Page 22 - English Expedition Class 2

3 The Generous Willow Tree

Kindness is the quality of being caring and helpful to others. What happens when you are so

involved in yourself that you forget about helping other people? Let us read a story about two
trees and their different attitudes towards someone in need.

Once upon a time a humble 1
willow tree grew beside a tall
and strong bamboo. Many

people who passed by stopped
to admire the bamboo but no
one seemed to notice the old
2
drooping willow.
One morning when the sun

shone brightly after a soft rain, a
3
timid little plant with a delicate 4
stem sprang up between the

two trees. It looked pleadingly 5
towards the straight, strong
trunk of the bamboo. But the
bamboo tossed her shiny leaves
and said proudly, ‘Do not look

to me for help. I shall not let
6
you cling around my trunk.’
‘Let me take hold of you until I grow a little stronger,’ begged the little plant.
7
But the bamboo drew away and said, ‘Keep away. I cannot allow you to cling to my
beautiful branches.’
Then the kind, old willow tree whispered through her leaves, ‘Do not be discouraged,
little plant. You can take my support to grow stronger if you like.’

1 humble: (here) not proud 5 pleadingly: in a requesting way
2 drooping: hanging downwards 6 cling: hold on tightly
3 timid: shy and afraid 7 drew away: moved way
4 delicate: weak and easy to break
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