There once lived a fir tree in a forest. The fir tree was tiny, and all the surrounding trees dwarfed him. He wanted to be tall and majestic like all the other fir and pine trees around him.
Children frequently picnicked near the fir tree. They would sit under the shade of the other trees, eating bread and berries. They would then go running all around the trees and play.

“This is such a cute little fir tree,” the children would say.

Unfortunately, this compliment made him even sadder.

“How I wish I could be tall like the other trees. Then my branches will spread across, and the children will enjoy my shade. My head will be far above the other trees, and I can see everything far and wide. Birds would build their nests on my branches. When the breeze blows, I will sway gracefully like all the other trees,” thought the fir tree.

The fir tree was so discontent that he was not happy with the warm sun, cool breeze, other tree friends, or freedom.

Each year, he would grow taller and broader, but he was never satisfied. During winter, rabbits would come and hop right over the little fir tree. The fir tree would be embarrassed at that.

By the third winter, the fir tree had grown very tall, but he continued to be dissatisfied.

“I wish to be the tallest tree in this forest. I wonder when that would happen.”

The following autumn, woodcutters came and cut several of the tallest trees. The fir tree trembled with fright as the trees came crashing to the ground. The men loaded the logs into carts after cutting off the branches before taking them.

“Where do these men take the trees, I wonder,” thought the tree.

During spring, swallows and storks came and made their homes on the trees, including the fir tree.

“What happens to the trees that get cut? Do you know?” asked the fir tree to the birds.

“No, we don’t,” said the swallows.

But one of the storks replied, “I think so. When I flew from Egypt, I came across several ships. The masts smelled like fir. So I guess the people use these felled trees in the ships.”

“What is a ship?” asked the fir tree.

“People travel on the sea in ships,” replied the stork.

“I wish I could see the sea,” said the fir tree wistfully. “I wonder how it looks.”

“Enjoy the present, young fir tree,” said one of the pines. “Have you noticed, everything you wish for has come true, and still you are not content? Appreciate the sunshine and the cool winds, and the fresh air. Very soon, you will grow old, and you will regret not enjoying all this.”

But the fir tree continued to be restless. Soon it was going to be Christmas and people came and cut many young trees.

“These trees are smaller and younger than me. Still, they are cut instead of me. Where do they go? And why are their branches intact?”

“We know,” said a sparrow. “We have seen through the windows of peoples homes. They decorate these trees for Christmas, and we have heard sounds of laughter and music.

“That sounds wonderful. I want to have some purpose in my life. I wish I could be a Christmas tree,” mourned the fir tree.

Repeatedly the older trees told the fir tree, “Enjoy the present, young tree. You will regret it later.”

But the fir tree continued to ignore their advice. Another year passed. The fir tree grew taller and taller, and the branches spread all over.

People passing through the forest enjoyed resting under the tree and would often say, “What a beautiful tree.”

But these words never brought him any pleasure. Woodcutters came to cut the tree just like the previous Christmas. This time the fir tree was the first one to be felled.

“Ouch! It hurts!” whined the fir tree as he came crashing down. “I didn’t know it will hurt so much.”

The woodcutters transferred him to the cart to take him back to the city. He then thought sadly, “These people will now take me away from this forest. I will never see my home or my friends again.”

The men took the fir tree to a house in the city. They placed the tree inside a room on a large tub filled with sand. The tree trembled with fright as men, women and children surrounded him.

“I wonder what will happen next,” he thought. “What will they do to me?”

The people in the house decorated the tree with beautiful ornaments and lights.

One of the children asked her mother, “Mummy, this is such a beautiful tree. Can we keep it forever and ever?”

The mother replied, “We will see.”

Finally, it was Christmas. Children rushed to the tree, almost pushing it into the fireplace where a fire was burning. The tree was scared, worried he will fall and burn. The children unwrapped their presents and shouted with joy. They sat around the tree as adults told them story after story.

“These stories are fascinating,” thought the fir tree. “Now that I know what happens, I will not be scared any more. I can’t wait to listen to more stories tomorrow.”

But the next day, two people came and removed all the decorations from the tree. They carried out and threw him in a dark corner.

“Hey! Where am I?” screamed the fir tree. He remained there, not knowing how many days passed.

“I miss my friends and the warm sunlight and the cool breeze. How I wish I could go back to my forest. I did not enjoy it when I should have, and now it is too late. I am slowly drying up, and very soon, people will chop me for firewood,” thought the fir tree unhappily as he lay on the ground.

Finally, after a few days, someone came and carried him to the backyard. The tree noticed many people in the backyard, including the little girl and her mother.

“What are we here for, mummy?” asked the little girl.

“Didn’t you want this Christmas tree forever? We have decided to replant it so that we can have this tree forever in our backyard. Many birds will make this tree their home. You can sit under it and enjoy the cool breeze or have a picnic,” said the mother.

The girl squealed with delight. “Thank you, mummy. This is the best Christmas present ever.”

They replanted the tree, which soon grew green and healthy. After coming close to getting chopped, the tree began to appreciate things. He savoured the sun’s rays and the cool breeze. He found new friends in the birds nesting on him and the other trees in the backyard. Most importantly, he enjoyed the sound of the children’s chatter and laughter as they played and sat under him.

Author’s Note:

I have changed the story a little to give a more upbeat ending. In the original story, the tree gets chopped and burnt. I thought this ending also emphasises the need for the conservation of trees.

This story explains to us how we should always live in the present and count our blessings. While it is great to have hopes and plans for the future, we should not forget to enjoy the good things in the present.