The Friendship Tree

    By Christiana Carty-Godin

    The Friendship Tree cover image

    11 Jul, 2024

    a couple of kids walking down a dirt road next to a tree and a fence with a bunch of kids, Carol Sutton, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, comic cover art

    Lily and Sam were the best of friends. They loved playing under the giant tree, which they called 'The Friendship Tree'. But one day, they had a disagreement.

    a couple of kids standing next to each other in a park with a playground in the background and children playing, Brothers Hildebrandt, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    Lily wanted to build a treehouse, while Sam wanted to keep the tree untouched. Their disagreement escalated into a heated argument, causing a rift in their friendship.

    a group of children standing in front of a fence with a bench in the background and a man standing behind them, F Scott Hess, american realism, a storybook illustration, graphic novel

    The other kids in the playground watched as Lily and Sam, once inseparable, now stood apart, each refusing to compromise.

    a cartoon of two women standing in front of a classroom full of children, one of them is pointing at the camera, F Scott Hess, american realism, a comic book panel, comic cover art

    Seeing the situation, Miss Harper, their teacher, decided to intervene. She invited them to the Peace Corner, a place designed for conflict resolution.

    a cartoon of two women standing in front of a desk in a classroom with children sitting at desks, Chris Ware, serial art, a comic book panel, graphic novel

    She asked Lily and Sam to express their feelings and listen to each other. They realized that their argument had affected their friends too.

    a painting of three girls sitting on a bench under a tree with a bird in the background and a birdhouse in the background, F Scott Hess, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    Lily spoke about her dream of a treehouse, a place where all their friends could play together. Sam expressed his concern for the tree's wellbeing.

    a group of children sitting on a bench in the woods near a tree trunk and a bird nest in the tree, Diego Gisbert Llorens, process art, a storybook illustration, official art

    Miss Harper suggested a compromise. They could build a small treehouse that would not harm the tree. Both Lily and Sam liked the idea.

    a group of children standing next to a tree in a park with a dog on the ground and a dog on the ground, Claire Hummel, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    Together, they all built a small, beautiful treehouse. Lily and Sam, with their friends, worked hard and turned their disagreement into a fun project.

    two girls standing in front of a tree house with a playground in the background and a tree with a ladder to the top, Christopher Moeller, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    The treehouse became a symbol of their friendship and cooperation. It was a place where everyone was welcome, promoting inclusion and unity.

    a couple of kids standing next to a tree in a forest with a house in the background and a birdhouse in the background, Colin Middleton, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, comic cover art

    Lily and Sam learned the importance of compromise and understanding. Their friendship was stronger than before, and they promised to always resolve their disagreements.

    two children running in the park under a tree illustration by alex krapfke for the children's book, Cliff Childs, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    The Friendship Tree stood tall and proud, its branches sheltering the small treehouse. It was a reminder of their journey from dispute to resolution.

    Painting your imagination...

    And so, the playground remained a place of joy and friendship, where every child felt included and valued. The Friendship Tree continued to witness their growing bonds.