The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in a forest. The tree always provides the boy with what he wants: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, branches with which to build a home. As the boy grows older he requires more and more of the tree. The tree loves the boy very much and gives him anything he asks for. In the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut her down so the boy can build a boat in which he can sail. The boy leaves the tree, now a stump. Many years later, the boy, now an old man, returns and the tree says, "I have nothing left to give you." The boy replies, "I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest." The tree then says, "Good! A tree stump is a great place to do just that! Come boy, sit down and be happy." The boy obliged and the tree was happy.

This story has generated controversy and opposing opinions for its interpreted messages, on whether the tree is selfless or merely self-sacrificing, and whether the boy is selfish or reasonable in his demands of the tree.

I ask you to think about your relationships with your friends and family. Are you selfless or selfish in your relationships? I have found myself becoming so selfless at times I would drop the most important things in my life for people. That is the person I am, and I have experienced lots of pain for it. I never regret, always forgive, but I never forget that pain.

Life provides opportunities to be selfish and selfless. At what point do you react selfishly and at what point do you act selfless? Are you ok to be cut down for one's happiness? Are you ok to take every branch to swing?