A review by yaminagabe
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
5.0
I read this story in a 6th grader book and I was in my 10th grade. I am already in high school when I discovered this one.
It is about an engaging relationship with a boy and a tree which they would play together, having fun together all day long which is a mundane thing to do for everybody elses children (except, the tree could talk and start a conversation and became a playmate.) The tree was so blissful and almost overindulgent towards the lad. The tree became the boy's playmate. They role plays about kings and heroism. The boy swings on the tree branches and set out for a new profound adventures store for him by the tree itself, until the boy get's tired and walk home. The tree get's unhappy and happy everytime the boy shows up. Then one day, the boy never came back and it took for several years before he was exposed again to the tree's presence although, he was no longer the little boy the tree once knew. He became a finest adolescent who started to think analytically and critically. In short, he grew up and when the tree invited him to play with her branches, the boy refuses, "I am not a child anymore to play games and swing branches. ." he replied, instead the boy demanded something about how can he earn money and be lucrative.
The tree was a bit sad but due to fact that he can't provide the boy's need, however, she volunteered to let him sell her apples in the market. So the boy follows her advise and head-off again far-away. And he never came back till' another years had gone and passing through, he showed up again, meanwhile the tree never changed and she was delighted to witnessed his boy twas' keeps inviting her childhood friend to play among her branches with willingness. Yet the boy still refuses her offer and demanded about travelling off the world and the tree knew he has no transportation to embark for his journey so she offer her strong and big branches so that the boy could build a boat. The boy follows her advised and slowly cut off her branches and twigs, and the tree endured and never complained. She was happy.
And the boy spends his several years on the other side of the globe until he came back again (guess what?) with another demand. However, his stature and physique has changed along with his appearance which became broad and thick. He was no longer to be called a little boy. He has finally became a man. But the tree still recognized him and invites him to play with her and again, he refused. And tell her that he wanted to have a family. He wants to have a wife and bore children. And in order to do that, he needs a house. So, (predictable enough, no need to mention the obvious but I still wrote it), the tree (oh, the tree) suggested to cut off her big trunks to start his house construction and he did. (I don't know if he knew what is 'remorse' or 'guilt' was but I remember this is an elementary book and I should never taken it too literally, jeez, this book driving me crazy). And the tree was happy (but not really).
Years and years gone and passed by. Time flew. Yesterdays became past. And past became a history, the boy came back. But, he was not a little boy nor a man to be signified. His youth was entirely gone. He got wrinkled, cranky skin. He was now an old man. And the tree was (guess, he was extremely happy but weak to show his enthusiasm.) Yes, the tree was still happy. (What an undying loyalty, I wanted to wipe my tears---but I remember I did not cry but felt contempt towards this teeny-tiny human boy ink on paper, what a childish mindset of mine, pardon.) What makes me much depressed is that the tree tried to show his weak smile (although, the tree doesn't have a mouth) towards this old man (his not senile which thank God---I mean, Silverstein). The tree admitted that he can no longer a help to the boy "I am happy to see you. I wanted to help you and give what the best I could provide. But you see, I am nothing but a tree stump. I'm afraid I cannot help you any further" (this is my understanding, sorry). And then the old dude say's "I don't need anything, I just wanted to have a sit and relax" and so, the tree suggested to sit on her stump so that he could feel at ease and so, the old man listened to her advise.
The tree was genuinely love the boy. And I similarly applies this to my parents, especially my Mom.
My mother tolerated my wrongdoing sometimes and accepted my mistakes. She openly embraced me despite the fact that I committed something offensive. I am not saying the boy did was wrong hence, the tree is willing after all. But I guess he overlooked the fact that the tree was also suffering. While the boy thinks about making himself felt better and bothered much about his future. He simply missed-out something very important that is also crucial to his life.
While the story focuses to environmental reservation and the importance of conserving our trees and ecosystem, it is also about the relationship of the people that has meaningful attachment to us. Sometimes, we take for granted the help that this people offers. We thinks it is only natural co'z that was served his or her purpose. Just like your father provided your needs in school or the fees that he needs to pay for raising you, it's natural because that's was father's do and your was his son. It is his obligation and responsibility. But the amount of those sacrifices and devotion just to make amends of any helluva' demands is not too simple. It ain't easy just like that. It takes an amount of time, patience and dignity. And still, the tree puts a smile in the presence of the boy. The tree was happy because the boy was happy. She never complained even a single thing even if the boy takes and takes. I was also thinking, she was just naive and stupid. What do you mean, responsibility? She was just a tree. How did the tree love a voracious and selfish boy so much? But I can't say that infront of my parents. That's what I think after reading the book.
