
Once there was a big apple tree. It was full of ripe, red apples. One day, a little girl named May was walking near the tree, when she suddenly imagined how nice and juicy it would be to eat one of the apples. She was so tempted she couldn't help herself, so she quickly grabbed one. As soon as she did, the tree spoke.
"Stop!" it said sternly. "Don't take any of my apples!"
May was so frightened she started to cry. The tree's voice was alert and made her shake. She begged the tree to forgive her, but the tree was furious.
"No," it said. "You must understand that stealing is wrong. As punishment, you must never taste a sweet apple again!"
May was devastated. She walked away from the tree, never to return again. She often thought about the delicious apples, but she never dared to take even one bite.
