STORY
CUE CARD
“The
Christmas Tree Man”
Bibliographic Information (best version for
telling):
Rylant, Cynthia, “The
Christmas Tree Man,” In Children of Christmas: Stories for the Season,
New York: Orchard Books, 1987.
Ethnic Origin: United States
Running Time: 7-8 minutes
Power Center(s):
·
Garnet Ash’s solitude, which often feels
like loneliness
§ I
believe this to be one of the most important feelings in the story.
·
Garnet Ash’s contentment
§ While
it can be considered opposed to his feelings of loneliness, I want the listener
to have mixed feelings about Garnet Ash’s life.
Dependant on the listener’s current situation or mood, he/she can take
away the loneliness Garnet Ash feels, or the contentedness he has for the life
he has chosen.
Characters:
·
Garnet Ash
·
The trees
·
The customers
Scenes:
·
Garnet alone with his house and trees
·
Garnet getting ready for customers
·
Garnet surrounded by customers
·
Garnet waving goodbye
·
Garnet in his fields alone on Christmas
Eve
Synopsis:
Garnet Ash didn’t
expect to live alone, but that is how his life has turned out. When his parents die suddenly, he finds
himself without a wife, children, or friends.
He raises Christmas trees like they were his children, and lives a very
solitary life until each December, when he shares his trees with families. After a busy, vivacious month in which he is
surrounded by people comes Christmas Eve, when once again, he is alone.
Rhymes/Special Phrases/"Flavor":
The flavor I hope to
capture in this telling is a feeling of quietness and peacefulness. I think of people who live alone and picture
very little noise and a sort of calmness.
I’ll tell my story in a low, quiet, calm voice. I hope to entrance my listeners with
atmosphere rather than energy.
Audience (why is this story appropriate for the
audience? developmental characteristics?):
I chose this story
for an adult audience, particularly keeping in mind this time of year. For students, it is hectic with end-of-term
assignments, and for most all adults it is full of holiday preparations. This story causes me to slow down and
relax. It also makes me cherish and be
grateful for the relationships that I have.
I hope that others will take these feelings away with them.
Bibliographic information on other
versions/variants (at least two)
None. Literary tale.