The Gardener and the Aged Tree
An old pear tree, about to be cut down, persuades a gardener to spare it with the help of nightingales and bees.
Audio available for B1 version
In a quiet garden, there was an old pear tree.
It had been there for many years, giving tasty pears to everyone.
But now, it was very old and could not produce any fruit anymore.
One day, the gardener decided to cut down the tree because it was no longer useful.
The gardener took his sharp axe and started to chop the tree.
As the axe hit the tree's trunk, the old pear tree began to speak.
"Please, kind gardener," the tree said, "remember all the sweet pears I gave over the years.
Think of the joy and praise I brought to this garden.
Please don't cut me down."
The gardener paused and replied, "I understand, old tree, but I need wood for my home.
I don’t have time to go to the forest to get it."
Just then, a group of nightingales, the beautiful birds living in the garden, began to sing.
Their songs were so lovely that they reminded the gardener of the times his wife sat under the tree, listening to the birds and feeling happy and relaxed.
"Please don't cut down this tree," the nightingales seemed to sing.
"Remember how much joy it has brought."
The gardener hesitated but then lifted his axe again.
As he swung the axe, it struck the tree hard, and suddenly, a swarm of bees flew out from a hole in the tree.
The bees buzzed angrily around the gardener and spoke in their own way.
"What are you doing?
This tree is our home!
If you leave us our home, we can make honey for you, and it will be more useful than the wood from this tree."
The gardener thought about what the bees said.
He remembered the happy times his wife spent under the tree and realized how important the tree was to the garden.
"You’re right," he said to the bees.
"This tree has given me so much.
I should let it stand.
And you can keep making honey for us."
Feeling grateful, the gardener put down his axe.
He decided to plant flowers around the tree so the bees would have plenty of nectar to make their honey.
The tree stayed in the garden, and everyone continued to enjoy its shade and the beautiful songs of the nightingales.
There is an old pear tree in a small garden. It gives tasty pears to everyone. Now, the tree is very old. It does not have pears anymore.
One day, the gardener wants to cut the tree. He thinks the tree is not useful. The gardener has a sharp axe. He starts to chop the tree.
The tree says, "Please, kind gardener, remember the sweet pears I gave. Please do not cut me down."
The gardener stops and thinks. He says, "I need wood for my home. I do not have time to go to the forest."
Just then, some small birds start to sing. Their songs are very lovely. The gardener thinks of his wife. She sits under the tree and listens to the birds. She is happy.
The birds sing, "Please do not cut down this tree. Remember the joy it brings."
But the gardener lifts his axe again. He hits the tree. Suddenly, bees fly out from the tree. The bees buzz loudly.
The bees say, "This tree is our home. If you leave the tree, we will make honey for you."
The gardener thinks. He remembers his happy wife again under the tree. He says, "You are right. This tree is important. I will not cut it down."
The gardener puts down his axe. He plants flowers around the tree. The bees make honey. The tree stays in the garden. Everyone is happy.
In a quiet garden, there was an old pear tree. It had been there for many years, giving tasty pears to everyone. But now, it was very old and could not produce any fruit anymore. One day, the gardener decided to cut down the tree because it was no longer useful.
The gardener took his sharp axe and started to chop the tree. As the axe hit the tree's trunk, the old pear tree began to speak. "Please, kind gardener," the tree said, "remember all the sweet pears I gave over the years. Think of the joy and praise I brought to this garden. Please don't cut me down."
The gardener paused and replied, "I understand, old tree, but I need wood for my home. I don’t have time to go to the forest to get it."
Just then, a group of nightingales, the beautiful birds living in the garden, began to sing. Their songs were so lovely that they reminded the gardener of the times his wife sat under the tree, listening to the birds and feeling happy and relaxed. "Please don't cut down this tree," the nightingales seemed to sing. "Remember how much joy it has brought."
The gardener hesitated but then lifted his axe again. As he swung the axe, it struck the tree hard, and suddenly, a swarm of bees flew out from a hole in the tree. The bees buzzed angrily around the gardener and spoke in their own way. "What are you doing? This tree is our home! If you leave us our home, we can make honey for you, and it will be more useful than the wood from this tree."
The gardener thought about what the bees said. He remembered the happy times his wife spent under the tree and realized how important the tree was to the garden. "You’re right," he said to the bees. "This tree has given me so much. I should let it stand. And you can keep making honey for us."
Feeling grateful, the gardener put down his axe. He decided to plant flowers around the tree so the bees would have plenty of nectar to make their honey. The tree stayed in the garden, and everyone continued to enjoy its shade and the beautiful songs of the nightingales.
