THE APPLE DUMPLING
by Maud Lindsay · from The Story-teller
Adapted Version
There was an old woman. She wanted an apple dumpling for supper. She had no apple. She had many plums. The plums were red and round. She could not use plums. She wanted an apple.
The Old Woman wanted her dumpling. She put plums in a basket. She covered the plums with a cloth. She went to find an apple. She thought, 'Plums needed.' She walked the road. She looked for an apple.
She met a Young Woman. The Young Woman fed hens. "Hello," said the Old Woman. "I have plums. I need an apple." Young Woman had none. She had soft feathers. The Old Woman took the feathers. She gave her the plums.
The Old Woman walked on. She saw a Man and a Woman. They were not happy. They talked loudly. "I have soft feathers," she said. 'Feathers make good cushions.' Man and Woman were happy. They gave her pretty flowers.
She met a Young Lord. He looked very sad. He had no gift. "I have flowers," she said. 'Give these to your lady.' Young Lord was happy. He gave her a gold chain. He took the flowers.
The Old Woman walked to town. She saw a Mother and children. They looked very sad. They had no food. "I have a gold chain," she said. She gave it to the Mother. The Mother was very happy.
The Mother and children smiled. "Thank you!" they said. "We have a little dog." They gave the dog to her. The Little Dog was soft. It lay in her basket. The Old Woman was happy.
She walked on her way. She had no apple yet. She had a little dog. She gave good things. Good things came to her. She felt very happy. She still hoped for an apple.
She walked a little more. She saw an apple tree. It had many red apples. An Old Man sat nearby. He sat on his porch. His house was like hers.
"What a nice apple tree!" she said. The Old Man looked sad. "I am lonely," he said. "I wish for a little dog. A dog would bark for me."
"Bow-wow!" said the Little Dog. It jumped from the basket. The Old Man smiled big. He was very happy. The Old Woman gave him the dog. He gave her many apples.
The Old Woman went home. She had many apples. She made an apple dumpling. It smelled very good. She ate her dumpling. She was very happy. It was the best apple dumpling ever!
Original Story
THE APPLE DUMPLING
here was once upon a time an old woman who wanted an apple dumpling for supper. She had plenty of flour and plenty of butter, plenty of sugar and plenty of spice for a dozen dumplings, but there was one thing she did not have; and that was an apple.
She had plums, a tree full of them, the roundest and reddest that you can imagine; but, though you can make butter from cream and raisins of grapes, you cannot make an apple dumpling with plums, and there is no use trying.
The more the old woman thought of the dumpling the more she wanted it, and at last she dressed herself in her Sunday best and started out to seek an apple.
Before she left home, however, she filled a basket with plums from her plum-tree and, covering it over with a white cloth, hung it on her arm, for she said to herself: "There may be those in the world who have apples, and need plums."
She had not gone very far when she came to a poultry yard filled with fine hens and geese and guineas. Ca-ca, quawk, quawk, poterack! What a noise they made; and in the midst of them stood a young woman who was feeding them with yellow corn. She nodded pleasantly to the old woman, and the old woman nodded to her; and soon the two were talking as if they had known each other always.
The young woman told the old woman about her fowls and the old woman told the young woman about the dumpling and the basket of plums for which she hoped to get apples.
"Dear me," said the young woman when she heard this, "there is nothing my husband likes better than plum jelly with goose for his Sunday dinner, but unless you will take a bag of feathers for your plums he must do without, for that is the best I can offer you."
"One pleased is better than two disappointed," said the old woman then; and she emptied the plums into the young woman's apron and putting the bag of feathers into her basket trudged on as merrily as before; for she said to herself:
"If I am no nearer the dumpling than when I left home, I am at least no farther from it; and that feathers are lighter to carry than plums nobody can deny."
Trudge, trudge, up hill and down she went, and presently she came to a garden of sweet flowers; lilies, lilacs, violets, roses—oh, never was there a lovelier garden!
The old woman stopped at the gate to look at the flowers; and as she looked she heard a man and a woman, who sat on the door-step of a house that stood in the garden, quarreling.
