Synopsis
A long time ago in China there was a boy named Ping who loved flowers. Anything he planted burst into bloom. The Emperor loved flowers too. When it was time to choose an heir, he gave a flower seed to each child in the kingdom. "Whoever can show me their best in a year's time," he proclaimed, "shall succeed me to the throne!" Ping plants his seed and tends it every day. But month after month passes, and nothing grows. When spring comes, Ping must go to the Emperor with nothing but an empty pot. Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.- ★★★★★
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- Find China on a map.
- What is an emperor? What is a successor?
- Do you think the Emperor’s plan to choose his successor is wise?
- How does Ping feel as he takes his empty pot to the Emperor compared to the rest of the children rushing towards the palace? Who gives Ping courage?
- Sometimes others can make you feel small when you’re trying to do the right thing. Ping’s ‘clever’ friend runs by him and exclaims, “You’re not really going to the Emperor with an empty pot, are you? Couldn’t you grow a great big flower like mine?” How does Ping feel when his friend teases him?
- His friend’s focus seems short sighted. He is focused on winning a competition no matter the cost. Who is really winning here and what is he winning?
- Ping is very courageous to present the empty pot to the Emperor. Sometimes it can take courage to be honest. Have you ever faced a similar situation?
- Why does the Emperor frown when he sees the beautiful flowers the children have brought? How do you think the other children grew such lovely flowers though they received the same kind of seeds as Ping?
- Why does the Emperor select Ping to be his successor? Ping uses the seed he was given. He worked hard and tried his best. He was honest and did not cheat. He showed immense courage when doing the right thing.
- Name the virtues a good leader should have. Do you see some of these qualities in the Emperor? In Ping?
- Make it cross-curricular! Learn about the lifecycle of a plant, plant a seed, and watch it grow as an activity to accompany this story. As a child learns responsibility for taking care of a creation of Allah ﷻ, discuss how each of us also has a responsibility to take good care of our spiritual hearts by patiently nourishing it with good actions and good deeds, day by day, week by week, and season by season.
Mindful Muslim Review
In a kingdom that values the treasures of the natural world, it’s only fitting for the Emperor to announce a flower-growing competition to identify the next heir to the throne. Despite his best efforts, a young boy named Ping falls into despair when his seed does not sprout. Though he toils endlessly day after day, week after week, season after season, he does not witness the fruits of his efforts. Yet, through honesty and perseverance, deep within his heart, there is something blossoming—his character.
Dismayed with his outward results, Ping finds comfort in the wise words of his father: “You did your best, and your best is good enough to present to the Emperor.” His father’s reassurance highlights that his goal for his son is moral character, not worldly power. Learning that true success may not always be visible or tangible, Ping gains the courage he needs to face the Emperor. In the end, the Emperor chooses the admirable young boy with the empty pot to be his successor, showing that good character is more beautiful and of greater value than even the most stunning show of exotic and rare flowers. This exquisitely detailed yet simple telling of a Chinese folktale illustrates that, unless we diligently safeguard our values, competition in worldly gains can compromise our character and ultimately our primary goal—to gain the pleasure of Allah ﷻ.
