The give and take of friendships

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

A classic children's book for all generations. Author Shel Silverstein may very well have written his finest work in The Giving Tree. The author introduces his audience to the relationship of a young boy and his friend, tree, who go through a journey over time that leaves them both realizing that change is inevitable. Although many moral lessons can be taken from the writing, perhaps the most prevalent is that of give and take. Although the boy does take take take and the tree does give give give, one cannot help but feel that the boy does eventually realize that the thing he wanted most was the love of the tree.