The Greedy Tree

The Greedy Tree

Once upon a time in a peaceful forest, there lived a tall, strong tree named Taran. Taran stood proudly in the center of the forest, with thick green leaves and long, sturdy branches that reached toward the sky. Birds built nests in his arms, squirrels played on his trunk, and travelers often rested in his shade.

Taran loved the admiration he received from everyone. But over time, admiration wasn’t enough. He wanted more. More space, more sunshine, and more praise. He began comparing himself to other trees and thinking, “Why should I share my sunlight with that old oak next to me? Why should I let these squirrels run up and down my trunk? They don’t even thank me!”

One day, a cunning crow named Kallo noticed Taran’s change in attitude.

“You look troubled, mighty Taran,” Kallo said, perching on one of his branches.

“I’m tired of being used,” Taran grumbled. “Everyone takes from me, but no one gives anything in return.”

Kallo smirked. “Why don’t you stop giving, then? Stop sharing your shade, scare the birds away, and take more space. Grow taller. Let them see who really owns this forest.”

Taran liked the idea.

So, from that day on, he started shaking his branches to chase away the birds. He didn’t let squirrels climb him. He spread his roots wide and deep, stealing water from nearby plants. He stretched his canopy, blocking sunlight from younger trees. Slowly, animals and plants moved away, afraid or unable to survive near him.

At first, Taran felt powerful. He stood alone and unbothered. No one climbed on him, no one made noise in his branches, and no one asked for his shade.

But soon, silence became loneliness.

Without the birds, there were no songs in the morning. Without squirrels, there was no playfulness. And without other trees, the wind didn’t whisper through the forest the way it once did.

Then, one summer, a terrible drought struck the forest. The river dried, and rain didn’t come for weeks. Taran’s leaves began to wilt. His roots, though wide, couldn’t find water anymore. His pride turned to panic.

He called out to the birds, “Please come back! Sit on my branches and sing!”

They didn’t return.

He called out to the squirrels, “You can play on me again!”

None answered.

Taran looked around. There were no trees nearby to shade him from the scorching sun. No vines to hold moisture near the roots. No friends to lean on or share the burden.

Just then, he noticed a small plant near the edge of the forest. It looked green and healthy, watered from a nearby underground spring. Taran tried to reach it with his roots, but he was too far. He tried bending his branches, but they were stiff and tired.

He realized then: he had pushed everyone and everything away.

Kallo the crow flew down again. “You look weak, mighty Taran. What happened to your strength?”

“I was wrong,” Taran admitted quietly. “In trying to take everything for myself, I lost everything that mattered.”

Kallo didn’t mock him this time. He simply nodded and said, “The forest thrives when everyone shares. You forgot that.”

With great effort, Taran began changing. Slowly, he allowed new plants to grow nearby. When rains finally returned, he shared the moisture from his roots. He welcomed birds and animals again, offering his shade and shelter freely.

It took time, but life returned to the forest.

Taran was no longer the tallest or the thickest, but he was loved again. He had learned the hard way that greatness isn’t in taking more — it’s in giving, in being part of something bigger.

Moral of the Story:

Greed may bring temporary power, but true strength lies in kindness, sharing, and community. What you give to the world often returns to you in unexpected and beautiful ways.