The Tale of the Three Trees
-Unknown Author
Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamt of what they wanted to bacome when they grow up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars twinkling like diamonds above. It said, I want to hold treasures. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!
The second little tree looked at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. I want to be strong sailing ship,
it said. I want travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I will be the strongest ship in the world.
The third little tree looked down into the valley between where busy men and women worked in the busy town. I don't want to leave this mountaintop at all,
it said. I want to grow so tall heaven and think God. I will be the tallest tree in the world!
Years passed. The rains came, the sun shone, amd the little trees grew tall. On eday, the woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, This tree is eautiful. It is perfect for me.
With one swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. I shall made into a beautiful chest. i will hold wonderful treasures,
the first tree told himself.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.
The second tree fell, and said to himself, Now I shall sail mighty waters. I will be strong ship fit for kings.
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall, pointing bravely to heaven. But the woodcuttter nevereven muttered. And down came the third tree.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter started to work on him. But the busy woodcutter was not thinking about a treasure chest. Instead, his work-worn hand fashioned the tree into a feeding box for animals. The once beautiful tree was covered not with gold or treasures, but with hay for hungry animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter brought him to the shipyard, the once-strong tree was sawed into a small boat. Too small and too weak to sail an ocean or even a river. He was taken to a little lake. Every day, he brought in loads of dead, smelly fish.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in the lumberyard. What hapened?
asked the tree. All I ever wanted to do was to stay on the mountaintop and point to God.
Many days and many nights passed, and the trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as young woman placed her newborn child into the feedbox.
I wish I could make a cradle for him,
whispered the husband.
The mother squeezed his hand and smiled, This manger is beautiful,
she said.
and suddenly, the tree knew he was carrying the greatest treasure on earth.
Years after, a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the small fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon, a thrashing storm arose.
The little tree shuddered. He knew he did not have strength to carry many passengers safely through the wind and rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stetched ou his hand, and said, Peace.
The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.
And it dawned on the second tree: he was carrying the greatest king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry, jeering crowd. She shuddered as the soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But on that Sunday morning, the sun rose and trembled with joy beneath her. She knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the first tree beautiful. It had made the second tree strong. And everytime people looked at the third tree, they would think of God.