Thursday, April 22, 2021

The Giving Tree by Vicky Spelman

 

Photo by Phoebe Calef of her real-life Giving Tree in Oakland, California.

Happy Earth Day!

This Stump Has Been Turned into a Perfect Tribute to 'The Giving Tree'.

It depicts a tree that had been cut into a chair-like stump. On the “chair” are written the words featured on the last page of the children’s book.

The words read:

'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, straightening herself up as much as she could, 'well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'

And the boy did.


The Giving Tree follows a little boy throughout his life as his favorite tree continues providing for him and gives him gifts as he grows. Finally, it can only provide the aging man with a place to sit his brittle bones – and the dying tree is very happy to help as a bench.

The stump with its beloved words is now a local landmark, being visited by dozens of Shel Silverstein fans. Some are just stopping by for a photo, while others are eager for a special place just to sit.

"I had to have the tree cut down by a local arborist because its roots were buckling the sidewalk. They carved us a bench just for fun,” says Phoebe. “We then decided to write something from The Giving Tree or the Lorax".