The Rose Apple Tree

The chapter of O pé de jambo e a fábrica de refrigerante translated for English.

In this sequel to A Pebble for Your Pocket, Zen teacher and poet Thich Nhat Hanh looks deeply at the issues that confront young people in today's society. Applying his unique insights to anger, family conflict, drug use, and sexual responsibility, he makes the ancient teachings of the Buddha relevant to adolescents by offering mindfulness practices as tools to help transform the suffering in their everyday lives. Ages 10-13.

In this sequel to A Pebble for Your Pocket, Zen teacher and poet Thich Nhat Hanh looks deeply at the issues that confront young people in today's society. Applying his unique insights to anger, family conflict, drug use, and sexual responsibility, he makes the ancient teachings of the Buddha relevant to adolescents by offering mindfulness practices as tools to help transform the suffering in their everyday lives. Ages 10-13.

Drawn from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Dharma talks given to young people, A Pebble for Your Pocket presents the basic teachings of the Buddha in accessible and modern language. Combining the stories and mediation practices from the previous edition of A Pebble for your Pocket with those collected in Under the Rose Apple Tree plus several new stories, this completely revised edition is written in a conversational style, and is comprised of Buddhist parables, and stories from the author's own childhood experiences. They elucidate principles of Buddhism and mindfulness practice, and give the young reader and their parents concrete advise on handling difficult emotions such as anger, from which the title - a pebble for your pocket - is taken. Written in a highly accessible style that doesn’t rely on lot of jargon or difficult vocabulary requiring breaks for explanation, Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes the importance of the present moment through vivid metaphors, original allegories, and colorful stories. Young readers will learn about handling anger, living in the present moment, and "interbeing" — the interconnectedness of all things. Thich Nhat Hanh offers various practices that children can do on their own or with others that will help them to transform anger and unhappiness and reconnect to the wonders of nature and the joy of living in the present moment. This revised edition contains teachings and stories that the whole family can enjoy, as well as practices such as transforming anger in the family, instructions on how to invite the bell, breathing and sitting meditation, touching the Buddha inside, and others. This revised edition of A Pebble for your Pocket remains a unique and classic title in a market with few other substantial offering on this topic. It’s teachings on spirituality and awareness are thought provoking on a child's level. This significantly expanded version includes all stories and practices previously published in Under the Rose Apple Tree plus 3 never before published stories. With 10 b/w illustrations by Philippe Ames and Nguyen Thi Hop. Ages 6–13. (Second graders and up)

The fruit-bearing tree Syzygium jambos, commonly known as the rose apple, originates from Southeast Asia. Its sweet and crisp fruit is what draws people to this Myrtaceae plant. The bell-shaped fruit is sometimes called a "water apple" or a "bell fruit" because of its watery texture and appearance. The rose apple derives its name from the fact that its green or greenish-yellow flesh changes to a pinkish-rose hue when ripe. The fragile skin protects the white, crisp, and delicious flesh beneath. Many like to eat it fresh because of its somewhat sweet and invigorating flavor. Pear, watermelon, and rosewater are some of the flavors that some have said it tastes like. Globally, tropical and subtropical areas are home to rose apple trees. The ornamental appeal of the tree extends beyond its edible fruit; it is prized for its fragrant blossoms and lovely leaves. The fruit is an excellent complement to a healthy diet because of the many vitamins and minerals it contains.

A meditation on apples begins with a short history of the apple tree, tracing its path from ancient Greece to America. Thoreau saw the apple as a perfect mirror of man and eloquently lamented where they both were heading.