The Birch Tree

By: Joyce Thompson

Narrated by: Taylor Croft

In this magical tale, Great Aunt Faith invites the kids to choose their "own" trees in the ravine below her secluded house. Most of Faith's lessons are about birds and animals, but this one has to do with mysteries of life and love.

©1987 Joyce Thompson (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Tale of Children, Growing Old, and Love of Nature

Surprisingly, this was an interesting story about Great Aunt Faith who was a retired teacher and loved her home in a secluded wooded area. When her grand nephews and niece came to visit, no one knew exactly what to expect. Some of the family was very impatient and grumpy with Faith and her quirky ways. Some got mad. But her grand niece always contemplated things, quietly. At one visit she gifted each of the three children with their own tree, and then took them out to choose it. The boys chose their threes quickly, two evergreens which seemed to be holding hands, but the girl, uncertain, took her time, eventually coming back to the birch tree and choosing it. The children visited their trees each time they came to visit Great Aunt Faith . . . until she became older and older and was no longer able to live alone. Finally she had to be moved to a nursing facility, where they continued to visit her. One day, while the family was on vacation, Great Aunt Faith passed away. Sadness enveloped the family as they went to her home in the woods to go through her things and for one last visit to the birch tree . . .