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The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein The BookWalker

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Editor’s Note: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein’s

Now, after many years, the 'boy' comes back as an old man, and the tree despairs that he has nothing left to give. "I do not need much now, just a place to rest ." My voice always quavers each time I get to the last page; the idea that one could give so selflessly and get nothing in return is inspiring.

Someone said this beautifully ‘we cannot open a book without learning something,’ indeed, I find the maxim to be true. Each time we pick a book and read, we improve our lives by living in the author’s world, on how the writer perceives the world, learning the lesson the author wants to impart.

Last Thanksgiving, I’ve been reading The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein’s classic children’s book, as an assignment, reading the book to my nephews and nieces. As you may remember, it’s about a tree and a young boy who loves to climb it and rest in its shade.

As the boy gets older, the tree gives him anything he wants―even the tree’s own trunk to be carved into a boat to sail away. Now, after many years, the ‘boy’ comes back as an old man, and the tree despairs that he has nothing left to give. “I do not need much now, just a place to rest .” My voice always quavers each time I get to the last page; the idea that one could give so selflessly and get nothing in return is inspiring.

Now, after many years, the ‘boy’ comes back as an old man, and the tree despairs that he has nothing left to give. “I do not need much now, just a place to rest .” My voice always quavers each time I get to the last page; the idea that one could give so selflessly and get nothing in return is inspiring.

We cannot open a book without learning something.’

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