This charming object lesson story teaches children the importance of setting healthy boundaries while maintaining friendships. When Abby the Apple Tree continuously gives parts of herself to her friend Ollie, she must learn that taking care of herself is just as important as helping others. With guidance from a wise bird named Sona, Abby discovers the value of balancing generosity with self-preservation.

Once upon a time, in a lovely little park, there was a friendly apple tree named Abby. Abby had big, strong branches, a tall trunk, and yummy apples. 

High up in Abby’s leafy branches lived a wise little bird named Sona. Sona had built her nest in Abby’s strongest branch, and they were the best of friends. Sona loved to sing beautiful songs every morning that made Abby smile.

Every day, a little boy named Ollie played near Abby. He would run around her trunk, rest in her shade, and listen to Sona’s cheerful songs. Soon, Abby, Sona, and Ollie all became friends!

One sunny day, Ollie asked Abby, “Can I have some apples, please?” Abby happily gave him some. From her nest, Sona watched as Ollie enjoyed the sweet, juicy apples and thanked Abby with a big smile.

Later, Ollie asked, “Abby, can I have branches for a fort?” Abby gave him branches, and Ollie built a fun fort to play in.

Ollie kept asking Abby for more things. One day, he wanted her trunk to make a boat! 

When Ollie came back the next day, he asked, “Abby, can I have your trunk to make a boat?”

Abby felt worried. Without her trunk, she couldn’t stand tall or grow yummy apples anymore.

That night, Sona flew down to talk to Abby.

“I want to help Ollie,” said Abby, “but I need my trunk.”

“You can be a good friend without giving away everything,” said Sona. “It’s okay to keep what you need.”

Abby thought about this while looking at the stars.

In the morning, when Ollie came to play, Abby had an idea.

“Ollie, I can’t give you my trunk because I need it to grow,” said Abby. “But look! I found this big branch that fell down. It would make a perfect boat!”

Ollie looked at the fallen branch. It was big and strong. At first, his face looked a little sad.

“But I wanted your trunk,” Ollie said with a small pout.

“If I give you my trunk,” Abby explained gently, “I won’t be able to stand tall or give you apples or shade anymore.”

Ollie thought about this. He looked up at Abby’s green leaves that kept him cool on hot days. He remembered the yummy apples they shared. He thought about how much he liked to play around Abby’s trunk.

“Oh,” said Ollie. His eyes got big and round. “I don’t want you to go away, Abby. You’re my friend!”

Ollie picked up the fallen branch. “This will make a super boat! And you can still be my tree friend!”

Sona chirped happily from her nest.

From that day on, Ollie asked for apples when they were ripe, and sometimes for small branches that Abby didn’t need. But he never asked for things that would hurt his friend again.

And so, Abby, Ollie, and Sona lived happily together, sharing, caring, and playing under the apple tree in their lovely little park.

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