This book is based on a legend about a real ‘wishing’ tree in the village of Lam Tsuen in Hong Kong. Wishing trees are usually banyan or camphor trees that have aerial roots twisting into strange shapes, giving them a magical appearance.
Whenever Ming visits the Wishing Tree with his grandmother, he writes his wish and hurls it towards the tree’s arms, as is the tradition. Every time, the Wishing Tree makes his wish come true.
Then when his grandmother falls very ill, Ming visits the Wishing Tree by himself and wishes for her to get well. But this time, the tree’s magic fails. Ming misses his grandmother and feels let down by the wishing tree. He decides never to visit it again.
But several years later he visits the village with the Wishing Tree for a class reunion. On the way some of his friends stop by the Wishing Tree to make wishes. Ming tells his friend how his grandmother and he made wishes together. Ming’s friend asks him a question that sets him thinking about the magic of the Wishing Tree. He knows there is something he must do before leaving the Wishing Tree.
A touching story that reminds us to appreciate and be thankful for what we have.
If you could make a wish at the Wishing Tree, what would it be?
Appropriate for children 6+ years.
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