In a large forest where the trees grew tall and their branches reached to the heavens, there was a small apple tree. It was the only apple tree in the forest, and it stood alone.

One night the little apple tree looked up into the sky and saw a wonderful sight. The stars in the sky appeared to be hanging on the branches of the tall oak trees.

“Ribonno shel Olam – Master of the Universe,” whispered the tiny apple tree, “those oak trees are so blessed to have such beautiful stars hanging on their branches. I wish more than anything in the world to have stars on my branches, just like the majestic oak trees. Then I would truly be special.”

The Holy One, blessed be He looked down at the apple tree and answered gently, “Have patience, little apple tree.”

Time passed. The snows melted and spring came to the land. Tiny white and pink apple blossoms appeared on the branches of the apple tree. Birds came to rest on its branches. Occasionally a traveler happened by and admired the beautiful blossoms and a holy man sat in the shade of apple tree and studied the Holy Word. The apple tree grew all summer long. The branches filled with leaves and blossoms, forming a canopy overhead.

Night after night, the little tree looked up at the many stars in the sky and sadly cried, “Ribonno shel Olam – Master of the Universe,” whispered the tiny apple tree, “those oak trees are so blessed to have such beautiful stars hanging on their branches. I wish more than anything in the world to have stars on my branches, just like the majestic oak trees.”

The Holy One, blessed be He looked down and comforted the sad apple tree, “You already have gifts. Isn’t it enough to have shade to offer people and fragrant blossoms, and branches for birds to rest upon so they can sing their beautiful songs?”

The apple tree sighed and humbly replied, “Merciful Creator, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but every time I see the mighty oak trees, I am saddened. I appreciate how much pleasure I give to others, but what I want more than anything in the world is to have stars, not blossoms on my branches. Then I would feel truly special.”

The Holy One, blessed be He smiled and said, “Be patient, little apple tree.”

The seasons changed again. Soon the apple tree was filled with beautiful apples. Many a traveler and wanderer, walking in the forest, reached up and picked apples to eat and enjoyed the crisp apples.

Still, when night fell on the forest, the apple tree looked at the stars in the oak trees and asked, “Master of the Universe, I wish more than anything in the world to have stars on my branches. Then I would feel truly special.”

The Holy One, blessed be He asked, “Isn’t it enough that you now have wonderful apples to offer? Doesn’t that satisfy you? Doesn’t that give you enough pleasure and make you feel special?”

Without saying a word, the apple tree answered by shaking its branches from side to side. The Holy One, blessed be He caused a hard wind to blow. The great oak trees began to sway, and the apple tree began to shake. An apple fell from the top branch and split open when it hit the ground.

“Look,” commanded The Holy One, blessed be He. “Look inside yourself. What do you see?”

The little apple tree looked down and saw that right in the center of the apple – was a star.

“A star. I have a star!”

The Holy One, blessed be He laughed a gentle laugh and added, “So you do have stars on your branches. They’ve been there all along. You just didn’t know it.”

People usually cut an apple by holding it with the stem up. In order to find the star, turn it on its side. If we change direction in life, we can find the spark that ignites the star within each of us. Look carefully and you’ll find that beautiful star.

BUBBIE’S APPLE CAKE

INGREDIENTS

2 – 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon		1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ cup white sugar		4 eggs
½ cup brown sugar		2 cups white sugar
4 – 5 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped		1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour		¼ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon salt		1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.

• Mix cinnamon, 3/4 cup of sugar, and apples in a bowl; set aside.

• Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.

• Beat the eggs, sugar, oil until fluffy. Continue beating while adding orange juice and vanilla

• Mix in the flour mixture and liquid until smooth and thoroughly mixed.

• Layer the batter and apples in a greased tube pan. (pour some batter–then layer it with apples–then switch back and forth until it is all used up). Finish by topping with the apples.

• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes.

• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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This story recipe and others can be found in the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook, We are pleased to announce that 18 (Chai – the magic number of Life) of the story recipes have been collected into the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this unique cookbook, contact us projectshalom1@aol.com