A Watering Rhyme & The Giving Tree
Part 1 — A Watering Rhyme (Poem)
"Early in the morning, / Or the evening hour, / Are the times to water / Every kind of flower."
About the Poem
A PRACTICAL poem about how to water plants. Water them early in the morning or in the evening — NOT at noon when the sun is hot. Water the ROOTS, not just the leaves and flowers. 'If you water the flowers and don't water the roots — the plant will die.'
What the Poem Teaches
- Plants need CARE. Water them at the RIGHT TIME in the RIGHT WAY.
- Roots are the plant's MOUTH — they drink the water
- Noon watering is BAD — the water evaporates quickly and can burn the leaves
Part 2 — The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)
The Story
There was once a TREE — and she loved a little BOY. The boy played in her branches every day. He ate her apples. He swung from her branches. He rested in her shade. The tree was HAPPY.
As the Boy Grew Older:
- The boy grew into a YOUNG MAN. He needed MONEY. The tree said: 'Take my apples and sell them.' He took them. The tree was happy.
- He became an ADULT. He needed a HOUSE. 'Cut my branches,' said the tree, 'and build a house.' He cut them. The tree was happy.
- He became middle-aged. He wanted a BOAT to sail away. 'Cut my trunk,' said the tree. He cut it. She was now just a STUMP.
- The tree was NOT happy — but she still loved the boy.
The End: The boy returned — now an OLD MAN. He needed nothing but a PLACE TO SIT AND REST. The tree — now just a stump — said: 'An old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down.' The boy sat. And the tree was happy.
What We Learn
- The tree is like PARENTS — they give and give and ask for nothing in return
- True love is about GIVING, not taking
- We should be GRATEFUL for what we receive — and not just keep taking
Think About It
Who is like the 'Giving Tree' in YOUR life? Who gives you love, time, and care — without asking anything back? Have you said THANK YOU to them?
