It was a Monday. We assembled noisily in the scattered line
as we shuffled out the classroom door. While making silent faces trying to get
others to giggle in a solemn hall, we reached our destination--the library. I
loved wandering aimlessly through the library gazing at all of the bindings
trying to decipher which adventures I wish to discover that week. I found two
books on the new book rack. It was laborious to find books I hadn't read. The
third book must be short, a beautifully illustrated picture book. Time was
running out, in 156 seconds we would have to assemble in our line and trudge
back for History class. I would like to
have stayed in the library for the remainder of the day, but King George seemed
to call. Quickly, I nudged my sticky, peanut butter and jelly fingers along the
well-used bindings… huh?...The Giving Tree by Shell Silverstein…He
writes good poems…I’ll try it. I found my third book. What I didn’t realize was
that I had discovered a treasure that I would cherish for eternity.
As time went on, the boy grew older, and the tree grew lonely. When the boy did come to visit he talked of material things. The tree gave the boy her beautiful, crimson apples to pawn so he could have money. Time after time he would come back, and she would give freely no strings attached. Each time she was happy to give. The tree's purpose was to please the boy--nothing could have made her happier. When the tree dwindled to nothing but a stump, the boy now, an old man, returned. The tree was very sad for she had nothing left to offer but the boy, having accomplished everything in life, needed nothing but a place to sit and rest. The tree straightening up as much as she could, invited the boy to sit down and relax. “And the tree was happy.”
As a child. I read a quaint story about a boy and a tree. Now
as I reread the book, my mind transforms a simple children's story into a
complex symbol, deep with meaning. As I compare my life to the story, I become
the boy and God becomes my tree. His roots are embedded in soil and no matter
when or what I ask, He replies. He offers his apples and his branches. His
trunk supports me in every task I take on. He gives me strength to help others
in day-to-day life. When I have two AP English papers due, a physics test, a
student council meeting, show choir rehearsal, and I'm scheduled to work all in
one day. He gives me strength to carry on and still look forward to tomorrow.
When I am sad. He lets me sit under him in his shade. When I am happy. He lets
me swing from his branches. This modest children's story gives me abundant
insight. I'm certain that no matter where I travel in life. My stump will be waiting.
“And the tree was happy.”
*With permission by the author: Ellen Ryan, May 1993 the spring of her Norman, OK High School graduation. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein was
published in 1964.
2025 June
The Sanibel Public Library District’s board recently filled
an open set on the commission, selecting Ellen Vinciguerra to fill the seat by
a unanimous vote.
“The Sanibel Library has been a part of my life since I was a
little girl as my family has been on the island since I was a child.”
Vinciguerra wrote in her application to the district.
“Libraries are the heart of a community, and for Sanibel, it
is the lifeblood of the island…Libraries are critical to the growth of a
community.”
