Tragedy - Understanding the 7 Story Types by Looking at a Girl and an Apple

This story isn't a happy one and so, to make it more palatable, it is set in the distant future.

The year is 2244.

Upstairs in her room Girl is lying in bed, battling with a deadly illness.

"There is nothing more that can be done now," AI Doctor spreads its hands. "The only thing that could've helped are apples," lips pursed in dejection.

Mother hides her tears; Father turns away, choking; AID lowers its sympathetic gaze. During this period in human history, the world is experiencing terrible, prolonged drought; the land hasn't bore fruit in years. Those created artificially are only accessible by people with enough currency, of which Girl's parents aren't.

They're willing to do anything for a sack full of apples to save their daughter. Their onliest hope is to attempt and get the fruit from outer space, a faraway planet, on illegal shipment.

Mother glances with a sigh of despair at the metal cupboard by Girl's bed, on which five remaining apples are standing. Father clasps her fingers, "The last ones."

That same day, he flies off East to a hidden spaceport, where the illegal fruit shipment is said to be arriving.

Girl remains in bed; Mother, downstairs, bites her nails by the phone, hoping against all hope.

Two days pass in nervous anticipation.

On the third day, the phone rings. Exalted Father informs that even though the shipment didn't pan out, he found a farmer who claims to have connections, and things are looking up.

Mother and daughter hug and, for the first time, a slight smile graces their faces.

The next day, another phone call from Father confirms that he has got hold of a bag full of fresh apples and is setting homewards.

Girl looks at her Mother with joyous eyes. She would love to get up and dance in celebration of this news and maybe in only a little while, she will be able to!

On the fifth day, the doorbell finally dings. Mother rushes to the video pad; with great effort, Girl turns to the door. She wouldn't miss it for the world, the moment her daddy finally arrives with medicine that'll save her life.

Father plods into the hallway, empty-handed, head hangs low. Mother behind him with drooping arms.

"The plane malfunctioned," she whispers, "all the luggage… our apples… in the ocean…" she finishes inaudibly.

"I don't have it, darling…" Father spreads out his hands.

Dumbstruck, Girl sighs, then turns to the cupboard. As she rests her head on the pillow, a slow tear rolls down her cheek. In front of her, on the grey metal surface, is one last apple. "Good that you managed in time, daddy," she says as she closes her eyes.