Read the passage and answer the following questions.
There is a lovely story of a tree and a little boy who used to play in its shade. They had become friends. One day, the boy sat leaning against the trunk of the tree, crying. He was hungry. "Eat my fruit" said the kind tree bending down one of its branches. The boy ate the fruit and was happy. The boy grew up. One day, he sat under the tree with an anxious look on his face. "What is the matter?" asked the tree. "I am going to marry and I want a house to live in," said the young man. "Cut down my branches and build your house." said the tree. The young man built a house with the branches of the tree. The young man became a sailor. One day, he sat under the tree with a worried look. "What is the matter?" asked the tree. "My captain is a cruel fellow. I want a ship of my own." said the sailor. "Cut down my trunk and build a ship." The sailor lost his ship and returned home as a helpless old man. On a cold winter's day, he stood where the tree once was, leaning on his stick and trembling with cold. "Make a fire of me, and warm yourself' said the stump of the tree. The stump of the unselfish tree burnt in the fire, softly humming a tune.
How would you define the relationship that the story illustrates.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It was a one-sided relationship where the tree loved, cared for and supported the boy till its end.
A one-sided relationship is one in which only one party gives. Throughout the story the tree gives its fruit, branches, trunk and finally its stump, while the boy only takes. The tree loves and supports him till it burns in the fire.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: It was a mutual symbiotic relationship. — Incorrect. Contradicted: a symbiotic relationship is one in which both sides benefit from each other. The boy never gives the tree anything, so the benefit is not mutual.
Example: Bees and flowers share a symbiotic relationship.
Option 2: It was a relationship based on deceit and treachery. — Incorrect. Contradicted: Deceit is tricking someone and treachery is betraying someone who trusts you. The boy never tricks the tree; he asks openly, and the tree gives willingly.
Example: The general was hanged for his treachery.
Option 4: It was a disguised enmity. — Incorrect. Contradicted: Enmity is a feeling of hatred between enemies. The passage says they had become friends; there is no hidden hatred.
Example: The two families forgot their old enmity at the wedding.