The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt

This is a simple story of three trees who all have desires of what they want to become. One wants to be a treasure chest, another, a ship that carries kings. The last wants to stay and grow tall, so as to point to heaven.  All the trees are chopped down by different men; each is brought to a different place.

The first, which wanted to be a treasure chest, is made into the manger that holds the baby Jesus. The second, which wanted to be a ship, is made into a humble fishing boat that carries Jesus. The last, which wanted to point to heaven, is made into the cross on which Jesus died.

Do you notice how the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” usually isn’t referring to books? Well, I’d like to apply it here. The cover of this book may not draw you in. But open it. Please. The pictures are simple but effective. The words are few but profound.

I think the reason I love it so much is because it’s such a simple story that children can grasp, yet has so many layers that speak real things about the perfection of God’s will and giving us the desires of our heart in big and unexpected ways. I can’t recommend this one enough. This is definitely one for your home library.

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1. Was it okay for the trees to want certain things for their life?
2. Is it okay for you to pray for things to happen in your life?
3. What do we need to remember when we pray about these things?
4. Were the trees content (happy) with how God used them?
5. When has God answered your prayers, but in a way you didn’t expect?