The recurring refrain, “And the tree was happy,” consummates each escalated sacrifice.
The boy - still addressed by the tree as “Boy” by the end, despite being an old man - never hesitates to take what is freely offered. First she provides her shade and her leaves, then her apples, and later her branches and trunk. The story is simply told and sweetly drawn: A tree, notably deemed a “she,” loves a little boy so much that she progressively gives more and more of herself to him, his needs and requests expanding throughout his life. It also features prominently on many lists of controversial or outright banned books for children. TRANSLATED INTO MORE than 30 languages, Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” (1964) holds a place in many hearts as one of the greatest children’s books ever written on unconditional love. “And the tree was happy … but not really.” “Happiness is a place between too much and too little.”
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