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.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 The Aspirations of Three Little Trees

This paragraph introduces a story set on a mountaintop where three little trees share their dreams for the future. The first tree aspires to become a treasure chest adorned with gold and filled with precious stones. The second tree dreams of being a strong ship that sails the mighty waters and carries kings. The third tree, however, wishes to grow tall to inspire people to look up to heaven and think of God. As the years pass, they grow tall, and one day, three woodcutters arrive. The first tree is felled, anticipating its transformation into a beautiful treasure chest. The second tree is also cut down, looking forward to becoming a strong ship. The third tree, though initially overlooked, is eventually cut down as well, with no clear purpose in mind.

05:01

🌟 The Unfolding Destiny of the Trees

The first tree is taken to a carpenter who, contrary to the tree's expectations, turns it into a feed box for animals, not a treasure chest. The second tree is crafted into a simple fishing boat, far from the mighty ship it had envisioned. The third tree is left in a lumberyard, its purpose unclear. However, their destinies change when the first tree becomes a manger for the Christ child, the second tree carries Jesus across a lake during a storm, and the third tree is used for the crucifixion. Each tree ultimately serves a profound purpose, with the first holding the greatest treasure, the second carrying the King of Heaven and Earth, and the third symbolizing God's love and sacrifice.

Keywords

💡Treasure Chest

A treasure chest is a strong box or container used for storing valuable items such as gold, jewels, or precious stones. In the video's narrative, the first little tree aspires to become the most beautiful treasure chest in the world, symbolizing a desire to hold and protect valuable treasures. This concept is central to the theme of finding worth and purpose, as the tree's dream of holding treasure is later fulfilled in an unexpected and profound way.

💡Sailing Ship

A sailing ship is a type of watercraft that uses sails to harness the wind's power for propulsion. The second little tree dreams of becoming a strong sailing ship, aiming to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. This represents ambition and the desire for strength and influence. The tree's dream reflects the theme of aspiration and the journey to achieve greatness, even though its ultimate fate diverges from its initial dream.

💡Mountaintop

The mountaintop in the script symbolizes a lofty or elevated position, both literally and metaphorically. The third little tree wishes to stay on the mountaintop, growing tall enough to inspire people to look up and think of God. This represents a spiritual aspiration and the desire to provide guidance or a connection to something higher. The mountaintop is a central symbol in the narrative, embodying the idea of reaching for higher purposes.

💡Woodcutters

Woodcutters are individuals who cut down trees for various purposes, such as lumber or fuel. In the video, three woodcutters play a pivotal role in the trees' destinies by cutting them down, which is a turning point for each tree's dream. The woodcutters represent the unexpected interventions of life that can alter the course of one's plans, often leading to outcomes that are different from what was initially envisioned.

💡Dreams

Dreams in the context of the video refer to the aspirations and desires of the three little trees. Each tree has a distinct dream that reflects its personality and values. The concept of dreams is integral to the video's theme, illustrating how individual aspirations can be realized in ways that are sometimes surprising and always meaningful. The trees' dreams are the driving force behind their stories, showcasing the power of dreams to inspire and shape one's journey.

💡Purpose

Purpose in the video is depicted as the ultimate goal or reason for which something exists. Each tree's dream represents its purpose, and the fulfillment of these dreams, even in altered forms, demonstrates the trees finding their purpose. The concept of purpose is central to the narrative, as it explores how the trees' intended roles transform into something that serves a higher, often spiritual, function.

💡Transformation

Transformation in the video refers to the process of change and development that the trees undergo as they are cut down and repurposed. The first tree becomes a feed box, the second a fishing boat, and the third part of a crucifixion. This keyword highlights the theme of change and how the trees' initial dreams are transformed into something that serves a greater good, aligning with a higher purpose.

💡Starlight

Starlight in the script is a poetic element that signifies hope, guidance, and divine presence. When golden starlight pours over the first tree, now a manger, it symbolizes the tree's role in the birth of a child, who is implied to be Jesus. Starlight is used to convey the trees' dreams coming true in a spiritual and unexpected manner, underscoring the theme of divine intervention and the fulfillment of purpose.

💡Manger

A manger is a feeding trough, typically for animals, but in the video, it becomes the humble cradle for a newborn baby. The first tree, initially wanting to be a treasure chest, is transformed into a manger, holding what is considered the greatest treasure—the baby Jesus. The manger represents humility and the sacredness of the birth, illustrating how the tree's dream of holding treasure is realized in a spiritual context.

💡Fishing Boat

The fishing boat in the video is crafted from the second tree, which had aspired to be a mighty ship for kings. Despite not becoming a grand vessel, the tree finds purpose as a fishing boat that carries a significant figure, implied to be Jesus, during a storm. The fishing boat symbolizes humility and service, showing how the tree's strength is used to support a divine mission, aligning with the video's theme of finding one's true purpose.

💡Crucifixion

Crucifixion is the act of execution by crucifying, historically used by the Romans. In the video, the third tree is used as the wooden beams for a crucifix, a concept that initially makes the tree feel ugly and cruel. However, the tree's role in the crucifixion becomes a symbol of sacrifice and redemption, as it is associated with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This keyword ties into the video's theme of transformation and finding purpose in unexpected ways.

