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Apples of Gold: A Parable of Purity
“Once upon a time, many years ago, when true love walked hand in hand with kisses and promises, and decisions were made to last forever, two girls received a summons to appear before the governor.…”
So begins the story of two sisters in a long-ago land who are presented with a precious gift. The governor wants the young women to protect and care for this gift until the return of his son, the prince of the land. Upon the prince’s return, one sister will be chosen to serve the prince according to how the gift was cared for–and both sisters will be surprised by what the prince wants to offer the one who best cherishes the gift.
The young women have dreams of being happy and loved. But how they see the gift–and themselves–will determine how that gift is treasured and what will remain of their dreams.
Apples of Gold is a powerful parable about the beauty of sexual purity and the prize that awaits those who are committed to the keeping of such a gift.
So begins the story of two sisters in a long-ago land who are presented with a precious gift. The governor wants the young women to protect and care for this gift until the return of his son, the prince of the land. Upon the prince’s return, one sister will be chosen to serve the prince according to how the gift was cared for–and both sisters will be surprised by what the prince wants to offer the one who best cherishes the gift.
The young women have dreams of being happy and loved. But how they see the gift–and themselves–will determine how that gift is treasured and what will remain of their dreams.
Apples of Gold is a powerful parable about the beauty of sexual purity and the prize that awaits those who are committed to the keeping of such a gift.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2006
About the author
Lisa Samson
65 books194 followersThe Christy-award winning author of nineteen books including the Women of Faith Novel of the Year Quaker Summer, Lisa Samson has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as "a talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks." She lives in Kentucky with her husband and three kids.
Also, published under the name L.L. Samson
Also, published under the name L.L. Samson
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 7, 2013
SPOILERS BELOW
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This book has been in my mom's shelf for years. I've never read it and she's never shown it to me.
I picked it up because it said it was a fairytale. As I read I realized that it was not just a fairytale but a message to teach young adults to save their selves for marriage.
Let me start by saying that I really wanted to like this. This is a message that should be sent out to not only girls but boys as well and the apple as a symbol of virginity is a beautiful analogy but the positives of the book can not outweigh the hurtful stereotypes and the misguided message.
The book begins with the Governor giving the two sisters an apple each. Whoever takes care of it the best would get to marry the Prince. The apple is a metaphor for their virginities.
One sister in the story is beautiful on the outside but on the inside is shallow, plain, and foolish. She is rewarded with attention that causes her to disregard the value of her apple. She shares it with whoever asks and is eventually found unworthy. She is humiliated by the prince and sent home crying.
The other sister has plain looks but is favored by the parents and wise. She is responsible and hides her apple and cares for it and keeps it safe. She is then rewarded by getting to marry the prince. All she has to say about her sister's humiliation is that "she made her choice".
The flaw in the story is the same flaw that I've seen in other parables. The girls don't own these apples. They're not keeping them safe for themselves. They're taking care of their purity for other people, for someone else's benefit and not their own.
They take care of the apple for a young man and then he chooses how to reward them. He is the judge of their worthiness. It is all his gain. Shouldn't a girl decide to keep her virginity for herself and herself alone? And if she does decide to give it away, be it for love or a mistake, does that make her any less worthy of a happy ending?
Purity parables are supposed to enhance a girl's self-worth instead they do the opposite.
The story would have been effective if the apples had belonged to the girls and then one of them chooses to find a man worthy of sharing it with. Or maybe if plain and wise sister refused to marry the prince because of how he shamed and embarrassed her sister needlessly and then decided to keep her apple, her purity, for herself then I could have some respect for it.
I believe Lisa Samson had the right intention but she missed the mark like so many others. And as it is, this parable follows the tradition, pretty girls get tempted and have sex. Plain girls won't attract any attention and will ultimately be responsible, and it is always the man's opinion who holds the most weight.
Is that really the lesson we want to teach?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This book has been in my mom's shelf for years. I've never read it and she's never shown it to me.
I picked it up because it said it was a fairytale. As I read I realized that it was not just a fairytale but a message to teach young adults to save their selves for marriage.
Let me start by saying that I really wanted to like this. This is a message that should be sent out to not only girls but boys as well and the apple as a symbol of virginity is a beautiful analogy but the positives of the book can not outweigh the hurtful stereotypes and the misguided message.