"Cotton," said the woman.
"Straw," said the man.
"'Tis not—"
"It is," they cried, and so it went between them, till they spied the old woman at the gate.
"Here is one who will settle the matter," said the woman then; and she called to the old woman:
"Good mother, answer me this: If you were making a cushion for your grandfather's chair would you not stuff it with cotton?"
"No," said the old woman.
"I told you so," cried the man. "Straw is the thing, and no need to go farther than the barn for it;" but the old woman shook her head.
"I would not stuff the cushion with straw," said she; and it would have been hard to tell which one was the more cast down by her answers, the man or the woman.
But the old woman made haste to take the bag of feathers out of her basket, and give it to them.
"A feather cushion is fit for a king," she said, "and as for me, an apple for a dumpling, or a nosegay from your garden will serve me as well as what I give."
The man and the woman had no apples, but they were glad to exchange a nosegay from their garden for a bag of fine feathers, you may be sure.
"There is nothing nicer for a cushion than feathers," said the woman.
"My mother had one made of them," said the man; and they laughed like children as they hurried into the garden to fill the old woman's basket with the loveliest posies; lilies, lilacs, violets, roses—oh! never was there a sweeter nosegay.
"A good bargain, and not all of it in the basket," said the old woman, for she was pleased to have stopped the quarrel, and when she had wished the two good fortune and a long life, she went upon her way again.
Now her way was the king's highway, and as she walked there she met a young lord who was dressed in his finest clothes, for he was going to see his lady love. He would have been as handsome a young man as ever the sun shone on had it not been that his forehead was wrinkled into a terrible frown, and the corners of his mouth drawn down as if he had not a friend left in the whole world.
"A fair day and a good road," said the old woman, stopping to drop him a courtesy.
"Fair or foul, good or bad, 'tis all one to me," said he, "when the court jeweler has forgotten to send the ring he promised, and I must go to my lady with empty hands."
"Empty hands are better than an empty heart," said the old woman; "but then we are young only once; so you shall have a gift for your lady though I may never have an apple dumpling." And she took the nosegay from her basket and gave it to the young lord which pleased him so much that the frown smoothed away from his forehead, and his mouth spread itself in a smile, and he was as handsome a young man as ever the sun shone on.
"Fair exchange is no robbery,"[3] said he, and he unfastened a golden chain from round his neck and gave it to the old woman, and went away holding his nosegay with great care.
[3] An old saying.
The old woman was delighted.
"With this golden chain I might buy all the apples in the king's market, and then have something to spare," she said to herself, as she hurried away toward town as fast as her feet could carry her.
But she had gone no farther than the turn of the road when she came upon a mother and children, standing in a doorway, whose faces were as sorrowful as her own was happy.
"What is the matter?" she asked as soon as she reached them.
"Matter enough," answered the mother, "when the last crust of bread is eaten and not a farthing in the house to buy more."
SHE SAW AN APPLE-TREE AS FULL OF APPLES AS HER PLUM-TREE WAS FULL OF PLUMS.
"Well-a-day," cried the old woman when this was told her. "Never shall it be said of me that I eat apple dumpling for supper while my neighbors lack bread;" and she put the golden chain into the mother's hands and hurried on without waiting for thanks.
She was not out of sight of the house, though, when the mother and children, every one of them laughing and talking as if it were Christmas or Candlemas day, overtook her.
"Little have we to give you," said the mother who was the happiest of all, "for that you have done for us, but here is a little dog, whose barking will keep loneliness from your house, and a blessing goes with it."
The old woman did not have the heart to say them nay, so into the basket went the little dog, and very snugly he lay there.
"A bag of feathers for a basket of plums; a nosegay of flowers for a bag of feathers; a golden chain for a nosegay of flowers; a dog and a blessing for a golden chain; all the world is give and take, and who knows but that I may have my apple yet," said the old woman as she hurried on.
