Thank you Kelvin Martinez for adding that line for your daughter. “and the boy said, Thank you.” You gave wisdom and hope.

I never cared for the book and I never cried over it. I always saw the book as a portrait of self centeredness. The boy being charming and the poor tree that only wants the love of the boy selflessly serves the boy. The tree can be a substitute for any person in such a one sided relationship. People who give and give, always waiting for the other person to change. The boy grew up but, did not grow wiser.

This book reminds me of Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle” in the song the boy realizes he grew up like his dad. What does the boy in the book learns?