Answer:
The reason that Mrs. Whitaker rejects Galaad's offer of the apple of the Hesperides while accepting his other two gifts is:
The apple of Hesperides represents Mrs. Whitaker's past. She does not want to return to her youth, out of free choice, even though she is enamored of youthful exuberance.
Explanation:
Neil Gaiman's collection of short stories, entitled "Smoke and Mirrors" (1998), has a second tale christened "Chivalry." The theme of "Chivalry" is about love, growing old, and personal choices. This Neil Gaiman's Christmas special is the story of Mrs Whitaker, who finds the Holy Grail in a charity shop. When approached by a Knight for the Holy Grail, she chose, in exchange, some precious stones, instead of the apple of the Hesperides, which could have returned her youth, a youth she remembered with nostalgia.
