Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived with her mother in a poor house. Her father had passed away early, so her mother had to work as a laborer for a landlord to support the family. The girl loved red apples, but because of their hardship, she didn't dare ask her mother to buy any. Every day, she prayed that the heavens would grant her a red apple tree.

One day, a strange bird flew by and dropped a few seeds at her feet. Curious, the girl picked them up and showed them to her mother. Her mother smiled and said, "These are apple seeds. Why don't you try planting them in the empty plot next to the house?"

So, every day the little girl diligently watered and spoke to the seeds: "Oh apple tree, please grow big and strong! Bear sweet fruits—I love apples so much!"

With the girl's devoted care, the apple tree grew quickly, lush and green. A year later, it bloomed and bore fruit. When she saw the first apples, she happily called out, "Mom! Come see! The apple tree has fruit now, and it's so beautiful!"

Her mother came out, lovingly stroked her head, and said, "You've taken such good care of the tree, my dear. I'm sure these apples will be delicious."

The girl hugged her mother, choking back tears, and said, "Mom, I love you so much. You've worked so hard. I hope this apple tree will help make things a little easier for us."

Her mother held her tightly and gently replied, "My good girl."

As time passed, the apples ripened, turning a vibrant red. The mother and daughter harvested the apples and took them to the market to sell. The apples were sweet and fragrant, and everyone in the village praised them. The apple tree continued to bear fruit, and the girl even made delicious apple pastries that drew people's attention. Her cheerful voice echoed in the market: "Fresh apple pastries here, fresh from the oven!" From then on, everyone affectionately called her "Little Red Apple."

Little Red Apple took great care of the apple tree, watering it with clean water and picking off insects every day. But one day, a mischievous rich boy passed by and urinated on the tree, making it wither. The girl cried bitterly. Her mother comforted her: "Don't worry, dear. Let's pray together for the apple tree to recover."

The girl diligently fertilized, watered it with clean water, and whispered to the tree: "Oh apple tree, are you hurt? I'm so sorry. Please get well soon."

The mischievous boy saw her and scoffed, "It's just an apple tree; why make such a big deal out of it?"

The girl looked at him and replied earnestly, "My family is poor, and the apple tree is our most valuable asset. I cherish it like family. Please don't harm my apple tree anymore."

Thanks to her devoted care, the apple tree came back to life, becoming as lush as before. When the apple season arrived, she picked one to give to the boy and said, "Isn't it delicious? If you harm the tree, you'll never get apples this sweet again."

The boy, embarrassed, nodded and sincerely apologized to her. From that day on, they became good friends.

Thanks to the apple tree, the girl's family gradually became better off. Her mother saved enough money to buy land for growing rice and corn and could even afford to send the girl to school. The girl learned how to bake and later opened a famous apple pastry shop near the market. Her shop attracted customers from far and wide. The mischievous boy, now more mature, learned from Little Red Apple's example and took better care of his own family's farm.

The apple tree witnessed their growth. They often sat under its shade to chat and reminisce. They even hosted free meals for the poor under the apple tree's branches. The villagers cherished these kind and generous young friends. Over time, a deep affection grew between them. A year later, they held their wedding ceremony under the apple tree, and everyone from the village came to wish them happiness.

Under the apple tree, they exchanged rings and looked up at the swaying branches, as if the tree itself was blessing them. Smiling, they vowed to live a life of kindness and happiness, just as the red apple tree had blessed them.