Shhh! It's Supposed to be a Secret!

Originally Posted January 7th, re-posted:

     When I grew sick and tired of Dr. Seuss books, my Mom picked up a copy of Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree”. At first look, I was startled by the scene portrayed on the book’s cover; a tree that seemed to be handing an apple to a young boy. When I was this young, before any training in American Studies course, and before being introduced to the “See, Think, Wonder” process, I never tried to derive any significance from the image. I never questioned Silverstein’s intention to perhaps, convey a deeper underlying message through symbolism.

     Dusting off our family copy, I reread the story. Now, if you never read this picture book, you parents didn’t raise you properly, so go to your nearest Barnes and Noble and get yourself a copy! If you don’t live near a Barnes and Noble, here is a quick summary for you: There is a tree that loves a little boy. The boy would come everyday to play and eat the tree’s apples. As the boy grows older the tree is often alone, without the boy. When he does come, the tree asks him to play, but the boys says he is too old to play. He needs money to start a life of his own. The tree gives the boy her apples to sell in the city, branches to make a house, and trunk to build a house. Silverstein should re-name his story, "The Taking Boy." At last, the boy (now an old man) visits the tree and asks for a place to rest. She offers him her stump, and he sits. The tree is happy again.

     Unconditional love is love one has for another regardless of the other's actions or beliefs It defines the story. Through referring to the tree as a female, Silverstein signifies the tree's mother-like role she plays with the boy. This is the type of love a parent shares with their child. If unconditional love is a love that definitively can't be destroyed by ones actions, then how legitimate is this love? Truthfully she can't be happy without any of her apples, branches, leaves, trunk and most importantly the absence of the boy. When the boy cuts down her trunk to use to make a boat near the end of the story, just after the boy left with her trunk to make the wood, the narrator says "And the tree was happy...but not really.” Ultimately the message Silverstein is sending here is that unconditional love can coincide with an authentic and passionate relationship, but as a child develops and eventually moves out on his own, he must not let his relationship with his parents deteriorate. Maybe he can no longer play, but he can still love. Silverstein ingeniously relays this message that he is trying to convey between the parent reading this story, and the young child listening to the story, in hopes they can maintain their genuine love for one another, to last a lifetime.

Shel Silverstein narrates his compelling "children's story" 

The tree, willingly sacrifices for the boy, who accepts everything from her without thanking her. Can you relate to instances where you parents have willingly gone out of their way to make you happy, and despite their success you failed to thank them. They continue to love you though, and will continue to strive to make you happy, since you are their kid. Let’s hear your story. Comment!

I wouldn't say I like the book quite as much as this guy. Giving Tree tattoos, really?