating five pieces of fruit each evening and going to sleep with an overstuffed stomach. But the dog was happy enough with his two pieces of fruit. And he always thanked all of the trees, which made them feel happy. This continued for many days.

Then, one day, a lightning bolt struck the Giving Tree creating a small flame near the bottom of her trunk. “Oh Mister Wolf,” the tree cried out, “Please stamp out this fire.” And the wolf said, “If I did that, then I might hurt my paw.” But when the dog realized what was going on, he didn’t hesitate to rush up to the tree and stamp out the flame. “Oh thank you so much,” said the Giving Tree, “But are you okay?” “Yes,” the dog said, “It was my great pleasure to help you, because I love you so much. I don’t care what happens to me. I only want to bring you happiness.” And then he died.

THE GIVING TREE