Oliver was an unruly child who lacked obedience. He mostly got what he wanted, but his parents wished that he would learn good manners.

One day, Oliver visited his cousins, Clara and Mary. They chatted for a long time and played with each other.

Two days later, Oliver noticed their backyard. It was groomed with care. There was an apple orchard and more than a dozen trees had ripened apples. He dashed into the orchard and threw stones to get a few apples. He trampled many herbs and bushes.

Meanwhile, Clara and Mary’s mother came with a basket of apples, gave Oliver a few and walked him into the house. She explained him that all the plants that he destroyed would take many weeks to grow back.

Oliver realised his mistake. His parents always wanted him to behave well. During the next two weeks of his stay at his cousins’ house, he improved his manners. Before he travelled back home, he thanked his aunt for the apple jelly bottles that she gave him.