Once upon a time there was an apple tree. The apple tree was in a field surrounded by lots of green grass. The apple tree grew bigger and bigger until it became a grown-up tree with many bright, shining red apples hanging from its branches.

One warm summer day when the sun was shining brightly in the sky, Mrs. Cow came near by the apple tree. Mrs. Cow was always eating grass so when she saw the bright and shining red apples which fell from the apple tree lying on the ground she began to wonder how they would taste.

“It would be very nice to have something else to eat for a change," thought Mrs. Cow. So, Mrs. Cow asked Mr. Apple Tree if she could help herself to some of the apples on the ground.

Mr. Apple Tree said, "Why should I give you my apples for nothing?" But, Mrs. Cow said to Mr. Apple Tree, "I don't have anything to give you except my milk. Would you like to drink some of my milk?" asked Mrs. Cow.

"No," said Mr. Apple Tree. "I don't want your milk and, besides, trees don't drink milk." Mrs. Cow then went away very sad because the apples looked so good.

One day, Mr. Apple Tree heard a loud voice that came from the sky.

"Oh, Mr. Apple Tree, I am very upset at you," said Big Sun. When Mr. Apple Tree heard the loud voice he suddenly became very frightened. Mr. Apple Tree started to tremble and shake all over. And when his branches shook they dropped even more apples to the ground.

"Why are you so upset at me Big Sun?" asked Mr. Apple Tree. "Did I do anything?"

"No," said Big Sun, "You never did anything and that's the problem."

"What do you mean?" Mr. Apple Tree asked nervously.

"Well," said Big Sun, "I've done everything for you. Without my sunshine you would never have grown-up into a big tree with so many bright and shining red apples. Every day I give you my sunshine freely, otherwise, you would die. And, now, why should I continue to give you my sunshine when I don't receive anything from you."

Then Mr. Apple Tree said, "Oh, Big Sun, please don't stop shining on me. You can have all my apples if you want."

"I don't want or need your apples" said Big Sun. "And why should I be so kind to you and give you my sunshine when you don't share your apples with Mrs. Cow?"

When Mr. Apple Tree heard this he felt very sorry for what he did to Mrs. Cow. Mr. Apple Tree then said, "Oh, Big Sun I feel so rotten inside. I'm sorry for not sharing my apples with Mrs. Cow. From now on I'll share my apples with Mrs. Cow and the other creatures."

"Alright," said Big Sun. "I'm happy to hear you say that. I'll continue to give you my sunshine."

Then Mr. Apple Tree said a big "thank you" to Big Sun for all his kindness.

The next day when Mr. Apple Tree saw Mrs. Cow eating grass, he yelled for her to come over. But, Mrs. Cow didn't hear Mr. Apple Tree. So, Mr. Apple Tree swung back his branches and threw some apples towards Mrs. Cow. When Mrs. Cow saw the bright and shining red apples she turned her head toward Mr. Apple Tree and saw him smiling at her. She then ate the apples and was very happy because they tasted so good. Mrs. Cow then went over to Mr. Apple Tree and thanked him.

But, Mr. Apple Tree said to Mrs. Cow, "I want to thank you." "But, I didn't do anything," said Mrs. Cow.

"I know," said Mr. Apple Tree looking at Big Sun who was smiling. "I know that you didn't do anything Mrs. Cow. That makes both of us who didn't do anything."

(The above story has been recently published into a book with illustrations by WestBow Press and is available through bookstores and over the Internet at Amazon.com)

(The above story may be freely shared for non-commercial purposes only and must contain the story's full title, the full name of the author, and the copyright status)

Copyright 1994, 2010: Babu G. Ranganathan. All Rights Reserved.