Highlights

Three little trees on a mountaintop dream of their future roles.

The first tree aspires to be a treasure chest adorned with gold and filled with precious stones.

The second tree dreams of becoming a strong ship to carry kings across mighty waters.

The third tree desires to stay on the mountaintop, inspiring people to look to heaven and think of God.

Years pass, and the trees grow tall under the sun and rain.

Woodcutters arrive, and the first tree is felled, anticipating its transformation into a treasure chest.

The second tree is cut down, expecting to become a majestic ship for kings.

The third tree is cut without recognition of its lofty aspirations.

The first tree is made into a humble feed box for animals, far from its treasure chest dream.

The second tree is crafted into a simple fishing boat, not the mighty ship it envisioned.

The third tree's beams are left in a lumberyard, its purpose unclear.

The first tree holds a newborn baby, realizing it cradles the greatest treasure.

The second tree carries a tired traveler who calms a storm, revealing divine presence.

The third tree becomes the instrument of a crucifixion, later symbolizing God's love and sacrifice.

Each tree's final role brings them to a deeper, more meaningful purpose than their original dreams.

The story illustrates that true value and purpose can be found in unexpected ways.

The trees' journeys teach us that our highest aspirations may lead to something greater.

Transcripts

[Music]

Once Upon a

Mountaintop three little trees stood and

dreamed of what they wanted to become

when they grew

up the first little tree looked up at

the stars twinkling like diamonds above

him I want to hold treasure he

said I want to be covered with gold and

filled with precious

stones I will be the most beautiful

treasure chest in all the

world the second little tree looked out

at the small stream trickling by on its

way to the

ocean I want to be a a strong sailing

ship he said I want to travel Mighty

Waters and carry powerful

Kings I will be the strongest ship in

the

world the third little tree looked down

into the valley below where busy men and

women worked in a busy

town I don't want to leave the

Mountaintop at all she

said I want to grow so tall that when

people stop to look at me they will

raise their eyes to heaven and think of

God I will be the tallest tree in the

world years passed the rains came the

sun

Shone and the little trees grew

tall one day three wood cutters climbed

the the

mountain the first wood cutter looked at

the first tree and said this tree is

beautiful it is perfect for

me with a swoop of his shining axe the

first tree

fell now I shall be made into a

beautiful chest thought the first

tree I shall hold wonderful

Treasures the second wood cutter looked

at the second tree and said this tree is

strong it is perfect for me with a swoop

of his shining axe the sunen tree

fell now I shall sail Mighty Waters

thought the second tree I shall be the

strongest ship fit for

Kings the third tree felt her heart sink

when the last wood cutter looked her way

she stood straight and tall and pointed

bravely to heaven but the wood cutter

never even looked

up any kind of tree will do for me he

muttered with a swoop of his shining axe

the third tree

fell the first tree rejoiced when the

wood cutter brought him to a carpenter

shop but the busy Carpenter was not

thinking about treasure

chests instead his work corn hands

fashioned him into a feed box for

Animals the once beautiful tree was not

covered with gold or filled with

treasure he was coated with sawdust and

filled with hay for Hungry

animals the second tree smiled when the

wood cutter took him to a

shipyard but no Mighty sailing ships

were being made that day instead the one

strong tree was hammered and sawed into

a simple fishing

boat too small and too weak to sail an

ocean or even a

river the third tree was confused when

the wood cutter cut her into strong

beams and left her in a lumber

yard what happened the once Tall Tree

wondered

all I ever wanted to do was stay on the

Mountaintop and point to

God many many days and nights passed the

three trees nearly forgot their

dreams but one night golden Starlight

poured over the first tree as a young

woman placed her newborn baby in the

feed

box I wish I can make a cradle for him

her husband

whispered the mother squeezed his hand

and smiled as the Starlight Shone on the

smooth and sturdy

wood this manger is beautiful she

said and suddenly the first tree knew he

was holding the greatest treasure in the

world one evening a tired traveler and

his friends crowded into the old fishing

boat The Traveler fell asleep as the

second tree quietly sailed out into the

lake soon a thundering and thrashing

storm

arose the little tree

shuddered he knew he did not have the

strength to carry so many passengers

safely through the wind and rain the

tired man awakened he stood up stretched

out his hand and said

Peace the storm stopped as quickly as it

had begun and suddenly the second tree

knew he was carrying the king of Heaven

and

Earth one Friday morning the third tree

was startled when her beams were yanked

from the Forgotten wood pile she

flinched as she was carried through an

angry cheering

crowd she shuddered when soldiers nailed

a man's hands to her she felt ugly and

harsh and

cruel but on Sunday morning when the sun

rose and the Earth trembled with joy

beneath her the third tree knew that

God's love had changed

everything it had made the first tree

beautiful it had made the second tree

strong and every time people thought of

the third tree they would think of

God that was better than being the

tallest tree in the

world