The Apple
A youth held in his hand a round, red, apple.
“Eat,” said the Spirit, “it is the apple of life.”
“I will have none of it,” said the Youth, and threw it far from him. “I will have success. I will have fame, fortune, power and knowledge.”
“Come, then,” said the Spirit.
They went together up steep and rocky paths. The sun , the rain fell upon them, the mountain about them, and the snow fell in beautiful and softness, obscuring the way as they climbed. Time swiftly passed and the golden locks of the Youth took on the whiteness of the snow. His form grew bent with the of climbing; his hand grew weak and his voice and high.
The Spirit had not changed and upon his face was the smile of wisdom.
They stood at last upon the topmost peak. The old man that was the Youth said to the Spirit: “Give me the apple of Success. I have come upon the heights where it grows and it is mine. Be quick, for there is a strange in my sight.”
The Spirit gave him an apple round and red and fair to .
The man bit into it and found rottenness and bitter dust.
“What is this?” he asked.
“It was the apple of Life,” said the Spirit. “It is now the apple of Success.”