A long time ago in China a boy named Ping (who was an avid gardener) was growing up in a happy little village, when one day, the Emperor announced that he was getting too old and needed to find a worthy successor.
The Emperor ordered all the children to assemble at his palace, where he issued a challenge to them: "I will give you all a handfull of flower seeds, and whoever grows them the best, will take my place as the new Emperor. Take these seeds and come back in the fall when you are done".
Of course all the children were very excited, and immediately went to work planting and watering their seeds, taking the utmost care to ensure they would succeed. Ping went to work as well, choosing just the right soil, just the right pot, and a perfect sunny location.
But days went by and nothing happened for Ping. He thought the soil was not right so he changed the dirt. Weeks went by and nothing happened. It must be too sunny he thought so he changed the location of the pot. Months went by and nothing happened. He watered it even more, but nothing ever appeared.
Ping was frustrated and sad. And the day had arrived for all the children to return to the palace with their flowers. With tears in his eyes, he carried his empty pot, and got in line with all the other kids, to take his turn showing the Emperor the results of their labors.
Ping couldnt believe his eyes; the other kids had flowers of amazing size and color. He wanted to crawl in a hole and die. How could face the Emperor with an empty pot?? Would he be laughed at? Banished? Beheaded? Imprisoned?
The Emperor looked carefully at every pot, and in a quiet but stern voice, demanded of his audience " who has dared to bring an empty pot before the Emperor? "
The crowd of children were dead silent and still as mice.
Ping slowly raised his hand, and tried to utter an apology.
"..um... the empty pot is mine. I'm sorry..."
The Emperor interrupted Ping " Come here now and face me"
Ping quaked in his shoes as he slowly walked up and stood before the powerful Emperor.
The Emperor raised his voice even louder, to address the whole crowd, and this time he was angry. " The seeds I gave to all of you had been cooked, and therefore were impossible to grow. Not only have you all tried to deceive me, but Ping was the only one with the honor to admit to the truth. Ping shall be Emperor."