20 The Giving Tree Quotes From the Classic Children’s Book

Fans of Shel Silverstein will love these The Giving Tree quotes from his classic book.

The Giving Tree is a classic American children’s picture book, first published in 1964.

The book was written by Shel Silverstein and became one of his best-known books.

The book was not without controversy, though, as many feel that the relationship between the boy and the tree is negative or sad.

The book’s plot follows the lives of a young boy and an apple tree.

When the boy is young, he loves spending time at the tree, either swinging or climbing its branches.

As he ages, he uses the tree more for his financial gain, first selling the apples, then using the branches for wood for his house, and finally using the trunk for a boat.

Take a look at these The Giving Tree quotes to learn more about this classic book.

You will also enjoy our article on Bambi quotes.

The Giving Tree Quotes About the Tree

These quotes show how much the tree loved the boy.

1. “Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy.”

2. “Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy.”

3. “And they would play hide-and-go-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade.”

4. “And every day the boy would come, and he would gather her leaves, make them into crowns and play king of the forest.”

5. “And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone.”

6. “Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city.”

7. “I have no house, the forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches and build a house.”

8. “Cut down my trunk and make a boat, then you can sail away… and be happy.”

9. “I am sorry, Boy, but I have nothing left to give you.”

10. “Well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.”

Check out our collection of I Am The Storm quotes if you enjoy this article.

The Giving Tree Quotes About the Boy

These quotes show the progression the boy made over the years.

11. “He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples.”

12. “And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away.”

13. “And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. And the tree was happy.”

14. “And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away.”

15. “I am too old to swing on branches.”

16. “I am too tired to climb.”

17. “My teeth are too weak for apples.”

18. “I don’t need very much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.”

19. “And the boy loved the tree… very much.”

20. “And the tree was happy.”

What is the Moral of the Story?

The story shows that throughout its life, the tree was happy to “give” to the boy, and the boy was happy to spend time with the tree.

Once the boy, who had become a man, used up all of the tree’s resources, the tree was sad as it had nothing left to give.

We go on to learn that when the boy is an old man, the tree then provides its stump as a new place to sit for the boy, and the tree is happy, as giving to others is its own gift.

Please pass these The Giving Tree quotes on to your friends and family and post any comments about the book in the comment section below.