The Tale of Three Trees

Three trees all have grand wishes for their future. Once they get cut down, they all think their wishes aren't going to come true until each of them is used for something relevant to Christ's life (the manger, a boat, and the cross) and they realize they were put to the best use after all. I can't decide if I think this (apparently traditional?) tale is clever and kind of lovely or a bit icky and awful. I'm leaning toward icky and awful, though I'm not sure I can unpack why. Putting that aside for further thinking, perhaps.

I'm not sure what I expected, but this exceeded all expectations. The three trees each play a crucial part in the life of Jesus. It is a lovely illustration of the three answers to prayer: Yes, not yet, and I have something better planned for you. The art does the story justice.

I do have to issue a tissue warning. I did tear up toward the end.

Highly recommended for Christian families.

Three trees on a mountain dream of what they wanted to become when they grew up. One wants to be a treasure chest, another an ocean-going boat, and the third a signpost to God. Their wishes come true in a way they never expected.

This book begins with three trees dreaming about what they want to be when they grow up. However, when they are cut down, they realize that they do not get to become what they dreamed of. After years of doubt, each tree reaches its dream, but in a way that was not imagined before.

This book is a very religious and satisfying tale of three trees and their dreams. It made me feel content to reach the ending and find out that they each ended up happy. It ties together something simple such as an average tree to the works of the Bible.

This book could be used in a church type setting or when discussing religion or relations. It may be too involved for younger children to understand but it would be a great reader for older children even if show more they do nt attend church. Usually the main points of the Bible are widely known regardless of religion. show less

Three trees dreamed of becoming something special. The first wanted to become a beautiful treasure chest--holding beautiful treasures. The second dreamed of becoming a strong sailing ship. The last wanted to stay on the mountaintop and grow tall to point people to heaven. Well, their tree-dreams weren't granted, but their purpose was filled beyond any dream a tree could fathom. In the end, the first held Jesus when he was born (a manger), the second held Jesus when he calmed the storm (fishing boat), and the third was held by Jesus in the midst of a jeering crowd (the cross).

I absolutely loved this story. I chose to re-read the book and post it as a review because it brought back warm feelings of my seventh grade Sunday School teacher show more sharing this story with my class. The paintings/illustrations are beautiful and the theme lends a perfect learning lesson--sometimes what we have planned for ourselves is much less than what God has planned for us.

In the classroom, I would use this story to introduce a vocabulary lesson introducing the words: aspirations, dreams, plans, goals, etc. Each student could build their own vocabulary tree. This story could also introduce a dream project. Each student could, without restrictions, make up their story of what they want to become or do for someone else. show less

A beautiful retelling of the the tale of three trees. One tree wants to hold precious treasure, one wants to bea strong sailing ship, and the third wants to be the tallest tree in the world. They are all felled achieve what they dreamed of, though not in the way they expected. Conveys simply beauty symbolic theology of the life of Christ.

A beautiful retelling of the the tale of three trees. One tree wants to hold precious treasure, one wants to bea strong sailing ship, and the third wants to be the tallest tree in the world. They are all felled achieve what they dreamed of, though not in the way they expected. Conveys simply beauty symbolic theology of the life of Christ.