The Bad Apple of the Bunch Story

Once upon a time there was a bunch of green apples hanging on the biggest apple tree. All but one. They had built their own little community. At first sight the apple looked the same as the others, but for the real observers, there was a difference. This apple had two sides, green and black. It needed these 2 sides in order to control the other apples. They were easy going and did whatever the one apple told them to do. Smooth apple talk helped a long way. Two sides apple was content. The other apples did not know better.

The apples did not know that they were highly demanded in the market place. Truly appreciated for their health gifts. So they lived a simple life and listened to the upper controlling apple. It was truly enjoying all power. Life was good. Until change came along the day a very cute baby apple asked her parents what life was all about. Mother apple responded to her baby: life is one big adventure and meant to be lived well. Happiness is what truly matters.

"Are you happy", asked the little fellow to a neighbour apple. The neighbour apple had difficulties answering the question as all decisions had always been taking by two sides apple. "Give me some time to find a clue", said neighbour apple. That night the birds overheard a conversation between two sides apple and the branch of the apple tree. The controlling apple complained about the other apples, they were so lazy and stupid. The birds realized that there was no appreciation nor respect.

To support the apple community and especially neighbour apple, the birds noted down on a tree leaf an important message about happiness. "Happiness is finding your own luck and choosing your own destiny, where you control the outcome, not others, since you matter as an individual". Neighbour apple received the message from the birds at dawn. It was silent. The words really touched neighbour apple. Little baby apple awoke. She wanted to hear some answers from neighbour apple.

Neighbour apple repeated the words on the tree leaf. The other apples heard it for the very first time. They received some deep awareness. Baby apple was playing with a leaf. Controlling apple got extremely mad, the apples were not only lazy and stupid but they also dared to challenge the status quo. Controlling apple tried to hit all the rebellious apples one by one. They fell down the tree. It hurt their back. They were dismissed. The apple tree lost more and more apples until almost all apples were on the ground.

Baby apple, the bravest, started a conversation with controlling apple. "Why are you doing this chief apple? You destroy the whole community. It that what you want?" Controlling apple showed its darkest side and grumbled: "Shut up you little monkey!" Baby apple however was supported by the birds and got wings. In an instant the toxic apple was dismissed from the apple tree and some magic wave came along the apple community. Controlling apple started to cry because it lost all control, which gave a horrible feeling. The same feeling it always had given to others.

Since the removal of the toxic apple, the remaining few apples could finally be free and happy. They were not stuck and they felt really joyful as they understood their unique value. The apples that fell down from the tree received a push from the controlling apple also lived happily ever after, because they were very adaptive. They turned their negative situation into a very positive one by mastering their fate. Controlling apple was forgiven but the apple community never forgot how they felt under control of the two sides apple. So it died a lonely death with no one present at the funeral. No legacy no positive impact.

Although it is all about perception, they say. With the right mindset every toxic deed can be transformed into a blessing for the previous controlled ones. Luckily a happy life belongs to the most bold ones.

Note: Did you ever experience toxic behaviour in the workplace? This is how you recognize it and can deal with it:

What is toxic behaviour?

"The toxic traits of a toxic person include unsupportive and unpleasant behavior, being manipulative, judgmental, controlling, and self-centered. Such people can be the cause of various negative feelings and emotions that you may be experiencing like depression, anxiousness, worthlessness, and unhappiness." (Source: What is Toxic behavior and how to deal with people with toxic people? (manhattanmedicalarts.com)) 

Source picture: www.pixabay.com">www.pixabay.com

By Liesbeth Leysen, MSc. International Management