Today after painting, I revisited the ending to a favorite
story of mine by Shel Silverstein.

"And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy....but not really.
After a long time the boy came back again. 'I am sorry, Boy,'
said the tree, 'but I have nothing left to give you--
My apples are gone.'
'My teeth are too weak for apples,' said the boy.
'My branches are gone,' said the tree. 'You cannot swing on
them--'
'I am too old to swing on branches,' said the boy.
'My trunk is gone,' said the tree. 'You cannot climb--'
'I am too tired to climb,' said the boy.
'I am sorry,' sighed the tree.
'I wish I that I could give you something....but I have nothing
left. I am just a an old stump. I am sorry.....'
'I don't need very much now,' said the boy.
'just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.'
'Well,' said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she
could, 'well, an old stump IS good for sitting and resting.
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.