This is an interesting post with opinions on the classic children’s book “The Giving Tree”, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. The story revolves around the enduring friendship between a selfless tree and a boy who grows into a man. The tree generously provides for the boy throughout his life, offering its apples, branches, and eventually even its trunk. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of selfless giving. As the boy’s needs evolve, the tree’s devotion remains unwavering, making it a poignant and thought-provoking tale about the complexities of relationships and the nature of true generosity.
Read the Rainbow Fish post here.
If you read The Giving Tree as a kid let us know your opinions in the comments below!
Interesting interpretation. When I became a parent, the Giving Tree changed for me. It’s about being a parent, and the sacrifices you make for your children, even at your own expense. You feel bad for the tree, because you know you put your own parents through hellish demands, too. But the tree still loves the little boy, because it’s her boy. Her son. And you might never get a thank you for all you’ve done for your kids, but you still love them anyway.
Well now I feel even worse for being born.
I took away the boy was a selfish POS and the tree should have fell on him. Or the tree was stupid for sacrificing itself for someone unworthy.
My dad read this story to me numerous times in my youth, always with a talk after, that you can not be as selfish as the boy, but you also can not give all of yourself as the tree did. He used it to help teach me empathy, and kindness, (and to not be a selfish prick) but that too much of anything is a bad thing… which is also what I did with my boys…
Undiagnosed Autistic me (then-age 7 or so) was horrified at the ‘moral’ of the rainbow fish.
Why did the rainbow fish have to diminish themselves? Sure, they other fish didn’t have rainbow scales, but weren’t adults always saying that looks aren’t everything. Maybe the other fish swam faster, or deeper. Maybe the rainbow scales were an evolutionary defence to dazzle predators. What did the rainbow fish have left, after giving away all their scales to the other fish for no other reason than emotional manipulation and to avoid being ostracised?
Why couldn’t the boy be satisfied with what the tree was willing to give? Had no one ever taught these characters about healthy boundaries and the concept of give-and-take?