And sure enough she had not gone a half dozen yards when, right before her, she saw an apple-tree as full of apples as her plum-tree was full of plums. It grew in front of a house as much like her own as if the two were peas in the same pod; and on the porch of the house sat a little old man.
"A fine tree of apples!" called the old woman as soon as she was in speaking distance of him.
"Aye, but apple-trees and apples are poor company when a man is growing old," said the old man; "and I would give them all if I had even so much as a little dog to bark on my door-step."
"Bow-wow!" called the dog in the old woman's basket, and in less time than it takes to read this story he was barking on the old man's door-step, and the old woman was on her way home with a basket of apples on her arm.
She got there in plenty of time to make the dumpling for supper, and it was as sweet and brown a dumpling as heart could desire.
"If you try long enough and hard enough you can always have an apple dumpling for supper," said the old woman; and she ate the dumpling to the very last crumb; and enjoyed it, too.
Story DNA
Moral
Generosity and kindness often lead to unexpected rewards, and perseverance can help you achieve your goals.
Plot Summary
An old woman longs for an apple dumpling but lacks an apple. She sets out with a basket of plums, hoping to trade them. Through a series of increasingly generous exchanges, she trades her plums for feathers, then feathers for flowers, flowers for a golden chain, and finally gives the golden chain to a poor family, receiving a little dog in return. Just when she thinks she may never get her apple, she meets an old man who desperately wants a dog. She trades her dog for a basket of apples, returns home, and happily makes and enjoys her long-desired apple dumpling.
Themes
Emotional Arc
desire to contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Maud Lindsay was an American educator and author known for her children's stories, often with moral lessons, published in the early 20th century.
Plot Beats (12)
- An old woman wants an apple dumpling but has no apple, only plums.
- She decides to seek an apple, taking a basket of plums to trade.
- She meets a young woman who trades a bag of feathers for her plums.
- She meets a quarreling couple who trade a nosegay of flowers for her feathers.
- She meets a sad young lord who trades a golden chain for her nosegay.
- She encounters a poor mother and children and gives them the golden chain.
- The grateful mother and children give her a little dog as a blessing.
- The old woman continues her journey, reflecting on the exchanges.
- She finds an apple tree in front of a house, where an old man sits.
- The old man expresses a wish for a little dog for companionship.
- The old woman's dog barks, and she trades it for a basket of apples.
- She returns home and makes a delicious apple dumpling, enjoying it to the last crumb.
Characters
The Old Woman ★ protagonist
A small, perhaps slightly stooped, elderly woman with a resilient build, accustomed to walking. Her face is likely lined from age and sun, but her eyes retain a spark of determination and kindness.
Attire: Her 'Sunday best' suggests a clean, well-maintained, but simple dress, likely made of sturdy linen or wool in muted, practical colors such as grey, brown, or deep blue, perhaps with a white apron over it. She wears comfortable, worn walking shoes.
Wants: To make an apple dumpling for her supper, but also driven by a deep-seated generosity and a belief in fair exchange and helping others.
Flaw: Her extreme generosity, while a strength, could be seen as a weakness if she were to give away something truly essential without receiving a fair trade.
She begins wanting an apple for a dumpling and ends up with a basket of apples, having learned that generosity and good deeds bring their own rewards, often in unexpected ways. She reaffirms her belief in the interconnectedness of giving and receiving.
Determined, resourceful, generous, optimistic, philosophical, kind-hearted.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman with a kind, wrinkled face and soft grey hair pulled back neatly. She has a sturdy, slightly stooped posture. She wears a simple, clean, dark blue linen dress with a white apron over it, and practical brown leather walking shoes. She carries a woven wicker basket with a white cloth covering it on her arm. She has a gentle, determined expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Young Woman (Poultry Yard) ◆ supporting
A healthy, active young woman, likely of a sturdy build from farm work. Her hands might be calloused from daily chores.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant attire suitable for farm work: a sturdy linen or cotton dress, possibly with a plain apron, in earthy tones. Her clothing would be clean but functional.
Wants: To provide her husband with plum jelly for his Sunday dinner.
