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George Washington and the Cherry Tree

Alternative Version

The father of George Washington discovers that his prized cherry tree has been felled. Returning to the house, he finds young George in the kitchen; the boy is wearing a lumberjack's shirt, singing a lumberjack worksong about felling trees, leaning on an axe, and eating cherries.

"George," his father asks, "do you know who cut down my cherry tree?"

"Father," George replies, "I cannot tell a lie. It was grandmother."

After a moment's silence, his father asks George another question. "Have you considered a career in politics?"

Copyright © 2013 John N MacNeill