Read by Mike Polischuk

In this quietly profound fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a blooming apple branch is lifted from its tree and placed among silk curtains, crystal vases, and admiring eyes. Surrounded by elegance and praise, it grows proud of its beauty-and looks with pity on the humble flowers left behind in the fields. But beyond the window, another kind of beauty unfolds. Through the gentle presence of sunlight, children at play, and a single overlooked dandelion, Andersen reveals a deeper truth about worth, humility, and the many ways beauty exists in the world. What is admired by society is not always what endures, and what is trampled underfoot may still carry wonder, usefulness, and grace. The Conceited Apple-Branch is a reflective moral tale about pride softened by understanding, and about seeing clearly-beyond status, refinement, or appearance. Tender, symbolic, and quietly piercing, this story reminds listeners that difference does not require hierarchy, and that beauty is not diminished by humility. Narrated with warmth and clarity by Mike Polischuk, this classic tale invites listeners of all ages to pause, reflect, and look again at what they believe they see

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