The Story of the Tree (for Children)

A long time ago, there lived a Tree in a forest;

Its branches were stunted and gnarled, 

And all its leaves malformed and jagged. 

And the Tree said, 

“Why is this, 

Surely the One that planted me ought to have known better. 

I am of no good to man or beast.”





At that moment, a woodman came into the forest,

And passing by all the goodly, well-shaped trees, saying, 



“They will not serve my purpose,”

—came where the ragged, old Tree lifted up its misshapen branches to the sun.

Said he, “Why this is the very thing; this will serve my purpose well.” 

With that, he called his fellows and cut it down. 

Lo! when it had been sawn into pieces,  

The most gorgeous veins of beauty were found running through its heart, 

And the tracing was lovelier than any artist could have fashioned, 

And of it were made many beautiful articles of use 

And ornament for the King’s Palace.



THE END

© 2016 Luisa Rodrigues. All rights reserved.