Flaw: Limited resources, as she can only offer feathers in exchange for plums.
A static character, she facilitates the Old Woman's journey by making the first exchange.
Friendly, practical, appreciative, devoted to her husband's preferences.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young peasant woman standing in a poultry yard, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a pleasant, open face with rosy cheeks and light brown hair tied back in a simple bun. She wears a practical, sturdy green linen dress with a plain cream-colored apron over it. She holds a handful of yellow corn, scattering it for the chickens around her feet. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Man (Quarrelsome Couple) ◆ supporting
An ordinary man, perhaps a gardener or homeowner, of average build. His face is initially set in an argumentative expression.
Attire: Simple, functional clothing suitable for a homeowner or gardener, such as a sturdy tunic and trousers in natural, muted colors.
Wants: To prove his point in the argument about cushion stuffing, and later, to acquire feathers for a cushion.
Flaw: His stubbornness in argument.
Moves from quarreling to laughing like a child, showing a shift from contention to contentment.
Argumentative, stubborn, but ultimately joyful and appreciative when a solution is found.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man with a short, practical brown haircut and a initially stern, then joyful expression. He wears a simple, sturdy grey linen tunic and dark brown trousers. He is sitting on a stone doorstep, looking at a woman beside him, then laughing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Woman (Quarrelsome Couple) ◆ supporting
An ordinary woman, likely a homemaker, of average build. Her face is initially set in an argumentative expression.
Attire: Simple, functional clothing suitable for a homemaker, such as a sturdy dress and apron in natural, muted colors.
Wants: To prove her point in the argument about cushion stuffing, and later, to acquire feathers for a cushion.
Flaw: Her stubbornness in argument.
Moves from quarreling to laughing like a child, showing a shift from contention to contentment.
Argumentative, stubborn, but ultimately joyful and appreciative when a solution is found.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult woman with a practical, braided brown hairstyle and an initially stern, then joyful expression. She wears a simple, sturdy cream linen dress with a blue apron over it. She is sitting on a stone doorstep, looking at a man beside her, then laughing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Young Lord ◆ supporting
A handsome young man of noble bearing, well-groomed and finely dressed. His face is initially marred by a frown.
Attire: His 'finest clothes' would be indicative of nobility: a tailored doublet and breeches made of rich fabrics like velvet or silk, possibly embroidered, in vibrant colors such as deep red or forest green. He would wear fine leather boots and possibly a cape.
Wants: To present a gift to his lady love, and avoid appearing empty-handed.
Flaw: His mood is heavily influenced by external circumstances (the missing ring).
Transforms from a frowning, despondent figure to a smiling, handsome one, showing the power of a simple gift to change his outlook.
Initially despondent and worried, but quickly becomes cheerful and appreciative when his problem is solved.
Image Prompt & Upload
A handsome young man with dark, neatly styled hair and a initially deeply furrowed brow, which smooths into a radiant smile. He has a noble bearing. He wears a finely tailored, deep red velvet doublet with intricate gold embroidery, matching breeches, and tall black leather boots. A thin golden chain is visible around his neck. He holds a colorful nosegay of flowers carefully in his hands. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Mother (Impoverished Family) ◆ supporting
A weary woman, likely thin from hardship, with a face etched with sorrow. Her hands might be rough from work.
Attire: Simple, worn, and patched clothing, indicative of poverty, likely made of coarse linen or homespun wool in drab colors. Her clothes would be clean but show signs of wear.
Wants: To feed her children and alleviate their suffering.
Flaw: Her family's extreme poverty.
Transforms from despair to overwhelming joy and gratitude, demonstrating the profound impact of kindness.
Despairing due to poverty, but incredibly grateful, generous in spirit, and joyful when her children's needs are met.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult woman with a thin, careworn face, initially expressing deep sorrow, then bursting into joyful laughter. Her light brown hair is pulled back simply. She wears a patched, faded grey linen dress and a worn, plain brown apron. She stands in a doorway, surrounded by her children. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Little Old Man ◆ supporting
A small, perhaps frail, elderly man, sitting on his porch. He might appear lonely.
