Parables of Wisdom
The Tree That Gave
देने वाला पेड़ · આપનારું વૃક્ષ
A list of everything one old neem tree gives, and the meeting where it was read aloud
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
The old neem tree in the compound of a Surat housing society is to be cut down to make room for more cars. Nine year old Dhvani starts writing a list of everything the tree gives, and the list grows longer than anyone expected.
What it teaches Gratitude Plants as living beings Ahimsa
The opening of the children's telling
In the middle of Dhvani's building yard stood a big old neem tree. Children played under it. Grandpas sat on the bench beside it. Birds sang in its branches.
One day, a notice went up. "We need more room for cars. We will cut down the tree." Dhvani ran to her grandfather, Nanaji. "They can't cut the tree! It's alive!"
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Something that gives to us every day deserves our thanks every day.
To talk about together
What does one tree near our home give to us and to other living beings?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.