The Pineapple Story: How to Conquer Anger

by Otto Koning, Bill Gothard

The pineapple story took place in Dutch New Guinea. It covered a period of seven years. It is a humorous yet profound illustration of applying a basic Scriptural principle. As you read this first-hand account, you will discover that it is a classic example of the kinds of struggles which each of us faces until we learn and apply the principle of yielding personal rights. (All Scripture references are from the King James Version of the Bible, unless otherwise noted.)

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion, Childrens, Theology, Biography

39 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Suzanne]

A muddled, poorly-told, shocking story. The theme and message was obscured both by pages upon pages of irrelevant detail and by deeply racist attitudes. The narrator (who is also the main character) refuses to consider or account for the native culture having different values from his own, which at one point leads him to anger and resentment deep enough to withhold medical treatment which causes people to die.

Actually, let me expand on that statement: the narrator is angry that someone is stealing his pineapples, so he punishes the entire community for either a small group or individual's actions by refusing to treat everyone's medical conditions, from illness to injury. He explicitly says people die of influenza and childbirth complications. PEOPLE AND UNBORN BABIES LITERALLY DIE because of this man's resentment over pineapples. He expresses ZERO REMORSE for this.

At the end of the story, the narrator, having learned his lesson about acting Christ-like, gives thanks to God. He never once apologizes to either God or the community he allegedly serves for the lives he directly ended. This is an APPALLING story.

[soph.connects.the.dots]

Man, all those pineapples!

[Angie Thompson]

I really wasn't sure where this story was going for a while and was a little worried both by some of the actions and attitudes of the missionary and the fear that the natives were going to be proved to be "in the right" with their disrespect of private property. However, the lesson when it came was a very good one, and I liked the message of giving our treasures to Jesus and trusting Him to care for them in His way. I also liked the way that neither the natives nor the missionary was portrayed as being right in all their actions. :)

Content--mentions of stealing and un-Christian attitudes

[Matt Hills]

This is an awesome book! I recommend this book to anyone PERIOD.

[Cayden Purdie]

Great life lesson on giving things to God first

[candace]

This is hateful, racist religious wank. The doctor was a bad person and I hope he enjoys his pineapples in hell. Bill Gothard is a disgusting human being.

[Daphne Isabell]

So this was actually, for me, a 5 book read. The Pineapple Story is the only one with and ISBN. I believe I read them in order: The Dutch Boy Story, The Kidnapping Story, The Pineapple Story, Greater Weapon Story, and The Snake Story. All of these were such a joy to read. Written for lower middle to middle grade level. All tell snapshot stories of the life of Otto Koning's life and missionary work.

[Rogue-van (the Bookman)]

The true account of a missionary in Dutch New Guinea being frustrated because his villagers kept stealing his pineapples is actually kind of funny. Eventually he followed a principle from The Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts (old name) which changed both him and his ministry. Its both fun and worthwhile to find out what he did. (I won't tell.)

[Joshua]

Great Story, although I lake the audio of Otto Koning telling the story better.

[Karen]

Daddy read this book to us after church today. It's about a missionary and how he deals with his anger.....gives the situation over to God.

[Dani]

It was hard to withhold judgment while reading this book - there is a lot of pain, lack of compassion, and unforgiveness illustrated in these pages, but the resulting surrender remains to be honored and celebrated. I am confident the author’s growth from this experience extended well beyond 1978, when this book was released. If we believe in the God of the story, we must also believe He is never done working.

[Lisamarie H]

Grew up reading this story - taught me the importance of everything we have being God’s and that is we belong to God he takes care of us. I wish that was clearer as the story ends here because they focus on his anger more than I remember when I was little. It helped that I listened to him tell the story - beautiful principle - now ever time I see a pineapple I am reminded that Hod takes care of me

[Deb]

I bought this book almost 40 years ago and read it. It is a great book for all Christians, of all ages. I highly recommend it for your children.

[Heidi]

Cute, meaningful story and beautiful illustrations.

[Seth Bowen]

Short book about giving what you have to God.

[Gary]

One of the greatest life lessons ever is taught by this simple book! Must read!

[B.]

This book is gross! Racist piece of garbage.

[Reid]

Gothard makes the case citing many Scripture references to make out-loud and fervent prayers to the Lord which will glorify Him.
-Abraham, Moses, the children of Israel, Hannah, Samuel, David, Job,Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, Ananias, Paul to name a few.

He speaks of the humility required to vocalize prayers and the clarity of mind and often, emotion of the heart that result. He says that it also helps one to feel the absolute poverty in one's ability to change or bring about any answer, apart from God.

An all-star cast of recommendations from other well known Christians agree with him.

The book offers a real change in one's feeling about the importance and reality of prayer in practicing "crying out" to the Lord.

For beginners, Gothard suggests reading/crying out loud Ps 16, 23, 31, 51,63

[Rachel B]

This is a true story and has a good message in the end about surrendering everything to God, and trusting Him to provide what we need.

I did feel this was a bit superficial in that the author was trusting God to save some pineapples for him, but only if it's God's will, and God does, so apparently it is. Then the author talks about much more serious issues like health, marriage, etc., but the quick disclaimer that God might say no is overshadowed by God saying yes to the pineapples in the story...

The book is written in a very casual, non-writerly style that I didn't care for. It seemed to be aimed primarily at kids, until the end, where it seems to shift to talking to teens and adults, like the author didn't really know who his audience was.

[Becca]

This is a favorite story from my childhood; now I love reading it to my own children. I so readily identify with the author's struggle with selfishness, and I need to hear the lesson of blessing at the end!

[Alysa Farrell]

I loved this book as a kid and almost had forgotten about it till someone mentioned something about growing pineapples and how long it takes...then I remembered this book!!!! I wonder if my mom still has it...

Very good story & message!! A must read for lessons in patience.

[Beccarose]

I reread this story in a study on meekness...I love it! It is a wonderful read and contains a valuable lesson.

[KubaP]

...nečetl, ale poslouchal na http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYM-4m...

...kdo nezažil nepochopí :)

[Carman]

This is a wonderful true story about a missionary to a tribe in New Guinea. It was so funny that I was laughing almost the whole time! I recommend this book to anyone. It was great!

[Lori Nemitz]

Read between July & December 1985.

Original notes on book from 1985: Story of giving things back to God.

[Peter Pike]

The story was very good, and the point excellent. There was a rather obvious typo in my copy, unfortunately, but that can be overlooked :-)

[Ash (Barbie)]

I prefer the audio version of this book and the series that goes with it. It's more engaging and expresses more details. That said, it's a great story and a really good reminder. The illustrations were also great and I wasn't expecting those.

[Danielle Root]

This is a true story about a missionary man who learned a lesson on anger. It's a book for all ages. My college professor had us read it in college years back and I rediscovered it on a reading list for 1st graders. Written from a perspective of a born again believer. Highly recommend this book!