The Last Tree

Some friends discover an unadulterated forest where they play amongst the trees and slumber on the ground. When winter arrives and the cold sweeps in, they cut down trees for firewood and shelter. Soon summer approaches. There aren’t enough trees left to shade them, so they build houses, porches, and even a wall around their village. With no view of the outside world and only one tree remaining, they begin to lose what they once had––playful spirits, thoughtful hearts, and a sense of togetherness. As the adults compete over resources, the children nurture the last tree standing, so someday they can start anew.

The Last Tree is a tribute to the importance of preserving one of Earth’s most precious commodities: trees. It speaks of the destruction that greed and competition can cause to a society. Once desperation sets in due to a lack of resources, so does the unwillingness to compromise and be true to each other. The irony in the story is that it takes the children’s sweet innocence and innate sense of right and wrong to save a lost community. Told in a way youth will appreciate and easily understand, this tale is thought provoking, touching, and a must-read for children aged five to nine.