The Three Trees

Summary

This narrative follows the dreams of three trees on a mountaintop: one aspires to be a treasure chest, another a mighty ship, and the third wishes to remain tall and inspire people to think of God. Despite their ambitions, they end up as a humble feed box, a small fishing boat, and a set of beams. However, each tree ultimately finds a profound purpose: the first holds the Christ child, the second carries Jesus during a storm, and the third becomes the cross on which Jesus is crucified. The story illustrates that even when life diverges from our plans, our true value can be found in unexpected ways.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The story revolves around three trees with distinct aspirations: one wants to be a treasure chest, another aspires to be a mighty ship, and the third desires to remain on the mountaintop to inspire people to look towards heaven.
• 💎 The first tree, seeking to be a treasure chest, ends up being crafted into a humble feed box for animals, highlighting an unexpected turn from grandeur to simplicity.
• 🚢 The second tree, with dreams of becoming a strong ship, is instead made into a small fishing boat, illustrating the contrast between its ambitions and its ultimate use.
• 🏞️ The third tree, content with its place on the mountaintop, is cut down and its beams are left in a lumberyard, signifying a disruption of its peaceful existence.
• 🌟 The first tree's purpose shifts when it becomes a manger for the baby Jesus, symbolizing that it holds the greatest treasure of all—divine presence.
• 🌊 The second tree experiences a transformation when it carries Jesus across a lake during a storm, realizing its true strength lies in its ability to provide peace and safety.
• 🏔️ The third tree, initially feeling misused as it is used for a crucifixion, ultimately understands its role in a profound religious event, becoming a symbol of God's love and sacrifice.
• 🔄 The narrative demonstrates that the trees' initial dreams are redefined through their unexpected uses, teaching a lesson about the unpredictability of life's purposes.
• 🌱 The story conveys a message of hope and redemption, showing that even when life does not go as planned, there is a higher purpose that can bring meaning and fulfillment.
• ⭐ The trees' experiences parallel the Christian narrative, drawing parallels between their transformations and significant biblical events, such as the Nativity, the calming of the storm, and the Crucifixion.

Q & A

What did the first little tree desire to become?

The first little tree desired to become the most beautiful treasure chest in the world, covered with gold and filled with precious stones.

What was the ambition of the second little tree?

The second little tree wanted to be a strong sailing ship that could travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings.

What did the third little tree wish for its future?

The third little tree wished to grow so tall that it would make people raise their eyes to heaven and think of God, becoming the tallest tree in the world.

How did the first tree's dream change after it was cut down?

The first tree was cut down and made into a feed box for animals instead of a treasure chest, which was not what it had envisioned.

What happened to the second tree that differed from its dream?

The second tree was turned into a simple fishing boat, not the mighty ship fit for kings that it had aspired to be.

Why did the third tree feel confused after being cut down?

The third tree was confused because it was cut into beams and left in a lumberyard without fulfilling its dream of pointing to God from the mountaintop.

How did the first tree's purpose change when a young woman placed her newborn baby in it?

The first tree realized it was holding the greatest treasure in the world when it became a manger for the newborn baby, symbolizing the birth of Jesus.

What event made the second tree understand its true significance?

The second tree understood its true significance when it carried Jesus and his friends across the lake during a storm, and Jesus calmed the waters.

What was the final realization of the third tree?

The third tree realized that it had become the cross on which Jesus was crucified, and every time people thought of it, they would think of God.

How did the trees' initial dreams contrast with their eventual fates?

The trees initially dreamed of grandeur and personal glory, but their eventual fates were humble and service-oriented, ultimately leading to a greater purpose.

What is the moral or lesson of the story as depicted in the script?

The moral of the story is that true worth and purpose are often found in unexpected ways and that service to others can lead to a more meaningful existence.