# The Song of Young Tree

Author: Forrest Carter [USA]
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The thing contemporary people should do when discovering something beautiful is to share it with anyone they meet. A wonderful book worth reading for the whole family, one of the 100 outstanding books recommended by the General Administration of Press and Publication for teenagers. There are two kinds of minds in the human body, one of which is related to the survival of the flesh. We use this physical mind to find shelter from the wind and rain and food to fill our bellies. We also have another mind that has nothing to do with these physical needs—that is, the spiritual mind. If a person thinks only with their physical mind, their behavior will become greedy and base. If they only think about how to exploit their fellow humans and profit from them, their spiritual mind will shrink to the size of a walnut. Nature is clearing away the afterbirth left over from last year's production, so that this year's new life can have a clean living space to grow stronger. Summer is the time when the life force is surging, like a person in their prime. And when the withering autumn wind rises, we feel ourselves beginning to age, and a sense of homesickness fills our hearts. Some call this feeling nostalgia. The winter, when all things fall silent, is like the death of our bodies, but when spring comes, they are reborn again. The Song of Little Tree is a book compiled by Forrest Carter, an American writer of Indian descent. It mainly depicts the growth process and life stories of a young boy with Indian heritage named Little Tree. When Little Tree was very young, his parents died, and later, he lived in the mountains with his grandfather and grandmother, relying on each other. Since his grandfather and grandmother were both orthodox Indians, Little Tree also gained some unique lifestyles and experiences. From a young age, his grandfather taught Little Tree to become a brave and responsible Indian, and they took pride in being Indians. Little Tree's grandfather had a simple, wild personality, which naturally formed a life philosophy of living in harmony with nature. He taught Little Tree to observe the ecology of plants and animals and the laws of nature. His grandfather taught him, through mountain climbing and visits to the turkey farm, how to listen to the morning breeze whispering softly through the forest and various sounds, and told Little Tree, "The mountains are gradually coming alive!" He also taught Little Tree the natural rules of the eagle's attack and used the analogy of hunting deer to catch the weak and thin ones, so that the strong ones could produce strong offspring. "The end of life is a natural thing; there must be death for there to be rebirth," he said. "As long as you live in harmony with the forest, it will provide you with everything you need." By carefully chewing on the wisdom of the Dreamer, one can understand nature. If you don't know the past, you won't have a future, nor will you know where to go. Little Tree's grandmother said, "When you discover something beautiful, the thing you should do is share it with anyone you meet, so that the beauty can spread freely in the world." "It is better to teach a person how to fish than to give them a fish." If you just give them immediate help, you may end up supporting them for their entire lives, which could ruin them. Little Tree has deeply imprinted in everyone's minds, changing our perception of the world. It is a very heartwarming story, neither nor, but after reading it, no one will forget it. The pure heart of the Indian boy in the book stands in stark contrast to today's overly materialistic society, undoubtedly a gentle stream of clarity. It makes us reopen our eyes, full of childlike wonder, to discover the beauty around us, learn to be grateful, and learn to share. Perhaps a simple life can make our hearts soften again, filling in a necessary lesson in life. Never forget Little Tree's grandmother's words: "When you discover something beautiful, the thing you should do is share it with anyone you meet." The Song of Little Tree was written by Forrest Carter, whose real name was Issa. It is said that he had one-eighth Indian heritage and was once a radical segregationist. The Song of Little Tree is one of his many outstanding works. Since its publication in 1977, it has received unanimous praise from American critics. The Song of Little Tree is a book that brings people close to nature and an educational novel for children and parents. The author uses fluent language and a lively, mountain-stream-like writing style to depict the unique scenery and characteristics of the wilderness. Phrases like "stars riding on ripples and splashes, jumping in the stream" fill the book with fantasy and a sense of playfulness, painting vivid scenes of childhood life. The book is filled with poetic and romantic charm.