A family lived way downtown in a big city. Uptown, there was a huge park, with acres and acres of deep woods, clear ponds, and rolling hills. The children grew up hearing stories of the large, beautiful Red Bud Tree that lived right in the center of the park.

One day, in early spring, the older children were at school. The youngest was alone at home with the children’s grandmother and asked, “Nonna, please take me to see the Red Bud Tree?” They took the subway uptown and walked into the park. Nonna knew just where the tree would be, and there it was, a bare stump of wood, without a single leaf or bud.

Though the tree was quite unlike its name, that did not stop the youngest from bragging, “I was first to see it!” As soon as the next oldest sibling had Nonna all to themselves on a Saturday afternoon, they asked to go see the Red Bud Tree, too. Nonna made another trip. They found the tree covered with bright red buds, some just starting to blossom, and looking very stunning. Then, the second eldest had a turn in the summer, when the younger siblings were busy at day camp and the oldest off with neighborhood friends. “Nonna, will you take me to see the tree?” they asked. They rode uptown and walked into the park. “Here it is,” said Nonna. The child did not believe Nonna had found the right place. This Red Bud Tree had no red buds, but was covered with soft, feathery green leaves.

Some weeks later, the oldest sibling had earned some money babysitting and said, “Nonna, let me take you out for ice cream.” But Nonna suggested they get on the subway and go see the Red Bud Tree, instead, as all the others had already been to see it. This time, the tree was covered with little bean-pods. Some had fallen to the ground, and the child gathered a few to take home.

Upon arriving home, the oldest sibling rushed to tell the others, “I have just seen that tree and one thing I know, its name makes no sense. There are no red buds, just tons of little bean-pods, like these!” The oldest showed them.

Now each child told what they had seen: a dry stump, a colorful spectacle of red buds, a canopy of feathery green leaves…and a tree full of beanpods. They wondered if the Red Bud Tree was magical, because it appeared differently to different people. Nonna was listening, a smile on her face. Finally, she said, “Yes, all of you have seen the same tree. Is it magic? Maybe. If you think the seasons of the year are a kind of magic, then, yes.”

Inspired by a Jataka tale in AncientTales for ModernTimes, a story collection

Wondering Questions

• Was the Red Bud Tree named well?
• How do you think it got its name?

Additional Activities

Download the Winter 2016 UUWorld Families Pages (pdf) for more activities.

Originally published in the “Families Weave a Tapestry of Faith” insert in The UUWorld.