Finally, the boy returned after many years. “Sorry, my boy, I don’t have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you, no more branches or trunk for you to climb. I really have nothing more to give you…… the only thing left is my dying roots.” The tree said tearfully. The boy then replied, “I don’t have teeth to bite; I am too old for climbing. I don’t need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years. For me, old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest at this moment.” The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled……

  The story has ended, what do you think? Do you know what I am going to tell you? Actually, the tree in the story is just like our parents, they give us unconditional love in every moment. When we were young, we loved to play with Mom and Dad. When we are adolescents, we sometimes become rebellious because we think that parents do not understand us. We may also have many conflicts with them over matters like academic performance, how much time we spend playing on-line games or chatting on the phone with friends. Some may even leave their parents when they grow up and only visit their parents when they need something or when they are in trouble. They know parents will always be there and give everything they can to make you happy.

  You may think the boy is cruel to the tree but that is how some of us treat our parents. Parents give us unconditional love. But never take it for granted. The parent-child relationship is one of the most important relationships in our life. Every relationship gives back what we put into it. I am sure that deep within our hearts we all want our relationships to be nurturing and happy.

  I hope that this story will give you a chance to think carefully about your relationship with your parents and that every one of you can have a joyful life.