Young Man often felt lost and pondered questions about the
purpose of his life. He decided to journey far away, seeking
wisdom. He hiked tirelessly for several days.
2 One day, the sun blazed down and he was hot, thirsty, and
desperate for shade. In the distance, he saw a willow tree and
crawled to it. Exhausted, he lay between its roots and had a
vivid dream. In the dream, the tree had a wise old face that
smiled at him and looked strangely familiar.
3 Young Man said to the tree, "I have failed on my journey.
I still don't understand how to live my life. I'm thirsty and
weary, and I cannot summon the strength to return home."
4 The tree then reached down its oldest branch, stroked Young
Man gently on the cheek, and said, "Sleep in my shade. I am
old and know the value of rest. When you wake up, follow my
roots. They are wrinkled but know the way."
5 Young Man awoke and followed the tree's enormous roots to
a burbling stream. As he drank, he saw his reflection and was
shocked when he realized that the face he had seen in the
willow's trunk had been his own, only much older.
6 He smiled as he now understood that he must age like the
wise tree and help others find their way when they feel lost
and defeated. Over time, he would gradually become Wise
Man, whom people would seek out for help, shelter, and
advice. This, he knew, would take much strength and patience

student makes the following claim about Young Man in "The
Wisdom of the Willow Tree."
Young Man has to develop skills if he wants to become Wise Man.
Which sentence from the text best supports this claim?
A "He decided to journey faraway, seeking wisdom."
B "This, he knew, would take much strength and patience."
C "I am old and know the value of rest."
Hints
Which choice describes
what it takes for Young
Man to become Wise
Man?
D "In the distance, he saw a willow tree and crawled to it."
Read each answer choice
carefully. Which answer
contains a word that
describes something
people do when they
are happy?
How does Young Man
feel when he approaches
the willow tree? How
does the willow tree
encounter change
Young Man's feelings?
Which sentence from the text best shows that Young Man is happy
about his encounter with the willow tree?
A "Young Man awoke and followed the tree's enormous roots to a
burbling stream."
B "As he drank, he saw his reflection and was shocked when he
realized that the face he had seen in the willow's trunk had
been his own, only much older."
C "I'm thirsty and weary, and I cannot summon the strength to
return home."
D "He smiled as he now understood that he must age like the
wise tree and help others find their way when they feel lost and
defeated."
Explain how the willow tree's kindness and wisdom help Young
Man. Include at least one detail from the story to support your explanation