It is a story about a man, named Mario, who suffered in extreme poverty, so, he walked through the sinful

road. He steals with his friends to experience pleasures. He gained a lot of money from it. However, he
changed when he met Gloria who is a pious woman and he became his husband. Gloria, despite of
Mario’s past, she accepted him because she believed that Mario will change. Indeed, Mario had changed.
He chose a legal job. For four years, his family suffered in poverty but, Mario never went back to the life
he had before, because he knew that his wife will get angry, until such time God tested his faith. His
daughter, Tita, fell ill because she has not eaten anything nutritious. And because of this, he was forced to
steal an apple for when he took his daughter for a walk, they passed a grocery store that sold delicious
apple as they’re on their way home. His daughter wanted him to buy one but he couldn’t because he has
no enough money that time. What he did is he buys her one of small green apples they sell on the
sidewalk, but she just threw it away, saying it was not a real apple. And for an apple, he lost his job. He
did not inform his wife about it because he wanted her not to worry. He looked for another job but he
never found one, so, he approached his friend, Pablo, and told him that he will join their group again. He
was tired to do good things. He wanted his family to have a beautiful life, so, he chooses to return to the
life he had before, the stealing. One day, he arrived home. His wife slips her finger to take some money to
buy Tita a biscuit, but Mario was annoyed and moved away from his wife. Then, they began to quarrel.
Gloria was asking some of the money from his pay but Mario insisted that he has none. Mario told her
that he spent it all for a woman and a drinks but Gloria didn’t believe in it. So, Mario told her everything.
Gloria got angry after hearing it. But, Mario told her that he had found a good job and his going to meet
someone. Gloria then became glad after hearing it, not until Pablo showed up. She hated Pablo because
Pablo was one of Mario’s friends who do illegal things. Pablo offered some money to Gloria but, Gloria
did not accept it. Pablo came to their house to fetch Mario because he thought that Mario would change
his mind. He even told Gloria about Mario willing to work with him. Gloria was shocked and she insisted
that Mario wouldn’t do such things like that because she knew that Mario knew anything that makes her
angry. But, Mario confirmed it to her that what she heard is true and that he only wanted what is good to
his family. Gloria convinced him not to go and reminded him of God. But, Mario never listens to her. He
told her to take good care of herself and that he will be home safely. Gloria was then left crying with her
daughter.

Setting/s
 In the small and poor home behind a portion of the Intramuros walls. There are two
wooden boxes on either side of the doorway. At left is an Acacia tree with a wooden bench
under it. It is where the poor family lived in, and where the story starts on how life was
going on and end in the complexity of life in which the main character lived with no choice
but to go back again with his old ways of life.

Character Analysis
  Mario- He is the Father of the story, the husband of Gloria. He is known to be bad before
but he strive hard to change his life for her daughter and for her wife, but life sometimes is
unfair that force him with no choice to go back the old way of his life.
 Gloria- She is the wife of Mario. The very good and lovable woman who just want a simple
life yet descent life. She is the reason why Mario changed because of her unconditional
love to him.
 Pablo- The evil man in the story, the protagonist, the old friend of Mario. He wants easy
and dishonest money, the life that Mario lived before.

Plot
 This is a story of how wrong decisions become greater burdens to a family. Mario’s family
happens to be in the lower bracket of society. When Mario got home, Gloria saw Mario
and she was asking for some money to feed their children to Mario. Mario said that he have
no money because he did something.
 Gloria didn’t believe on what Mario said and said to tell the truth. When Mario answered
it, Gloria was shocked on what she heard because Mario lost his job. Gloria asked Mario
if how he lost his job and Mario answered it and Gloria was shocked again because Mario
said that he lost his job because of an apple.
 Gloria said that how can he lose his job by just taking one not a dozen not a crate but one
apple and Mario answered that he just saw it rolling and he found himself putting it in his
bag because Tita would love to have it, and Mario told Gloria that there’s no need to worry
because he found a new job.
 Suddenly Pablo was there ruining the whole conversation and asked them if how is there
daughter doing and he’ll loan a few pesos to help their daughter and Gloria said that no
thank you because Mario stopped depending on Pablo. Pablo said that Mario’s new job
was with Pablo. When Gloria heard it he told Mario that it’s a bad doing and risky.
 Mario didn’t listen and walks away with Pablo and told Gloria not to worry because he will
come back early morning and don’t wait for him. Gloria cries and shouting Mario, while
Tita was crying also because he heard the conversation.

Theme:
 The one-word prevailing message in the story is the word “Apple” that symbolizes
temptation and the dishonest life lived by Mario before. The theme of the story is, it is
man’s basic instinct that drives him towards his survival. But, no matter what he should
not forget that society expects him to confirm to its norms. One’s action is weighed right
or wrong and thus should be kept towards the proper action and his wrong decisions
become greater burdens to a family that symbolizes the word “Apple”.

Tone
 The mood of the story is serious. It tackles many aspects of human flaws and what is wrong
in the culture. The story is sometimes sad but in the end, there’s a glimpse of hopefulness
even though it is in vain.
POV
The author used the Imagery and symbolic type of narration:

 Mario: Why? Did God create apple trees to bear fruit for the rich alone? Didn’t He create
the whole world for everyone? That’s why I tried to bring the apple home for Tita. When
we brought her into this world, we promised her everything. She has the right to have
everything in life.
Gloria: So, for just an apple, you lost a job you need so much?