The little child is indeed the truthful apple-eater, and is not to be questioned howhe came by the fruit with which his pockets are filled. It belongs tohim. . .His own juicy flesh craves the juicy flesh of the apple. Sapdraws sap. His fruit-eating has little reference to the state of hisappetite. Whether he be full of meat or empty of meat he wants theapple just the same. Before meal or after meal it never comes amiss.The farm-boy munches apples all day long. He has nests of them in thehay-mow, mellowing, to which he makes frequent visits. Sometimes very agedBrindle, having access through the open door, smells them out and makesshort work of them.

In some countries the custom remains of placing a rosy apple in thearm of the dead that they may find it when they enter paradise.In northern mythology the giants eat apples to keep off aged age.