Once there was a she loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would comeand he would gather her leavesand make them into crownsand play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunkand swing from her branchesand eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.
And when he was tired,he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the 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 treeand the tree said, "Come,
Boy, come andclimb up my trunk and swing from mybranches and eat apples and play in myshade and be happy.""I am too big to climb and play" saidthe boy."I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money?""I'm sorry," said the tree, "but Ihave no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples,
Boy, and sell them inthe city.
Then you will have money andyou will be happy."And so the boy climbed up thetree and gathered her applesand carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long the tree was sad.
And then one day the boy came backand the tree shook with joyand she said, "Come,
Boy, climb up my trunkand 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," he said."I 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,but you may cut offmy branches and build ahouse.
Then you will be happy."And so the boy cut off her branchesand carried them awayto build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,the tree was so happyshe 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 willtake me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?""Cut down my trunkand make a boat," said the tree."Then you can sail be happy."And so the boy cut down her trunkand made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy... but not really.
And after a long timethe boy came back again."I am sorry,
Boy,"said the tree," but I have nothingleft to give you -My apples are gone.""My teeth are too weakfor apples," said the boy."My branches are gone,"said the tree. " Youcannot swing on them - ""I am too old to swingon 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 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, straighteningherself up as much as she could,"well, an old stump is good for sitting and
Come,
Boy, sit down.
Sit down and rest."And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.
This is probably Silverstein's best loved book and deserves to be read with the illustrations alongside if you can find the actual book
