Introduction
Stories have the power to shape young minds. Through simple characters and situations, children learn values that stay with them for a lifetime. One such timeless tale is The Kind Tree and the Selfish Boy. This story teaches kids about kindness, gratitude, and the importance of appreciating those who love us. Parents will find this story meaningful to narrate during bedtime or even as a classroom activity.
The Story: The Kind Tree and the Selfish Boy
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful green tree in a small village. This tree was tall, strong, and full of sweet fruits. Birds would sing on its branches, travelers would rest under its cool shade, and children would play around it. But there was one boy who loved this tree more than anyone else.
When the boy was young, he would play beneath the tree every day. He climbed its branches, swung on them, ate its fruits, and often slept peacefully in its shade. The tree felt happy to see the boy enjoying himself. The tree loved the boy dearly.
As the years passed, the boy grew older and visited the tree less often. One day, he came to the tree looking sad.
“Why are you unhappy?” asked the tree.
“I want toys, but I don’t have money to buy them,” the boy replied.
The kind tree said, “Pick my fruits and sell them. You can earn money and buy toys.”
The boy happily did so and went away with bags of fruits. The tree was glad to help, even though it was left bare.
Time passed again. The boy became a young man. He came back and said, “I want to build a house. Can you give me wood?”
The tree lovingly offered its branches: “Cut my branches and build your house.”
The boy chopped the branches, built his house, and went away. The tree was left almost bare but still smiled.
Years later, the boy returned as a grown man. “I want to travel far in a boat. Can you help me?”
The tree replied, “Cut my trunk and make a boat. Then you can sail away.”
The man cut down the trunk, made his boat, and sailed away happily. The tree was now just a stump.
Finally, after many years, the boy returned as an old man. He was tired, weak, and sad. The tree whispered softly, “I have nothing left to give you… only my roots and stump.”
The old man said, “I don’t need much now. Just a place to sit and rest.”
The tree smiled with tears and said, “Come, sit on me and rest.”
The old man sat, and the tree was happy once again.
Moral of the Story
The Kind Tree represents selfless love, just like the love of parents. They give us everything without expecting anything in return. The selfish boy symbolizes us when we take without showing gratitude.
🌟 Moral: True love is about giving without expecting anything back. We must always respect, love, and take care of those who care for us, especially our parents.
Why This Story Matters for Kids
- Teaches Gratitude – Children learn not to take love and resources for granted.
- Builds Empathy – Kids understand how their actions affect others.
- Encourages Respect for Nature – The story reminds us of the importance of trees and the environment.
Conclusion
The story of The Kind Tree and the Selfish Boy is simple yet deeply touching. Parents can use it as a bedtime tale, teachers can share it in classrooms, and kids can even read it themselves. The message of selfless love and gratitude makes it a classic moral story for all generations.
👉 Tip for Parents: After telling this story, ask your child: “Who do you think the tree represents in our life?” This small question will open their hearts to understand the love of parents and nature.