In a serene garden, an ancient pear tree stood tall. For countless years, it had generously provided delicious pears to everyone who visited. However, as time passed, the tree aged and could no longer bear fruit. One day, the gardener decided that the old tree had outlived its usefulness and prepared to cut it down.
With a sharp axe in hand, the gardener approached the tree and began to chop at its trunk. To his astonishment, the old pear tree started to speak. "Please, dear gardener," the tree pleaded, "remember all the sweet pears I gave you over the years. Think of the happiness and praise I brought to this garden. Please, don't cut me down."
The gardener paused and replied, "I understand, old tree, but I need wood for my home. I don’t have the time to go to the forest to get it."
Just then, a chorus of nightingales, the beautiful birds residing in the garden, began to sing. Their enchanting melodies reminded the gardener of the times his wife had sat under the tree, listening to the birds and feeling joyful and at peace. "Please don't cut down this tree," the nightingales seemed to sing. "Remember how much joy it has brought."
The gardener hesitated but then lifted his axe again. As he swung it towards the tree, a swarm of bees suddenly emerged from a hollow in the trunk. The bees buzzed angrily around the gardener, expressing their dismay. "What are you doing? This tree is our home! If you let us keep our home, we can make honey for you, which will be far more valuable than the wood from this tree."
Reflecting on the bees' words, the gardener remembered the happy moments his wife had spent beneath the tree. He realized the tree’s true value to the garden. "You’re right," he said to the bees. "This tree has given me so much. I should let it stand. And you can continue making honey for us."
Feeling a deep sense of gratitude, the gardener put down his axe. He decided to plant flowers around the tree so that the bees would have plenty of nectar to produce their honey. The tree remained in the garden, offering shade, the bees' honey, and the nightingales' beautiful songs, bringing joy to everyone.
In a quiet garden, there stood an old pear tree, which had seen more seasons than a TV soap opera. Once, it was the Beyoncé of pear trees, giving the juiciest, most delicious pears. But now, it was older than Grandpa’s bedtime stories and couldn’t produce any fruit anymore. One sunny day, the gardener decided it was time to chop down the tree because, in his words, “You’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot.”
The gardener grabbed his shiny axe and started to chop. Suddenly, the tree spoke up in a squeaky but polite voice, “Hey there, kind gardener! Before you turn me into a collection of toothpicks, remember all those scrumptious pears I gave over the years. Think of all the happy tummies and smiling faces I brought to this garden. You really don’t want to cut me down, do you?”
The gardener paused, scratching his head. “I get it, old tree, but I need wood for my new bookshelf. I don’t have time to go all the way to the forest. Have you seen the traffic these days? It's like rush hour on a Friday!”
Just then, a chorus of nightingales, the beautiful birds living in the garden, began to sing in perfect harmony. Their songs were so lovely they could make even a grumpy cat smile. The gardener remembered how his wife used to sit under the tree, listening to the birds, feeling as relaxed as a sloth in a hammock. “Please don't cut down this tree,” the nightingales seemed to sing. “Remember how much joy it has brought.”
The gardener hesitated but then shrugged and lifted his axe again. As he swung the axe, it struck the tree hard, and suddenly, a swarm of bees flew out from a hole in the tree. They buzzed angrily around the gardener, speaking in their own buzzy language. “What’s the buzz, gardener? This tree is our home! If you leave our home alone, we can make honey for you, and that’s way sweeter than your boring old wood.”
The gardener rubbed his chin and thought about what the bees said. He remembered the happy times his wife spent under the tree, enjoying the garden's beauty. “You’re right,” he said to the bees. “This tree has given me so much. I should let it stand. And you can keep making honey for us. Besides, who needs more bookshelves when you’ve got free honey?”
Feeling grateful, the gardener put down his axe. He decided to plant flowers around the tree so the bees would have plenty of nectar to make their honey. The tree stayed in the garden, and everyone continued to enjoy its shade and the beautiful songs of the nightingales. The gardener even added a little sign on the tree that said, “Home Sweet Home,” and lived happily ever after, without any more DIY disasters.
In a garden so grand, stood a pear tree tall,
It had given sweet pears, to one and to all.
But now it was old, and could fruit no more,
The gardener thought, "What’s this tree good for?"
With his axe sharp and bright, he approached the tree,
"It's time to cut down, what no longer feeds me."
But the tree softly spoke, with a whisper so kind,
"Remember the joy, that I left behind."
"I've given sweet pears, in the days of yore,
Brought happiness and laughter, and so much more."
The gardener paused, with his axe in his hand,
He thought of the tree, and its gifts to the land.
Just then, came the song of nightingales sweet,
Their melodies gentle, in the evening heat.