Attire: Simple, comfortable, and clean clothing suitable for an elderly man at home, such as a plain shirt and trousers, perhaps with a waistcoat, in muted, comfortable fabrics.
Wants: To have companionship, specifically a little dog.
Flaw: His loneliness.
His loneliness is immediately cured by the arrival of the little dog, bringing him joy.
Lonely, reflective, but quickly joyful and appreciative when offered companionship.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, elderly man with a wrinkled face, white hair, and a initially lonely, then joyful expression. He wears a simple, comfortable blue linen shirt and brown trousers. He is sitting on a wooden porch, looking out. A small, fluffy brown dog is barking happily at his feet. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Little Dog ◆ supporting
A small, fluffy dog, likely a terrier or similar companion breed, with soft fur and bright eyes.
Attire: None, as it is a dog.
Wants: To find a home and provide companionship.
Flaw: None, as it is a dog.
Finds a loving home with the lonely old man.
Affectionate, lively, and provides companionship.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, fluffy brown and white dog with bright, alert eyes. It is sitting upright, facing forward, with its tail wagging. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Old Woman's Cottage and Plum Tree
A modest, cozy cottage, likely with a small garden. A plum tree stands prominently, laden with round, red plums. The overall impression is one of simple domesticity.
Mood: quaint, hopeful, domestic
The old woman prepares to leave her home to find an apple, filling her basket with plums.
Image Prompt & Upload
A charming, weathered half-timbered cottage with a thatched roof, nestled amidst lush greenery. A large, ancient plum tree, heavy with ripe, deep red plums, dominates the foreground. Soft morning sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the overgrown path leading to the cottage door. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Poultry Yard
A bustling farmyard filled with various fowl – hens, geese, and guineas – creating a cacophony of sounds. A young woman is actively feeding them yellow corn.
Mood: lively, industrious, rural
The old woman exchanges her plums for a bag of feathers with the young woman.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vibrant, sun-drenched German farmyard, enclosed by a low, dry-stone wall. Numerous plump hens, honking geese, and guinea fowl peck at scattered yellow corn on the packed earth. A young woman in a simple linen dress stands amidst the birds, her apron full of corn. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Sweet Flower Garden with House
A beautiful, well-tended garden overflowing with lilies, lilacs, violets, and roses. A house stands within the garden, with a doorstep where a couple is quarreling.
Mood: picturesque, initially tense, then joyful
The old woman exchanges her feathers for a nosegay of flowers and helps resolve a couple's argument.
Image Prompt & Upload
A quintessential English cottage garden, bursting with a riot of colorful blooms: tall white lilies, fragrant purple lilacs, delicate blue violets, and climbing pink roses. A quaint, stone-built cottage with a timbered door and small paned windows is partially visible behind the flowers. A worn stone doorstep leads to the entrance. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
King's Highway
A well-maintained public road, likely wide enough for carriages, connecting different towns and estates. It is a place of travel and chance encounters.
Mood: open, transient, eventful
The old woman meets a young lord and exchanges her nosegay for a golden chain.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, well-maintained medieval European highway, paved with packed earth and gravel, stretching into the distance under a clear blue sky. Gentle rolling hills with scattered oak trees line the road, and wildflowers grow along the verges. The path suggests travel and connection between settlements. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
House with Apple Tree
A house that is remarkably similar to the old woman's own cottage, suggesting a familiar, comforting presence. An apple tree stands in front, heavily laden with apples. An old man sits on the porch.
Mood: familiar, serendipitous, peaceful
The old woman finds an apple tree and exchanges the little dog for a basket of apples, finally achieving her goal.
Image Prompt & Upload
A charming, rustic German cottage, almost identical to the old woman's, with a steeply pitched thatched roof and whitewashed walls, nestled in a small, tidy yard. A mature apple tree, heavy with ripe, red apples, stands directly in front of the house. Golden hour sunlight bathes the scene, casting long shadows from the tree onto the simple wooden porch where an old man sits. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
