The Dream of the Three Trees

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In The Dream of the Three Trees, three little trees stand on a mountain top, each dreaming of what they will one day become. One longs to hold treasure, another to sail as a mighty ship, and the last to grow tall enough to point to God. Yet, when woodcutters come, their fates seem disappointing and far from their dreams. Through surprising twists, the trees discover that their true purpose is greater than they had ever imagined. This inspirational play shows children how dreams may change, but with patience and faith, life can give us something far more beautiful.

Illustration of The Dream of the Three Trees on a mountain top, each dreaming of their future—one gazing at the stars, another at a river, and the third reaching to the sky.
The Dream of the Three Trees — three little trees discover that life’s purpose is greater than their dreams.

CHARACTERS:

NARRATOR

TREE 1 (The Treasure Tree)

TREE 2 (The Ship Tree)

TREE 3 (The God’s Tree)

WOODCUTTER 1, 2, 3

CARPENTER

MARY

JOSEPH

MAN

SOLDIERS (Silent)

TOWNSPEOPLE (Silent)

SCRIPT:

SCENE 1: THE MOUNTAIN TOP

(Lights up on three small, stylized trees on a mountain top. The sound of birds chirping and a gentle breeze blowing.)

NARRATOR: Once upon a mountain, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they would become. The first tree, gazing at the glittering stars, imagined a future full of riches.

TREE 1: I want to be a treasure chest! I’ll be covered in gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful container for treasure in the world!

NARRATOR: The second tree looked out at a river, twisting and turning on its way to the great ocean.

TREE 2: I want to be a grand ship! I’ll travel the mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!

NARRATOR: The third tree looked down at the tiny people in the valley below.

TREE 3: I don’t want to leave this mountain at all. I want to grow so tall that when people look at me, they have to look to the heavens. I’ll be so tall, they’ll think of God.

(A few moments pass, symbolized by a sound of wind and the lights dimming and brightening. The trees are now taller.)

NARRATOR: Years passed. The sun and rain helped the little trees grow big and strong. One day, three woodcutters came to the mountain.

WOODCUTTER 1: (Approaching Tree 1) This tree is beautiful. It’s perfect for me.

(The sound of an axe swing. Tree 1 falls.)

TREE 1: Now I’ll be a beautiful chest! I will hold wonderful treasures!

WOODCUTTER 2: (Approaching Tree 2) This tree is strong. It’s perfect for me.

(The sound of an axe swing. Tree 2 falls.)

TREE 2: Now I will sail mighty waters! I’ll be a strong ship for mighty kings!

WOODCUTTER 3:  Any kind of tree will do for me.(Approaching Tree 3. Looking at the other two trees that have been cut)

(The sound of an axe swing. Tree 3 falls.)

SCENE 2: THE NEW BEGINNINGS

(The setting shifts to a carpenter’s shop. A simple wooden box sits on the floor.)

NARRATOR: The first tree was taken to a carpenter’s shop, but her dreams of gold and treasure were not realized.

CARPENTER: I’ll make a simple feedbox for my animals with this lumber.

(Tree 1 now lies on the stage, a simple, rough-hewn trough. It looks sad and disappointed.)

TREE 1: h, no. I’m covered in sawdust and filled with hay for hungry animals. This isn’t a treasure at all.

(The setting shifts to a quiet lake. A small fishing boat sits on the shore.)

NARRATOR: The second tree, expecting to become a grand ship, was made into a simple fishing boat.

TREE 2: I’m just a simple fishing boat. I’m too small to sail the ocean, or even a great river. I can only sail on this little lake.

(The setting shifts to a lumberyard. Rough beams of wood are stacked together.)

NARRATOR: The third tree was cut into strong beams and left in a lumberyard. Confused and alone, it waited.

TREE 3: What happened? All I wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God.

SCENE 3: THE TRUE TREASURES

(A single spotlight shines on Tree 1, now a manger.)

NARRATOR: The trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree.

(A young couple, Mary and Joseph, enter. Mary carries a newborn baby. They gently lay the baby in the manger.)

JOSEPH: I wish I could make a proper cradle for him.

MARY: (Smiling softly, looking at the sturdy wood) This manger is beautiful, Joseph.

TREE 1: (Joyful) I am holding the greatest treasure in the world.

(The spotlight shifts to Tree 2, the simple fishing boat on the lake.)

NARRATOR: One evening, a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the little fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as they sailed onto the lake. Soon, a powerful storm arose.

(The sound of a loud, thrashing storm begins. The boat and Tree 2 shake.)

TREE 2: (Frightened) I’m just a simple boat! I can’t carry so many people through this storm!

(The Man wakes, stands, and holds his hand out.)

MAN: Peace!

(The storm instantly stops. The boat is still.)

TREE 2: (Awed whisper) I am carrying the King of heaven and earth.

(The spotlight shifts to Tree 3, now cross-shaped, surrounded by silent people.)

NARRATOR: On a Friday morning, the third tree’s beams were yanked from the woodpile. She was made into a cruel cross. Soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her.

TREE 3: (Wincing, feeling the weight) I feel ugly, harsh, and cruel.

(The sound of a Sunday morning. The sun rises on the cross, illuminating it. A gentle, joyful sound fills the air.)

NARRATOR: But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose, the third tree felt something different.

TREE 3: Now I know that God’s love has changed everything. I feel so strong! When people see me now, they’ll look to the heavens and think of God. That’s better than being the tallest tree in the world.

The three trees believed their dreams had been shattered, yet each one was chosen for a purpose more wonderful than they ever imagined. The first tree held the greatest treasure, the second carried the King of Heaven, and the third became a symbol of love and faith. In the end, their wishes came true in ways they could never have planned.

The End

Author: Unknown

Adapted by: K I D S I N C O

Moral of the story: Sometimes our dreams don’t come true exactly as we expect, but life has a greater plan for us—one that can be even more meaningful and extraordinary.

Moral Values:

  • Trust and Faith: The core moral of the story is that things may not turn out the way we planned, but there is a greater purpose at work. The trees had to trust that their futures, which seemed disappointing at first, would ultimately fulfill a higher and more meaningful purpose.
  • Patience: The trees have to wait many years, and endure a period of great disappointment, before they see their true purpose. The play teaches that good things, and the fulfillment of our ultimate purpose, often require patience.
  • Humility: The first two trees, who initially desire to be the most “beautiful” and “strongest” in the world, are humbled by their new forms. The third tree, who simply wants to point to heaven, also learns a lesson in humility by being used for something so painful and cruel, only to find a far greater purpose in the end. This suggests that true greatness often comes from humble circumstances.
  • Redemption and Transformation: The objects the trees become are all part of the story of Christian redemption: a manger, a fishing boat, and a cross. The play’s ultimate message is one of transformation. The seemingly ordinary and painful experiences of the trees are transformed into something sacred and meaningful.
  • Purpose Beyond Self: Each tree’s original dream was about its own glory—to be the most beautiful, the strongest, or the tallest. The play shows that their true purpose was to serve something greater than themselves, to be a part of a larger story of love and salvation. Their value was not in what they possessed or what they could do, but in what they represented and whom they served.
  • Appearance vs. Reality: The play repeatedly contrasts how the trees feel about themselves with their actual importance. The first tree feels like “dust and hay,” but is holding the “greatest treasure.” The third tree feels “ugly, harsh, and cruel,” but becomes a powerful symbol of God’s love. The play teaches us not to judge things (or people) based on their outward appearance or immediate circumstances.

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External Resources:

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