"Please spare this old tree," they seemed to sing,
"Remember the joy, its presence does bring."
The gardener hesitated, the axe in the air,
When out flew some bees, with a buzz and a flare.
"This tree is our home," they buzzed all around,
"If you leave it standing, sweet honey will be found."
The gardener pondered, the words of the bees,
Recalling his wife, 'neath the tree with ease.
He thought of the shade, and the memories dear,
And knew in his heart, the decision was clear.
He lowered his axe, and smiled with delight,
"I’ll let this tree stand, it’s only right."
He planted bright flowers, around the tree’s base,
The bees made their honey, filling the space.
The tree stood tall, in the garden so green,
Its shade and its beauty, forever seen.
The nightingales sang, and the bees did their part,
The gardener’s decision, came straight from the heart.
Word Finder
Gardener
A person who takes care of gardens.Sharp
Very good at cutting things easily.Axe
A tool for chopping wood or trees.Chop
To cut something into pieces.Remember
To think about something from the past.Wood
The hard material from trees used for building.Suddenly
Very quickly and unexpectedly.Buzz
The sound bees make.Honey
A sweet food made by bees.Important
Something that has great value or meaning.
Produce
Make or create something, like fruits.Trunk
The main woody stem of a tree.Joy
Feeling of great happiness or delight.Paused
Stopped doing something for a short time.Nightingales
Small birds known for their beautiful songs.Hesitated
Stopped briefly before doing something.Swarm
A large group of flying insects.Buzzed
Made a continuous humming sound, like bees.Nectar
Sweet liquid from flowers that bees use.Grateful
Feeling thankful for kindness or help.
Serene
Peaceful and calm, free from disturbance.Generously
Willingly giving more than expected or needed.Aged
Having lived for a long time; old.Astonishment
Great surprise or amazement.Pleaded
Begged earnestly for something.Enchanting
Delightfully charming or attractive.Hesitated
Paused before taking action, uncertainly.Expressing
Showing or revealing feelings or thoughts.Dismay
A feeling of sudden disappointment and worry.Reflecting
Thinking deeply or carefully about something.
Seasons
Different times of the year with changing weather.Opera
A dramatic story told through music and singing.Juiciest
Full of juice, very moist and flavorful.Scrumptious
Extremely tasty and delicious food.Harmony
When sounds or voices go together perfectly.Relaxed
Feeling calm and without any stress or worry.Swarm
A large group of bees flying together.Nectar
Sweet liquid that flowers make, loved by bees.Buzzy
Making a low, continuous buzzing sound.Disasters
Big problems or accidents causing trouble.
Grand
Very big and important or impressive.Approached
Came near to something or someone.Melodies
Pleasant tunes or series of musical notes.Hesitated
Stopped for a moment before doing something.Delight
Great happiness and pleasure.Nightingales
Small birds that sing very beautiful songs.Pondered
Thought carefully about something.Buzz
The low humming sound made by bees.Flare
A sudden burst of bright light or flame.Memories
Things remembered from the past.
Understanding Questions
- What does the old tree give to everyone?
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pears
- Bananas
- Why does the gardener want to cut the tree?
- It is very old.
- It is not useful anymore.
- It is in his way.
- It does not have leaves.
- Who starts to sing lovely songs?
- The birds
- The bees
- The tree
- His wife
- What do the bees promise to make for the gardener?
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Honey
- Milk
- What does the gardener do after deciding not to cut the tree?
- Cuts another tree
- Plants flowers around the tree
- Sits under the tree
- Moves to a new house
- Why did the gardener decide to cut down the old pear tree?
- What did the old pear tree say to the gardener to try to convince him not to cut it down?
- How did the nightingales try to save the tree from being cut down?
- What did the bees offer the gardener in exchange for not cutting down the tree?
- What did the gardener do after he decided to keep the tree in the garden?
- Why did the gardener initially decide to cut down the old pear tree?
- How did the pear tree attempt to convince the gardener to spare its life?
- What role did the nightingales play in the gardener's decision-making process?
- Describe the reaction of the bees and how it influenced the gardener's actions.
- What actions did the gardener take after deciding not to cut down the tree, and how did these actions benefit both the garden and its inhabitants?
Reflection Questions
- Why did the gardener decide to cut down the old pear tree at first?
- How did the old pear tree try to convince the gardener not to cut it down?
- Can you think of a time when you realized something you wanted to get rid of was actually very useful?
- Why is it important to remember and appreciate the things that have helped us in the past, like the old pear tree?
- What does this story teach us about gratitude and recognizing the value of things that may seem useless at first?
Fable Quotes
"Appreciate the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
"The worth of something is not measured by its price but by the joy it brings."
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."