Is there too much of a jolt for children?

Question

THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF JONATHAN APPLETREE
Terry
Copyrighted

When I was very young, Jonathan was already very old. Old and bent, his limbs twisted by the labors of his lifetime. He was a survivor of seventy seasons, of cultivations, and of harvests.

Old Jonathan never shirked anything. When the weather warmed, he donned his one suit of summer clothing and supported the children's building of a tree house. Long evening games of hide-and-seek would not have been possible without his complicity. In addition, unlike parents, he was never too busy to listen, silently and patiently, to the terribly immediate problems of childhood.

The person with the rapacious chain-saw and ravenous wood-stove who chose to cut Jonathan's life short, destroyed the dreams of many childhoods.

It's based on a reality, a new land owner, and memories.

Papa,
If that were true, The chap book I wrote it in would not have survived the copyright office in the 50s. Are you sure he didn't copy it from me?

Answer 1

I've often wondered if the old English saying, "Here comes the sandman to put you to bed, here comes the chopper to chop off your head!" was ever actually recited to little children when tucking them in for the night. Most English "nursery rhymes" were supposedly veiled political commentary and not really intended for tender ears. Still, I'm sure some nannies hard-pressed for something to entertain the nippers with resorted to some rather gory tales to pass the night away.

Answer 2

Sounds like a poorly written copy of the Shel Silverstein story.
sorry

You demonized woodcutters and using wood heat in the 50's before environmentalist was even a word? That IS impressive. But you asked and the story was nice...up until the ABRUPT end.
Sorry if my answer was not what you wanted but I assumed you wanted honesty.
Your ego is obvious and I was not targeting it when I answered your question with Truth. But thumbs down whatever Truth you deem worthy. i meant no disrespect toward an elder.
I grew up with Shell...and Giving Trees...not with ravenous stoves, nor chainsaw wielding maniacs. That is not appropriate for young minds to absorb.
Yet the implied relationship of man and nature and the idea of Love is.

Answer 3

Johnny Appleseed was abandoned. If someone had been there to protect him, the "rapacious chain-saw and ravenous wood-stove" would have had no chance to cut his life short. It is easy to blame someone or something else, but in the end it is our fault - and we frequently don't realize what we have until it is gone from our lives for good.

Answer 4

I wouldn't say the last paragraph word for word to kids. That's a little gruesome even for me. Just say an evil murderer killed him, or something a little less graphic.