Long ago in China, there lived an old emperor searching for a child worthy of one day inheriting his throne. He decided to hold a special test for the children of the kingdom.

The emperor gathered a great number of children and gave each of them a single seed. He told them, Plant this seed and care for it well for a full year. Whoever brings me the most beautiful plant will be my next successor.

There was a boy named Ping who cared for his seed with great love, watering it and planting it in the finest soil. But no matter what he did, the seed never sprouted anything, and his pot remained completely empty for many long months.

The day of the flower show arrived, and Ping felt very sad, knowing he would bring an empty pot while all the other children arrived with beautiful, colorful, blooming plants that made their families proud.

When the emperor saw Ping's empty pot, he smiled and announced before everyone that Ping was the winner. All the seeds he had handed out had been boiled beforehand and could never sprout, and Ping was the only child honest and brave enough to bring the truth as it was, instead of cheating with another plant as everyone else had done.

The Lesson: Honesty and integrity are worth more than any beautiful but false appearance.