It is refreshing and disturbing at the same time. But at the very least this story has opens my eyes.
It is about an engaging relationship with a boy and a tree which they would play together, having fun together all day long which is a mundane thing to do for everybody elses children (except, the tree could talk and start a conversation and became a playmate.) The tree was so blissful and almost overindulgent towards the lad. The tree became the boy's playmate. They role plays about kings and heroism. The boy swings on the tree branches and set out for a new profound adventures store for him by the tree itself, until the boy get's tired and walk home. The tree get's unhappy and happy everytime the boy shows up. Then one day, the boy never came back and it took for several years before he was exposed again to the tree's presence although, he was no longer the little boy the tree once knew. He became a finest adolescent who started to think analytically and critically. In short, he grew up and when the tree invited him to play with her branches, the boy refuses, "I am not a child anymore to play games and swing branches. ." he replied, instead the boy demanded something about how can he earn money and be lucrative.
The tree was a bit sad but due to fact that he can't provide the boy's need, however, she volunteered to let him sell her apples in the market. So the boy follows her advise and head-off again far-away. And he never came back till' another years had gone and passing through, he showed up again, meanwhile the tree never changed and she was delighted to witnessed his boy twas' keeps inviting her childhood friend to play among her branches with willingness. Yet the boy still refuses her offer and demanded about travelling off the world and the tree knew he has no transportation to embark for his journey so she offer her strong and big branches so that the boy could build a boat. The boy follows her advised and slowly cut off her branches and twigs, and the tree endured and never complained. She was happy.
And the boy spends his several years on the other side of the globe until he came back again (guess what?) with another demand. However, his stature and physique has changed along with his appearance which became broad and thick. He was no longer to be called a little boy. He has finally became a man. But the tree still recognized him and invites him to play with her and again, he refused. And tell her that he wanted to have a family. He wants to have a wife and bore children. And in order to do that, he needs a house. So, (predictable enough, no need to mention the obvious but I still wrote it), the tree (oh, the tree) suggested to cut off her big trunks to start his house construction and he did. (I don't know if he knew what is 'remorse' or 'guilt' was but I remember this is an elementary book and I should never taken it too literally, jeez, this book driving me crazy). And the tree was happy (but not really).
Years and years gone and passed by. Time flew. Yesterdays became past. And past became a history, the boy came back. But, he was not a little boy nor a man to be signified. His youth was entirely gone. He got wrinkled, cranky skin. He was now an old man. And the tree was (guess, he was extremely happy but weak to show his enthusiasm.) Yes, the tree was still happy. (What an undying loyalty, I wanted to wipe my tears---but I remember I did not cry but felt contempt towards this teeny-tiny human boy ink on paper, what a childish mindset of mine, pardon.) What makes me much depressed is that the tree tried to show his weak smile (although, the tree doesn't have a mouth) towards this old man (his not senile which thank God---I mean, Silverstein). The tree admitted that he can no longer a help to the boy "I am happy to see you. I wanted to help you and give what the best I could provide. But you see, I am nothing but a tree stump. I'm afraid I cannot help you any further" (this is my understanding, sorry). And then the old dude say's "I don't need anything, I just wanted to have a sit and relax" and so, the tree suggested to sit on her stump so that he could feel at ease and so, the old man listened to her advise.
The tree was genuinely love the boy. And I similarly applies this to my parents, especially my Mom.
My mother tolerated my wrongdoing sometimes and accepted my mistakes. She openly embraced me despite the fact that I committed something offensive. I am not saying the boy did was wrong hence, the tree is willing after all. But I guess he overlooked the fact that the tree was also suffering. While the boy thinks about making himself felt better and bothered much about his future. He simply missed-out something very important that is also crucial to his life.
While the story focuses to environmental reservation and the importance of conserving our trees and ecosystem, it is also about the relationship of the people that has meaningful attachment to us. Sometimes, we take for granted the help that this people offers. We thinks it is only natural co'z that was served his or her purpose. Just like your father provided your needs in school or the fees that he needs to pay for raising you, it's natural because that's was father's do and your was his son. It is his obligation and responsibility. But the amount of those sacrifices and devotion just to make amends of any helluva' demands is not too simple. It ain't easy just like that. It takes an amount of time, patience and dignity. And still, the tree puts a smile in the presence of the boy. The tree was happy because the boy was happy. She never complained even a single thing even if the boy takes and takes. I was also thinking, she was just naive and stupid. What do you mean, responsibility? She was just a tree. How did the tree love a voracious and selfish boy so much? But I can't say that infront of my parents. That's what I think after reading the book.
It is refreshing and disturbing at the same time. But at the very least this story has opens my eyes.