"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. And the tree was happy. (54-55)
In the end, the tree is happy because yet again she's been able to provide comfort for the one she loves: the boy. Who is now a very old man.
"Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest." And the boy did. (54-55)
Every other time the tree has invited the boy to spend time with her, climbing her trunk, swinging from her branches, playing and whatnot, he's replied with "I want." This time, though, he does as she says. He sits, and he rests. As he contemplates his life from the perspective of his seat on the stump, will he be satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things went? Why?
But the boy stayed away for a long time…and the tree was sad. And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy." (41)
Whether the tree is a mother figure, a wannabe girlfriend, or a representative of the natural world here, we can't help but feel a little sorry for her. The boy has been off doing his thing, and she's been alone, pining for his return. And, of course, you know that he's going to (a) not take her up on the climbing offer and (b) make another selfish demand. Sigh.