One day while Elpha was working on her computer, she craved an apple. “A red, delicious, crunchy apple would taste great right now.” She thought. She wanted it so badly that she decided to take a break and walk down to the market to get one.
She stood from her chair, combed her long hair, locked her apartment door, and walked down the two flights of stairs to the sidewalk outside her brownstone. She passed Mrs. Doodle, who was watering her flowerpots. “Good afternoon! I am going to get an apple. Would you like one?”
“No thank you, Elpha, but enjoy your apple.” The kind woman answered.
Elpha reached the fruit market and searched through the stands. “Can I help you, Elpha,” Jacob the owner asked?
“Yes, thank you,” Elpha responded. “I would like an apple, your best one!”
“Oh, I am so sorry Elpha. We did not get apples in today, but I have some beautiful, tasty oranges.” Jacob suggested.
Elpha was disappointed. She did not particularly want an orange, not that she did not like oranges. She just really wanted an apple.
“Well, I did have my heart set on an apple, but an orange is better than nothing. Okay.” Elpha said.
“I will get one for you. I think you might like it!” Jacob bagged the orange and handed it to Elpha.
Back at home, Elpha put the orange on the counter. “You are a lovely orange. Your color is beautiful, and you smell good. I did so want an apple though.” She communicated to the piece of fruit.
The orange felt sad that he did not meet Elpha’s expectations. That evening Elpha came into the kitchen and looked at the orange, she frowned and walked past it, poured herself a glass of milk, and turned off the light. The orange felt even worse.
The next morning, the orange was sure Elpha would be glad he was there. “Oranges are great for breakfast. She will be glad I am here!” The orange thought.
Elpha glanced at the orange and made a cup of coffee. She sat on the stool at the counter and looked at the orange. “I am sorry I bought that orange. I do not even want it.” She snarled.
“I guess I’m not as appealing and desired as I thought.” The orange felt dejected again. A week passed and Elpha did not even look the orange’s way. The orange began to shrivel up. “I wish I could turn into the apple she wanted. I am not good enough for her.” The orange shed a tear.
Before bed that night, Elpha threw the orange away. “It is no good now. What a waste.” She was sorry she spent the money on it.
Moral of the story:
If you want an apple, do not buy an orange. If you do buy the orange, do not be mad at the orange for not being an apple, and do not try to make it one. What you see is what you get! If you do not know what you want or cannot tell the difference between an apple and an orange, do not buy anything until you do! If you are an orange and someone wants you to be an apple, kindly decline the invitation to change who you are and find someone who wants an orange.
Amy Wildman White 