The Legend of the Three Trees

I spent countless hours reading to my children when they were little; and even when they were not so little.  Consequently, I know a few children's books.  I thought I'd share one of those books with you.  And, with Easter just around the corner I know just the one.   This is a beautiful story to read to a child, if you happen to have one handy.  If not, then I recommend you read it to yourself.  It's worth it, even if it is a "children's" book.  


The Legend of the Three Trees was written by Angela Elwell Hunt.  It is a story simple enough for a child to enjoy but with meaning enough to touch the heart of an adult.  It is the story of three trees growing on a hill, their life dreams, and what became of them.

As all youth do, the three trees had dreams of what they wanted to be when they matured and were cut down.  Over time a woodsman came  and cut down each tree, awakening in its heart the thrill of seeing its dream come true.  However, each tree found disappointment in the object for which it was destined.  Each tree was made into an object of its dream; but not in the way it had dreamed.  Instead of lives of beauty and honor, each tree found itself being made into a mundane object of drudge and even torture.

The death of a vision is when you see your dreams die.  You see the road of life taking you in a direction that lies opposite of your dream and you know that dream can never be fulfilled; that is the death of a vision.  The end of your dreams.  That is what happened to each of those trees from the hill.

But, after many years of hardship and disappointment, the trees began to see a new life.  Suddenly, their lives were changed.  The first tree was changed when the cattle trough he was made into became the bed for a special Baby.  Years later, the fishing boat that was the second tree was honored when a special Man fell asleep in him during a storm.  Not long after that, the third tree realized his dream of standing tall and straight and making people think of GOD and being so special that people everywhere would always remember him.

It is a beautiful story.  It is a simple story.  It is a touching story.  It is a story of hope.  It is a story of victory.  I hope you will make it a point to enjoy this story this Easter season.

Happy Reading  :-)