The Oak Tree — US English accent (TheFableCottage.com)

Summary

In this heartwarming tale, two hikers trekking through dry hills stumble upon an oak tree they initially dismiss as 'useless' because it bears no fruit. Hungry and tired, they hope for apples or pears, but instead find shelter from a storm, firewood for warmth, and soft leaves for a comfortable bed. Despite their initial disappointment, the oak tree proves invaluable, teaching the hikers that sometimes the best gifts aren't what we expect. The moral of the story highlights the unexpected value in what might first seem ordinary or unremarkable.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story involves two hikers walking through dry hills, feeling tired and hungry.
• 😀 They spot a tree in the distance, which they both believe may have fruit, but they disagree on what type of tree it is.
• 😀 One hiker hopes the tree is an apple tree, while the other prefers it to be a pear tree.
• 😀 Upon reaching the tree, they discover it has no fruit at all, leading to disappointment.
• 😀 The hiker who was disappointed by the tree calls it a 'useless oak tree.'
• 😀 As it starts to rain, the hikers take shelter under the oak tree, which keeps them dry, proving to be useful after all.
• 😀 The hikers wait under the oak tree for the rain to stop, and time passes into the night.
• 😀 One hiker suggests making a fire, and the oak tree provides branches for them to gather and build a campfire.
• 😀 The hikers use soft oak leaves to create a comfortable bed, and they sleep peacefully under the tree.
• 😀 Despite the storm, the oak tree keeps the hikers warm, dry, and safe, showing its true value.
• 😀 The moral of the story is that sometimes what seems 'useless' at first may turn out to be the most helpful thing in unexpected ways.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the story?

The main setting of the story is the dry, brown hills where the two hikers are walking, and later, under an oak tree.

What are the hikers hoping to find when they spot the tree?

The hikers are hoping to find fruit on the tree—one is hoping for apples, while the other wants pears.

What do the hikers find when they reach the tree?

When they reach the tree, they find that there are no apples or pears, and in fact, there is no fruit at all.

Why do the hikers initially consider the oak tree 'useless'?

The hikers consider the oak tree 'useless' because they were hoping to find fruit, but the tree has none.

How does the oak tree prove helpful to the hikers?

The oak tree helps the hikers by providing shelter from the rain, acting like a large umbrella and keeping them dry.

What do the hikers do after the rain stops?

After the rain stops, the hikers gather branches from under the oak tree to make a campfire, and later, they make a bed out of oak leaves to sleep on.

What is the moral of the story?

The moral of the story is that sometimes the best gifts are not what we originally hope for, as the oak tree provides shelter, warmth, and comfort even though it didn’t offer the fruit they wanted.

How do the hikers feel as the night progresses?

As night progresses, the hikers feel tired, cold, and seek comfort, but they are ultimately able to sleep warmly and dry under the oak tree.

What does the oak tree provide to the hikers besides shelter?

Besides shelter, the oak tree provides the hikers with old branches for firewood and soft, green oak leaves to make a bed.

How does the story illustrate the theme of unexpected value?

The story illustrates the theme of unexpected value by showing how the oak tree, initially seen as 'useless' by the hikers, ends up providing everything they need for comfort and survival.