Once upon a time, in a lush forest filled with tall, whispering trees, there stood a beautiful tree known as the Giving Tree. This tree was special. Its leaves were a vibrant green, its branches were strong, and its roots ran deep into the earth. The tree loved the little boy who visited it every day. The boy would run to the tree, climb its trunk, and play in its shade. He would sit on its branches and swing from them, laughing with joy.

The Giving Tree was happy to have the boy around. “I am happy when you are here,” the tree would say, with its leaves rustling in the wind.

As the boy grew older, he still visited the tree, but his visits became less frequent. One day, when he came back to the tree, he seemed troubled.

“Tree,” the boy said, “I need money to buy things. Can you help me?”

The Giving Tree thought for a moment, then replied, “I have apples. Take my apples, sell them in the market, and you will have money.”

The boy eagerly picked the apples from the tree’s branches and left to sell them. The tree was happy to help, even though it missed the boy’s company. Over time, the boy returned less and less, but every time he came back with a new request.

Years passed, and one day, the boy—now a man—came back to the tree again. He was tired and burdened by life’s challenges.

“Tree,” the man said, “I need a house to live in. Can you help me?”

The Giving Tree, who had given so much already, paused and thought. “I have branches. Cut them down and build a house. It will give you shelter.”

The man eagerly cut off the tree’s branches and used them to build his house. The tree was glad to help, though it felt a little less complete each time a piece of it was taken.

Many more years went by, and the man returned again, now much older. His hair was gray, and his face was tired.

“Tree,” he said, “I need a boat to sail far away. Can you help me?”

The Giving Tree, now only a stump, sighed deeply. “I have no branches, no apples, and no leaves left to give. But I still have my trunk. Cut it down and use it to build a boat. It will carry you far.”

The man cut down the last of the tree, and with its trunk, he built a boat. The tree, now a mere stump, felt a deep emptiness. But it was content knowing that it had helped the man in every way it could.

Years passed, and the man—now an old, tired traveler—returned one final time. He was weak, weary, and in need of rest. He sat down on the stump of the Giving Tree and sighed with relief.

“I have nothing left to give you,” the tree said softly. “I am just a stump now.”

The old man looked up at the tree and smiled gently. “You’ve given me everything,” he said. “You’ve given me your apples, your branches, and your trunk. And now, you give me your peace.”

The Giving Tree was content. It had given everything it had, not out of obligation, but out of love and mutual respect. The man, though he had taken so much, had also learned to understand the tree’s gifts and the importance of nature’s kindness.

As the old man rested, the Giving Tree realized that the relationship between them had always been one of mutual respect—each giving what they could, understanding the needs of the other.

And so, the tree, though no longer what it once was, continued to give the most important thing of all: love, without expectation.

Moral:

True respect and understanding in relationships come from giving freely, without expecting anything in return.

Additional Lessons:

• Generosity: The Giving Tree demonstrates unconditional generosity by giving everything it has to help the boy throughout his life.
• Gratitude: The story subtly teaches the importance of appreciating those who give selflessly, as the boy comes to understand the tree’s sacrifices over time.

Parenting Tip: Use The Giving Tree to teach your child about gratitude and the importance of mutual respect in relationships. Highlight how giving, while meaningful, is more fulfilling when it’s appreciated and balanced. Discuss how nature provides for us and why it’s essential to care for it in return.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids:

• Why do you think the tree was happy to give everything to the boy?
• How do you think the boy could have shown more gratitude to the tree?
• If you were the boy, how would you help the tree when it had no branches or fruit left?
• Why is it important to take care of the trees and plants around us?
• Can you think of someone in your life who gives a lot to you? How can you show them kindness in return?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Trees and Nature

1. Trees in a forest share nutrients and water through underground fungal networks known as the “Wood Wide Web.”
2. Some trees can live thousands of years! The Great Basin bristlecone pine can live for over 5,000 years.
3. Trees provide oxygen. One mature tree can produce enough oxygen for four people to breathe in a day.
4. Apples are ancient! They’ve been cultivated by humans for over 4,000 years.
5. Trees cool the Earth. They reduce urban temperatures by providing shade and releasing water vapor through their leaves.
6. Tree rings tell time. Scientists study a tree’s rings to learn about its age and past climate conditions.
7. Some trees grow fruit only after many years. Mango trees, for example, take about 5–8 years to bear their first fruit.
8. Leaves are food factories! Trees use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make their own food through photosynthesis.
9. Tree stumps can sprout again. Some species, like willows and poplars, can regrow from stumps if they remain healthy.
10. Forests are homes. About 80% of Earth’s terrestrial animals live in forests.

Activity Idea:

Make a Gratitude Tree

1. Draw or print a large tree outline.
2. Cut out leaf shapes from colored paper.
3. Ask your child to write or draw something they’re grateful for on each leaf.
4. Stick the leaves onto the tree and discuss the importance of appreciating what we have.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!