Once there was a tree.... and she loved a little boy.
And the boy would come every day, gather her leaves, create crowns out of them, and pretend to be the king of the forest. He'd climb up her trunk and swing from her branches, eating apples in the process. They would also play hide-and-seek. He would sleep in her shade when he felt tired. 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.
And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her applesand carried them away.And the tree was happy.
Then one day the boy came to the tree.
"Come, Boy, come andclimb up my trunk and swing from mybranches and eat apples and play in myshade and be happy."
"I am too big to climb and play"
"I want to buy things and have fun.I want some money?"
"I'm sorry, but I have no money. I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples, Boy, and sell them inthe city. Then you will have money andyou will be happy."
But the boy stayed away for a long time....and the tree was sad.
And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. And the tree was happy.
"I am too old and sad to play, I want a boat that will take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?"
And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy.
"Come, Boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy."
"I'm too busy to climb trees, and I need a house to be warm. I also want a wife and children, so I'll need a house. Is it possible for you to provide me with a home?"
"Come, Boy, come and play."
"I don't have a home; the forest is my home; but, you may take off my branches and build a home. Then you'll be happy."
And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away.And the tree was happy.... but not really
"Cut down my trunk and make a boat, then you can sail away... and be happy."
And after a long timethe boy came back again.
"I am sorry, I wish that I could give you something....but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry...."
"I am sorry, Boy, but I have nothing left to give you - My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weakfor apples,"
"I don't need very much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired."
"Well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
"My branches are gone. Youcannot swing on them - "
And the boy did.And the tree was happy.
"I am too old to swingon branches"
"I am too tired to climb"
"My trunk is gone, You cannot climb-"
But the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak.