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,"

said the boy,

"just a quiet place to sit and rest.

I am very tired."

"Well," said the tree,

Straightening herself up

as much as she could,

"well, an old stump is good

for sitting and resting.

Come, Boy, sit down.

Sit down and rest."

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.