"The Giving Tree" By Shel Silverstein

 

Summary
"The Giving Tree" By Shel Silverstein is a fable for children. The book is about a little boy and a female apple tree. In his childhood, the boy enjoys playing with the tree, climbing her trunk, swinging from her branches, and eating her apples. However, as time passes and the boy gets older, he starts to make requests of the tree: such as wanting money. The tree suggests that he pick and sell her apples, he does and sells them. After reaching adulthood, the boy wants a house; the tree suggests he cut her branches to build a house, which he does. After reaching middle age, the boy wants a boat; the tree suggests he cut her trunk to make a boat, which he does, leaving only a stump.
In the final pages, the boy (now a shriveled old man) wants only "a quiet place to sit and rest," which the stump provides.





Motivational Activities/Discussion Questions:

Discuss with children what they think the meaning behind the book is.

What is the selfless act the tree commits?

How do they feel they tree deals with the little boy growing up?

How does the little boy treat the tree as he grows up?

Have children write down or drawl a picture of how this story could apply their own life.

Have the children write thank you letters to their guardian for all the love and caring they unconditionally give them.






Personal Response:
 This controversial story can be viewed in many ways. I however, view it as a "mother" tree and her "son"; a story of selfish and selfless. A mothers love is selfless, she would give her every limb if that meant making her child happy, which in an odd turn makes her happy. The boy on the other hand appears selfish, taking whatever the mother will give for his own benefit, never thinking of her. I think this story represents the love of a mother and her children. Not until later in life, when maturity hits, will that the selfish way will resolve and become selfless in return.