Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for February 03, 2002

Val should do something like this with Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree (©1964).

Val: Once, there was a talking apple tree. She loved a little boy, who often came to swing from her branches and eat her apples. She advised him to save the seeds and plant them. She explained to him how important trees are to the Earth; among other things, they provide oxygen, shade, and homes for many types of animals.

“You see, boy”, said the tree, “many of the things that people use, such as houses, furniture, paper, and telephone poles, are often made from us trees. Forests are often cleared to raise cattle and other domestic livestock. It’s important to not take too much from the Earth”.

Knowing these things made the boy love the tree.

When the boy grew up, he decided to become a forest ranger. As he was stationed at his lookout tower, he was very good at spotting signs of forest fires, and quickly alerted fire-fighting aircraft.

He also instructed campers on how to properly put out their campfires.

“Make sure that the fire is surrounded by rocks to keep it from spreading”, he would say, “and be sure that you have a bucket, and that there’s a nearby source of water. After you put the fire out, make sure that there are no glowing embers and that there is no smoke. Only then is it safe to depart”.

The boy soon returned to the tree, and he hold her of his progress as a forest ranger.

“You’re doing very well, boy”, she told him. “And look at the seeds you planted”.

The boy looked around, and sure enough, the seeds had grown into new apple trees.

“As you once told me”, he said to her, “it’s important to not take too much from the Earth”.

Holly: I see your point, Mom.

Alix: So do I.

Val: Thanks, girls.