Apples to Bananas - Text

My next speech is Project 3 from the Advanced Communication Series. The project is titled, "The Moral of the Story". I am to create a story (ala Aesop's Fables) that offers a lesson or a moral. The following is the text of the speech which I have prepared:

APPLES TO BANANAS
by Paul T. Abramson

Fable

There was once a banana on a banana tree. Actually, this is not unusual since bananas do grow on banana trees. This one, however, grew on a tree surrounded by apple trees. The banana stared at the apples every day, for there is not much a banana on a banana tree can do to entertain itself. The apple trees were much larger than the banana trees and therefore had an air of majesty about them.

“I do not like apples,” the banana thought. “They are indeed of a most conceited sort.”

One day, an apple noticed the banana and became quite disturbed. “Why do you stare at us so often with such a hate-filled glare?’

“I do not like you,” the banana snorted. “You and your bunch are fruity losers.”

The apple was astonished. “With all due respect, you too are a fruit. You speak such hurtful words, yet I am high in antioxidants. I make delicious pies that get along peachy with ice cream. I have no ill thoughts toward you.”

The banana was not impressed. “You must wait until you are ripe to be picked, processed, peeled and eaten. I am ready to leave my tree while I am still green. Do you think because we both grow on trees that we are of equal stature?”

“Nay, oh high and mighty bearer of little seed,” said the apple. “That plant upon which you grow, although called a banana tree, is not technically a tree at all as it has no woody stem. And as far as ice cream is concerned, you must be split and drenched in hot fudge and other assorted toppings before you can claim to be a superior treat. You are no doubt a leading cause of obesity and diabetes and a disgrace to our food group.”

The banana swung wildly with rage. “Words such as those you utter have brought nations to war for ages. You are often illustrated as the forbidden fruit and the poisoned apple is indeed the cause of death for many princesses.

The apple tree began to shake and all the apples it bore wept. “You know not of what you speak, Sir Banana. From our seeds grow beautiful trees which clean the air and bring nourishment to hungry children the world over and shelter for many of God’s creatures.”

The banana laughed for it was quite a sight to see so many silly apples crying on a tree. As he laughed, the other bananas made no sound. A monkey had jumped onto the banana tree. One by one the bananas were devoured – all except the one who hated the apples. He turned to see the monkey reaching for him. The peeled remains of his family lay on the ground beside the banana tree. “I’ve saved the best for last,” said the monkey with a Machiavellian grin as he grabbed the banana.

“Look over here, Mr. Monkey” said the apple with a smile. “Surely with your human-like intellect you are aware that an apple makes a more scrumptious desert.”

The monkey looked at the apple tree. The smell of fresh apple juice from the tears of the crying apples tickled his senses. “Indeed, I am quite a fancier of the Newton Pippin and Granny Smith.” With that, he released his victim and proceeded toward the apple tree.

The ground was littered with the banana peels the thoughtless monkey had left behind. The monkey slipped and fell against the apple tree. The blow caused the apples to fall and kill the monkey. The banana looked toward the apples and prayed for forgiveness.

From that day forward, the world was blessed with heavenly apple-banana pies.

Lesson

Don’t pass ill judgment upon others who may one day be your friends and save your life.