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The Plane Tree

Quick Answer

Two travelers rest under a plane tree and call it useless because it bears no fruit—until the tree ‘answers’ with a quiet reminder: shade is a gift. A fable about gratitude.

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s brief and peaceful, set in warm sunshine and cool shade. The moral lands softly and encourages bedtime gratitude.

Story at a Glance

RECOMMENDED AGES

4-8 years

READING TIME

2 min

THEMES
humilitygratitudereflectivereflectiveconsequencesconsequencesclassic taleclassic talegratitudehumility
Also available inEspañol

Story Synopsis

Two friends walk a long, dusty road under a hot sun. When they spot a wide, leafy plane tree, they rush to sit in its shade and cool down. As they rest, one traveler looks up and complains: the tree is “useless” because it doesn’t grow fruit. The remark is casual—almost thoughtless. Then comes the gentle twist: the story imagines the tree responding. It points out that, at this very moment, the travelers are enjoying the one thing the tree gives freely—shade. Not everything valuable is something you can pick and eat. The fable is short, calm, and easy for ages 4–8. It’s a sweet bedtime prompt: What small things helped us today? A cool breeze, a warm blanket, a quiet room. Gratitude is its own kind of comfort.

Story Excerpt

Two friends were walking on a long, dusty road. The sun was high in the sky, and it was very warm. Soon, they saw a tall tree with big, wide leaves, and they hurried over to rest in its cool shade. As they sat beneath the branches, looking up at the lovely green leaves, one of the friends said, “ This tree is not very useful, is it? It doesn’t grow any fruit for us to eat. All it does is drop messy leaves on the ground. ” The


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In One Glance

The Plane Tree is a short fable in which two travelers rest in a tree’s shade but complain it’s useless because it bears no fruit. The story reminds them that shade is a meaningful gift. The moral encourages gratitude for quiet supports we often overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Travelers enjoy shade but complain, and the story teaches gratitude.

Ages 4–8.

Yes—peaceful and reflective.

Appreciate the helpful things you don’t always notice.