The Giving Treeby Shel SilversteinOnce there was a tree . ... and 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 tree . ... very 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 my branches 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 in the 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 time . ... and 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 off my branches and build a house . 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 will take 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 away . .. and 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 something . ... but 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 restingCome , Boy , sit down . Sit down and rest . " And the boy did . And the tree was happy .