Oakland's 'giving stump' near Lake Merritt goes viral

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Some anonymous person made a clever commentary on a chopped down tree in Oakland near Lake Merritt. Someone wrote out a poignant story that's perfectly fitting for the situation.

"I don't need very much now,"
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said the boy,

"just a quiet place to sit and rest.

I am very tired."

"Well," said the tree,



Straightening herself up
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as much as she could,

"well, an old stump is good

for sitting and resting.

Come, Boy, sit down.

Sit down and rest."
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And the boy did.



It's from Shel Silverstein's book "The Giving Tree."

If you've never read the story, it's about a tree that's offered years of shade and food. Finally, as just a stump, it feels useless until it the boy needs a place to sit and rest.

Oakland's "giving stump" has since gone viral.