The Apple Tree and the Farmer
Class: 6th Standard | Subject: English | Type: Supplementary Reader | Syllabus: SCERT New Syllabus
Summary of the Story
The story revolves around a farmer who lives in a village up in the hills beside a forest. In his farm, along with various vegetables, he has an apple tree that has been a part of his life since childhood. As a boy, the farmer and his friends played under the apple tree — they played hide and seek around it, climbed it, swung on its branches, and enjoyed its delicious apples in season. The tree was a source of joy, adventure, and nourishment throughout his childhood.
As years passed, the boy grew into a man and took over the farm. Many small animals, birds, and insects made the tree their home. His own children and their friends began playing under the same tree, just as he once did. However, as the tree grew old, it bore fewer and fewer fruits. The farmer began to see the tree as useless — he thought the space could be used to grow vegetables and the wood could be used to build a new room in his house. So he decided to cut the tree down, ignoring the wonderful memories it held and the creatures that depended on it.
When the farmer started chopping the tree with his axe, all the little animals, birds, and insects rushed out in alarm, chirping and squeaking. The commotion brought out the farmer's daughter and her friends, who pleaded with him not to cut the tree. They reminded him that they played there just as he once did, and that the animals would lose their home. Then the farmer noticed a small apple hanging from a branch. He plucked and bit into it, and the taste brought back all his childhood memories. Moved by this experience and his daughter's pleas, the farmer put down his axe and promised never to cut the tree, ensuring his daughter and her friends would always have their tree and playground.
Characters
- The Farmer — The main character who grew up playing under the apple tree and later decides to cut it down, but ultimately changes his mind.
- The Farmer's Daughter — She pleads with her father to spare the tree, reminding him of its importance.
- The Daughter's Friends — Children who join in pleading with the farmer to save the tree.
- Small Animals, Birds, and Insects — Creatures that live in the tree and are alarmed when the farmer begins to chop it.
Glossary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Adamant | Refusing to change one's mind; stubborn |
| Uproar | A loud and confused noise, especially from a large number of people or creatures |
| Commotion | A state of noisy confusion or disturbance |
| Desperate | Feeling or showing a hopeless sense of urgency |
| Plead | To make an emotional appeal; to beg |
| Chopping | Cutting something with repeated blows of an axe |
| Outlived | Survived or lasted beyond a certain period of usefulness |
| Squeaking | Making short, high-pitched sounds |
| Chirping | Making short, sharp high-pitched sounds (typically by birds or insects) |
| Swung | Moved back and forth while hanging from something |
Themes and Moral of the Story
- Respect for Nature: The story teaches us to value trees and the natural environment. Trees provide shade, fruits, shelter for animals, and a place for recreation. We should not destroy them for short-term gains.
- Gratitude and Memory: The farmer initially forgot the joy the tree had given him during his childhood. The taste of the apple reminded him of all the happy memories, teaching us to be grateful for what nature provides.
- Coexistence with Animals: The tree was home to many small animals, birds, and insects. Cutting it would have made them homeless. The story highlights the importance of living in harmony with other creatures.
- Listening to the Young: The farmer's daughter and her friends played a crucial role in saving the tree. Their innocent pleas made the farmer reconsider, showing that children's voices matter.
- Conservation: The moral of the story is that we should not cut down trees for selfish reasons. Trees are invaluable to the ecosystem and to future generations. What seems useless today may hold great value for others.