Publisher’s Story Summary: 'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.' So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

 LESSON:  THE GIVING TREE  

Lesson Summary

This is the touching story of a boy’s relationship with a tree, and how the tree provides for him throughout his life.

Concept: Natural Resources

Definition: Natural resources are gifts of nature that are used in the production of goods and services.

Comprehension Questions:

Identify the main natural resource the boy depends on in the story.
The tree

List the natural resources the tree provided for the boy throughout his life.
Apples, wood, leaves

Explain how the boy used the leaves (natural resource) to entertain himself when he was young.
He would make them into crowns and play king of the forest.

Name the parts of the tree (natural resource) and tell how each part provided goods or services for the boy when he was young.

trunk a place to climb branches a place to swing leaves a place for shade to rest; a crown apples food to eat

Explain how the tree provided income (money) for the teenage boy.
The tree told the boy to take his apples and sell them.

As the boy grew older, his wants changed. Explain how the parts of the tree helped him get what he wanted as an adult.

In our own economy, how are trees beneficial to us?
We get many products from trees, too many to list here.  Here are some examples:  paper; syrup; oils; decorations (Christmas trees, wreaths, etc.); resins to help make turpentine, polish, varnishes, shoe polish, and soaps; charcoal; wood for houses, posts, furniture, etc.

How do we get the trees we need in our economy?
Most trees are grown and produced by tree farmers and forest industry companies, who plant, harvest, and sell the trees.  Many trees also come from publicly owned National Forests, which were created years ago to make sure we didn’t run out of wood.  These public forests are managed by the government.  In recent decades the United States is doing a much better job of managing its forest resources.  At this time, there is no danger of “running out of trees.”

Other Concepts:  Goods and Services, Economic Wants

   Natural Resources