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Once there was a very giving mother who had two sons she loved very much
And everyday the two boys would come to play and make crowns out of leaves and twigs for their mom because they love her so very much
They would cuddle up in her lap and she told them stories
And play hide-and-seek in the woods until dark
And the two boys loved their mother very much
And the mother was happy

But time went by
And the two boys grew older
And the mother was often alone
Then one day her eldest son came to see her, and she said
"Come, America, come and sit in my lap while I tell you stories and play hide-and-seek with me and be happy."
"I am too big to sit in your lap and too old to play such games." said her son
"I want to buy things and become great.  I want money.  Can you give me some money?"
"I'm sorry," said the mother, "but I have no money.  But I do have some apples you could sell in one of your markets.  Then you will have money and be happy."
And so the boy took the apples
And carried them away
And the mother was happy

But her son stayed away for a long time, and the mother was sad
But one day the boy came back and the mother smiled with joy and she said, "Come America, sit in my lap as I tell you stories and play hide-and-seek with me and be happy."
"I am to busy to do those things." said her son
"I want my home to be larger," he said
"I want to become big and important like all the other countries and be noticed.  Can you make my home larger?"
"I cannot make your home larger," said the tree
"The forest is my home, so why can't it be yours?  But no matter, I will give you this necklace which represents the West.  Then you will be happy."
So the boy grabbed the necklace and carried it away.
And the mother was happy

But her son stayed away for a long time
And when he came back, the mother was so happy she could hardly speak
"Come America," she whispered, "sit and listen and play."
"I am to sad to sit and listen and play." said her son
"I want a boat so I can go visit England.  Can you give me a boat?"
"Cut down the trees that make up my home and make a boat," said the mother
"Then you can sail away and be happy."
And so they boy cut down the trees that made up his mother's home and carried them away.
And the mother was happy….but not really

After a long time her son came back, but it was not her eldest son.
"I am sorry Canada," said the mother "But I do not have anything left to give, I can not give you apples to acquire money."
"I do not need money." said her son quietly
"I do not have any land to give you," said the mother "You cannot make your home larger."
"I do not need any more land." said her son again just as quietly
"I am sorry," sighed the mother "I wish that I could give you something, but I have nothing left.  I have nothing but myself.  I am sorry…"
"I don't need very much mother," said her son a little louder than before
"I just need a place to sit when I listen to your stories."
"Well," said the mother crossing her legs before patting her own lap, "I think my lap is the best seat for that.  Come, Canada, sit down.  Sit down and listen."
And her son did just that while the mother held him tight as she spoke.
"Once upon a time…."

And she was happy.