The book begins with the Governor giving the two sisters an apple each. Whoever takes care of it the best would get to marry the Prince. The apple is a metaphor for their virginities.
One sister in the story is beautiful on the outside but on the inside is shallow, plain, and foolish. She is rewarded with attention that causes her to disregard the value of her apple. She shares it with whoever asks and is eventually found unworthy. She is humiliated by the prince and sent home crying.
The other sister has plain looks but is favored by the parents and wise. She is responsible and hides her apple and cares for it and keeps it safe. She is then rewarded by getting to marry the prince. All she has to say about her sister's humiliation is that "she made her choice".
The flaw in the story is the same flaw that I've seen in other parables. The girls don't own these apples. They're not keeping them safe for themselves. They're taking care of their purity for other people, for someone else's benefit and not their own.
They take care of the apple for a young man and then he chooses how to reward them. He is the judge of their worthiness. It is all his gain. Shouldn't a girl decide to keep her virginity for herself and herself alone? And if she does decide to give it away, be it for love or a mistake, does that make her any less worthy of a happy ending?
Purity parables are supposed to enhance a girl's self-worth instead they do the opposite.
The story would have been effective if the apples had belonged to the girls and then one of them chooses to find a man worthy of sharing it with. Or maybe if plain and wise sister refused to marry the prince because of how he shamed and embarrassed her sister needlessly and then decided to keep her apple, her purity, for herself then I could have some respect for it.
I believe Lisa Samson had the right intention but she missed the mark like so many others. And as it is, this parable follows the tradition, pretty girls get tempted and have sex. Plain girls won't attract any attention and will ultimately be responsible, and it is always the man's opinion who holds the most weight.
Is that really the lesson we want to teach?
July 17, 2023
I teach a Sunday School class for young teenagers, and we are involved in a study on the subject of purity. I am always looking for new ways to introduce difficult topics. Lisa Samson's Apples of Gold is a beautiful story about courage and temptation, a story about two sisters who are each given gifts to protect and cherish. How each sister views the gift and her own self-worth will determine how she cares for the gift she has been given.
The issue of sexual purity is an extremely difficult one, especially in a culture where promiscuity, sexual "freedom" and an "anything goes" mentality are rampant. Those who make a conscious decision to choose abstinence are branded as prudish and behind the times. I speak from experience. Samson has presented a relevant parable in a fairy tale style that confronts this issue in an effective manner. Yes, the story is romanticized. Yes, you may never find a prince. I am forty years old and know this to be a fact. Yes, the author does present the sisters (and all the characters), in black-and-white terms. She clearly favors the less attractive sister. Of course, I do not always feel particularly attractive, and I relate to Liza as well. i find her to be the most relatable character to me. Life is not as easy as the parable implies, and temptation is prevalent everywhere you turn. Nevertheless, the book is a parable, and a parable is simply a story to stimulate discussion and provide spiritual contemplation. On this front, Apples of Gold works wonderfully well. People can relate to both Liza and Kate.
The writing is very well-done. Samson creates vivid imagery. The island setting was immersive as well.
I recommend this thoughtful and beautifully written parable. It is a wonderful tool for mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces or grandparents and grandchildren to open the door for discussion of hard topics. If you enjoy fairy tales or want an accessible way to discuss sexual purity, Apples of Gold might be a helpful tool.
God bless you all.
The issue of sexual purity is an extremely difficult one, especially in a culture where promiscuity, sexual "freedom" and an "anything goes" mentality are rampant. Those who make a conscious decision to choose abstinence are branded as prudish and behind the times. I speak from experience. Samson has presented a relevant parable in a fairy tale style that confronts this issue in an effective manner. Yes, the story is romanticized. Yes, you may never find a prince. I am forty years old and know this to be a fact. Yes, the author does present the sisters (and all the characters), in black-and-white terms. She clearly favors the less attractive sister. Of course, I do not always feel particularly attractive, and I relate to Liza as well. i find her to be the most relatable character to me. Life is not as easy as the parable implies, and temptation is prevalent everywhere you turn. Nevertheless, the book is a parable, and a parable is simply a story to stimulate discussion and provide spiritual contemplation. On this front, Apples of Gold works wonderfully well. People can relate to both Liza and Kate.
