World Children's Story Classics: Family Stories

Chapter 12 Trees and Axes
A man came into the forest and asked the tree to give him a piece of wood for an ax handle.The tree granted his request and gave him a twig.

He made the handle of the ax out of twigs, fitted it perfectly on the axe, and then swung the axe to chop the tree.He soon felled one of the most valuable trees in the forest.

An old oak tree sadly watched its companion being cut down and could do nothing. He said to the cypress next to him: "We have buried ourselves first. If we don't give him the twig, he can't cut us down. Maybe we will can stand here forever."

vines and old trees
A very lush vine climbed on an old tree in order to have a more reliable support, and the other vines climbed on the wooden frame made by the farmer.

Other vines said to it: "Open your eyes and see, how do you choose an old tree as your pillar? Think about it. What can you do if it dies?" However, the vines are very concerned about their choice Full of confidence.He didn't take his companion's advice to heart at all.It clings to the old tree day by day, believing itself to live better than other vines.

The old tree is too old, and when a gust of wind blows, the old tree will shake.Finally one day, with a loud noise, the old tree fell, and the vine that was wrapped around the old tree fell to the ground and was crushed under the big tree, dead.

(End of this chapter)