Posted by Dinah on February 20, 2006, at 13:27:59
In reply to Re: A children's story that makes me tear up » Dinah, posted by Deneb on February 20, 2006, at 13:19:04
No, not particularly.
I just don't see that love, even unconditional love, should consume one party to benefit another. I'd prefer that the tree draw some healthy boundaries to love the boy, but without harming herself doing it. Maybe teach him other ways to get his needs met.
Maybe the latent feminist in me sees it as a metaphor for a mother giving and giving and giving to her children, leaving them to grow up with a sense of entitlement, and her depleted, spent and with nothing left to give anyone, including herself. Which doesn't seem all that loving a thing to do to one's children.
Now, if the tree were always there to listen, or to comfort, without destroying itself in the process, I'd be more touched. Or if the tree gave its life for the boy in an emergency situation out of love, I'd feel differently. I'm a sucker for dog stories.
poster:Dinah
thread:611413
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060212/msgs/611433.html