The story follows a tree and a little boy over many years. As the boy grows up, he returns to the tree asking for different things like money, wood for a house, and wood for a boat so he can leave. Though sad to give up her leaves, branches, and trunk, the tree agrees to help the boy each time. In the end, when the boy returns as an old man just wanting rest, the tree offers her stump for him to sit on, making them both happy once more.