The writing is very well-done. Samson creates vivid imagery. The island setting was immersive as well.
I recommend this thoughtful and beautifully written parable. It is a wonderful tool for mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces or grandparents and grandchildren to open the door for discussion of hard topics. If you enjoy fairy tales or want an accessible way to discuss sexual purity, Apples of Gold might be a helpful tool.
God bless you all.
May 19, 2018
This short parable was so wonderful that it made me rethink some of my actions, concerning my purity. Although, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I would consider the reviews of others listed for this book with a grain of salt. I say this because those negative reviews almost stopped me from reading this book, one that I look forward to sharing with my siblings, future children and frankly anyone that will listen to me!
June 1, 2018
I can not tell you how many times over I have read this book, but that is simply because I love love LOVE it so very much. Written in a short, easy to read format with a fairytale feel to it. It is a beautiful parable of purity and the beauty of waiting. This is a wonderful little book and one of my very favorites.
September 12, 2014
Short parable about purity. Geared toward middle school age.
Two sisters are given a special gift by the governor - a beautiful apple - and are told to protect and cherish that gift until his son, the prince, returns. The prince will judge how each has cared for the gift and he will choose the best sister to help him.
The sisters are quite different. One is plain, yet intelligent, and the other is beautiful and popular. Their individual reactions to their gift, and what they choose to do with it, are the focus of the story.
This is a short tale written for teen girls, centering on the concept of sexual purity, and told in a story form that most will readily understand. The consequences for sacrificing the purity are clearly outlined, as well as the benefits for preserving it. Lisa Samson is a gifted writer and communicates her message in a unique, yet realistic way.
This would be a great book for church youth groups or Bible studies to read and discuss. Ms. Samson also has a blog online, focusing on the book with articles and discussion points. She talks about intentional purity and decisions that all girls and women must make in their lives. Apples of Gold is a treasure and an excellent choice for young women to read.
Two sisters are given a special gift by the governor - a beautiful apple - and are told to protect and cherish that gift until his son, the prince, returns. The prince will judge how each has cared for the gift and he will choose the best sister to help him.
The sisters are quite different. One is plain, yet intelligent, and the other is beautiful and popular. Their individual reactions to their gift, and what they choose to do with it, are the focus of the story.
This is a short tale written for teen girls, centering on the concept of sexual purity, and told in a story form that most will readily understand. The consequences for sacrificing the purity are clearly outlined, as well as the benefits for preserving it. Lisa Samson is a gifted writer and communicates her message in a unique, yet realistic way.
This would be a great book for church youth groups or Bible studies to read and discuss. Ms. Samson also has a blog online, focusing on the book with articles and discussion points. She talks about intentional purity and decisions that all girls and women must make in their lives. Apples of Gold is a treasure and an excellent choice for young women to read.
October 30, 2013
This is a good book on purity. Two sisters have to take care of an apple for the governors son. They would bring it to him and he would pick possibly one of them to be his new housekeeper. Kate doesn't take care of hers. But hopes her beauty will favor the governors son. Lisa on the other hand takes great care of her apple. And Claude, the governors son, sees that Lisa took better care of hers than her sister Kate, whos is all brown and mushy. It is kind of hard to explain it all. You will just have to read it yourself. In the end Lisa marries the Claude.
I give it 4 stars because this is not my reading taste, but this book is worth 5 stars. This is a book for girls and woman of all ages.
I give it 4 stars because this is not my reading taste, but this book is worth 5 stars. This is a book for girls and woman of all ages.
June 5, 2009
So far it is great!... it is a parable about purity! There is a prince that has went away on a jouney and he is coming back and his father has built him a house and there are 2 girls that the prince's father gave the apples to, ta gard with there lives....and thats all I will say! you will have to read it to here the rest!!!
April 1, 2008
I read it a while ago, but i do remember that it was good... :-)
October 11, 2009
reading with Emily.
April 22, 2012
Another one where I'm not sure how I rate it.
February 14, 2014
Simple story but it means so much about purity. :)
February 12, 2013
Cute story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews