THE PEASANT and THE APPLE-TREE
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Once there was a farmer. He lived on a farm. He had an apple tree. The Apple Tree was very, very old. It did not grow any red apples. It had many green leaves. Sparrows lived in its high branches. Grasshoppers lived there too. The old tree gave them a good home. It gave them cool shade.
The Farmer looked at his old tree. He felt very sad. "No apples grow here," he thought. The tree gave no good fruit. "It is not good for me," he said. He made a big plan. "I will cut it down," he said loudly.
The Farmer went to his small shed. He found his big, sharp axe. The axe was heavy. He held the axe in his strong hand. He walked back to the old tree. He was ready to chop.
The Sparrows saw the Farmer. They flew down from the tree. "Please, Farmer!" they chirped. "Do not cut our home!" The Grasshoppers jumped. "We love this tree!" they said. "We sing for you each day. Our songs make it bright!" they cried. "This tree gives us good shelter. Please, let it stay!"
The Farmer did not listen. "This tree gives no sweet fruit," he said. He lifted his axe high. He swung it down hard. Chop! Chop! Chop!
His axe hit the trunk. A sound was not right. The tree was hollow!
He looked inside the hole. He saw many bees. Bzzzzzz! they buzzed. He saw sweet, golden honey. So much honey!
The Farmer smiled big. He felt very happy. He threw down his axe.
"This tree is good!" he said. "It gives sweet honey!" "I will not cut it now." "This old tree will stay." The Farmer learned that day: Even old things have value!
Original Story
THE PEASANT AND THE APPLE-TREE
A Peasant had an Apple-tree growing in his garden, which bore no fruit, but merely served to provide a shelter from the heat for the sparrows and grasshoppers which sat and chirped in its branches. Disappointed at its barrenness he determined to cut it down, and went and fetched his axe for the purpose. But when the sparrows and the grasshoppers saw what he was about to do, they begged him to spare it, and said to him, "If you destroy the tree we shall have to seek shelter elsewhere, and you will no longer have our merry chirping to enliven your work in the garden." He, however, refused to listen to them, and set to work with a will to cut through the trunk. A few strokes showed that it was hollow inside and contained a swarm of bees and a large store of honey. Delighted with his find he threw down his axe, saying, "The old tree is worth keeping after all."
Utility is most men's test of worth.
Story DNA
Moral
Utility is most men's test of worth.
Plot Summary
A peasant decides to cut down his apple tree because it bears no fruit, despite it providing shelter for sparrows and grasshoppers. The creatures plead for its life, but the peasant ignores them and begins to chop. He soon discovers the tree is hollow and contains a swarm of bees and a large store of honey. Delighted by this find, the peasant changes his mind, realizing the tree has a different kind of worth after all.
Themes
Emotional Arc
disappointment to delight
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories, often featuring anthropomorphic animals, intended to convey moral lessons.
Plot Beats (9)
- A peasant has an apple tree that bears no fruit, only providing shelter for sparrows and grasshoppers.
- Disappointed by its barrenness, the peasant decides to cut the tree down.
- He fetches his axe to begin the task.
- The sparrows and grasshoppers beg him to spare the tree, arguing that their chirping enlivens his garden.
- The peasant refuses to listen and starts to chop the trunk.
- After a few strokes, he discovers the tree is hollow.
- Inside the hollow, he finds a swarm of bees and a large store of honey.
- Delighted by this discovery, he throws down his axe.
- He declares the old tree is worth keeping after all.
Characters
★
The Peasant
A man of average height with a sturdy, sun-weathered build, indicative of a life spent in manual labor. His hands are calloused and strong. His skin is tanned from working outdoors.
Attire: Simple, functional attire typical of a Greek or Roman peasant: a rough-spun tunic made of undyed linen or wool, reaching to his knees, cinched at the waist with a leather cord. His legs are bare, and he wears sturdy leather sandals on his feet. The fabric is coarse and shows signs of wear and tear from daily work.
Wants: To maximize the utility and productivity of his garden and possessions. He seeks tangible benefits.
Flaw: His initial inability to see value beyond immediate utility; he is easily swayed by material gain.
He begins with a purely utilitarian view, ready to destroy something deemed useless. He changes his mind when he discovers a hidden, unexpected value, learning that worth can be found in unforeseen places.
Practical, initially short-sighted, easily swayed by material gain, hardworking, decisive.
◆
The Apple-tree
An old, mature apple tree, likely gnarled and thick-trunked, with a wide, spreading canopy of green leaves. Its branches are numerous, providing ample shade. The trunk is visibly hollow inside, revealing a dark cavity.
Attire: Not applicable, as it is a tree. Its 'clothing' is its bark and leaves.
Wants: To exist and provide shelter, and unknowingly, a home for bees and a store of honey.
Flaw: Its apparent barrenness, which makes it seem useless to the Peasant.
Initially seen as barren and useless, it is nearly destroyed. Its hidden value is discovered, leading to its preservation.
Passive, enduring, provides shelter without complaint, holds hidden value.
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The Sparrows
Small, agile birds with brown and grey plumage, typical of common sparrows. They have short, conical beaks and quick, darting movements.
Attire: Not applicable, as they are birds. Their 'clothing' is their natural plumage.
Wants: To preserve their home and continue their merry chirping.
Flaw: Their small size and dependence on the tree for shelter.
They attempt to persuade the Peasant to spare the tree, representing the non-material value of nature.
Lively, social, dependent on the tree for shelter, persuasive.
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The Grasshoppers
Green or brown insects with long, powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. They have prominent antennae and large compound eyes.
Attire: Not applicable, as they are insects. Their 'clothing' is their exoskeleton.
Wants: To preserve their home and continue their merry chirping.
Flaw: Their small size and dependence on the tree for shelter.
They attempt to persuade the Peasant to spare the tree, representing the non-material value of nature.
Lively, social, dependent on the tree for shelter, persuasive.
○
The Bees
Small, fuzzy insects with black and yellow striped bodies, translucent wings, and six legs. They are numerous and industrious.
Attire: Not applicable, as they are insects. Their 'clothing' is their natural exoskeleton.
Wants: To produce and store honey.
Flaw: Their vulnerability to external threats when their hive is exposed.
Their presence and the honey they produce are discovered, directly leading to the tree's preservation.
Industrious, communal, productive.
Locations
Peasant's Garden
A simple, sun-drenched garden belonging to a peasant, likely in a Mediterranean or Southern European setting, with an old, barren apple-tree at its center providing shade. The ground would be dry earth, possibly with some weeds or small crops.
Mood: Initially mundane and somewhat disappointing, later shifting to one of discovery and contentment.
The peasant decides to cut down the apple-tree, is pleaded with by the animals, and then discovers the honey, changing his mind.
Hollow Apple-Tree Trunk
The interior of the apple-tree's trunk, revealed to be hollow and dark, housing a bustling swarm of bees and their rich store of honeycombs. The wood inside would be aged and possibly damp.
Mood: Hidden, surprising, rich, industrious
The peasant discovers the hidden treasure of bees and honey, leading him to value the tree.