‘The Giving Tree’ Turns 60 Today
Reasons to celebrate and reconsider the classic, yet anachronistic, American children’s book.
Shel Silverstein’s ‘The Giving Tree’ was published 60 years ago today. The anniversary conjured up a few thoughts in my mind.
No matter what else might be on my TBR list, four books have a permanent spot in my nightstand drawer: Kazou Ishiguro’s ‘The Remains of the Day’, Munro Leaf’s ‘Ferdinand’, Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’ and, of course, ‘The Giving Tree’.
Ferdinand was given to me as a Christmas gift in 1974. My mother’s dear friend and neighbor on Salem Parkway in Westlake, Ohio, Betty Marcus, inscribed it to me. It’s been in any one of my nightstand drawers ever since.
The short book of less than 900 words, was originally published in 1936, just months prior to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. It was banned shortly thereafter, perceived as subversive and pacifist. Hemingway, who loved Spain with his bullfight- and booze- loving machismo, despised the book. So much so that in 1954 he wrote a how-dare-you-write-a-bull-who-relaxes-and-smells-flowers-instead-of-dying-in-the-ring rebuttal to Ferdinand called ‘The Faithful Bull.” Paradoxically, I found a gently used copy of Hemingway’s rebuttal at the Strand Bookstore in New York City over a decade ago, which I also cherish. Just not enough to occupy space in my nightstand.
Stacked next to Ferdinand and any other marginalia, you’ll find Silverstein’s ‘The Giving Tree.’ It was actually a gift to my son from my beloved cousin Deanna Nelson, which she inscribed to him, New Year’s Day, 2009, six weeks prior to his birth. She passed away two years later. The book, and some really wonderful photos of she and him in Europe, are the remaining connective tissue between them.
It’s Silverstein’s story, and her inscription, I’ve read to both my sons more than any other book. Ferdinand comes in close second.
On one hand, the story of Ferdinand the bull is still relevant to me. I’ve turned to it at least a hundred times at various points in my life for guidance on conflict, envy, happiness, and, how shall I say, “ignoring the bullshit and those who shovel it?”
It contains valuable wisdom I often use as a father. “That little asshole Ludwig was teasing you at school today? What did Ferdinand do when one of the Banderilleros stuck him with a pin? Remember the ladies? The flowers? The peace and quiet?Hmmm???”
“Ferdinand was weak and lazy, dad. So I tripped Ludwig on the playground later in the day.” (Apparently they’re Team Hemingway.)
On the other hand, ‘The Giving Tree’, I’ve come to realize…has some problems.
I’ve come to realize why my sons ask me for a new iPhone every year. New shoes every other week. Apps and more time on their apps. Trampoline parks and trips and clothes and money for this and that and, and, and…..
It’s because I f*ck$ng read to them - I TOLD THEM - hundreds of times, rocking in a cozy chair, snuggled under their woobies or whatever, that it’s OKAY to just take all my apples and sell them for money! To cut off all my branches, haul them away, and build a house! To saw down my trunk and build a boat even though you’re unemployed and have no job prospects! It’s just fine to sail away for years without sending a ‘thank you’ text! And just keep coming back, again and again, nothing to show for yourself, asking for more and more and more shit!
Thankfully for new parents buying or receiving ‘The Giving Tree’, screenwriter Topher Payne has a website called “Topher Fixed It.”
As he states on his blog, “Ever settle in with the young person in your life to read one of your childhood favorites, like ‘The Giving Tree’ or ‘The Rainbow Fish’, only to get halfway through it and go, "Wait, WHAT?"”
Topher offers free printouts of an alternate ending he wrote, which parents simply glue to the existing pages of the book. Poof! Problem solved (as shown by the first image below).
Happy Anniversary to “The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries,” formerly known as “The Giving Tree.”
