The Little Green Apple

Once upon a time there was a small green apple. It hung nicely on an apple tree and dangled in the summer sun, without much to do. In time a bird came by and began to tease the little green apple: "Your so small and so green, and I'll bet you're even sour."

"So what?" said the little green apple.

"Apples are supposed to be large and red and sweet," and with that the bird flew off to tease the other apples.

The little green apple began to feel bad about himself and tried with all his might to grow larger. That didn't work. So he held his breath and tried to turn red, but that didn't work either. He tried thinking pleasant thoughts in the hope that he just might turn a little sweeter. Nothing worked. Finally, he became depressed and was ready to drop off the branch and fall, unoticed to the ground below.

The Farmer happened to be passing by, and being a vigilant Farmer, noticed how the apple drooped with sorrow. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Well, I heard that apples are supposed to be large and red and sweet, but I'm small and green and sour. No matter what I've tried to do, I can't get larger, turn red, or get sweeter."

"Dear little apple," said the Farmer, "would you like to learn the secret of becoming large and red and sweet?"

"Yes!" explaimed the small, green, sour apple.

"Listen close," He said, "All you have to do is stay connected to the branch."

Source: Unknown