Jean Pierre Claris de Florian
|
France

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.
Appreciation
Value
Gratitude
The Gardener and the Aged Tree
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.

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 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.

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Word Finder

  1. Produce

    Make or create something, like fruits.

  2. Trunk

    The main woody stem of a tree.

  3. Joy

    Feeling of great happiness or delight.

  4. Paused

    Stopped doing something for a short time.

  5. Nightingales

    Small birds known for their beautiful songs.

  6. Hesitated

    Stopped briefly before doing something.

  7. Swarm

    A large group of flying insects.

  8. Buzzed

    Made a continuous humming sound, like bees.

  9. Nectar

    Sweet liquid from flowers that bees use.

  10. Grateful

    Feeling thankful for kindness or help.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the gardener decide to cut down the old pear tree?
  2. What did the old pear tree say to the gardener to try to convince him not to cut it down?
  3. How did the nightingales try to save the tree from being cut down?
  4. What did the bees offer the gardener in exchange for not cutting down the tree?
  5. What did the gardener do after he decided to keep the tree in the garden?

Word Finder

  1. Gardener

    A person who takes care of gardens.

  2. Sharp

    Very good at cutting things easily.

  3. Axe

    A tool for chopping wood or trees.

  4. Chop

    To cut something into pieces.

  5. Remember

    To think about something from the past.

  6. Wood

    The hard material from trees used for building.

  7. Suddenly

    Very quickly and unexpectedly.

  8. Buzz

    The sound bees make.

  9. Honey

    A sweet food made by bees.

  10. Important

    Something that has great value or meaning.

  1. Produce

    Make or create something, like fruits.

  2. Trunk

    The main woody stem of a tree.

  3. Joy

    Feeling of great happiness or delight.

  4. Paused

    Stopped doing something for a short time.

  5. Nightingales

    Small birds known for their beautiful songs.

  6. Hesitated

    Stopped briefly before doing something.

  7. Swarm

    A large group of flying insects.

  8. Buzzed

    Made a continuous humming sound, like bees.

  9. Nectar

    Sweet liquid from flowers that bees use.

  10. Grateful

    Feeling thankful for kindness or help.

Understanding Questions

  1. What does the old tree give to everyone?

    1. Apples
    2. Oranges
    3. Pears
    4. Bananas
  2. Why does the gardener want to cut the tree?

    1. It is very old.
    2. It is not useful anymore.
    3. It is in his way.
    4. It does not have leaves.
  3. Who starts to sing lovely songs?

    1. The birds
    2. The bees
    3. The tree
    4. His wife
  4. What do the bees promise to make for the gardener?

    1. Fruits
    2. Flowers
    3. Honey
    4. Milk
  5. What does the gardener do after deciding not to cut the tree?

    1. Cuts another tree
    2. Plants flowers around the tree
    3. Sits under the tree
    4. Moves to a new house
  1. Why did the gardener decide to cut down the old pear tree?
  2. What did the old pear tree say to the gardener to try to convince him not to cut it down?
  3. How did the nightingales try to save the tree from being cut down?
  4. What did the bees offer the gardener in exchange for not cutting down the tree?
  5. What did the gardener do after he decided to keep the tree in the garden?
  1. Why did the gardener initially decide to cut down the old pear tree?
  2. How did the pear tree attempt to convince the gardener to spare its life?
  3. What role did the nightingales play in the gardener's decision-making process?
  4. Describe the reaction of the bees and how it influenced the gardener's actions.
  5. 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

  1. Why did the gardener decide to cut down the old pear tree at first?
  2. How did the old pear tree try to convince the gardener not to cut it down?
  3. Can you think of a time when you realized something you wanted to get rid of was actually very useful?
  4. Why is it important to remember and appreciate the things that have helped us in the past, like the old pear tree?
  5. 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."
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