The Giving Tree
Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And every day the boy would come to play,
Swinging (荡秋千) from her branches, sleeping in her shades,
Laughing all the summer hours away.
And so they'd love and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
But soon the boy grew older and one day he came to say,
“Can you give me some money, tree, to buy some things I found?”
“I have no money,” said the tree, “just apples, twigs (细枝) and leaves.”
“But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town.”
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
Soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree,
“I'm now a man and I must have a house that's all my own.”
“I can't give you a house,” said the tree, “The forest is my house.”
“But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home.”
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
And the time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes.
“My life has turned so cold,” he said, “and I need sunny days.”
“I've nothing but my trunk (树干).” she said, “But you may cut it down.”
“And build yourself a boat and sail away.”
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
And after years, the boy came back. Both of them were old.
“I really cannot help you if you ask for another gift.”
“I'm nothing but an old stump (树桩) now. I'm sorry, boy.” she said. “I'm sorry but I have nothing more to give.”
“I don't need very much now, just a quiet place to rest.”
The boy, he whispered, with a weary (疲惫的) smile.
“Well,” said the tree, “an old stump is still good for that.”
“Come, boy,” she said, “sit down, sit down and rest a while.”
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.