“An oak tree and a rosebush grew,Young and green together,Talking the talk of growing things-Wind and water and weather.And while the rosebush sweetly bloomedThe oak tree grew so highThat now it spoke of newer things-Eagles, mountain peaks and sky."I guess you think you're pretty great,"The rose was heard to cry,Screaming as loud as it possibly couldTo the treetop in the sky."And now you have no time for flower talk,Now that you've grown so tall.""It's not so much that I've grown," said the tree,"It's just that you've stayed so small.”

American writer, cartoonist, songwriter, and musician

Shel Silverstein was an American writer, cartoonist, songwriter, and musician. Born in 1930 and raised in Chicago, he became known for work that moved easily between humor, music, and illustration. He briefly attended college before being drafted into the United States Army. In the 1950s, his drawings appeared in newspapers and magazines, including Playboy, and he wrote the satirical adult coloring book Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book. His work is best known for its wit and offbeat, often playful edge.