The Little Fir-Tree by Maud Van Buren

Name: The Little Fir-Tree
Author: Maud Van Buren

In Maud Van Buren’s “The Little Fir-Tree,” the great Tree-master creates many kinds of trees: useful wood trees, trees that bear food, and beautiful flowering trees. When he is nearly finished, a little fir-tree timidly asks whether she, too, will be given something lovely to do. The Tree-master dismisses her, saying she is good enough as she is and should behave so that no one notices her. The fir-tree is unhappy with her dull needles. In spring, apple, peach, and cherry trees flaunt their exquisite blossoms, while maples, oaks, elms, and willows display delicate new green leaves. Though the fir-tree sincerely admires their beauty, she longs to wear blossoms or soft leaves herself. The other trees are absorbed in their own decorations and give little attention to her sadness. During summer, the fruit-trees boast of their cherries, peaches, apples, plums, and pears, asking what the fir-tree would give to share their glories. Their careless indifference wounds her even more than their scorn. In autumn, the trees display scarlet, gold, bronze, and crimson foliage, while nut-trees taunt the fir-tree with their nuts and with her supposed uselessness. She weeps so much that her needles fall in a pool around her feet. The willows by the brook weep sympathetically, but she remains inconsolable. The Tree-master eventually finds her and hears her complaints. He reminds her that in winter the other trees will stand bare, shivering, and forlorn, while she will remain green, glossy, and shapely. This comforts the fir-tree somewhat, but she still wishes for flowers, fruit, and nuts. Amused but kind, the Tree-master grants her wish in an extraordinary way: she is made the Christmas Tree. Every winter, while other trees wait for spring, the little fir-tree is covered with marvelous colors and gold, wondrous fruits, nuts, and holly berries, and is crowned by the Christmas star.

By Maud Van Buren · First published 1927 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fairy Tale, Christmas Fiction · 1,839 words

First lines

_Carolyn Wells_

Longer ago than you ever heard of, and farther away than you ever / dreamed, the great Tree-master went out to make the trees.[21]

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What this Textopian page supports

The Little Fir-Tree is listed on Textopian as a short story by Maud Van Buren, dated 1927 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Maud Van Buren
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Fairy Tale, Christmas Fiction, Fable, Moral Tale
Length: 1,839 words
Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for The Little Fir-Tree by Maud Van Buren
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The simple diction, imaginative premise, talking trees, clear emotional arc, and reassuring conclusion are designed for young readers.
Fairy Tale — The story takes place in a distant, undefined past, features a creator-like Tree-master, personified nature, magical transformation, and a rewarding ending.
Christmas Fiction — Its central purpose is to explain the special status of the fir tree as the Christmas Tree, adorned with lights, gifts, ornaments, and a Christmas star.
Fable — Personified trees speak, boast, suffer, and learn, while the narrative conveys a moral about envy, patience, and the value of one's particular role.